The monthly Tractor Parade at Whiteman Park is a must-see if you’ve got little ones who are obsessed with anything big, noisy and on wheels. Held on the second Sunday of each month (weather permitting), this charming slice of WA farming history literally rumbles to life as a convoy of restored vintage tractors putter their way through the park, delighting kids and adults alike.
The parade departs from the Tractor Museum of WA at 1.15pm, with a dedicated team of volunteers firing up a selection of beautifully restored machines. From there, the tractors chug up to Revolutions Transport Museum before looping back through the Village Mall. You’ll hear them long before you see them – all the clanking, tinking and engine rumbles add to the excitement, especially for tractor-mad kids waiting patiently along the route.
Some of the best vantage points are right near the Tractor Museum itself, around Village Junction Station and along the car parks between the Visitor Information Centre and Whiteman Park Administration. These spots give you a great view as the tractors roll by, and there’s plenty of space for prams and younger children to stand safely back while still feeling close to the action. Don’t forget to give the volunteer drivers a big wave – they’re always happy to wave back and show off their pride and joy.
To extend your visit, pop into the Tractor Museum either before or after the parade. Inside you’ll find dozens of fascinating relics from Western Australia’s agricultural past, including nearly forty tractors, stationary engines, vintage trucks, and a lovely display of country life artefacts and old photographs. Look out for the oldest tractor on display, an operational 1920 Fordson, a rare 1923 Bailor cultivator from America, and a unique HSCS crawler built in Sweden – the only known one of its kind in Australia. It’s the sort of place where grandparents can reminisce, parents can learn something new, and kids can see just how different farming used to be.
Whiteman Park itself makes the Tractor Parade an easy family day out. You can pair the parade with a ride on the heritage trams or vintage trains, a play at one of the Playgrounds, or a visit to the other museums in the park, turning a quick outing into a full day of fun. Because dates can occasionally change and the event is weather dependent, it’s worth checking the What’s On section of the Whiteman Park website before you go. For families with vehicle-mad kids, the Tractor Parade is a simple, nostalgic and very affordable way to soak up some fresh air, history and big-wheel excitement in the Swan Valley.
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After spending 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie McNichol made the move to Perth in 2010. As the Co-Founder and Editor of Buggybuddys, she has been able to use her experience and passion for helping families to create a trusted online resource for parents across Perth.
Jennie is the proud mother of two daughters, aged 16 & 14 and is a big advocate of the family-friendly lifestyle that Perth has to offer.
