Perth is the sunniest capital city in Australia. On the Bureau of Meteorology's long-term averages it gets around nine hours of sunshine a day, or a little over 3,200 hours a year. Add a generous supply of open space and you have a city built for eating outdoors. The best bit about our leafy parks is that they are immaculately kept, feature some of the best flora and fauna and, best of all, they are free. With spring well and truly here, we thought we would put together our take on the best public parks to host your next group event or picnic in Perth.
Hyde Park – Highgate
Starting the list off strong is Hyde Park. Located on the fringe of the CBD and Northbridge, Hyde Park has a well-developed tree line, paths for walking, a lake split into two basins and an endless amount of green grass. Nooks can be found across the park, some private, some more open. If you have kids with you, there are several playgrounds, including a ropes playground off Glendower Street, plus the Water Playground off Vincent Street — that one runs in the warmer months, roughly November to late March, from 8am to 8pm, and dogs are not allowed inside it. Our top spot for a picnic is on the side of the park opposite Chu Bakery at 498 William Street, open Tuesday to Sunday, 7am to 4pm.
Kings Park – Perth
Next on the list is the crème de la crème of parks, with an endless list of picnic spots up for grabs. Kings Park & Botanic Garden has something for everyone. The main entrance side holds some of the best views and most manicured lawns in Perth, there is a long list of playgrounds for the kids, and quieter, more protected pockets further in. If you would like to fold a short walk into the day, take the Lotterywest Federation Walkway — a 620-metre route through the Western Australian Botanic Garden that crosses a 52-metre glass and steel arched bridge up in the treetops. It starts east of the Forrest Roundabout, takes about 40 minutes return and is open 9am to 5pm daily.
Mardalup Park – East Perth
Located in East Perth, Mardalup Park sits right on the banks of the Swan River, with extensive open grassed areas, natural trees and clear vantage points of Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge. Its Noongar name means "place of small marsupial". The parklands have barbecues, playgrounds, exercise equipment and winding pathways, so there is enough here to hold a group for an afternoon. We recommend walking the East Perth promenade first — start at The Royal on the Waterfront on Royal Street — before finishing up at the park.
South Perth Foreshore
For a pretty spectacular skyline city view, South Perth Foreshore is your answer. From this side of the river the views are close to unobstructed, with plenty of green grass on offer. Parking along the foreshore fills quickly, but you can always park up near the shops on Coode Street and walk down. If you have forgotten something for your picnic, the Mends Street precinct is a short walk away — the City of South Perth points people to the Mends Street Arcade for exactly this, picking up a picnic to take down to the foreshore. You can also hire kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and sailing catamarans from Funcats Watersports at the Coode Street Jetty, seven days a week from late September through to May.
Clarko Reserve – Trigg
On West Coast Drive at Trigg, next door to Trigg Island Beach, Clarko Reserve is an excellent spot to catch a sunset picnic. The City of Stirling keeps public barbecues, picnic shelters and tables, public toilets and a sail-shaded playground here, and there is verge parking along the drive. The barbecues cannot be booked — they are first come, first served — so if a barbecue is the plan, it pays to get down early, particularly over the busy summer months.
John Forrest National Park
Located a short 30-minute drive from Perth is John Forrest National Park, Western Australia's oldest national park. Here you will be graced with wildlife, wildflowers in season and two waterfalls — National Park Falls and Hovea Falls — that are at their best in winter and spring. Take real care around the falls, as the rock gets slippery. The main picnic area has barbecues and a nature play area, and there are so many good picnic spots that it is best we just direct you to the experts. Two things to budget for: entry is $17 per standard vehicle carrying up to 12 people, $8 per person in anything larger and $10 for a motorcycle, and dogs are not permitted anywhere in the park. While you are there, walk the Swan View Tunnel — a 340-metre railway tunnel cut in the 1890s, and the only heritage rail tunnel in the state you can still walk through.
Harold Boas Gardens – West Perth
If you are close to the city, this small and tucked-away garden might be your answer to a picnic with some privacy. Located in West Perth, Harold Boas Gardens comes complete with a rock cascade and waterfall, winding ponds, dense shrubbery and footbridges. It is a great hidden gem that most people do not know too much about. Please note, though, that the City of Perth sets aside four areas of the gardens for wedding ceremonies and takes bookings for them, so one may well be in use when you arrive. There are still plenty of shaded spots in the surrounding lawns.
Cottesloe Civic Centre Area
A quintessential Perth beauty, and one that makes its way onto most tourism magazines promoting the city. The Cottesloe Civic Centre sits on the corner of Broome and Napier streets, on the rise above the beach, looking west over the Indian Ocean. The heritage building and its Italianate balustrade wall make a lovely backdrop, and the two hectares of walled grounds — tall Norfolk Island pines, wide lawns, a waterfall garden dating from 1962 and free barbecues — are open to picnickers. Head down to the beach itself and the grassed terraces are the spot to aim for, with the Indiana Tea House on the sand below. If you are feeling like you want to continue the picnic party, the Cottesloe Beach Hotel and Il Lido are both a short walk along Marine Parade.
Sunset Hill – Scarborough
Rounding off the list strong is Sunset Hill, the grassed mound above Scarborough Beach. Being so elevated, you will feel on top of the world with panoramic ocean views while you snack away. Hot tip is to pick an afternoon so you can secure the sunset. Also, if packing a full-blown picnic is not your thing, the Scarborough Sunset Markets run on Saturday evenings across a summer and a winter season — check their dates before you go — so you can grab some snacks there and wander over to the hill.
And there we have it: a list of parks that traverses everything Perth has to offer. From incredible sunset views all the way to unobstructed views of the city, Perth has got its fair share of perfect picnic spots. If you have a large group, or would rather nobody had to be the designated driver, we can help you with your transport. Talk to our team today.
