Visitor Information

Frequently Asked Questions

When are you open?

The picnic areas are open every day of the year from 8.30am to 6pm.

Attraction operating times vary, as do some of the other facilities, so please check the relevant pages of this website for those opening times.

 

Is there any entry fee for the park?

No, there has been no entry fees to Whiteman Park since 2002. Some attractions do attract a fee though, so please check the Attractions section of the website.

 

Where is the park and how do I get there?

Whiteman Park is located near the Swan Valley and is only 25 minutes from the Perth CBD.

You can get here by car, taxi or bus. Please see our Visitor Information section of the website for detailed directions to the Park.

There is also a public bus service that stops at our Lord Street entrance. To find out the best way to get from your accommodation to the Park, use the Journey Planner on Transperth’s website at www.transperth.wa.gov.au or call them on 13 62 13.

 

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, provided it's kept on a lead at all times outside the enclosed free-run ‘Dog Park' and any droppings are cleaned up. 'Pooch Pouches' are available free of charge at the Visitor Information Centre in the Village, Dog Park and Lord Street entrance.

Dogs are allowed off their leash in our 2.5 hectare 'Dog Park'. This area is located at Mussel Pool East, adjacent to Car Park 15. This canine exercise area is totally fenced off to ensure your peace of mind.

 

Are there plenty of barbeques?

There are dozens of electric barbeques throughout the Park's picnic areas.

See the Barbeques page in the Facilities section of our website for more details.

 

Can I hire a barbecue?

No. Barbeques are for public use, hence can not be hired or reserved.

Barbeques are not included in the hire fee for shelters either.

 

Do you have koalas, wombats and other native animals?

Koalas and wombats are only native to the eastern states of Australia and hence won’t be found in the wild in WA.

There are kangaroos and other fauna within the Park, but as these are all wild it is unlikely that you would see them up close of easily.

Whiteman Park is the home of Caversham Wildlife Park, WA's premier native animal park and you can see many of Australia’s iconic animals here, including koalas, wombats and the . Entry fees apply.

 

Is there a taxi rank or a taxi phone in the park?

Yes, there is a taxi rank in the Village at car park 1, as well as at the front of Caversham Wildlife Park. Taxi companies will pick up and drop off at either of these two points.

Unfortunately we do not have a dedicated Taxi Phone.

 

Does the park provide access for visitors with disabilities?

Yes we do. The Park is proud of its facilities for disabled people.

See the Disabled Access page in the Facilities section of our website.

 

Where can I get first aid at the park?

First Aid is available at the Visitor Information Centre in the Village.

If you are unable to get to the VIC, please call 9209 6000 and a First Aider will come to you.

 

How big is Whiteman Park?

Whiteman Park covers exactly 3,935 hectares or 9,725 acres.

Over half of this is dedicated conservation reserve, and includes 500 hectare of Bush Forever sites. The recreation areas cover 150 hectares.

The Park is bounded by Gnangara Road to the north, Lord Street to the east, Marshall Road to the south and Beechboro Road to the West. Whiteman Park also covers the strip of land either side of Bennett Brook that runs from the southern end of the Park to the Swan River at Guildford, as well as the Cullacubardee land between Beechboro Road and Alexander Drive.

 

Why are you called Whiteman Park?

Whiteman Park takes its name from Lew Whiteman (1903 – 1994) a prominent local identity who previously owned much of the land that now makes up Whiteman Park.

Lew also developed Mussel Pool as a picnic area back in the 1960s.

 

I am planning an outing for my social club/sporting club. Do I need to book?

It is not necessary to book but depending on the day, time of the year and size of the group it may be advisable as the Park is very popular in autumn, spring and particularly leading up to Christmas for group outings.

Picnic shelters may be booked to ensure availability and other activities and attractions can be arranged. There is no limit to group sizes, however for any group over 15 people we recommend that you book.

 

Can I hire a bike?

Yes, bike hire is available from 11am to 3pm on weekends and public holidays, from adjacent to the Pavilion in the Village

 

Can I bring alcohol into the park?

Alcohol is permitted in the Park as long as you follow a few simple guidelines:

• You can not sell or supply alcohol to anyone under 18 years of age.
• Any alcohol you bring in must be for personal consumption only (ie. you can not sell alcohol in the Park).
• Please consume responsibly, remembering to respect other Park patrons.

The Village Café is licensed, with the café area and Shelters B, D, F, V, U, X and the Old School House covered under their Liquor License.

 

Can you swim in Mussel Pool?

No, as Mussel Pool is not treated because it is part of the natural environment.

The micro-organisms which are an integral component of the ecology of the Pool may cause severe illness in humans, so for health & safety reasons swimming is not permitted.

In addition, sun cream, lotions, perfumes etc commonly worn by people may be detrimental to the animals which reside in and around the Pool - another reason it should only be appreciated from the banks.

 

Do you have to pay for wedding photography within the park?

Whiteman Park offers a unique setting for your wedding photography. The fee for conducting wedding photography and/or filming within Whiteman Park is $80.00 (including GST). Payment is required within fourteen days of making the booking.

Fees will also be charged for commercial photography and filming within the Park. We would recommend contacting the Business & Marketing Team Leader on (08) 9209 6000 for more information or to obtain a quote.

 

When and where can I see the wildflowers?

There are usually plants flowering at all times of the year at Whiteman Park. However the most proficient flowerings are during September and October.

From November to January you will see the native Christmas trees (Nuytsia floribunda) in bloom, and they are especially prolific along Whiteman Drive West.

Their fiery yellow-gold flower masses are off-set by the snowy effect of the flowering marri trees (Eucalyptus calophylla) and the delightful pink summer starflower (Calytrix fraseri) during these warmer months also.

 

What is the 'Woodland Reserve'? Can I go there?

Woodland Reserve is a new project that is being developed within Whiteman Park that will see the creation of a protected area of natural bushland that can showcase the flora and fauna of our region prior to human settlement.

The primary aim of the Woodland Reserve project is to 'recreate the natural landscape of the bioregion'.  Our Vision:


The first stage of this project involves the protection of native fauna and flora via the installation of electric fencing that will encompass a 50 hectare site of natural banksia woodland to the north of the Village. This fencing will allow us to reintroduce locally extinct flora and fauna and restock existing depleted populations of flora and fauna where appropriate.

The project also hopes to provide an interpretive facility for the general public in the near future that would help facilitate the wider community’s appreciation of the importance of regional biodiversity by actively demonstrating 'management for conservation'.

The construction of this facility, and access to the Reserve for the general public, will be announced on this website when it has been approved.

 

Are the ticks dangerous and how do I get them off?

The ticks at Whiteman Park are a different species to those which are commonly known to cause paralysis in the Eastern states.

They are not typically harmful to people, aside from a small inflammation following removal, similar to that of a mosquito bite. 

A small proportion of people may, however, require medical advice if reactions are greater than that described. The key to minimising the effects of tick bite is prompt removal - the longer the tick is embedded, generally, the greater the inflammation experienced.  

Methods of removal vary and are typically all equally appropriate, as long as the tick is removed intact as soon as it is recognised.

Tweezers are an efficient, prompt way of removing the parasite. Simply use the tweezers to firmly grip the body of the tick and apply a gentle, constant pressure (ie. up to 30 seconds) to remove the head of the tick and ensuring the head remains intact with the body.

 

I am interested in helping on a voluntary basis with work in Whiteman Park. Who do I contact?

Whiteman Park relies heavily on its Volunteers and the many groups they belong to.

For a full list of the Community groups who are involved with Whiteman Park, please see the Community and Interest Groups at Whiteman Park page in the Visitor Information section of the website.

Whiteman Park does also have a Volunteer program of its own. Our Volunteers work mostly in either the transport heritage or special events areas.

To find out more, please ring (08) 9209 6000 and speak to our Volunteer Coordinator.