The Buggbuddys guide to parks with shade in Perth! The ultimate guide to the best playgrounds and parks with shade 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, skate are FREE!
Why visit a playground or park with shade?
Why not be Sun Smart? Perth can have some extreme temperatures, and experiences high UV rating regularly. In addition to sun hats and sunscreen, shaded parks protect delicate childhood skin on hot or high UV days. Parks with natural shade or shade sails are perfect for keeping children safer in these conditions.
In addition, 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!
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Dayton Neighbourhood Park on Arthur Street is a brilliant community Playground that caters for a wide range of ages and abilities, making it a great option for families with mixed-age kids. Set back from the road with a large grassed area, it has plenty of space to play, run and relax. The main Playground is split across two primary structures. The first is geared more towards older or more confident children who love to climb. This structure is built around rope elements, with rope bridges and monkey bars encouraging kids to test their strength, balance and coordination. There’s a tunnel Read more…
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Strive Park, Girrawheen Strive Park is a small park located in the Blackmore Park Estate, in Girrawheen. The playground here features nature play elements, some traditional play elements, and a bike and scooter track. It’s sure to be a hit with the kids! Miss 6 loved the traditional part of the playground first. She headed straight for the swings and climbing equipment. There are three swings available. Two regular swings and a birds nest swing. Adjacent to the swing are wooden climbing poles with foot hold pegs. These are quite tall and great for kids who enjoy climbing. On Read more…
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Banks Reserve in Mount Lawley is a beautiful riverside park on Joel Terrace, right on the banks of the Swan River. The large, leafy reserve is built around magnificent mature trees, which provide plenty of natural shade and give the area a relaxed, bushy feel. It’s a popular spot for families looking for a Playground, open space and access to the river, all just minutes from the city. The standout feature of the Playground is the impressive treehouse. Built around one of the huge existing trees, it offers loads of climbing opportunities and a sense of adventure for confident kids. Read more…
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Coodanup Foreshore Park, tucked along Peel Parade to the south east of Mandurah town centre, is a lovely estuary-side spot that has been steadily evolving thanks to major upgrades from the City of Mandurah. The reserve stretches along the northern edge of the Peel‑Harvey Estuary, offering families a mix of traditional Playground equipment, nature play, open space and shallow water access, all with that relaxed “by the water” Mandurah feel. The foreshore features two distinct Playground areas. One is designed with younger children in mind, with equipment suited to toddlers and early primary-aged kids. The second focuses more on climbing Read more…
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Located on Pulchella Ramble is a perfect toddler friendly playground. It is fully fenced, which is perfect to stop the little ones escaping. There is a variety of play equipment for the little ones to crawl/walk over, rock on, slide down, swing on etc. As a mum of a 10 month old, my highlight was the bucket swing! There are shade sails above the playground as well as trees for plenty of shade. Located outside the gated area is two picnic tables and seating, as well as BBQs. The playground overlooks a large grassed area, perfect for kicking a ball Read more…
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Ahoy, Mateys! It is time to set sail for Roebuck Park, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Eglinton! This shipwreck-themed playground offers a modest yet enchanting escape for families in search of outdoor adventure. At the heart of Roebuck Park stands the towering lookout, commanding a bird’s eye view of the playground and its surroundings. It’s the perfect perch for young buccaneers to survey their surroundings before plunging down two thrilling tunnel slides, accessible by stairs or cargo net. But the real treasure lies in the wooden shipwreck, igniting imaginations and sparking epic adventures. Who knows? You might Read more…
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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…
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Heading to Collie to checkout the AMAZING Wellington Dam wall mural? Well, you may also find yourself in the town itself, looking for a bite to eat, or place for the kids to play. Collie’s Central Park and Water Play Space is a fab spot for children to roam and explore the many mini blue hills and bumps. The playground features both soft fall and nature play areas – packing a lot into a relatively small area. There are spinners, rope bridges, a nest swing, and more, with much of the equipment found under shade sails. And there’s also this Read more…
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Bathers Park at Alkimos Beach has fast become a real destination Playground in Perth’s north. Set on around 2.5 hectares at the ocean end of Leatherback Boulevard, this $2.8 million foreshore park combines big-ticket play equipment with a stunning coastal backdrop and plenty of space for the whole family to spread out and play. The hero of the park is the surf rescue-themed play tower that soars an impressive seven metres into the air. Kids can climb up via a broad staircase or tackle the more challenging rope “wormhole” to reach the higher decks. From the top platforms there are Read more…
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Located in the heart of the new community at Mandogalup, Florence Estate Park is A playground that beautifully incorporates wooden beams for its play equipment. This spacious playground is nested beside rows of mature trees, providing scenic greenery, and playing in the park feels like you’re right next to nature. My girls headed straight to the main play area, where the big slide is. The tall climbing structure features various climbing wall panels for kids to use. Missy 6 had no trouble climbing onto all of them, but younger toddlers might find the tallest one daunting. The flooring of this Read more…
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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…
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A fresh new play space has opened in the heart of Subiaco, and 1909 Subi East Play Space is already proving to be a lovely spot for families to explore. Built within the former Princess Margaret Hospital precinct, this thoughtfully designed Playground is part of the wider Subi East redevelopment, bringing together play, public art, green space and a lovely nod to the area’s history. The precinct is still evolving, with future apartments and restoration works continuing around the site, but the public open spaces are now open and ready to enjoy. It already feels like a welcoming family destination, Read more…
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Nestled in the heart of Dianella is the lovely Wake Pola Reserve. This parkland has a good sized playground with shade sails and natural shading. The playground features a large play structure with two slides, a noughts and crosses game, shop front, fireman pole and flying fox. There are stairs to climb, a tunnel to crawl through and an arched bridge to cross. Separately, there are swings, both toddler and regular, and some spring rockers, including a 4-way see-saw rocker. These are mostly under shade, but depending on the time of day, may see some sun. So worth checking before Read more…
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Tucked just off Charles Riley Road beside the North Beach Community Centre and sports fields, Charles Riley Reserve is a welcoming, leafy spot for a relaxed play. Manicured lawns and landscaped gardens surround a small war memorial, and behind this you’ll find the sand-based Playground, shaded by blue shade sails and bordered by young trees and garden beds. It has a friendly, local feel and is especially popular with toddlers and grandparents on weekday mornings. The Playground surface is mostly clean white sand with some purple soft-fall areas, so it’s ideal for little ones who are still finding their feet. Read more…
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Harbour View Park in Hillarys is a lovely local Playground that’s especially suited to toddlers and young children, with the bonus of exercise facilities for adults and free community tennis courts alongside. Tucked within the quiet suburban streets, it’s an easy park to visit for a quick play, a longer hang-out with friends, or a scooter ride around the surrounding paths. The main play area is boat-themed, which is always a winner with little ones who love to pretend they’re the captain at sea. The compact climbing frame includes small ladders that are easy for younger children to manage, a Read more…
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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…
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The UFO-inspired Bob Gordon Reserve Play Space is out-of-this-world fun! The fully fenced playground features everything from UFOs, swings, flying foxes, slides, and water play to all the essentials like toilets, BBQs, picnic shelters, shade and ample parking. The main feature and the inspiration for the playground is the replica of the old Leach Highway Spaceship, Futuro House, which I’m sure parents and grandparents from the 70s and 80s will remember fondly! The new Futuro features a small slide, fireman pole and is fully wheelchair accessible. Inside, you’ll find control panels, speaking tubes, finger mazes, and alien noughts and crosses. Read more…
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Wyong Reserve in Bentley is a great little park with a lot going on. The playground is fully fenced and has a pathway running around it that is designed as a road to ride scooters and bikes along. There a few large speed humps, and we said next time we come we will have to bring the scooter. There are benches around the playground and an undercover area with BBQs and picnic benches. There is also a drink fountain and bins. It was nice that they kept some of the big trees in the development of the playground and fitted Read more…
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On a recent road trip, we took a detour through Northam, the detour was originally to check out the Northam Suspension Bridge, which is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in Australia. After crossing the bridge, which was well worth the visit (until the kids thought it was fun to make it sway), we discovered Bernard Park which features two fully fenced play areas, a water playground, sculptures, amphitheatre, picnic and BBQ facilities and public toilets. The water playground was by far the highlight for the kids, even though we were completely unprepared for water play! The playground is activated Read more…
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If you love finding parks that genuinely cater to a mix of ages, Giger Park in Alkimos is well worth adding to your list. It may look fairly modest at first glance, but once the kids start exploring, it quickly becomes clear that this Playground packs a lot into a smaller space. It has that lovely hidden-gem feel, with enough variety to keep toddlers busy while still offering plenty to tempt bigger, more adventurous kids. One of the best things about Giger Park is how well it balances play for different age groups. Little ones are well catered for with Read more…
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Mojo Park in Cockburn Central is a brilliant suburban Playground and recreation space tucked within the colourful Mojo Urban Living estate. Despite being slightly hidden away in the estate, the park itself feels open and spacious, with a large grassed area, tall gum trees and a good mix of play equipment that suits a range of ages and abilities. The main Playground combines nature play elements with more traditional structures. Underfoot you’ll find a mix of soft fall, sand and wood chips, so kids can run, climb and explore with a bit of variety in textures. The large central play 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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Ashfield Reserve Play Space Ashfield Reserve Play Space in Perth’s eastern suburbs is a hidden gem. Sharing the parkland with Ashfield Oval, this spot has something for all ages. We dropped in for a play during school holidays to burn off some energy. This was a great spot for it, too! Miss 5 enjoyed that there is lots to climb at Ashfield Reserve Play Space. This playground is packed with climbing ropes, climbing walls and ladders. The rope web was a particular favourite. The playground also features a curly slide and two regular slides, a wobbly bridge, and a Read more…
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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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If you’re in the stunning Southern Forest town of Manjimup, no doubt you will have taken the kids along to the amazing Timber Park You know, the one with the ginormous slide and beautiful carved wooden birds hiding in the play area? Well, there’s another playground in Manji that’s well worth a visit – The Manjin Playground and Skate Park! If you find yourself in the more central area of Manjimup town, The Manjin Playground and Skate Park is a great spot for children of all ages to scoot, play explore. The Park boasts many quality facilities including a children’s playground, Read more…
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Set in reclaimed parkland alongside Railway Street in Cottesloe, you can find a one of Perth’s newest nature playgrounds, East Cottesloe Nature Play Trail. Including a scooter track, a fenced toddler park and wooden climbing equipment, this nature playground has something to suit kids from tiny tots to teens. Opening in September 2023, this new nature trail replaces an older pre-existing playground, known as the Purple Dinosaur Park. The parkland has since been extended, running a number of blocks. The new play area now includes a fenced toddler park at the Perth Street end – What we thought of as Read more…
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Jackadder Lake Playground is a picturesque park just north west of the city. This lovely lakeside spot features a shaded children’s playground, exercise equipment and paths perfect for bikes and scooters. As of the beginning of August 2023, the playground has been refreshed with new climbing equipment, a new and improved juniors area, and new picnic facilities. Miss 9 was excited to check out the new play equipment. Gone is the crumbling soft fall rubber, and in place there is soft white sand. In place of the old stained slide, there is now a longer colourful tube slide. There are Read more…
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Naturaliste Park, Iluka – Parkour Park If you’re looking for a brand‑new outdoor adventure north of the river, Naturaliste Park in Iluka is absolutely worth adding to your weekend list. Tucked behind the leafy pathways that connect to Sir James McCusker Park, this upgraded play space blends nature, parkour challenges, imaginative play and peaceful green surrounds — perfect for families with toddlers through to energetic big kids. 🧗♂️ Parkour Course – Balance, Climb, Conquer! The standout feature at Naturaliste Park is the new parkour course, designed to get kids moving, climbing and testing their agility. You’ll find: Balancing Read more…
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Harborne Ruislip Playground, Wembley Harborne Ruislip Playground is a neat fenced park in Wembley. It may be small, but it’s packed with features kids will enjoy! The first thing that grabbed Miss 8’s attention was the wooden play structure. The main feature of the playground, it has a baby swing and a birds nest style swing. There’s a climbing wall and stairs made of logs of various heights. There’s a bridge to cross over, and a slide or fireman pole to come down. In the sandpit, there is a recycled tree stump. The stump has been set into the Read more…
