The Perth Hills are teeming with historic pubs just perfect for a weekend lunch! One of our favourites has to be the extra family friendly Parkerville Tavern. The 125+ year old pub has been lovingly restored, having oodles of charm and stacks of things for kids to do. The federation style pub is great for families (and groups) as its shady beer garden has a welcoming, relaxing vibe. Add the awesome playground, resident animals and yummy menu into the mix and you’ve got a venue that is guaranteed to entertain the kids for hours.
The Parky also has dining inside, but on a sunny day there’s no contest. The beer garden has to be one of Perth’s best. There’s with plenty of space for everyone; tones of tables with a good view of the playground and plenty of things to keep the kiddos amused.
Kids are sure to rush to the big green tractor and happily explore the sand-fall playground.
There’s a cubby house, slides and boats, plus plenty of play equipment for all ages to climb on.
As well as tall gum trees, the playground is partially shaded with a few sails.
Sometimes it’s the simple things, like seeing who can swing the highest, that’s the most fun!
Kids will also love paying a visit to the sheep that are residents of the beer garden.
And of course, George the Emu!
We also spotted many native quendas (Bandicoots) and cheeky chip-stealing parrots, which kept the kids really amused. Be sure to let your kids know not to chase and scare the wildlife.
Running through the middle of the beer garden is a shallow stream with a bridge crossing it. This provides good fun for racing leaf boats and watching ducks paddle. Visiting in cooler months? A heated marquee will give you the option of dining outdoors in the beer garden with a clear view of the playground, but still remaining toasty warm.
The menu at The Parkerville Tavern is extensive and well-priced. There’s all the pub food classics; burgers, parmys, fish and chips, the lot! You can order at the bar or order and pay straight from your table via me&u. Simply tap the me&u beacon located on your table to view the menu on your smartphone. Here you can select your meals and pay for your order without having to leave your table.
The Parkerville Tavern is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week, with live music sessions often held on Sunday afternoons, which are always good for a boogie. From Friday to Sunday evening, there’s the added option of ordering a gourmet pizza from the outdoor pizza oven. We ordered a tasty buttermilk chicken burger, with cheese, salad and BBQ chipotle sauce, and chips on the side.
I enjoyed a rolled pork belly, with cauliflower puree, buttered cabbage and bacon (yum!), perfectly cooked broccolini, picked apple, red wine gravy AND crackle. Both were generous portions and came out of the kitchen not too long after ordering.
The Parkerville Tavern offers a small kids’ menu, with the meals including a juice box. There’s plenty of highchairs for little ones too.
On the kids menu are chicken nuggets and chips, fish and chips, and good old spag bol. The kiddos enjoyed fish n chips.
As well as the nuggets and chips. Both were good quality, decent portions and got the thumbs up from the kids.
You can add on a Simmos ice cream tub for an additional $7 – I recon the adults might want one too 😉
If you want to keep the kids busy at the table, but off devices, activity packs are available at the bar.
The Parkerville Tavern is located in the Perth Hills bushland with the famous “Railway Reserves Heritage Trail” walk and cycle path right on its doorstep. This trail leads to John Forrest National Park (a 5km walk one way) and right through the spooky Swan View Tunnel (a 7.7km walk one way) in one direction and to Lake Leschenaultia, (15kms) in the other direction. Closer to the tavern, a 1.4km walk east along the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail takes you to the hidden Falls Park reserve which during the winter months has a beautiful waterfall running through the middle of it.
The Parky is a great stop for lunch after a bushwalk or cycle, so come prepared for a fun day out in the Perth Hills!
The Parkerville Tavern is located at 6 Owen Road, Parkerville. Visit www.parkervilletavern.com.au for more information.
Buggybuddys dined as guests of the Parkerville Tavern (but we have dined there many times and paid for ourselves – we love it). All opinions and images are our own.
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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.
