Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park

Set in the heart of Manjimup, around three hours’ drive south of Perth, Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park is an absolute must‑visit for families exploring the Southern Forests. Spread over 12 hectares of landscaped parkland and natural bush, it combines one of WA’s most impressive regional adventure Playgrounds with museums, heritage buildings and tranquil picnic spots, making it very easy to spend a whole day here.

The adventure Playground is the big drawcard and it truly offers something for all ages. Little ones are well catered for with a shaded toddler and pre‑school area featuring a small climbing structure and slide, a ride‑on wooden train, ride‑on Australian animals, balancing logs and low‑level play equipment that’s ideal for younger children finding their feet. While the Playground isn’t fully fenced, it’s set well back from roads within the wider park, helping it feel safe and relaxed for families.

Older kids and more adventurous tweens and teens will gravitate straight to the impressive town‑inspired climbing tower, which includes rope and climbing walls, bridges, tunnels and slides.

There’s also a large climbing net and a spinning disk that’s perfect for group play (and for parents who don’t mind making the kids a little dizzy!). With four traditional swings, a net (basket) swing, and a thrilling 40‑metre double‑cable flying fox, there’s no shortage of ways to swing, spin and soar.

A generous water play area provides a fantastic way to cool down on warm days, so it’s worth packing a towel and change of clothes in the hotter months.

The undisputed highlight for many families is the 17‑metre‑high viewing platform and super slide, which has become something of a local icon.

Reached via 65 steps, it’s not for the faint‑hearted, but the panoramic view over the park from the top is spectacular.

Kids love racing each other up and down, and the slide is long enough to feel like a proper adventure without being overwhelming for confident school‑aged children. During our visit, everyone used the slide sensibly, with kids waiting their turn and sliding one at a time, which helped it feel fun and safe.

Beyond the main play structures, the park offers plenty of extras that make it easy to linger. There are barbecues and picnic tables dotted around, as well as expansive grassed areas that are perfect for picnics, ball games or simply spreading out a rug and relaxing under the trees.

At the entrance, children can climb aboard an old train engine and explore the surrounding rail relics, giving them a taste of the region’s timber and rail history before they’ve even reached the museums. Sculptures of local animals and pieces of timber heritage equipment are scattered throughout the grounds, adding plenty of interest to a simple wander.

The historic hamlet is a real gem for families who enjoy a bit of learning with their play. Here you can step back in time and explore original and relocated buildings from the early 1900s, including a cottage, doctor’s surgery, school, machine shed, forestry office, police station and jail.

The attention to detail is fantastic – from books and blackboards in the schoolhouse to period instruments and equipment in the doctor’s surgery – and it’s a brilliant way to spark conversations with kids about what life was like in a timber town a century ago.

As part of the wider Manjimup Heritage Park experience, families can also explore several museums and displays that showcase the region’s story. The State Timber Museum dives into the importance of the timber industry to Manjimup, with exhibits on logging practices, tools, machinery and how the industry helped shape the town’s development. The Steam Museum celebrates how steam power revolutionised milling, including the restored 1907 Robey Cross Compound Engine and historic photographs. Rail relics and locomotives illustrate how timber was moved from the forest to the rest of the state, and there are walking trails through bushland that connect many of these attractions.

Manjimup Heritage Park is also home to the Power Up Electricity Museum and the Manjimup Visitor Centre, along with a park café, making it a handy base for grabbing a coffee or snack and gathering local information about the Southern Forests region. With free BBQs, family‑friendly facilities and wide, open spaces to explore, it’s a brilliant stopping point on a South West road trip, as well as a destination in its own right for families staying in Manjimup, Pemberton or nearby towns.

With its combination of a show‑stopping Playground, hands‑on history, beautiful bush surrounds and excellent visitor facilities, Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park is easily one of the best family Playground destinations in WA. Plan to spend at least a few hours here – but don’t be surprised if the kids beg to stay the whole day.

Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park

Address: 151 Giblett Street, Manjimup WA 6258, Australia