There are many beautiful national and regional parks in Perth, making it easy to get away from it all and enjoy bushwalks, picnics and BBQs with your family. As well as beautiful bush, wildflowers, waterfalls and a tone of native animals to spot – some parks also offer adventure activities, playgrounds and caves! See our guide to National and Regional Parks in Perth here:
National and Regional Parks in Perth – North
Yanchep National Park
Yanchep National Park has been a popular family picnic spot for generations. Throw down a rug overlooking the lake, enjoy the free BBQ facilities, or grab lunch at the historic Yanchep Inn. The tuart and banksia woodlands are filled with things to explore – a koala boardwalk, 9 walking trails (from an easy 500m to challenging 46Km hikes), Crystal Cave, Aboriginal experiences, the yummy chocolate shop, birdlife… you can even camp there!
One of our favourite experiences has to be the Trees Adventure, where the whole family can navigate their way through woodlands on wobbly bridges, tight ropes, ziplines and more! See the Buggybuddys guide to Yanchep National Park here.
Find Yanchep National Park at Yanchep Beach Road, Yanchep. (Entry Fee)
Yellagonga Regional Park
Yellagonga Regional Park is found on the banks of several lakes and wetlands, including Lake Joondalup. The park’s history includes Dreamtime stories, a rich Nyoongar culture, and a colonial settlement. Yellagonga is popular for cycling and walking, with the 16km Lake Joondalup circuit taking about 4 hours to walk (Ocean Reef Rd entrance to Neil Hawkins Park Joondalup is shorter). Along the way you’ll see water birds, kangaroos, turtles and watch out for the tiger snakes and dugites in summer! A few playgrounds, including Wanneroo’s Rotary Park, can be found along the way. See the lake views on the boardwalk at Neil Hawkins Park, which is a great spot to enjoy a family BBQ or picnic by the playground. Read our review of Perry’s Paddock.
Best parking for Yellagonga Regional Park at the Ocean Reef Road entrance opp the white heritage house or at Neil Hawkins Park. (Free)
Whiteman Park
Whiteman Park is not only home to many playgrounds, picnic spots, museums and attractions, it’s also home to some brilliant bush trails for the whole family to enjoy. The Children’s Forest is a community initiative aimed to teach children about revegetation and environment in Australia. This area of the park is fenced to keep it free from Kangaroos. Grab a list of “50 things to do in the Children’s Forest” from the Visitor Centre and explore huts, bridges, stepping stones, hidden animals and much more for kids to spy along the way and mark of their list. The forest is located between the village and mussel pool and entry is free. See the Buggybuddys guide here.
Find Whiteman Park at Whiteman Park 233a Drumpellier Drive, Whiteman.
National and Regional Parks in Perth – East
John Forrest National Park
One of the country’s oldest conservation areas can be found in the Perth Hills at John Forrest National Park. Founded in 1900, the brilliant visitor area has barbecue and picnic facilities, as well as a new nature play area for kids. This small yet mighty shady play space is beside a flowing creek – adding an extra element of outdoor play.
The park has over 100 species of native animals, birds, reptiles and frogs – so you’re bound to spot plenty of wildlife on a bush walk. The historic Swan View Tunnel is not to be missed. There’s a number of trails from 300m strolls, to a 16km bush hike. Take a walk to the two beautiful waterfalls Hovea and National Park Falls – best visited in winter and early spring. There’s lots of cultural significance, the Jane Brook area has a connection to the Dreamtime serpent, known as the Waugal. See the Buggybuddys guide here.
Find John Forrest National Park at Park Road, Hovea. (Entry Fee.)
Walyunga National Park
The bush tracks through Walyunga National Park can be hilly and rocky, so we’d recommend a visit with older kids to this peaceful National Park north of the Swan Valley. The walk involves following a river, leading up to Syds rapids. There are lots of places to stop along the way, including toilets, gas BBQs and picnic tables.
Find Walyunga National Park off Walyunga Road, Bullsbrook (entry free).
Gooseberry Hill National Park & Zig Zag
The most famous landmark of the Gooseberry Hill National Park HAS to be the The Zig Zag. The very narrow and winding road, in the shape of… you guessed it, a zig zag, was once the route travelled by steam trains, carrying timber gradually down the escarpment. The train tracks were dismantled in 1949, but you can still drive down the edge of the hill, enjoying city views and bushland vistas. See the Buggybuddys guide here.
Find Gooseberry Hill National Park at Zig Zag Scenic Drive, Gooseberry Hill. (Free to enter)
Mundy Regional Park & Lesmurdie Falls
Mundy Regional Park, on the edge of the Perth Hills near Kalamunda, is home to stunning Lesmurdie Falls. If we’ve had decent rainfall over winter, then the falls will be flowing and there are a host of wildflowers on display. From the car park on Falls Road, it’s an easy stroll along gravel paths meandering past Lesmurdie Brook to the stunning 50-meter waterfall and the two main lookout points. It’s fine for younger children and very sure footed toddlers that can walk about 800m. See the Buggybuddys guide here.
Find Mundy Regional Park at Falls Road, Lesmurdie. (Free entry)
National and Regional Parks in Perth – South
Canning River Regional Park
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The Canning River Regional Park has a range of fun activities to suit all the family. The Kent St Weir area offers an action-packed day out with lots of facilities including the Castledere Miniature Railway, picnic area, toilets, Canning River Café, a playground, BMX track, Eco Education Centre, kayaking on the river and of course bushwalking! The Park has sealed pathways through it which can be used for scooters, strollers or bikes. You can cross the bridge and have a wander along the 1.5 km Banksia Loop walk or the 4km Butterflies, birds and bridges loop trail. See the Buggybuddys guide here.
Located on Kent St, Cannington.
Serpentine National Park
Serpentine National Park is found at the southern end of the Perth Hills. There’s picnic facilities and toilets, as well as walking to the falls, or take a bush walk to Kitty’s Gorge with older, more adventurous kids. And a tip – call ahead of time to make sure the park isn’t at capacity (or get there when it opens at 8:30am) or you may be turned away because the Park is full. See the Buggybuddys guide here.
Find Serpentine National Park at the end of Falls Road, Serpentine (Entry Fee).
Other National and Regional Parks in Perth worth checking out:
- Kalamunda National Park
- Korung National Park
- Jandakot Regional Park
- Midgegooroo National Park
- Beeliar Regional Park
- Woodman Point Regional Park
Want to find more picnic and walking spots in Perth? Check out our guide.
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life” has enjoyed an exciting name change in 2021, as “The Chef’s Ex-wife” embarks on new adventures with Simply PERTHfect. Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA, as well as brunching, tapas or something a little fancy in equal measures. With her son “Little Chef” in tow, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
