12 of the best nature playgrounds in Perth and WA

 In Kids health, Motherhood

Getting outside with the kids is a great way to not only keep them entertained but keep them healthy and at one with nature. We’ve come up with a list of the best nature playgrounds in Perth and Western Australia that tick all of the boxes for the whole family. With plenty of space, things to climb on and places to sit for a picnic, you will be set for a few hours of outdoor fun.

 

Best nature playgrounds in Perth and beyond…

 

Perth – Central

Rio Tinto Naturescape, Kings Park

This park is a great place for children to get close to nature and understand the unique state of Western Australia. It is a place for children to be able to climb rocks and ropes, crawl through the burrow (tunnels), wade through creeks and get dirty. There are also several elevated tree nest lookouts to climb and check out the view.

This is not your typical playground with constructed play equipment and picnic areas, it is a naturally preserved area that teaches your children about nature and lets them get down and dirty within it. The park is closed in February and during high-risk fire conditions, check here for opening times.

Make sure you bring spare clothes!

 

best nature playgrounds in perth

 

Braithwaite Park, Mt Hawthorn

Braithwaite Park is fantastic for children of all ages. It is a fully gated play area that keeps children inside the park.

There is a smaller space for the little kids and a new nature play area that is designed for older children. The park features a large spider web to climb, flying fox and platforms built around the trees for climbing. A water pump creates a stream for making mud pies and there is a large rock climbing area built over a tunnel.

There is also plenty of parking, picnic areas and BBQ facilities available.

 

nature park

Image supplied: City of Vincent

nature park mt hawthorn

Image supplied: City of Vincent

 

Perth – North

Mawson Park, Hillarys

A nature play space has been added to Mawson Park to complement its already constructed standard playground.

The nature park is mostly made of local wood and is constructed on sandy and mulched grounds. It is ideal for children under 5 years of age and includes a log rope bridge that offers the chance to practice balancing and climbing skills, rock sculptures to climb on and a large swing.

There is a small undercover picnic area but the remainder of the park is grass surrounded by trees, making it a great place to stop and have a rest and a bite to eat.

 

mawson park

 

mawson park

 

Kingsway Regional Dinosaur Park, Madeley

Need I say more? Dinosaurs!

When you add the words park and dinosaur together you are sure to get a lot of big, happy smiles from your little ones. Kingsway Regional Dinosaur Park is a must-visit if you have little explorers.

The nature play park is full of natural elements including logs, bark, native plants and lots of shade.

There is a sandy walk full of dinosaur footprints that they can follow and be led to buried dinosaur bones. There is even a chance for them to climb on a dinosaur if they are brave enough!

There is plenty to keep them occupied with a bumpy mountain to slide down and large hammock swing to sway around in.

There are toilet facilities and grassed areas close by and plenty of parking.

 

Perth – South

Piney Lakes Sensory Park, Winthrop

The Piney Lakes Sensory Park has been designed to give children a nature-inspired sensory experience including sand and water play.

There are seesaws, balancing logs, a water feature and teepee to climb in. The playground includes an all abilities swing with mirror, basket and a wheelchair accessible roundabout.

There is plenty of shade to sit and have a snack before letting the adventure begin again.

 

piney lakes nature playground

Image Supplied: City of Melville

 

piney lakes nature park

Image Supplied: City of Melville

 

piney lakes nature

Image Supplied: City of Melville

 

Russell Brown Adventure Park, Mosman Park

Russell Brown park is every cubby builders’ dream! There are lots of natural materials available to construct cubbies underneath the trees. Other nature play elements within the park include water play in the ponds and streams, tree rope swings, log balance and sand play.

There is also a pipe network designed for whispered messages and sculptured musical instruments to play.

 

[activecampaign form=1]

 

Perth – East

Woodbridge Riverside Park, Woodbridge

The Woodbridge Riverside Park is a play area in the Eastern suburbs that offers lots of excitement for the kids and a chance for parents to sit back, relax and watch their little ones play. It includes an eco-adventure area that incorporates sand play equipment with a sifter and a pulley system, water play using a pump that leads to a small creek, carousels, tunnels, rockets, a flying fox and a fort.

For something unique the park also has signs that teach sign language.

A favourite with the locals, the park provides access for wheelchairs and caters for all abilities.

 

best nature playgrounds in perth

Image Supplied: City of Swan

 

best nature playgrounds in perth

Image Supplied: City of Swan

 

Bannister Creek Nature Playground, Lynwood

This playground is located along the banks of Bannister Creek in Lynwood and has a range of nature-inspired structures including a stumpy balancing path, animal sculptures and rock wall. The playground also features a swing, monkey bars, net climb and flying fox.

Ducks and other small animals can be spotted swimming along the creek which runs alongside the playground.

This playground is designed for locals – there is no car park or toilets, but there is a water fountain, water bowls for dogs and bike racks. It’s worth a look if you’re in the area.

 

best nature playgrounds in perth

Image Supplied: City of Canning

 

North WA

Kalbarri Nature Playground

Kalbarri Nature Playground is a playground with a view! Located on the foreshore the playground offers a great view of the river mouth with easy access to the beach and plenty of pelicans flying around.

The playground is complete with a large ship fort, lots of climbing equipment, flying fox, dry creek bed, swings and plenty of seating for parents. There are balancing beams, rocks, nets and stepping stones throughout the playground to challenge every child’s balancing skills.

Large leafy trees are located in and around the play area, ensuring plenty of shade and there is a BBQ as well as a toilet and shower block close by.

 

kalbarri nature playground

 

kalbarri nature playground

 

kalbarri nature playground

 

Denham Foreshore Playground

Denham is a small town located around half an hour from Monkey Mia in the Shire of Shark Bay. The fenced pirate-themed playground is huge and overlooks the stunning beach. In the centre of the playground is a large brick turret with steps leading up to a fully enclosed slide. Then off to the side is a large wooden fort with pulleys, buckets and shoots for imaginative sand play.

The other side of the playground features wooden balancing beams, musical instruments, swings and a climbing structure. There is a nice balance between natural elements and structures that inspire creative play.

There is some shade provided by sails and mature trees, and parking is plentiful.

 

denham nature playground

 

nature playground denham

 

South WA

Sea Play by the Bay, Busselton Foreshore

This new playground in Busselton is something to behold! It uses largely natural elements such as wood, sand, rocks and some metal to create a shipwreck and the ship itself offers many opportunities for climbing with frames, rope ladders and nets all built-in.

The playground also incorporates a sandpit with a climbing frame and swing, and rocks to climb. Water play is included via a large humpback whale tail that sprays water.

There are plenty of great facilities around the playground including ample parking, toilets, cafes and it is only 100m or so from the Busselton jetty.

 

busselton nature park

Image Supplied: City of Busselton

 

busselton nature playground

Image Supplied: City of Busselton

 

Kwoorabup community adventure park, Denmark

The Kwoorabup community park is truly nature-based, with none of the traditional playground structures that you usually see. That is not to say it is boring – far from it!

The landscaped park is centred around a dry creek bed and incorporates rock patterns, poles, swales and mounds, sand mounds, balance logs, a musical wall, bridges, climbing trees and loose branches to create cubbies and other structures.

The park is surrounded by mature trees and lawn, so there is plenty of shade as well as space for running and sports activities. Facilities include BBQs, toilets, drinking fountains and sheltered picnic tables.

 

 

Western Australia is home to a number of award-winning playgrounds and these are what we believe to be the best nature playgrounds in Perth and beyond.

Do you have a favourite that we missed and think should be added to the list?

 

[activecampaign form=1]
Recent Posts
0

Start typing and press Enter to search