Faulkner Park, Volcano Park, Belmont

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 if you want a quicker climb. From the summit there’s a fun view over the whole park and, every so often, a cool water mist or “steam” pours from the top of the volcano, adding to the dramatic effect.

When it’s time to come back down, kids can choose from three different slides that twist and turn back to the sandy base. Around the bottom of the volcano you’ll find sand play equipment such as diggers and a bouncy bug, plus a tunnel built into the base where kids love to hide and play.

Nearby, a family of turtle sculptures and other 3D animals, totem poles and tribal heads are dotted around the gardens, encouraging imaginative games and little nature “treasure hunts”.

Water lovers are very well catered for at Volcano Park. A dedicated water play area features ground jets that spurt on a timer, keeping kids guessing which nozzle will erupt next.

Balancing logs and stepping stones between the pads turn running through the spray into an obstacle course.

On the other side of the volcano are excellent sand and water play tables. At the water table, children can pump water up, open little gates to create waterfalls and watch it flow down a rocky channel.

The neighbouring sand table lets them haul sand up in buckets and pour it through a funnel, teaching cause and effect and encouraging teamwork as they experiment together. If your kids enjoy water play, it’s definitely worth bringing a change of clothes.

For older or more adventurous children, the towering tree house structure is a huge drawcard. This multi‑level climbing frame has two main towers connected by a suspension bridge, lots of rope ladders and netting, and a long enclosed tunnel slide that shoots riders back down to earth at speed.

The spacing between levels is deliberately challenging, so many parents will find themselves climbing and exploring alongside younger or less confident kids. It’s ideal for primary‑school‑aged children and up, but younger siblings with good coordination can still enjoy it with some help, and the thrill factor keeps tweens and even teens interested.

Next to the tree house is a fantastic wooden pirate ship set in wood chips, cleverly designed to look as if it has broken in two and is sinking. Circling the ship are a crocodile and hammerhead shark, adding to the high‑seas adventure. The ship has a small climbing wall, a ladder and a slide, and hits a nice middle ground – it’s more exciting than the toddler equipment, but still accessible for preschoolers and younger children who like to imagine big pirate stories without needing to tackle the tallest structures.

At the other end of the Playground, a flying fox offers another fast, fun challenge for bigger kids. There’s a shaded sand play area nearby, which is handy for keeping toddlers occupied while older siblings queue for turn after turn. Do keep in mind that many of the metal and dark‑coloured pieces of equipment can heat up quickly on very hot days, so an early‑morning or late‑afternoon visit is usually more comfortable in summer.

One of the standout features of Volcano Park is the toddler area, which is separated from the main Playground by hedging and has its own gated entrances. This whole zone is laid with soft fall and has good shade coverage, making it much more pleasant for little ones. There are two main play structures here. The smaller one is perfect for very young toddlers from around 1–3 years, with a low ramp featuring grips that are great for new walkers or crawlers, and two short slides side by side. The wide, shallow steps are easy for little legs to tackle independently, building confidence. Attached tunnels and crawl‑through spaces invite exploration, and there are cute little “window” panels – complete with moustaches – that are brilliant for silly faces and photo opportunities.

Surrounding all of the play equipment are large grassy areas and established shade trees, ideal for picnics or kicking a ball. The park is well set up for family gatherings, with plenty of picnic tables and BBQs – including facilities close to both the toddler area and the volcano and water play. Benches are dotted throughout for supervising adults. While there is some shade from trees and sails, especially in the toddler zone, the main play areas are relatively exposed, so sunhats, sunscreen and plenty of water are essential on warm days.

Practicalities are excellent. There is ample parking shared with Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre, which sits just across the car park and offers toilets and a café for coffee, snacks and baby‑change facilities. Many families like to combine a park play with a swim at Belmont Oasis, particularly on very hot days, or pair a visit with a trip to nearby Ruth Faulkner Library or a shop at Belmont Forum, both just a short walk or drive away. Paths run around the Playground and through Faulkner Park’s lakes and gardens, so it’s easy to take a pram or scooter and explore beyond the fenced play space.

Overall, Faulkner Park’s Volcano Park remains one of Perth’s most impressive and imaginative Playgrounds. With its dramatic volcano, adventurous climbing structures, brilliant water and sand play, and a truly excellent toddler area, it offers something for every age and stage. Combine that with good fencing, BBQs and nearby amenities, and you’ve got a top spot for a family day out, a birthday picnic or a quick play before or after shopping or the library.

Faulkner Park – Volcano Park

Address: Progress Way, Cloverdale (within the Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre complex, near the corner of Abernethy Road and Wright Street)

Official website: City of Belmont – Volcano Playground

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