Mardalup Park

This is what living in Perth is all about! We love coming down here on a Saturday morning with the kids. We have a beautiful stroll around the river whilst the kids wave to everyone in canoes and boats and they wave and toot back, we then stop by the kiddies playground for them to burn off some energy. No matter how big your back garden is, it ain’t kitted out with these bad boys. The climbing playground is fantastic for gross motor skills and it is also great for risk assessment and balance.
There is one thing I don’t get with these playgrounds though and that is that weird plastic bitumen they put down, it gets really hot in summer, I guess grass isnt PC anymore.

Yet another picturesque park in Perth.
Mardalup is situated by the river with lovely stone steps leading you down to a paved path that rounds off at the waters edge– perfectly framing a beautiful view across the water. (Interested in the name I researched it and found that the name «Mardalup» derives from the local aboriginal tribe, the «Nyungar people» who used this land for camping, and it roughly translates to «place of small marsupial.» — they must be better at nature spotting that I am, as the only animals that I saw were the birds.)
While soaking in the solitude the playground and courts allow for children (and their competitive parents) to expend some energy before really appreciating the grass as you take some time out from gravity.
The shady areas and picnic tables are a welcome edition as when I am hitting up a park for the day i prefer to avoid cafes and other shops and just enjoy nature. This is a great spot to relax and unwind, it can get a bit windy (depending on the day) and in the summer that familiar swan river smell can rear it’s ugly head in whiffs, but by and large this is a pretty satisfying place to be.
Bring a bike, a basketball and a picnic basket and branch out at Mardalup.

To me, one of the best things about Mardalup Park is not the park itself, but the walk from there to Silver City (the old Education Department building). I love following the stream of water to see where it ends, and the surrounding apartments and restaurants are fantastic.
The park has a playground and basketball courts for the children, and the views are beautiful. But I highly recommend you follow the water inland. It is so much fun and there are one or two bridges to walk across. The children will love it, and they can bring their scooters along, to make the journey easier.
You can always stop off for a quick meal along the way. Otherwise, end your journey back at Mardalup Park with a picnic.