Kings Park in Perth

Kings Park, in guide book speak, is the lungs of the City of Perth.

There is no doubt about it, it is a beautiful park with many different areas, all of which are worth a look and you'll find your own favourite area.

My personal favourites are:

Western Power Parkland
This is a large section of the park with play areas for 6+ children (not that younger children can't play there, just that the equipment is built for bigger kids ie no baby swings) with a dinosaur theme. The play areas are built around a shallow lake with fountains and there's plenty to do.

The Zammia Cafe with the Western Power Parkland is excellent for morning coffee, lazy lunches, afternoon tea and any ice creams in between and children are very welcome. It does tend to get busy at weekends so be prepared for a slight wait for a table or they will do take away food that you can eat at any of the picnic tables. There's also a kiosk open over weekends for the usual ice creams, sweets and hot and cold drinks.

Picnic Tables and Gas BBQ's are in abundance and there's plenty of grass to picnic on or kick a ball about.

DNA Tower
This tower has 101 steps and it situated at the highest point of the park so that from the top you get great views of the city, the coast and the hills. It's worth the walk up especially on a clear day. From there you can walk downhill 1.5km to the Western Power Parkland.

Lotterywest Family Area and Ivey Watson Playground
(otherwise known as Stickybeaks because of the cafe there called that very same name) This playground is excellent, and I mean excellent, for under 6's. Re-designed in early 2006, not that, in my humble opinion, it needed it.

This is a great play area, full of slides, climbing frames, a small maze, pirate ship, castle, fire engine etc etc the list goes on. A great cafe, the aformentioned Stickybeaks, inside the play area serves hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice-creams, tasty and nutritious lunches and has plenty of tables both inside and out.

The area outside of the Playground, Hale Oval, is suitable for older children and has a spiders web to climb and clamber over and a kids bike/scooter path complete with road signs, zebra crossings etc to help teach your child some road safety.

Botanical Gardens and Water Gardens
Such a great place for an interesting wander both with kids and without. Plenty of paths suitable for wheelchairs and prams and great views overlooking the Swan River.

Here you will find the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, which is a raised platform walk with a glass bridge right on the escarpment of Kings. It's suitable for everyone, even those with a height phobia if you look the other way! The Water Gardens are lovely, full of sculptures too look at and interesting features like the stepping stones and little bridges to cross.

This area really comes in to it's own in the Spring with the celebrated Wildflower Season and it is beautiful, no doubt about it, but I love to visit it all year round.