Buggbuddys guide to playgrounds near cafes in Perth! The ultimate guide to the best playgrounds and parks near cafes and restaurants 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, playgrounds are FREE! Why not stop off for a coffee or bite to eat and make a day of it?
Why do we love playgrounds near cafes?
Kids love going wild in at a park. But sometimes parenting is hard or tiring, what with sleepless nights, teething and everything else. Sometimes parents and carers need to exercise self-care. Stopping at a family-friendly coffee shop or restaurant while taking the kids out to a playground can help. Adults can grab a much-needed coffee or bite to eat. Likewise, kids can enjoy a toy corner and very soon cut loose in the park. Everyone wins!
For this reasons, we’ve 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!
-
FEATUREDThe Village East Playground at Whiteman Park is a bright, modern play space where toddlers can confidently explore while older children still find plenty of challenges. Shade sails cover much of the main structure, making it a comfortable spot to play even on sunny days. You’ll find the Playground in The Village at Whiteman Park, right across from the Village Cafe and immediately beside the Mini Water Playground, which operates during the warmer months (generally 10am–5pm – always check the Whiteman Park website for current seasonal dates and conditions). With toilets, BBQs and plenty of seating close by, it’s easy Read more…
-
Tucked within Mirvac’s Iluma Private Estate in Bennett Springs, Luminous Park is a bright, modern community Playground that’s packed with things to do for a wide range of ages. Surrounded by mature trees and generous lawn areas, it feels like a sprawling neighbourhood hub where kids can easily spend hours exploring different zones of play without everything being crammed together. It’s worth noting up front that there are no toilets on site, so plan ahead before you arrive or pair your visit with a stop at nearby venues that do have facilities. The standout feature is the impressive blue climbing Read more…
-
Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park located 20km North of Joondalup. The 5 million dollar foreshore playground features an 8.5 metre tall lighthouse with twisting tunnel slides, a ship play structure, sand play, a rope maze, and basketball court – the kids will never want to go home! The bright red and white lighthouse is the centerpiece of the playground, it is only suitable for confident climbers as climbing nets are the only way up! Saying that my fearless 3 year olds were able to climb to the top unassisted. There are two twisting tunnel slides coming off the lighthouse at different Read more…
-
The Burns Beach Playground is found at a grassy park, overlooking Burns Beach. It’s location, as well as it being slap, bang opposite the delicious Sista’s Burns Beach Café, make it an ideal spot to combine a play at the park with a swim, walk along the coastal pathway or family meal. The café also makes it a good spot to grab a takeaway coffee and snacks to enjoy while the kids play. The metal playground structure keeps the ocean theme, as it’s shaped like a boat. There are two slides, a climbing wall, monkey bars, tunnel, fireman’s pole, as Read more…
-
Koombana Foreshore Playground sits right at the heart of Bunbury’s stunning waterfront and is one of those places where you can easily break a journey – and then end up staying for hours. Part of the award‑winning Koombana Bay foreshore redevelopment, it combines an eye‑catching, nautical‑themed Playground with a calm swimming beach, shady lawns, BBQs and a lively café, making it a brilliant stop-off if you’re travelling through to the South West or staying locally. The first thing the kids will spot are the two huge bright red “funnels” that tower over the main play area. These are linked by Read more…
-
Hobart Street Playground is situated on the corner of Hobart and Auckland Streets in North Perth. Being a small neighbourhood park it doesn’t have fancy play equipment, BBQs, picnic tables or toilets. What makes it popular with many families is that it is fully fenced and gated, has large shade sails over all the play equipment and had a large grassed area perfect for throwing down a picnic blanket or playing ball games. It is right across the road from the Hobart Deli which offers breakfast and lunch and takeaway coffee. There is no car park atHobart Street Playground but Read more…
-
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…
-
Frederick Stubbs Park is a small park right on the coast in Quinns Rocks. It offers a small grassed area and a playground set on sand. The playground has a limestone retaining wall/steps, which along with the hill, would slow down any dashes towards the road which is nearby. Fitting in with its location, the play equipment is shaped like a boat and has a steering wheel and compass to help navigate the way! There are several different climbing opportunities, including a rock climbing wall and ladder although younger toddlers will need help climbing up. There’s a slide, fireman’s pole, Read more…
-
Jackadder Lake Reserve is a lovely family park ideal for a morning or afternoon of fun play and scooting/cycling around the beautiful lake and spotting the wildlife. The playground is suitable for kids of all age and is set in a mixture of sand and soft play flooring. Kids can enjoy wiggly slides, straight slides, and curly slides all of which aren’t particularly steep so great for the toddlers. There’s a few steps up to some of the structures and lots of platforms and climbing fun. The platform walkways surround the main structure and the kids enjoyed some fantasy play Read more…
-
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…
-
Since the opening of Optus Stadium in 2018, the iconic Subiaco Oval, which originally opened in 1908, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a bustling hub for AFL games, it has now been reimagined into a vibrant community space. The Subiaco Oval area is a beautiful spot where families, sports lovers, and history enthusiasts can come together to relive old memories and create new ones. The newly revamped site offers a fantastic playground, perfect for younger children. The nature-based playground is fully sheltered and features a range of equipment, including seesaws, a shopfront, a cooking station, a small climbing structure, Read more…
-
Tucked behind the Mundaring Village shopping centre is Lion Pioneer Park, a large grassed area with a playground, park benches and a covered picnic table. It can be found off the Stoneville Road entrance or via ramp or stairs from the shopping centre near the Post Office. The play equipment and grass is shaded naturally by the large trees around the area. We visited late afternoon and it was well shaded. The play equipment is over a sand base and has swings, see-saw and play structure with slide and climbing. The main play equipment at Lion Pioneer Park has everything Read more…
-
Tucked away on Hillside Crescent in Maylands, De Lacey Reserve is a lovely, green neighbourhood park that offers a good mix of play equipment and open space for families. Close to the Peninsula Estate and just a short drive from the cafés of Eighth Avenue and Whatley Crescent, it’s an easy spot to combine with a coffee stop or treat. The standout feature for many kids will be the flying fox. Launched from a small timber tower, the ride zips over a generous sandpit, giving a soft landing if anyone lets go on the way. Younger or smaller children may Read more…
-
Heathcote Reserve in Applecross is one of Perth’s original “super Playgrounds” and it still feels like a proper day-out destination rather than just a quick local park stop. Perched high above the Swan River, it offers sweeping views across to the city skyline, big lawns for picnics and play, and loads of space for kids to burn energy while adults actually relax for a moment. Being part of the broader Goolugatup Heathcote cultural precinct means there’s more to explore here than “just” a Playground, so it’s a spot that works well for repeat visits and for impressing out-of-town visitors. The Read more…
-
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…
-
If you’re a parent to a toddler, a fenced and gated playground is a must! Allen Park in Swanbourne is a brilliant spot for wandering toddlers to play. The small sand-fall playground is partly shaded by mature trees. The traditional metal framed playground has lots of features to keep kids entertained. Toddlers will find the stairs up to the small slide easy enough. Though they might want to pass on the climbing ropes. There’s also a larger slide, tunnel, climbing walls and fireman’s pole. There’s some interactive and imaginative play elements with a “shop”, car dashboard and movable clock. The Read more…
-
Mullaloo Beach Pirate Playground is a brilliant little spot for seaside play, especially for younger kids who love to imagine they’re sailing the high seas. Set on the Mullaloo Beach foreshore along Mullaloo Drive, just south of the Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club and Mullaloo Beach Hotel, this sand-based Playground combines ocean views with plenty of shade and space to run around. The star of the show is the timber pirate ship and wooden boat, both set in soft sand. Kids can scramble aboard, “sail” out to sea, walk the plank, and create endless pirate adventures. There’s a bit of Read more…
-
Harbour Playground in Secret Harbour is an award‑winning, fully fenced and inclusive play space set right on the Secret Harbour foreshore, alongside the Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club. Also known as Palermo Cove Reserve, this bright ocean‑themed park has been thoughtfully designed so families of all ages and abilities can play together, with accessible equipment, soft‑fall throughout and multiple quiet corners to retreat to. The standout feature of Harbour Playground is the huge underwater cave structure crowned by a giant octopus. Kids can climb the brightly coloured tentacles, scramble over the tunnel or tackle different climbing routes to reach Read more…
-
The new Tomato Lake all-abilities playground has opened and it appears to be a big hit as it was very busy when we visited. The playground is in front between the cafe and the bbq picnic area. The bbq area has also been refreshed with new picnic tables. The playground has been designed to suit toddlers through to older kids, including those with disabilities. It is bright and colourful with soft fall base The playground features an inclusive seesaw, which is the only one of its kind in WA. There are a number of bench seats along the car park Read more…
-
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…
-
John Tonkin Reserve in East Fremantle is a beautiful riverside spot that’s ideal for relaxed family outings. Set right on the banks of the Swan River, the park has a lovely open feel with big mature trees providing plenty of shade over grassy areas, picnic shelters and park benches. It’s the kind of place you can easily spend a few hours, between playing, picnicking and pottering along the riverbank. The main Playground is a large, boat‑themed sand play space that really makes the most of its riverfront location. In warmer months, shade sails are installed over the equipment, making it Read more…
-
At our weekly shop on Saturday we were very excited to see that Floreat Forum shopping centre has just opened a new playground in the outdoor area by the cafes/restaurants. Previously there had just been a couple of small things for toddlers to play on but now there is a proper playground complete with shade sails. Features of Floreat Forum playground include a little ‘café’ with a table and chairs and a counter, complete with prices on a board at the front. There are a couple of noughts and crosses games build in and the playground comes with a wobbly Read more…
-
In the middle of Victoria Park along busy Albany Hwy you will find Read Park. It is a lovely green, shady park situated next to the Victoria Park Community garden. The play equipment has been situated away from the highway and one of the play areas is enclosed with a fence. The area also has toilets, including an accessible toilet, drink fountain, rubbish bins and bench seats. There is street parking available on both Albany Highway and Salford Street – just check signs for any time limits and fees. There is also a free library box in the park if Read more…
-
Located on the beautiful South Perth foreshore is Hurlingham Rd Park a playground designed for able bodied and less able bodied children. The main play structure can be accessed by a wheelchair ramp. This area is sand based and covered by shade sails in summer. This play structure can also be accessed by different steps, ladders and climbing walls, depending on the ability of your child. There are two slides. One is a standard straight slide, the other is a slightly curved enclosed slide. The play structure has plenty more of room for little ones to play underneath and has Read more…
-
The Busselton Foreshore Toddler Playground is a charming, low-key play space designed especially for little ones right on the Busselton Jetty foreshore. Tucked on the opposite side of the Busselton Foreshore Adventure “Sea Play on the Bay” Playground, is perfectly placed for families to enjoy a relaxed play with beautiful ocean views and easy access to cafés and the jetty precinct. This is a sand-based nature Playground with shade sails over parts of the play area, making it more comfortable on warm days. Soft sand underfoot invites barefoot play, digging and pottering, while the surrounding grassy areas are ideal for Read more…
-
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…
-
Set right in the middle of the new, vibrant dining and entertainment precinct at Westfield Whitford City is a beautifully unique play area for children. Overlooked by many of the restaurants and sheltered underneath shade sails, the play area is unlike any I’ve ever seen before. Forgoing traditional play equipment, which tends to be age specific, the mix of wooden stepping stones, ceramic arches and decorative metal poles appeared to appeal to children of all ages. Throughout the evening I saw all age groups from toddlers to preteens climbing and jumping and running, all thoroughly engaged and having plenty of Read more…
-
Carawatha Park in Willagee is a brilliant all‑ages community space that combines nature play, teen hang‑out zones and fitness facilities in one beautifully landscaped park. Tucked along Archibald Street, this award‑winning Playground is designed to be inclusive and intergenerational, with something to keep toddlers, big kids, teens and even adults happily occupied. With established trees, shady lawns and a café just across the road, it’s an easy spot to settle in for a few hours of play. The main nature play area is a big drawcard. Kids can clamber over timber balancing beams, stepping stones and chunky logs, or head Read more…
-
Faulkner Park, better known to most families as “Volcano Park”, is one of those destination Playgrounds that kids remember for years. The centrepiece is a huge man‑made volcano, surrounded by jungle‑style gardens, animal sculptures and plenty of different play zones that cater for toddlers through to confident climbers. The entire main Playground is fully fenced with self‑locking gates at both entrances, which makes it much easier to relax while the kids explore. The volcano itself is where most children will head first. A wide, gently sloping path spirals all the way to the top, with steps part of the way Read more…
-
Coode St Jetty playground is on the South Perth foreshore. It’s the perfect spot for a family picnic, BBQ or just a play as it’s got parking available has plenty of open space, BBQ facilities, shaded picnic tables, is close to the Boatshed Cafe for lunch or coffee and has toilets nearby. The playground is sand based and is fully covered by shade sails in summer months. It is a good playground for different ages as it has separate play equipment for younger children and older children. In a little separate area, there is a set of four swings – two Read more…
-
I don’t know about you but I am hanging out for these summer days to arrive and take advantage of the long warm days! However, as a family, it can be hard to find a spot which ticks all the boxes for everyone, so look no further than this hidden little gem located in Mandurah. Named McLennan Park, it is a 15-minute car ride from Mandurah located in the suburb of Madora Bay, which also has the added bonus of having a bus stop right at the park if you will be arriving by public transport. Located one side of Read more…
-
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…
-
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…
-
South Beach Playground in South Fremantle is a brilliant spot for little pirates to run wild, with the bonus of being right on one of Perth’s most family‑friendly beaches. Set on the foreshore of South Beach Reserve, the Playground combines a fun, boat‑themed play space with a huge grassed area, barbecues and easy access to the sand and cafe, making it an easy full‑morning or full‑day outing for families. The main drawcard is the large pirate‑style boat structure. Kids can clamber up to the “deck”, scale ladders and platforms, and take on the role of captain as they climb the Read more…
-
If you’re always on the lookout for new spots to take the kids in Perth’s northern suburbs, there’s a lovely new addition to add to your list. We recently spent an afternoon at the brand-new Community Corner at Hawaiian’s Newpark in Girrawheen, and it’s exactly the kind of low-key, free outdoor space that makes a great local outing with little ones in tow. The centrepiece of the precinct is the Firewise Nature Play Garden, a space that blends nature-inspired play with a few Playground favourites the kids will recognise straight away. There’s a slide, a sandpit and water play elements, Read more…
-
We all know shopping with kids isn’t easy, but the kids will be begging to go to Mandurah Forum’s beach-inspired playground! The state-of-the-art playground is part of the $350 million redevelopment, completed in March 2018 the two fully enclosed play areas are the perfect place to take a break while the kids burn off some energy. The main feature is an 8-metre high climbing structure in the shape of a cray pot with internal climbing nets and two twisting tunnel slides, it is great for adventurous kids who are confident climbers. Dotted on the softfall are different sea creatures to Read more…
-
Joondalup Square Playground is a small but very handy fenced play space set within Joondalup Square shopping complex on the corner of Joondalup Drive and Sundew Rise. Tucked opposite the large Bunnings Warehouse and surrounded by casual eateries, it’s a super convenient stop for families needing a coffee break, a bite to eat or a quick play while running errands. The Playground is fully fenced and gated, with two separate gates. One opens to a pram-friendly ramp with railings, and the other has a couple of steps down, as the play area itself is slightly sunken. This layout helps keep Read more…
-
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…
-
Tucked along the leafy banks of the Hotham River, the Hotham River Foreshore Adventure Play Park in Boddington (also known as Hotham Park) has quickly become a favourite family stop for road trips and country getaways. Just off Albany Highway and around 1 hour 40 minutes (about 130km) south-east of Perth, it’s an easy detour for a leg stretch, play and picnic, or a relaxed day trip in its own right. The adventure Playground makes the most of its sloping riverside setting. Many kids will make a beeline for the double flying fox, which has both a pommel seat and Read more…
-
Set right next to the iconic Busselton Jetty on the sparkling shores of Geographe Bay, the Busselton Foreshore Adventure Play Space is a must‑visit stop for families exploring the South West. This impressive ocean‑themed Playground brings Busselton’s maritime history to life with a giant wooden clipper ship, leaping whale, and a bright orange Kraken, all set against lush grass and shady pines. It’s a brilliant spot to break up a road trip, or spend a few relaxed hours by the water while the kids burn off energy. The centrepiece of the play space is the enormous “capsizing” ship perched on Read more…
