Next Level Monkey Business is a high ropes and zipline adventure park that’s perfect for families looking to burn off energy in the South West. Set in a beautiful bushland valley between Dunsborough and Yallingup, the course weaves through tall trees and over a lake, with the park sitting beside the family‑friendly Bailey Brewing Co. Dunsborough. It’s a brilliant spot to combine a big dose of outdoor adventure with a relaxed meal or drink before or after your climb.
From the moment you arrive, kids will be itching to get into their harnesses. Monkeys of all ages can choose their own level of excitement, whether it’s the long Mega Zip that flies more than 100 metres across the lake, the Tree Huggers zipline course that winds through the treetops, the lower Mini course, or the full “Next Level” experience tackling everything. The park has been designed to gently push kids out of their comfort zone in a really positive way, building confidence as they go.
Once you’re up in the trees, the variety of obstacles is impressive. The courses are packed with swinging rope bridges, wobbly balance beams, twisty ladders, tunnels, hanging poles and climbing walls, plus multiple ziplines and a towering climbing wall that’s a hit with older kids and teens. Even the most confident little monkeys will find something that challenges them, and the sense of achievement when they clip off the final zipline is huge.
There are three main courses, each tailored to a different age group. Cheeky Chimps is designed for children aged 4 to 8 years and offers a gentle introduction to climbing and ziplining at lower heights through the bush. Kids make their way across net bridges, through tunnels and along balance obstacles before zipping through the trees. Children aged 7 and 8 can usually climb independently, but younger Cheeky Chimps (ages 4, 5 and 6) need a participating adult with them on the course at all times, so be prepared to harness up if you have smaller adventurers.
Mini Monkeys is aimed at ages 9 to 12 and is where things really step up. The ziplines are longer, the elements are higher and more demanding, and there’s a lot more opportunity for those “sweaty palm” moments. It’s a great way for tweens to test themselves, and staff are fantastic at encouraging nervous climbers without ever pushing too hard. How much of the course they tackle will depend on height, weight and confidence, but most kids find they surprise themselves with what they can manage.
For teenagers and adults, the Great Gorillas ticket gives access to the entire park, including all three courses plus the Mega Zip and the Tree Huggers zipline course. Minimum height for Great Gorillas is 138cm and minimum weight is 38kg, so it’s worth checking your kids against these requirements before you book. This level includes some of the trickiest obstacles in the park – swinging ropes, zig‑zag bridges and higher platforms that test even experienced climbers. The Mega Zip, where you climb a big tree beside the lake and then launch yourself on a 100+ metre flight across the water, is the stand‑out thrill and a real bucket‑list moment for many families.
Before anyone leaves the ground, all participants take part in a thorough safety briefing. Friendly instructors talk you through the harness system and how to use the continuous safety line, which is designed so climbers stay clipped on for the whole course. A waiver needs to be completed for each climber, and this can be done online when you book or on arrival. Closed‑toe shoes are essential, and sessions run for two hours, which is plenty of time to tackle the courses without feeling rushed.
One of the big pluses for parents is the flexibility in how involved you need to be. If your children are old enough and confident on the course, you can keep your feet on the ground and follow their progress along the paths underneath, cameras at the ready. For younger kids on the Cheeky Chimps course, adults can clip in and climb alongside them, which ends up being a lovely shared experience (and a decent workout for grown‑ups too). Knowing that specially trained rescue instructors are on hand to help anyone who gets stuck or nervous is very reassuring.
Next Level Monkey Business works well even if not everyone in the family wants to climb. Close to the check‑in area you’ll find an in‑house café serving drinks and snacks, with a seating area that gives you a good view of the action in the trees. You’re welcome to bring your own picnic, and with Bailey Brewing Co. next door it’s also easy to pair a morning or afternoon climb with lunch in their beer garden while keeping an eye on your little monkeys overhead. It’s a very easy place to linger for a few hours.
Younger siblings who are too small for the main courses aren’t left out. Beside the café there’s an enclosed sandpit and a sweet little cubby house that keeps toddlers and preschoolers happily busy. Around the base of the course you’ll also find ground‑level tunnels and balancing logs, so smaller children can “have a go” and feel part of the adventure, even if they’re not quite ready for a harness.
The park is popular for birthday parties, school excursions, corporate days and Christmas functions, and gift vouchers are available, making it a great experience present for kids who already have plenty of toys. Sessions often book out in busy periods, so online bookings are highly recommended. Next Level Monkey Business is open seven days a week during WA school holidays, with more limited days during term time; always check the website for the latest opening hours and session times before you travel.
Our crew absolutely loved our time at Next Level Monkey Business. The combination of fresh air, physical challenge and that heady mix of nerves and excitement added up to a memorable day out, and the kids slept very well that night after two hours of non‑stop climbing and ziplining. If you’re planning a family getaway to the Margaret River Region and looking for an activity that suits a range of ages, this tree‑top adventure park is a must‑do.
Next Level Monkey Business, Dunsborough
Address: Bannamah Wildlife Park, 1710 Caves Road, Dunsborough WA 6281
Opening hours: Open 7 days a week during WA school holidays; check the website for current term‑time opening days and session times.
Website: https://nextlevelmonkeybiz.com.au
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
