10 of the best things to do with kids in the Swan Valley

While you can easily spend a whole day – or more – exploring Whiteman Park and all of our wonderful facilities and attractions, we also sit on the doorstep of the incredible Swan Valley. It’s not all about wine either as the Swan Valley is bursting with things to do with your family!

With so many activities, attractions and things to see, get ready for a jam-packed day (or weekend) of fun in the with the kids. Here are our some of our favourite things to do with the kids in the Swan Valley!

1. Caversham Wildlife Park

What child (or adult!) can resist the opportunity to hand-feeding a kangaroo, or cuddle up to a wombat? Head to Caversham Wildlife Park here at Whiteman Park to meet many of Australia’s unique native animals, including koalas, wallabies, possums, Tasmanian devils and more! Visit around the middle of the day to see the Farm Show or Wombat & Friends Show too.

2. Pia’s Place

Pia’s Place is Whiteman Park’s newest attraction. This incredible, nature-based, all-inclusive playground is a space for fun, laughter, learning and discovery. The iconic lighthouse stands 13m high and offers some incredible views over the Park. Your kids will love whizzing down the giant slide after their climb to the top. Those who can’t or don’t want to summit the lighthouse can also marvel at the views via the screens in the tunnel!

3. Oasis Supa Golf

Supa Golf is a modified form of golf where everything is a bit more kid friendly! The golf clubs are colourful and fun, and the balls and putting cups are oversized, making it all so much easier for little ones to get a hole in one! The 18-hole course features bunkers and water traps, and all equipment is supplied including clubs, balls, score cards and pencils. Supa Golf is perfect for kids aged 6 years and over, but it is currently best to book ahead.

4. Outback Splash

A little further afield is Outback Splash - home to amazing water slides to suit all ages, including the three-storey Splash Island, a water playground boasting SIX super cool waterslides! If you’re visiting on a cooler day or in Winter, there’s still heaps to do here including a number of mazes, mini golf, a children’s playground and a selection of Aussie animals including koalas, kangaroos and emus!

5. Trains and Tram Rides

Toot toot, all aboard! The Bennett Brook Railway operates vintage train rides around the native banksia woodlands of Whiteman Park every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and throughout the school holidays. Take a return trip to Mussel Pool on weekends, when available, or do the woodland loop to enjoy the sights of the banksia woodlands and maybe even spot some wild kangaroos! You can also take a ride on the heritage electric tram, which departs from the Village Junction Station and Village centre. A lunchtime visit is best to ensure a ride on these vintage modes of transport.

6. WA Reptile Park

Reptiles may not be something you’d want to encounter in our bushland – especially if it happens to be one of our most venomous species – but over at the WA Reptile Park you can get up close (safely!) to many of these fascinating creatures! The Reptile Park is open over the weekends and is a great place to learn more about some of our more feared native critters. Did you know that Whiteman Park is home to 34 different reptile species? While you may prefer not to meet them in wild, you’ll be able to see many of them safely at the WA Reptile Park!

7. Sweet Treats

There are plenty of places to treat the kids to something sweet in the Swan Valley! Grab an ice cream at the new SubZero Gelato, indulge in some traditional Italian nougat at Mondo Nougat or sample some locally made chocolate at Whistlers Chocolate Company or the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. If you’re looking for some lollies, head to The Lolly Stop at Whiteman Park for a range of international and retro sweet treats including fudge, sweets and allsorts. And for Coeliac-safe, gluten-free treats, the new Champagne & Gumboots is not to be missed!

8. Ellenbrook Skate Park

A popular spot with tweens and teens, the Ellenbrook Skate Park is perfect for those looking to hone their skills on their skateboards and scooters. The skate and scooter park has plenty to keep kids from beginner to advanced level skaters entertained including banks, steps, rails and ledges!

9. Bells Rapids

If you want to get out into some hillier nature, head to Bells Rapids and enjoy one of the two walking trails alongside the river. After some rain, the river will be pounding through here, so head to the bridge to get a good view and let the kids race some sticks in the white water rapids (with care, of course!).

10. Dining

If all that adventuring has built up an appetite, head to one of the child-friendly eateries in the Swan Valley. Slate Café has a huge outdoor play area and a great kids menu, as well as delicious fusion dishes for the adults. They’re super dog-friendly too, perfect if you’re out and about with your pooch. If the adults are keen to sample some of the Swan Valley’s craft beer, head to Feral Brewing Company or Homestead Brewery at Mandoon Estate, both of which have lots of open space and play equipment for the kids. And if pub grub is more your style, head to The Henley Brook. They have a great menu with woodfired pizzas and classic parmies and a huge grassed area complete with nature play, rugs and blackboard tables to keep the kids happy. On the weekend you’ll often be treated to live music too! Don’t forget that kids eat free at the Village Café at Whiteman Park for breakfast on Sundays, so everyone can fill up before a day of exploring in the Valley!