See, the thing is, Perth has some of the most consecutive sunny days on record across the globe. We also don’t really have a very long winter (a couple of weeks) and an impressive number of open spaces to take advantage of. The best bit about our leafy parks are they are immaculately kept, feature some of the best flora and fauna and, best of all, their free. With summer well and truly here, we thought we’d 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, a path for walking, two huge lakes and an endless amount of green grass. Nooks can be found across the park with private and more open spaces for picnics. If you have kids, you’ll also be able to keep them entertained with the nature playground and the water park. Finally, for those needing an espresso hit, a new coffee window has opened just opposite the park. Our top spot for a picnic is on the side opposite Chu Bakery!
Kings Park – Perth
Next on the list is the creme-de-le-creme of parks, with an endless list of picnic spots up for grabs. Kings Park & the Surrounding Botanical Gardens has something for everyone. Down the main entrance for Kings Park resides some of the best views and manicured lawns in Perth. It’s got a massive list of playgrounds for the kids and some protected spaces further down. If you’d like to combine a little hike with a picnic, take the path alongside the viewpoints and across the suspension bridge! Overall, a not-to-miss park option for your next Perth picnic!
Mardalup Park – East Perth
Located in East Perth – Mardalup Park is situated right on the banks of the Swan River with extensive open grassed areas and natural trees. Vantage points of the new Perth Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge can also be seen. We recommend taking a walk first through the East Perth promenade (starting at the Royal Bar and Bistro) before finding yourself at Mardulup Park. The best part about this is it’s a very protected area where the wind isn’t too strong, which means we won’t be seeing too many flying picnic utensils.
South Perth Foreshore
For a pretty spectacular skyline city view, South Perth Foreshore is your answer. From this side of the river, views are pretty much unobstructed, with plenty of green grass on offer. Parking is sometimes tricky, but you can always park close to the shops on Coode St and walk down. Also, if you’ve forgotten something for your picnic, the area is well-resourced with convenience stores stocked with produce and utensils. Finally, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, the guys at Fun Kats watersports have kayaks and paddle boards for hourly hire.
Clarko Reserve – Trigg
At Trigg Beach, Clarko Reserve is an excellent and protected spot to catch a sunset picnic. Complete with cooking facilities such as BBQ and water outlets. This park generally avoids the strong sea breeze that cools down Perth due to its sunken slope. Super popular over the summer months, we recommend getting down early before the sun starts setting, mainly if you aim to have a BBQ.
John Forrest National Park
Located a short 30-minute drive from Perth is John Forrest – Perth’s oldest national park. Here you’ll be graced with wildlife, incredible wildflowers and two waterfalls that run in winter and spring. There are so many spots within John Forest that is perfect for picnics, so much so that it’s best we just direct you to the experts. When visiting, make sure you check out the Swan Valley Tunnel for an eerie experience.
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 Garden comes complete with a small rock waterfall, a winding lake, secret gardens and a bridge crossing. It’s a great hidden gem that most don’t know too much about. Please note, though, that sometimes wedding ceremonies are reserved close to the waterfall area. There is still plenty of spots to sit in the surrounding shade, though!
Cottesloe Civic Centre Area
A quintessential Perth beauty – Cottesloe Civic Centre, makes its way onto most tourism magazines promoting Perth (and for good reason). Not only is this building a beautiful backdrop for a picnic, but Perth’s position means we can capitalise on a sunset over the ocean. When it comes to securing a spot, try and aim for one of the grassed-tiered areas right of the Civic Centre if you are facing the ocean. If you are feeling like you want to continue the picnic party, you can always head across to the Cottesloe Beach Hotel or Il Lido for more wine.
Sunset Hill – Scarborough
Rounding off the list strong is Sunset Hill – the newly developed grass mound in Scarborough. Being so elevated, you’ll 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 with no wind. Also, if packing a full-blown picnic is not your thing, you can head to the Scarborough Beach Markets on Thursdays and grab some snacks before wandering 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 not like to allocate a dedicated driver, we can help you with your transport. Talk to one of our sales teams today.