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.
When are you open?
The picnic areas are open every day of the year from 8.30am to 6.00pm.
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 not been any general entry fees to Whiteman Park since 2003. Some attractions do attract a fee though, so please review the individual attraction pages to find out more.
How big is Whiteman Park?
Whiteman Park covers exactly 3,732 hectares or 9,222 acres.
Over half of this is dedicated conservation reserve, and includes 2,200 hectares of Bush Forever sites. The recreation areas cover 150 hectares.
The Park is bounded by Gnangara Road to the north, Drumpellier Drive to the east (formerly ‘Lord Street’), 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 Mr Lew Whiteman (1903 – 1994), a prominent local identity who previously owned and developed the land around Mussel Pool to create the first public open space here.
See Lew Whiteman’s Legacy for more information.
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 located at Whiteman Park, please see the Interest Groups page in the Visitor Information section of the website.
Whiteman Park also has its own dedicated Volunteer program, which you can find out more about in the Volunteering section of our website. Alternatively, you can call (08) 9209 6000 and ask to speak to our Volunteer Coordinator.
Can I bring my own barbeque?
There are dozens of electric barbeques throughout the Park’s picnic areas, so your own barbeque isn’t necessary. Furthermore, all solid fuel cooking devices are prohibited at Whiteman Park. See the Barbeques page in the Facilities section of our website for more details.
Can I bring my own pop-up shade tent/marquee?
Temporary marquees, tents, market umbrellas and gazebos are not permitted within Whiteman Park. However, pop-up shade structures and beach domes may be used in the Park, if they comply with the following Park policies:
- Your shade dome may be no larger than 2.5m x 2.5m x 1.5m (length x width x height).
- Your shade dome must be secured to the ground using tent pegs (no longer than 250mm) or weights and must not present a tripping hazard to Park visitors. You are required to remove all tent pegs from the lawn before you leave.
- In the event of strong winds and/or thunderstorms (with or without lightning), you must dismantle your shade shelter.
- You are not permitted to erect a temporary shelter in prohibited areas.
Areas where temporary shelters may NOT be used include:
- the lawn area opposite the Village Playground (bounded by Shelters D1, E1 and E2)
- the lawn area adjacent to the Pool Playground (bounded by Shelters F, WP and PP)
- within 10 metres of a permanent Whiteman Park Shelter
- within 15 metres of each of our playgrounds
- within Pia’s Place play space.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, provided it is kept on a lead and under control at all times (outside the ‘Dog Park’ - see rules and etiquette for Dog Park use) and any droppings are cleaned up. This is both because Whiteman Park is a conservation reserve, as well as for your dogs own safety. ‘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 23 and includes a small dog enclosure for dogs under 10kg as well. This canine exercise area is totally fenced off to ensure your peace of mind.
Can I bring alcohol into the park?
Alcohol is tolerated within the Park as long as you follow a few simple guidelines:
- You cannot sell or supply alcohol to anyone under 18 years of age.
- Any alcohol you bring in must be for personal consumption only (ie. you cannot sell alcohol in the Park).
- Please consume responsibly, remembering to respect other Park patrons.
- Alcohol is not permitted within any of the Park’s playgrounds or play spaces, including Pia’s Place and the Children’s Forest.
The Village Café is licensed, with the café area and a small number of shelters covered under their Liquor License.
Can I bring a splashpool, water balloons or other water play activities?
As the Park is situated in a water conservation area, activities such as water fights, water balloons, water slides/paddle pools and any other misuse of water is not permitted. Water balloons also present a health hazard to our wildlife.
Can I bring my own sports equipment, or do you have some available to hire?
You’re welcome to bring your own sports equipment to use in the Park, however, hard balls, such as cricket and golf balls, are not permitted for use. There is a limited selection of sports equipment, including tennis rackets and soccer balls, available to loan from the Visitor Information Centre.
Can I bring my hoverboard, motorised mini bike or electric scooter?
As Whiteman Park is public open space, they are not permitted to be used here. Western Australian law state that hoverboards and motorised mini bikes may only be used on private land, while permissible electric scooters are restricted to those under 200 watts with a maximum speed of 10km/h.
Can I use my drone at Whiteman Park?
The recreational use of drones is not permitted within Whiteman Park, however, Park management reserves the right to grant permission for commercial operations.
Can I hire a barbeque?
No. Barbeques are for public use, hence they cannot be hired or reserved. Barbeques are not included in the hire fee for shelters either, with the exception of the two barbeques associated with Shelters P1 and P2 within Pia’s Place.
Can I hire a bike?
Unfortunately, bike hire is not currently available at the Park. However, Pedal Play offer pedal-powered go-kart hire on their operating days.
I am planning an outing for my social club/sporting club. Do I need to hire a shelter?
It is not essential 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, public holidays and particularly in the lead 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. Find out more on the Hire Facilities page.
Is there an ATM in the Park?
No, there is no ATM in the Park at this time. All of the Park’s attractions and shops, excepting the Heritage Electric Tram Rides, have card payment facilities though.
Is there a taxi rank or a taxi phone in the park?
Yes, there is a taxi rank in the Village at car park 7, 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, however, you can ask for assistance at the Visitor Information Centre.
Does the park provide access for visitors with disabilities?
Yes we do. See the Disability Access page in the Facilities section of our website for more information.
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 Visitor Information Centre, please call 9209 6000 and a First Aider will come to you.
Can we 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 koalas, wombats and other native animals?
Koalas are native to the eastern states of Australia and hence won’t be found in the wild in WA. While wombats are only found in the far south east of the state, through to the eastern states of Victoria and New South Wales.
There are kangaroos, quenda and other fauna within the Park, but as these are all wild it is unlikely that you would see them up close easily.
Whiteman Park is the home of Caversham Wildlife Park, where you can see many of Australia’s iconic animals here, including koalas, wombats and kangaroos. Entry fees apply.
We also offer evening guided tours of Woodland Reserve, our premier conservation and breeding facility for rare and endangered native animals such as the critically endangered woylie, or brush-tailed bettong. You will see the woylie and other native animals up close on one of these nocturnal tours. See the What’s On page for tour dates and information.
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 across August to October.
From November to January you will see the native Christmas trees (Nuytsia floribunda) in bloom, which 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. Head to the Flora page for more information on the Park’s flowering species.
What is the ‘Woodland Reserve’? Can I go there?
Woodland Reserve is Whiteman Park’s premier conservation project, a protected sanctuary that supports state-wide efforts to manage rare and endangered species and the habitats upon which they rely. Located just north of the Village precinct, the Reserve’s protected area of natural bushland showcases the flora and fauna of our region prior to human settlement.
Guided evening tours of the Reserve are available from September to May each year, and offer an excellent opportunity to see the nightly activities of several native mammal species, at close range. To find dates and information about the Nocturnal Woylie Walk tours, visit the What’s On page of our website.
Are the ticks dangerous?
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.
How do I get them off?
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.
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 $100.00 (including GST).
Fees also apply 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.