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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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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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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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 away in the suburbs of Karrinyup, Jackson Wilding Reserve is a brilliant spot if you’re looking for something a little different from the usual Playground. Set alongside Newborough Primary School, this reserve offers both a fantastic nature play space and a more traditional Playground, making it a great choice for families with children of different ages and interests. The nature play area is the star of the show and is a real contrast to the more sanitised Playgrounds many kids are used to. Built largely from recycled timber and old tree branches, some of which are painted in bright, Read more…
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Canning River Regional Park is a large park and wetlands area covering about 6kms located around the Canning River. We usually go to the Kent St Weir area which also has the Canning River Cafe there but recently we discovered another playground a short walk away. This new playground has been designed based on feedback from the community and includes nature and adventure play and plenty of natural shade. The playground is located off Ferndale Crescent, Ferndale. You could drive there and park in the car park or you can park at the Canning River Cafe and take a short Read more…
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Hinckley Park in Hocking is one of those Playground-and-park combos that can easily fill an entire morning, especially if your kids are the kind who like to keep moving. Set across a big neighbourhood reserve, it’s been designed as a true “destination park” with multiple zones rather than just one main play structure. The standout is how much space there is to spread out, so it works just as well for a relaxed picnic as it does for a high-energy playdate. If you only remember one thing before you go, make it this: bring wheels. The children’s bike circuit is Read more…
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Pack the scooters, balance bikes and trikes – The Avenue’s Traffic Park and Playground in Hilbert is made for little transport lovers. Set within The Avenue Estate in the City of Armadale, this compact but cleverly designed park has a fun road‑rules theme that’s ideal for toddlers and junior primary kids who are just getting confident on wheels. The star of the space is the custom bike and scooter track that loops around the park. Kids can follow the path through mini roundabouts, over “speed bumps” and past stop signs, crosswalks and traffic cones, giving you lots of opportunities to Read more…
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Nature play in the heart of Perth. So large and magical you almost forget you’re in a city. Flowing creeks, waterfalls, rope climbs, mud kitchens and make your own cubbies. The possibilities here are endless. Rio Tinto Naturescape provides a picturesque place for your children’s imagination to run wild. There are multiple different areas that all seem to merge seamlessly into one perfect nature playground. The areas are great for big kids and toddlers with a lot of care and supervision in certain areas. The mud kitchen was a good first option for my daughter to get her stuck into Read more…
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Noah’s Playground in South Guildford is a standout neighbourhood park set within the leafy Rosehill Waters estate, just a few minutes from historic Guildford and the Swan Valley. Inspired by the story of Noah’s Ark, it blends imaginative animal-themed details with big, adventurous structures, making it especially appealing for school-aged kids while still offering plenty for confident toddlers and preschoolers. Planes regularly flying overhead add an extra bit of excitement for little plane spotters, and the estate’s peaceful, green setting gives the whole visit a relaxed, “weekend away” feel even though you’re only about 15 minutes from the CBD. The Read more…
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As part of Perth Zoo’s Master Plan 2040, Perth Zoo’s playground has been revitalized into a bigger and better nature-based play space accessible to children of all abilities to enjoy. This award-winning playground is designed to celebrate Perth Zoo’s animals and their work in conservation and breeding, and it has already been recognised as having the region’s best landscape architecture! This state-of-the-art playground includes a ‘cloud’ deck, climbable giant numbat, 40m rope tunnels, feather hammocks, sand pit and nature play trail. At the heart of the playground is the ‘cloud’ deck, which has a mist system that stimulates clouds while 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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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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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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We have been excitedly watching the brand new Halesworth Park in Butler near completion for weeks and today we finally got the chance to explore this brilliant new addition to Perth’s far northern suburbs! Halesworth Park is a family-friendly spot for all kinds of activities. With 2 huge multi-sports ovals, netball and tennis courts, a dual-use footpath and more, Halesworth Park is the perfect place for your next family outing. The Halesworth Park playground is shaded and features lots of nature play, including logs for climbing, teepees for adventures and a water feature. There is also a table tennis table, 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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Just off Ocean Reef Road, there’s a fantastic playground found at Edgewater Park in Edgewater! There’s many fun elements to this playground including a traditional play structure and a little nature play too. And good news if you’ve just cleaned your car… there’s no sand! Found next to the Edgewater Shopping Centre, there’s plenty of parking and facilities here. The IGA makes it handy to grab a drink or snack to enjoy in the park. The dual metal slide is perfect for racing a friend! It’s quite fast, surrounded by soft fall, making it easy to scramble up the slope Read more…
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Perched high above the Swan River in Dalkeith, Sunset Heritage Precinct is a beautiful blend of riverside parkland, nature play and WA history. Once the grounds of the former Sunset Hospital – an early 1900s “Old Men’s Home” – the site has gradually been transformed into a community space with landscaped gardens, paths and a lovely nature-based Playground, all gifted to the people of Western Australia with support from His Majesty the Sultan of Johor. The nature play area sits on a gentle slope overlooking the river, making it a really scenic spot for a play. On the ground level 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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Banksia Grove Nature Playground is a small nature-based playground located between Dragonfly Road and Potoroo Street on the Eastern Side of Banksia Grove. The wooden play equipment is perfect for helping children with balance, coordination and confidence. The equipment features balance posts with rope, twisted net, shaky bridge, balancing beam and a little wooden table with posts for chairs. In addition to the nature-based play equipment is a tripod swing – a favourite with my children as they can all fit on together and being a smaller park there wasn’t a wait to get on. Banksia Grove Nature Playground does Read more…
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Clarkson Reserve, Maylands Clarkson Reserve is a hidden gem in the leafy suburb of Maylands. It features a small nature playground, bike and scooter paths and gorgeous river views. On arriving, Miss 4 raced to the play area. This is mostly sand-based and features wooden balancing beams and flat logs to hop across. There is also a large birds nest swing surrounded by a wood chip base. This was a hit! Miss 4 kept going back to play here. The main feature of the playground, however, is the wooden play fort. Children can access this via a climbing wall 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 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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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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The new Shelley Beach playground is a great playground to visit. It’s right on the river, and around the enclosed playground is plenty of grass to kick a ball on, BBQs and gazebos and, of course, the beautiful river. My 10-year-old was impressed with the park, especially the X-park obstacle course. The course is set up with a starting point and different obstacles throughout, including climbing, balancing and swinging. Many of the older kids seemed to enjoy the challenge of this part of the playground. As we entered the playground, we saw a mini trampoline and a swing set with 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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Vista Play park is situated along the Mandurah road in the new Vista Estate Singleton, just 20 mins south of Rockingham and 10 mins from Mandurah. It is the perfect location for a nature play date, morning tea or an after school run around. There is a great climbing structure with a slide, pole and a spiders web frame leading up to the main cubby area which is covered, perfect with the warm weather arriving. The rest of the activities in the park are all made out of logs! Lots of large logs to balance across which vary in difficulty. My 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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Hidden just off Goodwood Crescent, Hesperia Park is a brilliant local Playground that packs a lot into a relatively small space. With its towering slide, leafy landscaping and mix of active and nature play, it’s a great spot for kids to burn off energy while parents relax nearby. The standout feature is the impressive seven‑metre-high lookout tower, complete with a fast metal tube slide. There are a couple of ways to reach the top, so kids of different ages and confidence levels can find a route that suits them. A gently winding path leads up to the middle level of 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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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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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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Tucked away in The Vines is Emms Green which is home to a quirky little playground. The playground has a focus on imaginative play. There is a large cubby house which contains a set of whisper poles at each end for secret chats. There are wooden planks to run through. And wooden poles to climb. I love the upturned tree which features carvings of Australian wildlife on it. There is also a cute caterpillar rocker. If your child is a natural performer they won’t be able to resist giving an impromptu performance on the little stage area. There is a Read more…
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Mills Park in Beckenham is a huge 24-hectare community hub that combines beautiful wetlands, excellent sporting facilities and one of Perth’s best nature play spaces. Tucked just off Brixton Street and adjacent to Roe Highway, it’s the kind of park where you can easily spend a whole day – with coffee in hand – while the kids run, climb and explore. The nature play space is spread out over a large area, so it never feels too crowded. Paths wind around and through the Playground, connecting to the surrounding wetlands, which makes it great for bikes and scooters as well 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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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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Dick Lawrence Oval Playground in Beaconsfield is a welcoming, leafy community space that’s ideal for families with children of different ages. The centrepiece of the Playground is a striking three-level treehouse-style cubby, complete with a twisty slide and a smaller dual flat slide. Kids can reach the cubby via a ramp, a through-the-floor ladder, a timber climbing wall and a rock-climbing wall, so there are options suited to both cautious climbers and confident adventurers. In the middle of the Playground there’s a large timber climber featuring a cargo rope ladder, balancing logs and climbing ramps along the side, giving kids Read more…
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Tucked within Princess Wallington Reserve, Bina Parkland is a vibrant neighbourhood Playground that offers a good mix of traditional equipment and nature play, with plenty to keep energetic kids busy. The space feels open and welcoming, with large mature trees providing natural shade and the play elements spread out so families don’t feel crowded. The main drawcard is the impressive rope climbing structure. Rope ladders lead up to a series of birds nest pods at different heights, connected by ladders and a rope bridge that feeds onto a slide. Confident climbers will love scrambling up high and testing their balance, 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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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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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…
