Categories > Guides and Tips
Make an ordinary family day out special at the best recreational areas in Perth
I always make an effort to spend some time with my family. Whenever I get the chance, I like to take them to exciting recreational areas so we can forget our responsibilities for a moment.
If you’re also looking to de-stress with your fam, visit these ones that are approved by my own!
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Website: https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park
Address: Fraser Ave
Contact details: +61 8 9480 3600
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t mention the wonderful Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
A massive park west of the Perth CBD, this place boasts a land area of 400 hectares that makes it slightly bigger than New York’s Central Park.
A reason why this park is so popular is due to the vast range of attractions you can enjoy here. In fact, my family loves visiting the Rio Tinto Naturescape, as it has a natural play space where kids can spend an entire afternoon playing.
We also always make an effort to check out the park’s botanic garden and its over 3,000 native plant species. These plants are always a treat to see, especially during the spring season, as that’s the time when their flowers are in full bloom.
Pro tip: You can join one of their free guided tours so you can discover all of the attractions in the area in as little as an hour and a half.
These tours begin at the Fraser Avenue entrance and are held twice daily, one from 10 AM to 11:30 AM and another from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM.
Lake Monger Reserve
Photo credit: sundaysunset.images
Website: https://www.cambridge.wa.gov.au
Address: Lake Monger Dr, West Leederville
Contact details: +61 8 9347 6000
If you’re looking to relax beside a freshwater spot, look no further than Lake Monger Reserve. Located in West Leederville, this lake once served as an important food gathering spot for the Nyoongar people.
Today, it serves as a popular recreational area, as visitors can enjoy a vast range of features like nature trails, picnic spots, playgrounds, and lookouts. In particular, the lake’s northern lookout offers an impressive view of the Perth skyline.
Personally, what I love the most about Lake Monger Reserve is its 3.5-kilometre walking/cycling track that surrounds the lake. It’s a good trail to do my morning jogs and cycle with my brothers once in a while.
Pro tip: If you love bird watching, make sure to bring your binoculars with you because Lake Monger Reserve has diverse birdlife inhabiting it!
Some iconic examples you should look out for are the Australasian grebe, the Pacific black duckling, and the Australian white ibis.
Sir James Mitchell Park
Photo credit: devilslair
Website: https://onlineservices.southperth.wa.gov.au
Address: Mill Point Rd, South Perth
Contact details: +61 8 9474 0777
Aside from Kings Park, another amazing recreational area you can visit that’s close to the Swan River is Sir James Mitchell Park. Located in South Perth, this park was named after Sir James Mitchell, the 13th Premier of Western Australia.
Its highlight is the stunning views of Perth’s CBD and the Swan River that serve as the perfect background while my friends and I talk about random topics. There’s also plenty of shade here, so it’s always a blast to visit here, even at noon.
Aside from its clear view of the city skyline, this park also boasts amenities like playgrounds, picnic spots, and cycling paths. It even has 15 function sites for outdoor events, including weddings and corporate gatherings.
Pro tip: Make sure to visit this park anytime between Thursdays and Sundays during the summer season!
That’s when Sir James Mitchell Park hosts the South Perth StrEATs, an event that lines the entire park’s foreshore with many of Perth’s best food trucks.
You can find out which food trucks are featured by following South Perth StrEATs’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
Mettams Pool
Photo credit: dylan_alcock
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/mettams-pool
Address: 330 West Coast Dr, North Beach
Contact details: +61 8 9303 7700
For some beach time fun, you’ll definitely love checking out Mettams Pool. A natural pool in North Beach, it was formed in the 1930s after World War I veteran Frank Mettam and his family removed the dangerous corals and rocks in the area.
Today, it’s a well-known local attraction thanks to its sheltered lagoon status. That means its waters remain calm all year round and only have a maximum depth of less than two metres, making it perfect for beginner swimmers and children.
Whenever we visit this place, we tend to also do a bit of snorkelling to see the rich diversity of marine life to be found in this pool. Some examples of fish I saw during one of my snorkelling sessions here are banded sweep, herring, and buffalo bream.
Pro tip: If you’re planning on snorkelling in Mettams Pool, make sure to be very cautious of the strong currents near the outer edge of the reef.
For additional safety, equip yourself with a personal location beacon before plunging in so rescuers can find you ASAP in case of an emergency.
Ozone Reserve
Photo credit: ayaaan_pi
Website: https://perth.wa.gov.au
Address: 1 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth
Contact details: +61 8 9461 3333
Ozone Reserve is a picturesque recreational area located at the eastern end of Riverside Drive. Quite similar to the other riverside parks I’ve mentioned in the list, it too offers some of the most amazing views of the Swan River and the Perth skyline.
Furthermore, it features a winding boardwalk over the wetlands of Lake Vasto, providing stunning views of flora and fauna. My friends and I often walk aimlessly around the lake before sitting near the Monument to Migrants for a quick rest.
Aside from being an excellent hangout space, Ozone Reserve is also a great place to spend some time with your fur babies, thanks to its dog agility park. It features jump bars, weave poles, a pyramid ramp, a dog walk, and a resting podium.
Pro tip: If you’re planning on bringing your dog with you, make sure to keep them on a leash outside of the dog agility park to ensure their safety at all times.
It also wouldn’t hurt to bring an extra water bottle for them so they can stay hydrated after a lengthy exercise around the park.
Chidley Reserve
Website: https://eservices.mosmanpark.wa.gov.au
Address: 4 Caporn St, Mosman Park
Contact details: +61 8 9384 1633
Another riverside recreational area you can enjoy with the fam is Chidley Reserve, located in the historic town of Mosman Park. Here, you’ll find sandy beaches, picnic areas, and a breathtaking view of the Swan River.
Whenever we visit here, it’s always a treat to see the huge boats and yachts that regularly pass through. Since the waters here are calm, this place has also served as one of our favourite natural swimming spots in the city.
Another thing I love to see whenever I visit is the rich diversity of flora and fauna you can find here. In fact, Chidley Reserve is a protected bushland, and visitors are encouraged to participate in the bushland care projects performed here.
Pro tip: Before going for a swim in Chidley Reserve, make sure to check first the Swan River’s current water quality here.
That’s because in certain periods of the year, especially during the winter season when rains are more frequent, the river carries a higher number of bacteria and pollutants from the city.
Wungong Dam
Reel credit: experienceperthhills
Website: https://www.watercorporation.com.au/About-us/Visiting-our-dams/Wungong-Dam
Address: Springfield Rd, Bedfordale
Contact details: +61 131375
Wungong Dam is an amazing recreational area you can visit in the Perth Hills. It was built in 1925 as part of the “Hills Scheme” to supply potable water to Perth and its surrounding suburbs.
As you can already tell, the scenery this dam offers is one of the most spectacular you’ll find on the list. Here, visitors can enjoy picnic areas, scenic views, and model boats sailing on the recreation lake.
However, the thing that I really love about Wungong Dam is its lack of any visual obstructions, which makes it a great place to do some stargazing. If you’re lucky, you might even come across the Aurora Australis during your visit here!
Pro tip: It’s always a treat to visit Wungong Dam at any time of the year, but I find the months from July to November to be the best.
That’s when the wildflower season is in full swing, so the dam will be filled with blooming flowers and various bird species like finches and robins.
Omeo Wreck
Photo credit: perthvibes
Website: https://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au
Address: Socrates Parade, North Coogee
Contact details: +61 8 9411 3444
For those who love to snorkel, the Omeo Wreck is sure not to disappoint! Located in North Coogee, this attraction is a historic iron steamship that ran aground near Coogee Beach in 1905.
Today, it lies submerged approximately 25 metres from the shore as part of the Coogee Maritime Trail.
This underwater snorkel trail features over 55 art installations around the wreck, including reef pyramids, replica cannons, and educational plaques.
Aside from snorkelling and swimming, the Omeo Wreck is also a popular spot for picnics and sunbathing. I’m particularly fond of the land-based trail beside the beach, as it features two of the ship’s anchors and a viewing area near the shipwreck.
Pro tip: Please take note that the Omeo shipwreck itself is protected by federal laws, making it illegal for visitors to stand on it or take any parts from it.
This is to prevent the shipwreck from collapsing and to prevent visitors from injuring themselves.
