9 must see parks in Perth

Perth and nature go hand in hand. It boasts uncrowded beaches, world-class walking trails, stunning gardens, nature reserves, and vast parklands, offering opportunities to get up close to magnificent flora and fauna year-round. You can stay within the city and get your dose of nature or drive a little further to find hectares of serene forest locations, hills, national parks, and other hidden natural wonders awaiting discovery.

Parks in Perth are spread throughout the capital and can be reached via car or public transportation. Besides the beautiful national reserves and nature parks, you can also find marine parks in Perth where you can kayak with seals and swim with dolphins. Join any of the numerous wildlife tours or explore them on your own. No matter the case, you’re guaranteed exhilarating experiences in the world’s most isolated capital city.

You’ll find more than one activity in Perth City parks, so always be ready to join in the fun by packing light whenever you head out. Drop off your shopping bags and other items in a luggage storage facility in Perth and enjoy the tour hands-free.

Hyde Park

Located in Highgate, close to Perth CBD, Hyde Park is a large, scenic green space ideal for family picnics, barbecues, bird watching, and leisure walks. Sit on the grass by the tranquil lakes, read your favorite book under one of the enormous trees on a sunny afternoon, ride a bike, or enjoy a casual walk alone or with a friend.

Hyde Park is undoubtedly one of the best parks in Perth for relaxation. It’s not far from all the action in the central business district, so you can easily stop by for a break from work or sightseeing. Among its main draws are the lush gardens and a lovely lake, with a diverse range of flowers and plants, including exotic varieties and native species. If you visit in early March, be sure to come for the Hyde Park Fair, a favorite free family event filled with stalls serving multicultural food, live entertainment, rides, free activities for kids, and more.

The park is easily accessible and within walking distance from the Perth bus station or railway station. Other features include picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains, a water playground, a staging area, gazebos, and fitness equipment. It has seventeen areas you can hire, making it a perfect setting for gatherings, social events, and outdoor weddings.

John Oldham Park

Hidden on the busy Mounts Bay Road, John Oldham Park is a small park perfect for an afternoon stroll. It’s part of the Narrows Interchange Parkland, along with David Carr Memorial Park, created between 1973 and 1988. The parks are Heritage Listed and are connected by a walkway under the Narrows Bridge.

John Oldham Park features cycle and walking paths, lakes, a waterfall, an exercise station, a playground, BBQ facilities, and plenty of seating. With lush greenery, picturesque gardens, and cascading waterfalls, this park in Perth is easily a favorite for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Within the reserve’s wilderness, visitors can also view the modern buildings in the city.

Pets are allowed in the park as long as they remain on a leash. Apart from offering relaxing strolls, it’s also a perfect park for social gatherings, personal training, and bird watching. You’ll even find information about birds you’ll encounter when you visit John Oldham Park.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Whether you’re looking for magnificent city and river views, outdoor recreation, or summer events out in the open, Kings Park and Botanic Garden don’t disappoint. Kings Park is a famous destination and one of the world’s most beautiful inner city parks. There’s no shortage of things to do and places to see here, offering immaculate gardens, discovery play areas for younger kids, outdoor events, and tons of other attractions.

Plant lovers will love a tour of the Botanic Garden, a living research facility dedicated to the conservation of flora in Western Australia. Its garden beds present the most diverse plants in the state year-round. It’s also home to Rio Tinto Naturescape, an ideal place for children to explore, get dirty, wade through creeks, and connect with nature. They’ll surely enjoy hours of fun and learning through a spectacular play space in the environment.

While Kings Park and Botanic Garden are beautiful and can be enjoyed no matter the season, they’re more alive in summer with summer events, including open-air concerts, theaters, and movies. You shouldn’t also miss the renowned Kings Park Festival in September to celebrate the beginning of Spring and the wildflower season. Before you leave, stop by the gallery shop for retail therapy, and buy Aboriginal art, unique gifts, souvenirs, and home decor.

Victoria Gardens

Victoria Gardens is a preferred place to unwind and rest in East Perth, offering fantastic views of the Swan River and the Matagarup Bridge. There’s a mini gym for those who want to get some exercise while enjoying the outdoor landscape, or you can stretch your legs by brisk walking or jogging at the park.

Victoria Gardens is more of a park in Perth than a garden, with a well-manicured lawn, children’s playground, picnic tables, barbecue facilities, and a walking or cycling path. It’s well-maintained, so you’ll quickly fall in love with the area.

Residents may not be aware that Victoria Gardens is one of the first gardens in Perth, planted in the 1800s. It was surrounded by residences and light industry for many years, unrecognized by many. Then, it went a significant upgrade in the 1990s as the Claisebrook Cove Village development’s centerpiece. Some of the original trees still stand in the garden. It also features several artworks that celebrate the area’s indigenous culture and history.

John Forrest National Park

Take a break from the hectic city life and head to John Forrest National Park. It’s about half an hour from Perth CBD, but it’s worth the trip, boasting breathtaking views, waterfalls, biking and walking trails, lots of wildlife, and lush greenery around. Declared a national park in 1900, John Forrest is the first national park in Western Australia and the second in the country after Royal National Park.

You’ll find abundant gorgeous picnic shelters and trails that will lead you through flooded gums, marri, jarrah, paperbark trees, and many gigantic trees native to Australia. Watch out for wildlife, especially western grey kangaroos. When you look up, not only will you spot birds but also adorable koalas on a eucalyptus tree. Visit during springtime to witness wildflowers adding life and color to the landscape.

For bushwalkers and outdoor enthusiasts, don’t miss the opportunity to tackle one of the extensive trails through the rugged wilderness. It has trails for everyone, whether you’re into a full-on trek or just a relaxing stroll. Chase the waterfalls, including the National Park Falls and Hovea. Though they’re not for swimming, they’re great for that perfect pic to share on social media. If you don’t want to go deep into the forest, there's always a picnic table and numerous areas to set up for lunch.

Bold Park

Another place to get a taste of an exciting wilderness experience near the city center is Bold Park. It’s largely undeveloped, so don’t come expecting restaurants, cafes, established play areas, or exercise stations. You must bring your own refreshments and a flashlight since most of its areas don’t have night lighting, especially if you plan to stay after dark. Picnic areas and barbecues are available at the neighboring Perry Lakes Picnic Area.

Bushwalking is the most popular activity in Bold Park, so seats are placed at intervals, generally at vantage points, to allow visitors to take a rest. It takes pride in its impressive biodiversity, with more than a thousand native and non-native fungi, flora, and fauna species. It allows locals and visitors to enjoy nature in Perth’s urban area, offering a network of trails for nature study, exercise, and bushwalks.

It doesn’t have challenging hiking trails for serious hikers, but it’s a great park to start your hiking journey. Take the Zamia Trail, the longest of the trails around Bold Park. You’ll walk through coastal bushland with occasional views of the city and the ocean. Also, visit Reabold Hill, which will take you 85 meters above sea level, offering views of Perth, the Indian Ocean, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Rottnest Island, and a glimpse of the Swan River.

Neil McDougall Park

Looking for the best park in Perth that will keep your little ones busy and engaged for hours during school holidays? If you’re in South Perth in Como, you’ll love Neil McDougall Park. It’s a large recreational area with a lake in the middle, which serves as a favorite sanctuary for waterfowl. You can let kids run and play while you sit by the vast lake and watch water birds.

The park has different sections, including a grassy area with large trees and several parts suitable for social events, weddings, and parties. The lake is the highlight of the park, but the big shady playground remains a crowd favorite. Big kids can bring their scooters and bikes while adults prepare barbecues or walk along the lake. There’s also sensory play, a flying fox, talk tubes, a swing, ropes play, slides, and more.

Langley Park

Catch the morning breeze and enjoy a scenic walk between the Swan River and the Perth Central Business District at Langley Park. It’s a large open space with a lush green area, providing the people of Perth and visitors a place to stop and take a breather in the middle of the busy city center. The award-winning Bell Tower is within walking distance from the park, and numerous restaurants and cafes are nearby.

Langley Park is a go-to place for the annual Australia Day fireworks displays over the Swan River on January 26. It often attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors who enjoy the light shows, drones, and music. Besides the iconic annual events held here, it hosts various activities and programs, with three bookable spaces for small- to large-scale gatherings, carnivals, sporting activities, and cultural festivals.

When not used for outdoor events, Langley Park is like any other park in Perth. It’s near several hotels, so you’ll often find tourists lounging on the grass or taking photos of the idyllic scenery. Dogwalkers are also a common sight, especially in the morning and afternoon.

Marmion Marine Park

Take the plunge and dive for an exhilarating adventure to explore underwater creatures and the caves at Marmion Marine Park. It’s a protected area off the coast of northern Perth between Burns Beach and Trigg Island. Whether you’re into diving, fishing, boating, or windsurfing, Marmion Marine Park offers thrilling water adventures for everyone.

You can enjoy recreational fishing in most areas of the park, but special rules may apply in certain zones. It has three zone types: the general use zone, Watermans Reef Observation Area, and the ‘no-take’s sanctuary. Therefore, make sure you know which zone you are in before fishing or participating in any water adventure.

Visitors can dive year-round, depending on the weather conditions. If snorkeling is your thing, Mettam’s Pool is the ideal spot to swim and snorkel, where you’ll see marine animals and plants close to the shore. Because Marmion Marine Park is a protected sanctuary for fish, you’ll likely see different fish species you’ve never seen before.

Enjoy nature and wildlife at Perth Parks

If you’re looking for unique wildlife experiences, the capital of Western Australia is the place to go. Although it has a reputation for being the most isolated city in the world, you’ll never have a dull moment in Perth. Heading into Perth Station and the central business district? This bustling locale offers an array of entertainment opportunities and natural adventures that will keep everyone busy all day. While the rest of the world is freezing from November to January, the parks in Perth offer a welcoming escape to warm sunshine.

For more ideas on how and where to spend your time outdoors in the Western Australian capital, read our guides: 7 beaches near Perth and the 9 best hikes in Perth.