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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Tucked on the corner of Royal and Lockwood Streets in Yokine, Royal Lockwood Reserve is a modern fenced Playground that blends nature play with traditional equipment, making it a handy little spot for local families, especially those with toddlers and young primary schoolers. Once you step through the gate, you’re greeted by a sweet nature play area to the right. Here you’ll find balancing logs, stepping logs and a wooden teepee, all set on a thick bed of woodchips and surrounded by established shade trees that were retained when the Playground was built. It’s a lovely spot for kids to Read more…
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Tucked into the Saw Avenue Picnic Area on the Subiaco side of Kings Park, Variety Place Playground is a brilliant all-ages nature Playground where kids can climb, balance, crawl and explore for hours. The space has been redeveloped with the support of Variety WA and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, with a strong focus on nature play and inclusive design so that children of all abilities can play side by side. Set amongst mature trees and open lawns, it’s a fantastic spot to let the kids burn off energy before enjoying a relaxed family picnic. The Playground is packed Read more…
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Rutter Park is a leafy, family-friendly Playground tucked into the heart of Wembley, offering a great mix of traditional play equipment, nature play and open green space. With something to suit toddlers through to bigger kids, it’s an easy place to spend a few hours burning energy, catching up with friends or hosting a casual family gathering. The main Playground area features modern traditional play equipment set in sand. Kids who love to climb are well catered for, with climbing walls, rope ladders, a chain ladder and a rope bridge all built into the main structure. Two slides offer options Read more…
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Located in one of Hammond Park’s newest estates, Vivente, Parco Park playground is just a stone’s throw away from The Scramble Parkour Park. This sand-based playground is toddler-friendly, with various play structures for kids to explore. The playground is currently shaded with sail shades. This playground consists of 2 buildings which look like small little huts that are connected with the rope bridge. There are several climbing ropes and nets around the buildings for the kids to climb onto or exit from with the fireman pole. The rope bridge does get quite shaky when walking across. The younger kids might find 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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Bardon Park in Maylands is a gorgeous riverside spot that ticks a lot of boxes for families. Set on a gentle slope down to the Swan River, with views across to Optus Stadium and Belmont Racecourse, it combines a nature-inspired Playground, open grass, wetlands and a shared riverside path – perfect for a relaxed day out with kids. The main, playground is closest to the car park and has a strong nature play feel. Children can clamber across a net bridge, balance along timber beams and tackle an arched climbing frame that challenges their coordination. There’s a birds nest swing Read more…
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Tucked inside the Apsley Estate in Mandogalup, Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground is a brilliant all-ages destination that feels like a bushland adventure just off Rowley Road. As you enter the estate you’ll spot the expansive play space spread out across rolling lawn, winding footpaths and clusters of mature trees, with plenty of room for kids to run, climb and explore. The hero of the park is the towering 12‑metre treehouse-style tower and slide. The climb to the top is an adventure in itself, with a mix of steps, platforms and rope ladders wrapping around the structure. Confident older kids will Read more…
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Mills Park in Beckenham has long been a favourite with Perth families, and the newer all-abilities Playground has made it an even better spot for kids of all ages and needs. Tucked beside the BBQs and grassed picnic areas and only a short stroll from the main nature play space and skate plaza, this fenced Playground is a great “base camp” for families who want a safer, more contained area without missing out on all the action. The all-abilities Playground is fully fenced and double gated, which is especially reassuring for families with toddlers, runners or children who need a Read more…
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Tucked within the Kingsford estate in Bullsbrook, Brookbank Park is an impressive community Playground blends nature play with more traditional equipment to create a brilliant all‑ages destination. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a tree‑lined brook, it’s the sort of park where you can easily settle in for a few hours while the kids explore, climb, splash and play. If you have an aeroplane-loving child, this playground is absolutely worth adding to your list. Planes regularly fly overhead throughout the day, and the aeroplane-themed rocker rides scattered through the playground make the whole space even more exciting for 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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Located in the heart of Treeby, Kara Playground is a playdate paradise for kids of all ages! This state-of-the-art park features a nature play area, a toddler-friendly playground, flying foxes, a basketball court, and even a parkour park! The vibrant colour of the slides shouts excitement for the kids. The main play structure is on the soft fall rubber flooring. The net ropes are easy to climb onto, and the kids can choose between 2 slides. Missy 6 had no trouble climbing up the tall structure and getting up to the higher 5m slide. The water play module is very Read more…
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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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Did you know that the May Drive Parklands located in Kings Park and Botanic Garden was the very first environmental playground and community area of its kind in Australia? Previously known as the Synergy Parklands, this fun spot with golf course green-worthy lawns, is still a BIG hit with families in Perth. The park is fondly known as “The Dinosaur Playground”, since it’s home to many climbable dinosaur sculptures. May Drive Parklands features a 75m-long elevated walkway, a two-tiered island fort, life sized replicas of dinosaurs and extinct Australian Fauna (like the giant croc!), a timber boardwalk and an interactive Read more…
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Iluka Foreshore Park is a nautical themed nature playground that kids of all ages are guaranteed to love! Iluka Foreshore Park is separated into three sections, the first consists of a wooden boat, it was perfect for my toddler to play on, he loved steering the boat and climbing the steps to the slide. On the other side of the boat is a netted ladder for the bigger kids who were having just as much fun as my toddler on the boat pretending to be pirates. There is a sandpit at the end of the slide, and rubber softfall flooring Read more…
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Tucked within the Lakelands development on Dragonfly Boulevard, Lakelands Park is a lovely little nature play space that’s perfect for a morning tea stop, after school play or a quick run around on the way to or from Mandurah. It’s around a six‑minute drive from Lakelands Shopping Centre and Lakelands Library on Mandurah Road, making it easy to pair with a coffee stop or errands. The Playground is nestled between mature trees and an open grassy area, giving it a peaceful bushy feel despite being in a new estate. Being close to Paganoni Reserve, you may even be lucky enough 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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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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Conservation Wetlands Park, located in the Ariella Estate in Brabham has recently opened a new nature play area which is perfect for younger children. A weaving footpath will take you through the wetland, amongst the retained Melaleuca trees with plenty of places to sit and take in the nature around you. So don’t forget to take along a bike or scooter. The play equipment at Conservation Wetlands Park offers children endless opportunities for imaginative play with slides, stepping logs, balance beams, and a cubby house. You can enjoy a picnic under the shade, while the children explore the nature play Read more…
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Tucked along the banks of Bannister Creek in Lynwood, Bannister Creek Nature Playground is a small, leafy neighbourhood park that blends classic play equipment with plenty of natural elements. It’s the sort of space that invites kids to scramble, climb, balance and imagine, rather than just sliding and swinging in straight lines. The Playground sits beside Bannister Creek, which runs along the edge of the reserve behind a fence, giving children a chance to be close to water and wildlife without easy access to the creek itself. The play space is mostly sand and woodchip, and it’s shaded by mature 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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Rockingham has a fantastic reason for families to get outdoors and play: the Churchill Playground is a SEAsational destination for kids and parents alike. Designed to take little explorers on an adventure that flows from the forest to the sea, this much-loved space offers a mix of fun that keeps children entertained and grown-ups happy all year round. From the moment you step into the playground, it’s clear how much thought has gone into the design. Kids can rock, climb, slide, and spin to their hearts’ content, with equipment that sparks imagination and encourages plenty of active play. The forest-and-sea 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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Koala Cove Park in Movida Estate, Midvale is one of those Playgrounds that kids spot from the car and instantly beg to visit. Tucked within a new residential estate in the City of Swan, this koala‑themed park combines big wow‑factor play equipment with thoughtful touches for younger children, making it a great stop for families exploring Perth’s eastern suburbs and the Swan Valley. The star of the show is the towering koala climbing structure that rises up in the middle of the park. It’s an eye‑catching centrepiece and a real adventure for confident climbers, with multiple ways to ascend and Read more…
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John Forrest National Park is the ultimate location for a family day out, with waterfalls, walking trails, picnics spots, plenty of kangaroo sightings, a tavern and now a brand new nature play space that offers the perfect opportunity for kids of all ages to get dirty, create, climb, splash and burn off some steam! Located in the main picnic area, you don’t have to look hard or walk far to stumble across this small yet mighty play space set amongst advanced native trees providing lots of shade and beside a flowing creek adding an extra element of play. There are Read more…
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Warradale Park in Landsdale is home to one of Perth’s most heartfelt and thoughtfully designed play spaces. The fully fenced nature Playground on Southmead Drive was created in memory of toddler Sam Trott and stands as a beautiful tribute to the community spirit that surrounded his family. The City of Wanneroo worked closely with Sam’s family and the Autism Association of Western Australia to design a space that celebrates play while being especially considerate of children’s sensory needs and inclusivity, making this much more than a standard suburban park. You can read more about the background of the project on Read more…
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Set right on the Scarborough foreshore, Whale Playground is one of those parks where you can easily spend hours while the kids disappear into imaginative play. Inspired by Noongar culture and the form of a blue whale skeleton, this $1.4 million Lotterywest‑funded Playground is a real hero of the Scarborough Reserve redevelopment and a must‑do on a family day at the beach. The centrepiece is the giant whale structure. Little ones usually start at the whale’s head, which doubles as a small concrete slide – it’s perfectly sized for toddlers and younger children, but it is quite fast, so a Read more…
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Nestled in a leafy corner by Lake Claremont is a lovely naturally shaded playground. Lake Claremont Playground is a good mix of nature play and traditional playground equipment. The playground base is sand surrounded by grass and wood chips. There are no shade sails, but most of the equipment is naturally shaded by the large surrounding trees. There are stepping stones, logs and ropes to climb on, some with wooden platforms or balancing logs connecting different parts of the playground. At one end, there is a small slide and two swings, and a cute wooden cubby house with a pipe Read more…
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Tucked just behind Subiaco Arts Centre on Hamersley Road, Theatre Gardens Playspace feels like a little green escape in the middle of busy Subi. Mature trees, wide lawns and a meandering creek make this a gorgeous spot for kids to burn off energy while grown-ups relax under the shade. The centrepiece of the playspace is the water play. A fountain at the top of the area feeds a trickling brook that winds its way down through rocks and channels. Kids can experiment with building dams, blocking the flow and then lifting the hatches to release a rush of 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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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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Tucked into the coastal Golden Bay estate, Treehouse Cove Playground is a fantastic destination park for families who love nature play with a bit of adventure. Opened in mid‑2022, the space is wrapped around existing coastal bushland and rehabilitation planting, so it feels like you’re playing in a pocket of natural dunes rather than a standard suburban park. There’s plenty of open grass for a runaround, a kick of the footy or a picnic rug, along with picnic tables and BBQs for longer visits. The hero of the park is the impressive multi-storey treehouse tower, which is a dream Read more…
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Karda Way Nature Playspace at OneOneFive Hamilton Hill is a fantastic blend of nature play, history and thoughtful design, set on the former Hamilton Hill Senior High School site. The redevelopment has transformed the area into a family‑friendly precinct with walking paths through native landscaping, layered play opportunities and a strong focus on accessibility. The hero of the playspace is the impressive three‑tower fort, cleverly constructed from repurposed materials salvaged from the old high school. Kids can climb timber steps, tackle a mini climbing wall, test their nerve on hand and foot holds, cross the connecting bridge and whiz down Read more…
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JH Abrahams Reserve in Crawley is a beautiful, riverside Playground and picnic spot that’s ideal for families looking to spend a few relaxed hours outdoors. Overlooking the Swan River and close to Matilda Bay, it combines a shaded play area, big grassy spaces and great facilities, making it an easy option for a play, ride and picnic. Shaded with sail shades and tall mature trees, this playground is on a woodchip play area. Children of all ages can enjoy climbing on the main wooden climbing structure. With different climbing elements on it, even the little ones can find it easy Read more…
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Woodbridge Riverside Park in Woodbridge is one of those rare Playgrounds that really does have a bit of everything. Tucked alongside the Swan River near Guildford, this fully fenced, all‑abilities park is worth the drive for a big morning out. The main gates have safety latches, giving parents of speedy toddlers a bit more peace of mind while the kids roam between the many different play zones. The central sand play area is a huge hit with younger children. Here you’ll find a big pirate boat complete with climbing ropes, a fireman’s pole and lots of space underneath for imaginative Read more…
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Tucked away in the growing suburb of Dayton, Featherflower Park is a beautiful nature-inspired space that combines wetlands, walking paths, play areas and fitness equipment in one thoughtfully designed reserve. It’s the kind of park where you can easily spend a whole morning wandering, playing and relaxing, with something to interest everyone from toddlers to active older kids and adults. One of the standout features of Featherflower Park is its natural wetland setting. A perimeter footpath loops around the wetlands, making it ideal for a gentle family stroll, scooters or bikes, and prams – the paths offer great pram 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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Jurien Bay Foreshore Playground, set along the beautiful Turquoise Coast at Dobbyn Park, is a brilliant all‑ages stop on a road trip north of Perth or an easy holiday base in its own right. Overlooking white sand and that famous turquoise water, the foreshore brings together a huge nature Playground, skate and youth precinct, exercise circuit and family‑friendly beach in one compact, walkable stretch. The main Playground is a real show‑stopper. Inspired by Jurien Bay’s crayfishing heritage, the towering climbing structure looks like a series of giant cray pots stacked together. Inside, older kids will love getting lost in the Read more…
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Perched on the hillside of City Beach Oval, this nature play space is a lovely mix of local history, imaginative play and wide-open green space. Set just off Fred Burton Way, the Playground sits alongside the large district sports oval, so it’s a great spot to combine a play, a kick of the footy and a family picnic in one outing. The first thing kids will spot is the pair of twin mirrored hill racing slides cut into the slope. They’re fast enough to feel exciting but still suitable for most ages, and wide and sturdy enough for parents to 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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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…
