Buggbuddys guide to playgrounds with nature play in Perth! The ultimate guide to the best nature playgrounds and parks in Perth! Kids love burning off energy at parks and playgrounds, and Perth’s got some of the best in the world. Best of all, they’re all FREE!
Why do we love nature playgrounds?
Nature play gets kids back in touch with nature. It provides important learning opportunities as well as a chance to get grubby and build or play with natural materials. In other words, a chance to delight in water play or let kids can get hands-on in mud kitchens or work together at sand tables with their friends.
We’ve also added details of where playgrounds are close to local coffee shops, cafes and restaurants. Therefore you can grab a bite to eat before or after your play, or grab a takeaway coffee on the way. Don’t forget your reusable coffee mug! 😉 Get out into nature play today and make some precious memories with your kids today!
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Playtime at Walter Padbury Park is wonderfully inclusive, with an all-abilities Playground set within the large district reserve in the heart of Thornlie. The reserve itself features three expansive sporting ovals catering for soccer, cricket and AFL, complete with practice cricket nets and club facilities, making it a brilliant destination for both active kids and families who want space to spread out. The fully fenced all-abilities Playground sits on soft-fall rubber flooring, creating a safe, comfortable surface for wheels and little feet. A standout feature is the ground-level, seated flying fox, designed so that children of all abilities can join Read more…
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Found at Movida Estate, Willuna Park in Midvale, offers a fun new playground. Just minutes form Midland, the park features a great mix of traditional equipment, nature play, sand play and even soccer goals that will keep kids aged from about 3 years and up entertained. The small playground has a wooden fort-like play structure that is great for a little imaginative play. There are two ways to get up to the fort, a sloping climbing nets and also a vertical tube climbing net. Of course, the best way to get down from the fort is via the red slide! Read more…
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The newly redeveloped East Fremantle Oval area has been transformed into a fantastic family-friendly space, featuring a nature playground located in front of the Carnaby Cafe. The fort-style playground boasts multiple levels, a climbing rope, fireman poles, a slide, and a climbing wall. Children can also enjoy a wooden stepping stone and rope agility course. The playground features an all-abilities birdnest swing, free gas BBQs, seating, and water fountains, all under shade cloth for sun protection. Adjacent to the playground is a large grass area, perfect for picnics and ball games. Don’t forget to bring skateboards, scooters, bikes, and basketballs Read more…
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Wandi Playing Fields Playground is a brilliant community space that really suits a whole day out with the kids. Tucked alongside the playing fields and opposite Honeywood Primary School, this modern Playground combines big open spaces, nature play, water play and active zones for older kids. It’s one of those parks where families can easily spend hours, with enough variety to keep toddlers, primary schoolers and tweens all happy. The first thing that grabs kids’ attention is the impressive 30-metre double flying fox. One cable has a standard pommel seat and the other features an all-abilities harness seat, making it Read more…
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Mundaring Community Sculpture Park is a beautiful family-friendly destination in the Perth Hills. Set on the site of the former Mundaring Railway Station and right beside the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, it makes a great spot for a picnic. Located on Jacoby Street opposite the tasty Mundaring Hotel, the park has plenty of free parking along the roadside. The park combines a fun adventure playground with plenty of nature play, plus public art and shady picnic spaces, making it a fab spot to spend a few hours when exploring the Perth Hills. With tweens in tow, they made a bee-line Read more…
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Dyoondalup Point Walter Playground, set along the stunning Swan River foreshore and next to Walter’s River Café, has been transformed with a beautiful new play space that celebrates Noongar culture and the natural landscape. The centrepiece of the Playground is a striking tower structure, designed in collaboration with Noongar artist Sharyn Egan. It reflects stories of Djunda, a tall female spirit with long flowing white hair, and honours Dyoondalup (Point Walter) as a “place of white sand.” The result is a thoughtfully designed, culturally rich Playground that offers much more than just a run-of-the-mill play experience. This is a very Read more…
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Enright Reserve in Hamilton Hill is a fantastic all-rounder park that caters for a wide range of ages and abilities. Tucked away in a quiet residential area, it combines a nature play space, a more traditional Playground, fitness equipment and a big oval, so it’s easy to fill a whole morning or afternoon here with the kids. The nature-based Playground is ideal for little climbers and imaginative play. Younger children can confidently tackle the old tyres that lead up to a plastic tunnel slide, and there’s a second plastic tunnel to crawl through or balance across, which is great for Read more…
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Lincoln Road Reserve in Forrestfield is a great little neighbourhood park that’s well set up for active kids. The reserve combines traditional play equipment with nature play, a ninja-style obstacle course and a double flying fox, all beside a large open grassed area that’s perfect for running and ball games. The double flying fox is a big highlight for many families. One of the lines has a supportive seat with a harness, which is ideal for younger children or those who need a bit of extra security, while the other has a disc-style seat for more confident riders. The cable Read more…
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Tucked away at the end of Banrock Drive in the Annie’s Landing estate, this beautiful district playspace is a brilliant destination park for families in Ellenbrook and the Swan Valley. The Playground sits within Brockman Park and has been designed to blend into its natural bushland setting, with plenty of sand, logs, rocks and trees creating a real “adventure in the bush” feel rather than a standard suburban park. The playspace is laid out in “play pockets” for different age groups, all linked by meandering pathways. Older kids are drawn straight to the big-ticket equipment, including a large spider-web climbing Read more…
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Sunstone Park – previously known to locals as Adventure Tower Park – is a standout neighbourhood Playground in the Calleya Estate, set along Sunstone Boulevard in Treeby. Surrounded by new homes and wide streets, it’s very much the community’s central “adventure” space, with a huge tower, plenty of grass to run on and family‑friendly facilities that make it an easy meet‑up spot. The hero of the park is the towering adventure structure, rising around eight metres above the ground. Confident climbers can make their way up via metal ladders to the lower level, where a smaller slide gives younger children Read more…
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Wyong Reserve in Bentley is a great little park with a lot going on. The playground is fully fenced and has a pathway running around it that is designed as a road to ride scooters and bikes along. There a few large speed humps, and we said next time we come we will have to bring the scooter. There are benches around the playground and an undercover area with BBQs and picnic benches. There is also a drink fountain and bins. It was nice that they kept some of the big trees in the development of the playground and fitted Read more…
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The Caterpillar Playground in Mandurah, also known as Milgar Street Reserve, is a much‑loved local favourite, and it’s easy to see why. Tucked just off Park Road with plenty of parking, this colourful, fully fenced Playground makes an ideal spot for families with younger children, especially if you have a “runner” who likes to explore. There’s also pedestrian access from Reserve Drive, which is handy if you’re walking or cycling through the area. Do be aware that on weekends it can get busy, as the Playground sits right next to the BMX track and parking can fill quickly during events Read more…
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Lathlain Park is found to the north of Mineral Resources Park – aka the home of the mighty West Coast Eagles! It’s a lovely little spot, across the road from the small but mighty Lathlain cafe strip, and larger playgrounds at both Rayment Park and Tom Wright Park. We’ve been along with some takeaways from Laika Café in the school holidays and been lucky enough to spy the Eagles training. As well as Laika (with it’s own basketball court), there’s Kettle Café and a fab new bakery to check out on the strip too. It really is a gem of Read more…
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Ernest Johnson Reserve in South Perth is a welcoming community space with a great little Playground, wide open ovals and facilities that make it easy to spend a few relaxed hours with the family. Located on Pilgrim Street, it’s set back from busy roads and has its own car park, so access is straightforward, even with prams and younger kids in tow. The Playground is spread across several smaller play zones rather than one big structure, which helps to keep different ages occupied without it feeling overcrowded. Each section has benches or seating close by, making it easy for parents Read more…
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Found besides the waters of Lake Claremont is a small, but lovely nature playground. The play area has been designed for primary school aged kids, though little ones will love the sand play! The main fort structure is suitable for older kids, as it is made up of wooden steps and rope to climb up to the top. Once you’re at the top, the “floor” is also made out of rope, so there’s no solid surface to stand and play on. There’s a large concrete sand-play table, with a tyre to scoop up the course red sand, attached to a Read more…
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Hidden amongst trees along the Swan River foreshore, in the shadow of Optus Stadium, the Chevron Parkland is a wonderful nature play experience in Perth. The 2.6 hectares of rehabilitated parklands and nature-based playgrounds were opened as part of Stadium Park in 2018, and the area has grown and matured in that time. While the below aerial image is dated, it may help you to locate some of the play elements that are well hidden by the now-mature trees and bushes. There are six nature play areas within the Chevron Parkland, all designed to encourage children to explore, each play Read more…
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Holland Park in Piara Waters is yet another brilliant playground in the popular family suburb. There’s lots of elements packed into this park including nature play, as well as a fun fort! The wooden play equipment is built on woodchip, giving the space a rustic vibe and there’s a sandpit too. Let’s explore… The main attraction is a wooden fort, with balancing ropes and logs to scale to the top. Little Chef particularly liked the climbing ropes and logs up to the fort. This may be a little difficult for younger children, who may need a helping hand. There’s a Read more…
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Highland Range Playground in Jane Brook is a fantastic little spot for families looking to combine fresh air, nature play and active fun. Nestled in the foothills of the Darling Ranges, the Playground sits within the Highland Range estate and is surrounded by bushland and hillside views, making it feel a bit like a mini escape from suburbia. The Playground has a strong focus on nature play, with woodchip surfacing and lots of timber elements for kids to explore. Little adventurers will love testing their balance and coordination on the stepping logs, stepping poles and balancing beams. These features are Read more…
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Serpentine Dam has long been a favourite Perth Hills day trip, and the Playground here makes it even more enticing for families. The fenced and gated play space is inspired by the surrounding forest and rocky landscape, and sits just a short stroll from the dam and Bistro By the Dam café. It’s a brilliant base for a full day of exploring, playing and picnicking. The Playground has been designed with a wide range of ages in mind, with most of the equipment low to the ground so even toddlers can confidently have a go. Little ones will love the Read more…
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Located within the Beachside precinct of Capricorn Yanchep, Campground Adventure Park is a hillside Playground with a real “holiday park” feel. Set on the former Club Capricorn Resort camping ground, it makes the most of the natural slope and mature trees, and has been cleverly designed with nostalgic touches that parents will appreciate as much as the kids. The first thing you’ll notice is the retro caravan theme. A large picnic shelter shaped like an old-school caravan sits near the main play area, giving the park a fun, quirky character. In the toddler zone, a smaller open caravan structure continues Read more…
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Located on Scarborough Beach Road, Braithwaite Park has long been cherished by Perth families for its innovative nature playground. The park has recently undergone an exciting transformation with a complete renovation of its toddler area, creating a comprehensive play space that caters to children of all ages. Newly Renovated Toddler Area The original toddler playground built in 2003 has been completely reimagined as a purpose-built space specifically designed for the youngest visitors. This thoughtfully designed area features: Full fencing for safety and peace of mind Soft flooring throughout to cushion tumbles Three distinct play zones catering to different developmental stages Read more…
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Calling all climbers! The recently revamped play space at Flinders Park in Hillarys is ideal for kids who love a challenge. The playground reopened several months ago and now boasts various rope ladders and climbing frames, plus balance and stepping logs for kids to test their agility. The play structures are best suited to older children but my toddler was still able to climb up some of the ladders and enjoy the slides. Underneath is a pretend ‘store’ where all ages can employ their imagination. There is ample space for digging and sand play so it’s a good idea to Read more…
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Forster Park in Cloverdale is a brilliant destination for active families, combining a flowing bike pump track, a fun Playground and a huge sporting oval in one convenient spot. Tucked along Keane Street, this is the kind of community park where you can easily spend a couple of hours while the kids burn off energy on bikes, scooters and the play equipment. The standout feature is the dedicated bike pump track, built by the City of Belmont. The circuit includes a regular loop with rollers and berms as well as a line of bigger jumps for more confident riders, making Read more…
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Cilantro Park, nestled in Stockland’s Calleya Estate in Banjup, is a fantastic local Playground that offers a good mix of active play, nature play and space to run around. Previously known as Calleya Playground, this park continues to be a popular spot with families thanks to its variety of equipment and large open grassed area. The main play structure features two slides: a very high twisty slide that will appeal to more adventurous kids, and a smaller hill slide ideal for younger ones or those still building confidence. Kids can climb, explore and race each other down the different slide Read more…
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Considering Wanneroo is built on old market garden land, it is very fitting that the recently upgraded Frederick Duffy Park is farming themed. This great little park has something for everyone. Set amongst mature gum trees the park has plenty of shade for playing and picnics. At the centre of the park is a big gazebo with a BBQ, picnic tables and a water fountain. Leading off from the picnic area is a circular concreted path, great for little kids on scooters and bikes. Connecting the picnic area to the toddler playground are some “naturescape” style stepping stones and Read more…
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Located just around Harrisdale Nature Reserve, Harrisdale Green Sensory Park is the all-new interactive sensory park for children of all abilities at the new Harrisdale Green Estate. When we first drove past, this cute playground caught our attention with its vibrant colours. The scale of this playground is smallish and more suited for younger toddlers. Older kids might find that there is limited play equipment for them here, but don’t worry, there is another bigger playground located at Green Link Park, which is just a few minutes walk away. The highlight of this playground has to be the sensory play Read more…
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Tucked within Ariella Estate in Brabham, Ariella Adventure Park is a fantastic destination for kids who love to climb, explore and play outdoors. The star of the park is the bright dragonfly-themed play structure, which instantly grabs little ones’ attention as you arrive. The dragonfly’s body is made up of two large rope climbing frames joined by a bridge, leading to a tall enclosed slide that offers a good, speedy ride down. Confident climbers will love making their way right up to the top, traversing across the ropes and then racing each other down the slide again and again. Around Read more…
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Gibbon Park, Mosman Park Gibbon Park is the latest nature playground in Mosman Park. This park includes a mix of nature play elements and traditional play equipment that’s sure to satisfy active children! On arriving Miss 6 raced straight for the traditional play equipment first. What kid can resist a slide? This part of the playground is covered with shade sails, has a soft fall rubber base and is surrounded by grass. Great if you’re not a fan of sand. This playground appears to have been installed in 2012. It features climbing ropes, climbing walls, a tunnel and slide, Read more…
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Gingin Outdoor Activity Space is a fantastic family-friendly destination in the heart of this small, historic township, offering a huge variety of play opportunities for children of all ages. Set in a picturesque, country-town setting, the Playground combines nature play, active play and community facilities, making it well worth the drive from Perth for a day out. The centrepiece of the space is the impressive Gingin Tower, a nature-inspired climbing structure that immediately catches the eye. Kids can climb up using rope ladders and bridges before choosing from two different slides to zoom back down. Surrounding the main tower are Read more…
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Strive Park, Girrawheen Strive Park is a small park located in the Blackmore Park Estate, in Girrawheen. The playground here features nature play elements, some traditional play elements, and a bike and scooter track. It’s sure to be a hit with the kids! Miss 6 loved the traditional part of the playground first. She headed straight for the swings and climbing equipment. There are three swings available. Two regular swings and a birds nest swing. Adjacent to the swing are wooden climbing poles with foot hold pegs. These are quite tall and great for kids who enjoy climbing. On Read more…
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The Canning River Regional Park extends over 6km and offers a range of activities to suit all the family. The Kent St Weir area offers a great family day out with lots of facilities including toilets, drink fountains bike repair kit. There are seven things you can do with the family at Kent St Weir. Have a Picnic – The Kent Street Weir area is perfect for a picnic with family or friends. There are large expanses of grass and some shady trees to throw your rug down. If you prefer there are a few covered gazebos with picnic tables Read more…
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Tucked away on Lenihan Corner just off Hale Road, Wattle Grove Nature Playscape is one of those “pocket” parks that feels like a little bush escape dropped into suburbia. It’s not a huge destination Playground, but it’s a beautifully calm spot for families who like nature-based play, with plenty to explore beyond the standard plastic-and-metal set-up. (Worth noting for families with wanderers: there’s a natural waterway/creek through the area and it isn’t fenced, so close supervision is a must.) The Playground leans into “playscape” in the best way, using timber, rocks, sand and the existing landscape to encourage climbing, balancing Read more…
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The Malabar Park BMX & Community Facility in Bibra Lake is home to the Cockburn BMX Club. This $8.9m redevelopment project is set to welcome national-level BMX events for all local and interstate riders with its new Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) accredited track! Whether you have a BMX enthusiast or beginners looking for a new place to try some BMX racing and training, Malabar Park BMX & Community Facility is the exciting place for the whole family to have a ball in community riding while enjoying the other fantastic facilities like the pump track, playground, clubhouse and BBQ facilities. Riders Read more…
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Tucked within the leafy Frasers Landing estate in Coodanup, this bright red Playground really pops against the surrounding bush and water. As you drive along Lakewood Parkway the first thing you’ll spot is the striking “bird’s nest” tower, which ties in beautifully with the estate’s riverside, nature-focused setting and resident birdlife. It feels like a hidden local gem rather than a big destination Playground, but there’s still plenty here to keep kids happily exploring. The main feature is the tall bird’s nest structure. Confident climbers can choose their own adventure to the top, with a rock-climbing wall, net rope ladder Read more…
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Tucked within the Myella Estate on the northern banks of Lake Joondalup, this compact neighbourhood Playground makes a fun stop for local families or anyone exploring the Wanneroo area. The bright orange climbing structure immediately catches the eye and provides a bit of a challenge for confident climbers. Kids can test their skills on the nets and ladders before rewarding themselves with a speedy ride down the slide into the soft sand below. Younger children are well catered for too, with a sandpit area that includes a small tripod swing. It’s a great spot for toddlers to potter about with Read more…
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The Rannoch Tay Reserve in Hamersley offers a number of different experiences for Perth families. There are four different areas of the reserve, comprising of a nature play area, two BBQ areas with a more traditional playground and swing set, and open spaces. For kids that like to ride bikes or scooters, there are pathways linking all the areas. The two open spaces (one overlooked by BBQ areas) provide enough space for a game of football or cricket and are great for kids to run around in. There are a number of water fountains around the reserve and shady areas Read more…
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Tucked between the CBD and Northbridge, right opposite WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Perth Cultural Centre Playspace is a compact, quirky Playground that’s perfect for breaking up a day in the city. Set within the wider Perth Cultural Centre precinct – home to the Museum, Art Gallery, State Library and more – it’s an easy stop for families travelling by train or exploring on foot from Perth Station or the surrounding streets. The space has a strong sensory and nature play focus, making it a great option for kids who love to touch, balance, spin and explore. The playspace is Read more…
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Located in the leafy foothills of Armadale, Lions Park is a small but cleverly designed neighbourhood Playground with a fun road‑and‑race‑track theme. It’s an ideal spot for little ones who are learning to ride their scooter or balance bike, with smooth pathways and painted track markings creating plenty of opportunities for imaginative play. The main drawcard is the circuit of paths laid out like miniature roads. Blue and red directional arrows, stop and give way signs, and various safety signs turn a simple scoot or ride into a game of “driving”. Kids can pretend they’re on a racetrack or heading Read more…
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The sun is out and summer is just around the corner. With this in mind, Shoreline nature play park located a minutes’ walk to C.Y O’Connor beach is an ideal spot to take your kids for a day of outdoor activities. Located in North Coogee, with easy access from Cockburn Road, the recently completed high-quality parkland at LandCorp’s Shoreline estate includes new lawn areas, public barbeques, sheltered areas, exercise equipment, a nature play area, and plenty of open space for running around, kicking a ball or enjoying a picnic. Shoreline Nature Play Park is a short stroll down to the Read more…
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Mueller Park Play Space in Subiaco has had a fantastic makeover and is now home to Subi’s very first flying fox. Tucked within leafy Mueller Park at the corner of Coghlan Road and Roberts Road, this fully fenced play space features brand-new equipment, sand and water play, climbing elements and nature play trails – a great spot for children of all ages to explore and burn off energy. One of the first things you’ll notice is the strong focus on nature-based play. Kids can get creative with a timber play teepee, where each piece can be moved and rearranged to Read more…
