The Nest, Port Kennedy

There’s a brilliant nature Playground tucked alongside the fairways at Links Kennedy Bay in Port Kennedy, and it’s well worth the drive south with the kids. The Nest is part of the golf club’s big redevelopment and sits right opposite Birdie restaurant and bar, so it’s easy to combine a play with coffee, lunch or an early dinner. With coastal breezes, big skies and a golf theme running through the design, it feels more like a mini adventure park than a standard suburban Playground.

The centrepiece of The Nest is a striking seven‑metre play tower that looms over the undulating sand dunes. Confident climbers can tackle a mix of ladders and netting to reach the top before whooshing back down on the long, fast slide – a definite favourite with older kids and thrill‑seekers. The structure is deliberately challenging, so younger or less confident children may need a helping hand on the climb, but the sense of achievement at the top is huge.

Spreading out from the tower is a thoughtful mix of nature play elements. Kids can scramble across a rope bridge, balance along chunky timber logs, and duck in and out of a teepee‑style climbing frame. There are sandy nooks to dig in, little tunnels to crawl through, and soft‑fall “rock” walls to scale.

Designed by award‑winning landscape architects Emerge & Associates, the space makes great use of recycled timbers and planting to create an adventurous, natural feel with pockets of dappled shade developing around the edges. Golf‑mad kids will also love the series of golf‑themed challenges integrated into the Playground layout, which turn simple putting and chipping into fun little games across the site.

While the big tower and nets are best suited to school‑aged kids, there’s still lots for younger ones to enjoy. The lower‑level sand and tunnel areas, the gentle balance logs and the ever‑popular nest swing all work well for toddlers with supervision. The adjacent lawn in front of Birdie restaurant is perfect for a run around, a picnic rug, or for babies to have a crawl while older siblings explore the main play equipment. It’s an easy place to spend a few hours with kids of mixed ages because you can base yourself near the restaurant or on the grass and still keep them in sight.

One of the best parts of The Nest is how well it pairs with a meal or drink at Birdie. The family‑friendly bistro overlooks the Playground and golf course, so adults can relax with a coffee, drink or something more substantial while the kids play within view. Birdie offers a contemporary, kid‑friendly menu with share plates, pizzas and crowd‑pleasing mains, along with coffee, cake and a children’s menu, and is open daily from morning through to the evening, with longer hours on weekends.

If you nab a balcony or outdoor table, you’ll have a great vantage point across the lawn and Playground, making it an ideal spot for lazy weekend lunches or early dinners after a play.

Facilities are what you’d expect from a modern golf clubhouse. Toilets are located near the pro shop and clubhouse, just a short stroll from the play area. There are no large built shade structures directly over the main Playground equipment, so it can get hot in the middle of the day, especially in summer. Plan for morning or late‑afternoon visits where possible and be sure to pack hats, sunscreen and water. Sturdy closed‑in shoes are also helpful for kids tackling the higher climbing elements and balance logs.

Overall, The Nest at Port Kennedy is a fantastic option if you’re looking for something a bit special beyond your local park. The combination of a coastal‑inspired nature Playground, golf‑themed challenges and a genuinely good family‑friendly restaurant makes it an easy day out for all ages. Whether you drop in for a quick play and coffee, or make a longer outing of it with lunch and a walk along the nearby coastline, it’s the kind of place kids will ask to come back to again and again.

The Nest, Port Kennedy

Address: 1 Course Lane (off Port Kennedy Drive), Port Kennedy WA 6172
Opening hours: Playground generally accessible during daylight hours; Birdie restaurant typically open daily from morning to evening (check the Birdie website for current times)
Website: Kennedy Bay – Links Kennedy Bay & The Nest Playground