Queens Gardens and The Pavilion @ the WACA - East Perth

Queens Gardens is a beautiful park tucked away in East Perth near the WACA and Gloucester Park. There is plenty of paid parking available in the area on a weekend (unless a major event is underway) or you can use the free CAT buses.

The site was originally used for horse racing before becoming a clay mine which produced bricks between 1860 and 1890. These bricks were used in many of Perth's historic buildings of that era. In 1894 the brick kilns were removed and the old clay pits were transformed into the lakes we see today, surrounded by gardens and manicured lawns. The gardens were opened in 1899 and named after Queen Victoria in honour of her Diamond Jubilee.

You can enter Queens Gardens from a number of gates off Nelson Crescent or Hay Street. I love the way the trees have grown and the fence line stops then starts again on the other side to accommodate the massive trunks.

As you wander on the paved paths, across the lush green grass or over the little bridges you will enjoy the serenity of this special place in the city.

Queens Gardens are the home of the Peter Pan Statue, a replica of the one found in Kensington Gardens in London. The statue was donated by the Rotary Club of Perth in 1827 to honour the state's centenary. The statue can be found in the middle of the park tucked in between the lakes. Make sure you get up and have a close look and wander around the statue to find all it's hidden critters.

The lakes are home to many waterbirds including Black Swans.

Make sure you wander past the prettiest toilet blocks in the city!

A new sidetrip to explore is to head across the road to the WACA ground which now features The Pavilion - a very affordable place to go for a splash, a swim or for fitness. You can't miss the giant waterslides as they tower above you - the water park features a toddler friendly splash pad with tipping bucket and water sprays and for older kids a choice of two slides: The Quick or the Spinner! There is also a heated 50m outdoor pool from which you can watch live cricket games or a 50m indoor pool for cooler days.

Next to the Water Park is the Lotterywest Karda Playground - named for the giant goanna which anchors this fenced and gated playspace. The Karda is fully accessible with ramped access ensuring children of all abilities can explore and enjoy the sensory games along the way.

From Queens Garden it is an easy 5 minute walk across Hay Street and Adelaide Terrace to Lake Vasto and beyond that to Point Fraser. Continue to explore Boorloo Bridge and Heirisson Island or wander up to Moort -ak Waabiny (Wellington Square) for a play on Koolangka Koolangka Waabiny Playground.

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I love wandering along trails, both marked and unmarked, and sharing my discoveries with my Out and About FNC community.  If you enjoy reading my blogs please consider a small donation which will be used towards the costs of keeping the website up to date and relevant.

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In the spirit of reconciliation Out and About- Family Nature Connection acknowledges the traditional owners of the Wadjak boodjar (Perth land) and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.