Whiteman Park: summer school holiday exploring

When was the last time you selfied with a koala?

Rode on an old-fashioned tram?

Or just simply wandered amongst the native bushland?

These are just a few of the things that you can do at Whiteman Park during the summer school holidays - and we're open 8.30am to 6.00pm every day for you to enjoy them!

Most of our attractions will be open every single day of the December-January school holidays - with the exception of Christmas Day or if there are any fire bans. And with plenty of both paid and free things to do, there is something for everyone, no matter what your budget is.

We put together a list of some of the things you and your kids can do on a day out a Whiteman Park, so if you're looking for an adventure-filled, inexpensive day out with the kids put Whiteman Park on your to-do list!

Summer school holidays to-do's

▪️ Visit the Tractor Museum to see Tail End Charlie and all the amazing farm machinery on display! They also have an amazing new mural to check out. Bonus: kids get in free!

▪️ Visit Revolutions Transport Museum to take part in their free school holiday activities and explore the museum with their kids’ activity sheets. In December, it's all about the Countdown to Christmas, then in January, it is all about Summer Journeys!

▪️ Meet our local wildlife on a Kids Woylie Walk in Woodland Reserve. These school holiday special tours include a meet and greet with Pretzel and Kate, our education reptiles, as well as getting to see the wild woylies, quenda and more in the reserve.

▪️ For a unique way to explore the Park, hire a pedal-powered go kart from Pedal Play. It's a great way for your kids to burn off some excess energy - and you can get them to drive you around for a change!

▪️ Grab a racquet or basketball and make use of our multi-use sports court. There is no charge to hire these - we just need a license or similar as security.

▪️ Take a vintage train ride* on the Bennett Brook Railway, looking out for wild kangaroos and other wildlife in the Park's banksia woodlands.

▪️ Check out all the cool cars at the Motor Museum of Western Australia. Challenge the kids to count how many model cars they have in the collection to keep them busy for a bit (maybe not alllll the cars though - there are a lot of them!)

▪️ Grab some lunch or a scoop of ice cream at the Village Café. Plus, kids eat for free at breakfast on Sundays from 8.30am ‘til 11.00am, so why not start the day right with a hearty meal for all before exploring?

▪️ Pick up some activity sheets from the Visitor Information Centre or download a copy from our website and use them to discover areas of the Children's Forest you haven't explored on a cooler day. From fairy doors to cockatoo artworks and more, there are lots of winding paths to discover in the 18 stages of the Forest!

▪️ Hop aboard one of the heritage electric trams for a ride* to Mussel Pool. You can even hop off right at Pia's Place!

▪️ Feed the kangaroos at Caversham Wildlife Park and see over 200 native animal species - from Tasmanian devils to penguins, to the cutest 'new' addition 'Jessie' the wombat!

▪️ Don't miss the Tractor Parade at 1.15pm on the second Sunday in January. How many red tractors are in the procession?

▪️ Treat the sweet tooths amongst you to some sweet treats at the Lolly Stop and explore the artisans in the Village Mall.

▪️ Run, jump, climb and explore Pia's Place, our all-abilities nature playspace at Mussel Pool East (mums and dads, grab your caffeine fix at the Mussel Pool kiosk, right outside the playspace too!).

▪️ Play in one of the many playgrounds, run around on the wide-open lawns, or play a game of family cricket (just remember to bring a tennis ball to play with!).

▪️ Take some time to chill out or tell some stories at the Healing Place.

▪️ When the weather isn't too hot, get out and wander one of our three bush trails, or the 14km of shared use paths. Budding photographers will find plenty of wildlife to snap, particularly around the Werrillyiup Trail's Horse Swamp!

Phew! Are you ready for such a big day out? Or three?

Of course, you can always chat to our amazing volunteers at the Visitor Information Centre or explore our website further for ideas. Just remember, there is always something fun to do during the school holidays!

^check the monthly What’s On for specific opening days and hours.
*Some attractions may not operate on very hot days, or when the fire weather precludes them from doing so.