8 Ways to Get Active at Whiteman Park
1 March 2024
Nothing beats staying active among the beautiful natural surroundings of Whiteman Park.
Whether you’re wanting a casual stroll, a scenic hike, an adventurous bike ride or a friendly sports match, Whiteman Park has it all. Lace up your sneakers and let’s get started!
1. A walk in the Park
No matter your age or fitness level, the beautiful walking paths at the Park are perfect for everyone. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Whiteman Village, popping into its artisan shops and walking between the Park’s many museums. Or head down to Mussel Pool, with its winding paths around the Wedding Island and through the Park’s lush lawns. This is the perfect spot for a scenic walk with your dog (on a lead, of course) or to simply soak in the beauty of nature.
Mum groups, we’ve got you covered too! Wide open paths allow lots of space for prams and strollers, and the nearby Mussel Pool kiosk is the perfect spot to grab a pick-me-up coffee before finishing your outing at Pia’s Place.
2. Ride your bike
The Park has an extensive 14 kilometres of shared-use cycle paths to stretch your legs. Cycle the looping pathways amongst the Park’s native bushland and soak up the cool air of an early morning bike ride. Or embrace the adventure of getting around with Pedal Play, an unforgettable pedal go-karting experience suitable for all ages. Whether you’re by yourself or with your family, the selection of go-karts for hire offers a fun means to navigate the Park’s twists and turns.
3. Take a hike
If you’re looking to take a walk on the wild side, our bushwalking trails offer a great up-close look into the Park’s bushland and wetland conservation areas. Whiteman Park’s three trails each offer something unique when looking to explore the area.
The Werillyiup Trail, marked by blue poles, starts from the car park in Mussel Pool and encompasses the seasonal Horse Swamp wetland. This 2.5km trail is fantastic for any birdwatchers out there as many waterbirds return with the winter rains between July and October.
The Wunanga Trail, marked by yellow poles, is a 4.3km figure-eight track that weaves through the Park’s banksia woodland. Full of jarrah, marri and banksia bushland the trail comes to life each spring with wildflowers and orchids.
4. Enjoy our sport facilities
Ready to test your luck on the field? No matter how long it’s been since you last stepped onto the court, Whiteman Park can get you back there with an array of different sporting opportunities. With a large multi-sport court in the heart of the Village catering for basketball and tennis players, and a cricket oval with a concrete pitch in the Mussel Pool picnic area, this is the perfect place for a fun game with friends or to pass the time during a family get-together.
No cricket bat? No worries! Equipment for each of these sports can be borrowed from the Visitor Information Centre in the Village between 10.00am to 3.00pm daily. For everyone’s safety, just remember to keep to a nice soft ball, like a tennis ball, when playing cricket in the Park.
5. Try orienteering
Did you know that Whiteman Park has two permanent orienteering courses? With a short course centred around the Village area and a more extensive course across both the Village and Mussel Pool, this is a great opportunity to get outside and start exploring.
Orienteering is a great sport to take up, suitable for ages nine through ninety. Just bring along your trusty compass, wear some comfy walking shoes and get started!
Note that the full course map is available from the Orienteering Western Australia website, while you'll find the Village course here.
6. Hit a bullseye
Whiteman Park is not just a great spot for the walkers and joggers among us, but also a hub for WA shooting clubs. Take a trip to the International Shooting Complex at Whiteman Park and put your marksmanship to the test. With everything from clay shooting to archery, this range has something for everyone. Who knows? You might just hit the bullseye and discover a newfound passion for the exciting sport of shooting!
7. Kick the footy
Rainy days are no problem for the footy fanatic, right? When the Park is a bit quieter in winter and midweek, you’ll have no trouble finding plenty of space to kick the footy around! Mussel Pool West has by far the best wide-open spaces for some big kicks, to the north of car park 27. Wherever you choose to have a kick just be sure to watch out for the trees!
Obviously when it is busy, please be mindful of other groups before kicking a drop punt or torpedo. Your fellow visitors will appreciate it.
8. Walk the dog
Walking the dog isn’t just important for them – it’s a great way to increase your own physical activity! While the doggos can have their freedom to run in the off-leash Dog Park at Mussel Pool, the Park is also a fantastic location to simply enjoy the sights and sounds with your four-legged friend (we promise, they’ll really like the smells!). Grab a harness for a safe and comfortable walk through the parklands – check out this RSPCA SA article for some harness recommendations.
It is important to note that all dogs must on a leash and under your control when in the Park (just like in all public areas that aren’t designated dog exercise areas) both for their safety, as well as other visitors and our resident wildlife.
