Tucked inside the Apsley Estate in Mandogalup, Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground is a brilliant all-ages destination that feels like a bushland adventure just off Rowley Road. As you enter the estate you’ll spot the expansive play space spread out across rolling lawn, winding footpaths and clusters of mature trees, with plenty of room for kids to run, climb and explore.
The hero of the park is the towering 12‑metre treehouse-style tower and slide. The climb to the top is an adventure in itself, with a mix of steps, platforms and rope ladders wrapping around the structure. Confident older kids will love the challenge and the height, while younger children may need a helping hand on some of the steps. The enclosed slide from the top is fast and thrilling – one of those “just one more go!” experiences for both kids and brave adults.
Beside the tower is a fantastic ninja-style obstacle course that’s perfect for school-aged kids and teens. With monkey bars, rope elements and balance challenges, it’s ideal for racing friends, building strength and working on coordination. There’s also a rope climbing “nest” where children can hang out in the web of ropes and enjoy a different view over the Playground.
Younger children are very well catered for in a thoughtfully designed toddler area created in collaboration with local artist Jahne Rees. Here you’ll find a sweet little wooden fort with a mini rock-climbing wall, a small slide built into natural rock, and lower-level climbing features that mirror what the “big kids” have, just on a more manageable scale. The whole space feels like a nature Playground, encouraging imaginative play as much as physical activity.
Water and sand play are a big highlight. Kids can turn the pump wheel to send water flowing down a series of leaf-shaped tables, creating channels and pools in the sand below. It’s a wonderfully tactile area where children can pour, scoop and experiment – just be prepared for wet, sandy clothes! Nearby, there are musical pipes to bang out a tune and an all-abilities roundabout, helping make the Playground more inclusive.
Traditional play equipment hasn’t been forgotten either. There’s a set of swings including a baby/toddler harness swing, plus a popular bird’s nest swing that’s great for siblings or friends to share.
Throughout the park you’ll find natural timber balance beams, logs and low walls that kids instinctively turn into extra play elements. The designers have worked with the natural environment, adding leaf impressions and animal footprints into paths and surfaces, which little explorers love to hunt for.
The ground coverings are a practical mix of soft fall, woodchips, sand and concrete paths. Wide, smooth paths loop around and through the Playground, making it a good spot for scooters, bikes and skateboards. On one side of the reserve there’s a large open grassed area that’s perfect for kicking a footy, throwing a frisbee or setting up a family cricket match. Sports-mad kids will also appreciate the half basketball/netball court – don’t forget to bring a ball.
Mokare Reserve is set up really well for picnics and barbecues. There are two main barbecue areas, each with free double gas BBQs, shaded tables and bench seating. Water refill stations are close by, and a long low wall provides extra casual seating if you’re hosting a bigger group. The park is also used as a bookable community space by the City of Kwinana, so it’s worth checking availability if you’re planning a larger event or party, as bookings are managed through the City’s listing on SpacetoCo.
In terms of comfort, there are shade sails over some equipment and gazebos over picnic areas, but in the middle of the day it can still get hot, so hats and sunscreen are essential. Multiple independent sources still note that there are no toilets on site, and that remains the major downside of an otherwise excellent park. You’ll need to plan ahead and make sure everyone has had a toilet stop before you arrive, as the nearest public facilities are roughly a 10‑minute drive away and there’s no nearby café with customer toilets.
Parking is available in two car parks across the road from the main Playground area, in front of the display homes, as well as limited street parking. Public transport is also an option – Transperth bus 536 stops nearby, with a short walk into the estate to reach the park.
Overall, Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground is a destination-style park that’s worth the drive for families with children of mixed ages. The combination of a huge tower slide, ninja course, nature play, water and sand play, and big open lawns means there’s enough here to keep kids entertained for hours. If you come prepared with snacks, water, a picnic rug and a toilet plan, it’s a fantastic spot for a weekend adventure or a school holiday playdate.
Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground
Address: 4 Goldwyer Drive, Mandogalup WA 6167 (entrance off Rowley Road roundabout into Apsley Estate)
Official website: Public Open Space – Mokare Adventure Park (City of Kwinana via SpacetoCo)
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Member Reviews
Place Categories: Nature, Playgrounds, and With Water Play
