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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Ahoy! Azure Park Playground is the NEW shipwreck-themed playground located off Azure Terrace in Lake Coogee. This toddler-friendly playground consists of 2 different play areas with nature play elements, a wooden ship structure, an accessible nest swing and even a small scooter path around it. Little pirates will have fun shouting “Aye, Aye Captain” while steering the helm at the front of the ship! Little ones can get onto the ship deck by using the ramp and crossing a bridge. The deck is spacious enough to run around with an escape hole in the middle for them to Read more…
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Just a short drive south of Cottesloe, you can find the Dutch Inn Playground located on Marine Parade, near Princes Street. This upgraded playground was completed in 2021, that offers a great range of features and activities for families to enjoy. With its ship-themed play structure, ninja-style obstacle course, and nature-based play area, this playground promises an adventurous experience against a stunning coastal backdrop. The main attraction of the playground is the boat-shaped play structure known as “Warton’s Wreck,” named after the Elizabeth, which ran ashore in 1839. For the maritime history enthusiasts, the remnants of this historic wreck can 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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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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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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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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Tucked alongside the Canning River foreshore, Homestead Park in Thornlie is a lovely neighbourhood park that balances nature play, traditional Playground fun and local history. Set within a reserve shaded by mature native trees, it’s the kind of place you can stop at for a quick play or settle in for a full morning with the family. The main Playground is a rustic, mostly wooden adventure space. At its heart is a timber fort with a slide, rope ladder, climbing wall and wooden ladder, giving kids a few different ways to scramble up and whoosh back down. Underneath, little ones 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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The Jo Wheatley All Abilities Play Space is an amazing park purpose-built for all ages and abilities. Carefully built around and under existing trees, covering 10,000sqm with wheelchair access throughout, a sensory garden, flying fox, climbing obstacles, slides, swings, picnic areas, water play, toilet facilities and fully fenced… it certainly ticks all the boxes!!! The main wooden structure has ramp and stair access, decks, two slides, and a balancing beam. Underneath there is a cubby house with a shop window and fun coloured glass blocks. There is a nature play area that backs onto the wooden structure, it is step 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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The Edge Playground in Baldivis is a gorgeous nature play space located within The Edge estate, and still feels like a bit of a hidden gem. Set along Beaufortia Crescent, the Playground combines natural timbers, native landscaping and creative design to create a really engaging space for kids to explore, climb and balance. It’s part of a wider community development with parks, an oval and a primary school nearby, so it feels like a true neighbourhood hub rather than a standalone Playground. As you arrive, the first thing you’ll spot is the impressive timber fort under the shade of a Read more…
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CY O’Connor Hub Playground is a lovely drive to Mundaring Weir, through Perth’s Hills. You can get there from Kalamunda or Mundaring. Not only is the huge dam essential to WA’s water supply, but it’s a lovely spot for a family picnic. There are historical, natural, play and educational attractions in the “CY O’Connor Hub”, which is found on the north side of the weir, accessed by a road behind the Mundaring Weir Hotel. Here you’ll find modern picnic tables, shelters, BBQ facilities and lawn for kicking a footy or throwing down a rug. The main attraction is the pipeline themed 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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Glen Iris Estate Playground in Jandakot is a lovely nature-inspired spot for families, set where the old Glen Iris golf course once was. Tucked just off Dean Road in the new Glen Iris housing estate, the Playground is framed by beautifully landscaped gardens, leafy trees and plenty of open grass, making it feel like a green retreat in the middle of suburbia. There’s loads of room for kids to kick a ball, run around or for families to roll out a picnic rug and enjoy the peaceful surrounds. The main play area has a strong nature-play feel, with timber elements 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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Koolaanga Waabiny on Mandurah’s Western Foreshore is one of those Playgrounds that really lives up to the “epic” label. Set right on the estuary at Hall Park in Halls Head, this destination play space is part of the Mandurah Waterfront redevelopment and sits beside the popular Mandurah Skate Park. Its Noongar name is pronounced “kool-lung-ga waa-bin” and beautifully translates to “children playing”, while also referencing the local Swamp Sheoak trees that inspired the Playground’s design. The hero of the Playground is the incredible 12‑metre-high climbing tower, shaped to echo the Swamp Sheoak trees that line the foreshore. Adventurous kids can 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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Did you know that there’s a nature play area in the Perth foothills suburb of Bushmead. While it’s much smaller than the estate’s “Giant Park”, the simple Ridge Hill Green Nature Playground can provide plenty of entertainment for children that love to be in the great outdoors and love to climb. The beautifully made timber play structure features a double slide – perfect for kids to race siblings or friends. Image: Bushmead Estate Very small children may have trouble reaching this, as there’s a flat net to climb to get to it, as well as big logs to climb. On Read more…
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Perth is now home to an epic new seven‑kilometre “Long Park” that runs beneath the elevated Metronet Armadale train line from Carlisle Station through to Beckenham. What was once an underused corridor has been transformed into 14 vibrant community spaces, linking four new Playgrounds, a nature play area, youth plazas, skate and scooter zones, fitness equipment, courts, dog parks, BBQ spots and picnic areas, all connected by walking and cycling paths and Perth’s longest public art trail. It’s a brilliant spot for families to explore in stages or tackle in one big adventure, and it feels like something new to Read more…
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Bert Wright Park is a small nature playground located behind the library and community centre in Bayswater. For a small area, there is plenty to offer, the park has a nature play area, Basketball hoop, expanse of grass, concrete pathway and BBQ and covered picnic table. The playground was popular even on a cold winter morning, with a number families enjoying the nature play. Most of the park has been created out of recycled timber and rocks and provided good climbing and balancing play. There is also a birds nest swing and a concrete slide. The park is a combination 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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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 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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Riverton Jetty Playground is a gorgeous nature play spot on the banks of the Canning River, right beside Lo Quay River Cafe in Wilson. Sitting within Riverton Jetty Park, part of the wider Canning River Regional Park, it’s a lovely place for families to combine a Playground visit with riverside walks, wildlife spotting, a paddle on the water or a relaxed café meal nearby. The setting really is the star: big river views, plenty of birdlife and a relaxed, community feel, especially on weekends when it’s buzzing with families, cyclists and kayakers. The Playground itself is nature based, with lots Read more…
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The Steamrail Adventure Playground in Baldivis– is the showpiece of Millars Landing Estate, a train‑themed community park that celebrates the area’s timber milling and rail history. Tucked just off Baldivis Road, this big, imaginative space feels like a mini destination Playground and is well worth the drive, especially for kids who love trains and a good adventure climb. The first thing families notice is the towering play structure, inspired by an old steam train water tower. From the ground it looks impressive; from the top, the views across Millars Landing are even better. Confident climbers can reach the top via Read more…
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Kwinana Adventure Park, also known as The Adventure Park, is one of Perth’s standout destination Playgrounds. Tucked in amongst the mature trees at Calista Oval, this huge, fully fenced play space combines nature play, water play and big-ticket adventure equipment in a way that keeps children of all ages happily occupied for hours. With more than 11,000 square metres of play area, excellent accessibility and thoughtful amenities, it’s well worth travelling for a full day out. The park is divided into distinct zones so families can easily find an area that suits their children’s ages and confidence levels. The Read more…
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Len Packham Park in Coolbellup is home to a fantastic nature adventure Playground, set amongst towering mature trees that provide welcome shade for much of the day. Tucked in behind Coolbellup Public Library and right alongside the Coolbellup Skate Park, it’s an easy spot to make a full morning or afternoon of play, especially for families with mixed ages and interests. The hero of the Playground is the impressive timber treehouse structure. Kids can climb a rope ladder up to a mid-level platform, then scramble through a rope tunnel to reach the top “house” before zooming back down via a 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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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 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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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 among mature trees beside the Swan River at Minim Cove, Russell Brown Adventure Park is one of Perth’s most immersive nature Playgrounds. Built as a community project in partnership with the Town of Mosman Park and local groups including the Mosman Park Rotary Club, it’s designed to feel like an extension of the bush rather than a traditional suburban park, with logs, boulders, ropes and creeks inviting kids to climb, balance, splash and explore. The main adventure area sits on the river flats below McCabe Street, within Minim Cove Park. Most families park at the Mosman Park Tennis Read more…
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Shirley Strickland Reserve in Ardross is a fantastic family-friendly spot that combines a nature-inspired Playground with a large, dog-friendly sporting reserve. The space brings together a Sport and Community Pavilion, fitness equipment and a shared walking and cycling path around the ovals, making it a great destination for active kids and parents alike. The hero of the Playground is the huge multilevel wooden climbing structure, topped with a bright lime green slide that kids spot as soon as they arrive. Confident climbers can head up via various ladders and climbing elements, then race each other across the bridge before zooming 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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Mariala Vista Park is located in Jindowie, Yanchep. So many of the new parks that have been built recently have a problem with serious lack of shade, where the developer has planted trees but they won’t provide any shade until they mature in years to come. Mariala Vista Park is distinctly different. The park has been developed in an area packed full of mature beautiful tall trees that provide a large amount of shade over the whole play area. Mariala Vista Park caters for both older and younger children. There is a large enclosed twisting slide that looks like great Read more…
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Hillarys Beach Park at Whitfords Nodes has grown into one of the northern suburbs’ best all‑round coastal parks – a big, shady picnic spot with a great all‑abilities Playground, direct beach access and the added bonus of the famous exercise stairway and ninja warrior‑style fitness course just a short walk away. The Playground itself is large and thoughtfully laid out, with a mix of traditional and nature play spread through soft white sand and rubber softfall. Younger children are drawn straight to the main climbing structure, which you can access via a gentle ramp. Along the way there are musical 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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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…
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Mawson Park Public Playground in Hillarys has been transformed into a fantastic all-in-one family destination, where a refreshed main Playground, much-loved nature play area and picturesque lakeside paths all flow together. Just over 20 minutes north of Perth, this spacious, leafy park now offers families a full day out in one spot, with equipment to suit toddlers through to older children, plenty of room to roam and a relaxed, scenic setting by the water. Parking is available along Mawson Crescent, with a short stroll down a gentle grassy hill leading into the heart of the park. The first area you’ll Read more…
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Tucked away in the Perth Hills suburb of Lesmurdie, Paxhill Park Nature Playground is a simple but charming bush-style play space that’s perfect for kids who love exploring the great outdoors. This quiet neighbourhood park has a lovely natural feel, with timber structures and plenty of surrounding bushland to spark little imaginations. The main feature is a beautifully crafted wooden fort, built with easy walk-up ramps and handrails. This makes it especially friendly for toddlers and children who may be a bit unsteady on their feet, while still offering enough interest for older kids to turn it into a “king Read more…
