Hillarys Beach Park at Whitfords Nodes has grown into one of the northern suburbs’ best all‑round coastal parks – a big, shady picnic spot with a great all‑abilities Playground, direct beach access and the added bonus of the famous exercise stairway and ninja warrior‑style fitness course just a short walk away.
The Playground itself is large and thoughtfully laid out, with a mix of traditional and nature play spread through soft white sand and rubber softfall. Younger children are drawn straight to the main climbing structure, which you can access via a gentle ramp.
Along the way there are musical elements, a clock and a steering wheel mounted at toddler height, so little ones can join in the fun without needing to climb. The ramped design also means children using kids’ wheelchairs can get right into the middle of the action, rather than watching from the sidelines.
At the top of the ramp you’ll find binoculars for imaginative play and a smaller slide, perfect for more cautious explorers, while a steeper ramp and vertical climbing wall lead adventurous kids to a taller double slide.
Nearby there’s a separate climbing frame packed with rope nets, ladders and balance elements – bigger kids will love trying to traverse right across the top or swinging from the hanging ropes like monkey bars.
Inclusive play has clearly been a focus here. Under the main structure there’s a sand table with coloured balls for toddlers to scoop and pour, and in the central sandpit a second sand play table features a pulley system so children can haul sand up to the platform, then funnel it through pipes to a lower level. A gap in the surrounding limestone blocks makes it possible to carefully push a wheelchair into this lower space so siblings and friends of different abilities can play together.
The park also scores highly for classic Playground favourites. There’s a birds nest (basket) swing for group swinging, plus a standard swing and a junior inclusive swing with a solid harness for children who need extra support.
A bright yellow spinner has been designed so a wheelchair can roll onto the platform and the child can hold the central handle, but it’s equally fun for a small group of kids to sit or stand and spin together.
On the ground, a pair of painted hopscotch grids adds a simple extra game that school‑aged kids love to test out.
The nature play zone flows out from the main structure, inviting kids to climb, balance and imagine. A carved and painted log shaped like a crocodile’s head and tail doubles as a balance beam and photo op.
Around it you’ll find chunky timber balancing logs, a wobbly wooden bridge and a sunny yellow spring‑mounted boat that’s perfect for pirate and fisherman role‑play.
Two timber mia mias offer shady little “cubby” spaces for camping‑style games and hide‑and‑seek.
Families who like to bring wheels will appreciate just how many paths criss‑cross this reserve. There are smooth concrete paths looping right around the Playground, ideal for scooters and learners, plus a wider shared coastal path running along the ocean side for confident riders. It’s an easy spot to combine a Playground visit with a family bike ride or a pram walk with ocean views.
As a picnic and meet‑up destination, Hillarys Beach Park really shines. There are masses of picnic tables spread through the reserve – far more than you’ll find at many suburban parks – along with plenty of lawn for rugs and ball games. Barbecues, drink fountains (including a bottle‑refill spout) and shady trees make it easy to stay for a few hours. Public toilets are provided within the park, though they are a bit of a walk from the main Playground, so it’s worth keeping that in mind if you’re toilet training or have kids who leave it to the last minute.
Being right on the coast, it’s also a brilliant beach day base. There’s beach access via the carpark and also from the shared path through the dunes, so you can swap between sandcastle building and Playground time without needing to move the car. On calm days, packing swimmers, towels, hats and plenty of suncream turns this into a full day out.
One of the big drawcards for older kids, teens and adults at Whitfords Nodes is the dedicated outdoor fitness area and iconic stairway that climbs 145 steps up the dune to a 22‑metre‑high lookout. This “exercise stairway” links into several running tracks of different lengths and gradients through the dunes and park, making it a popular training spot for runners and fitness fans, as well as a fun challenge for families with active tweens and teens.
At the base of the stairs you’ll also find an outdoor gym and the ninja‑warrior‑style obstacle course designed for ages 12 and over, with a sequence of body‑weight obstacles perfect for time trials and friendly competitions.
Despite its popularity – especially on weekends and warm evenings – the park copes well thanks to its size, multiple play zones and generous picnic and barbecue areas. There is ample free parking, much of it shaded by trees, and the whole site is criss‑crossed with universal‑access paths suitable for prams and wheelchairs. If you’d like to grab a coffee or bite to eat before or after your visit, Lot One Kitchen is conveniently located just up the road at the corner of Whitfords Avenue and Angove Drive.
Overall, Hillarys Beach Park at Whitfords Nodes offers something for everyone – shaded and inclusive Playground equipment for toddlers through to tweens, nature play and imaginative elements, bike and scooter‑friendly paths, ocean‑view walks, a huge number of picnic tables, and serious fitness challenges for older kids and adults. It’s an easy spot to recommend for playdates, family gatherings and holiday outings.
Hillarys Beach Park, Whitfords Nodes
Address: Whitfords Avenue (near the corner of Angove Drive), Hillarys WA 6025
Location
Place Categories: All Abilities, Beachside, Nature, Playgrounds, With Shade, and With Toilets
