Tucked into the Saw Avenue Picnic Area on the Subiaco side of Kings Park, Variety Place Playground is a brilliant all-ages nature Playground where kids can climb, balance, crawl and explore for hours. The space has been redeveloped with the support of Variety WA and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, with a strong focus on nature play and inclusive design so that children of all abilities can play side by side. Set amongst mature trees and open lawns, it’s a fantastic spot to let the kids burn off energy before enjoying a relaxed family picnic.
The Playground is packed with adventure play elements. Children can scramble over rough-hewn climbing logs and rocks, tackle rope courses and nets, and test their balance on timber beams and stepping stones.
A large fort set into rugged limestone outcrops offers a great lookout over the play space and quickly becomes base camp for imaginative games.
There are tunnels cut into the rocks to dash through, bridges to cross and plenty of different levels to climb, so kids are constantly discovering new routes and challenges rather than looping around one standard structure.
A big birds nest swing is a hit with both younger children and bigger kids, while the steel tactile maze provides a fun, accessible challenge for those who like to problem solve as they play.
One of the loveliest touches throughout the Playground is the detailed wood carving. Logs, benches and tables are decorated with whimsical insects and other creatures, designed by local artists.
Learning signs dotted around the area invite children to become “insect detectives”, tying in beautifully with the natural bush setting and turning a simple play session into an opportunity to explore and learn about the environment.
Because Variety Place was developed with the needs of children with disabilities in mind, accessibility has clearly been prioritised. There are wide, paved paths winding through the play area, making it easier for wheelchairs and prams to move between different zones. The Playground itself includes elements that can be enjoyed from ground level, as well as the elevated features for more confident climbers.
Nearby, in the Kulbardi Car Park, you’ll find ACROD parking bays, and a Changing Place facility is available for eligible users with an MLAK key, making this precinct particularly welcoming for families who need more accessible amenities.
The setting is classic Kings Park: the play equipment itself is largely unshaded, but the surrounding lawns are framed by beautiful established trees that throw plenty of shade for picnics and play on hot days. Families can spread out a blanket on the grass, or make use of the many picnic tables scattered around the precinct. Free electric barbecues are available and cannot be reserved, so it’s first-come, first-served. There are also drinking fountains close to the Playground. Toilets are located nearby and are typically open during the day (commonly 8am to 4.30pm), which is handy if you’re planning to settle in for a longer visit.
The wider Saw Avenue Picnic Area offers more than just the Playground. The Saw Avenue Amphitheatre, right alongside Variety Place, is a popular venue for children’s theatre and family-friendly events over the summer season. Just across May Drive you’ll find the Tobruk Memorial and several other important memorials, making it easy to combine an energetic play with a short, reflective wander through this part of Kings Park. Open grassed areas surrounding the Playground are perfect for ball games, a game of tag or hide-and-seek among the trees.
Parking is relatively straightforward. You can access Saw Avenue off Thomas Street and then turn onto May Drive to reach the Kulbardi Car Park, which offers the best access for prams and wheelchairs thanks to a path that leads directly into the Playground area. There is also verge parking along Saw Avenue and May Drive, though surfaces can vary and parking there is at your own risk. The Playground itself is not fenced, so you’ll want to keep an eye on fast runners, but there is a decent distance between the play area and busy Thomas Street, with lawns and paths in between.
There is no café immediately beside Variety Place, so it’s worth bringing your own snacks, picnic or barbecue supplies. If you are in need of coffee, the closest options are elsewhere within Kings Park, such as the cafés near Ivey Watson Playground and May Drive Parklands. Many families choose to make a full day of it by coupling a play at Variety Place with a walk through the Kings Park bushland trails or a visit to another Playground or attraction nearby.
Overall, Variety Place Playground is a standout Kings Park destination for families who love nature play and inclusive design. With its combination of adventurous equipment, beautiful carvings and learning signage, excellent accessibility features and the broader picnic and memorial precinct around it, this is a spot you can return to again and again as your children grow and still find something new to enjoy.
Variety Place Playground, Kings Park
Address: Saw Avenue (near May Drive), Kings Park, West Perth WA 6005
Opening hours: Kings Park is open daily; nearby toilets generally 8:00am – 4:30pm
Official website: Saw Avenue Picnic Area – Variety Place, Kings Park
Location
Member Reviews
Place Categories: Nature, Perth City, Playgrounds, Playgrounds, Non Sand Based, and With Toilets
