The Magic of Christmas at Wanneroo Botanic Gardens

If you’re looking for a festive evening that feels truly special – twinkling lights, gentle “snow”, mini golf and easy dining all in one place – The Magic of Christmas at Wanneroo Botanic Gardens is a lovely option for a summer night out in Perth.

Just a short drive from Joondalup, the beautiful 5‑acre gardens are transformed each year into a glowing Christmas wonderland. For the 2025 season, The Magic of Christmas runs from 26 November 2025 to 11 January 2026 at Wanneroo Botanic Gardens.

It’s a great choice whether you’re planning a relaxed date night, an outing with friends, or a special treat with the grandchildren.

A Stroll Through the Lights

As darkness falls, the gardens come alive with more than 100,000 lights. Paths wind past:

Tall palms and pines wrapped with sparkling lights
A striking 7‑metre Christmas tree
Giant baubles, reindeer and Santa’s sleigh – perfect for photos
Fun light-up features tucked into corners as you wander

There’s even a much‑loved big green frog tucked into the display, a playful nod to the onsite restaurant, Leapfrogs. The gardens are gently undulating, so it’s a pleasant walk rather than a strenuous hike, but do expect to be on your feet for a while if you choose to explore most of the paths.

Relaxing on the Top Lawn

One of the nicest additions in recent years is the top lawn area, which creates a relaxed, “Christmas street party” feel before or after you walk through the lights.

On the lawn you’ll find:

Casual seating – tables are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and you don’t need a Leapfrogs reservation to use them.
Pizza and hot chips – order directly from Leapfrogs and enjoy an easy meal or snack without a formal sit‑down booking.
Space for picnic rugs – there’s grassed space if you’d rather sit on a rug. (Do note, food and drinks must be purchased onsite – BYO food and picnics aren’t allowed in the gardens.)
Caravan bar – serving alcoholic and soft drinks, ideal if you’d like a glass of wine or a cold drink while you soak up the festive atmosphere.
Fresh hot doughnuts – a new hot doughnut stall adds a very tempting aroma to the evening.
Snow machine – a light “snowfall” on the lawn that children absolutely love, and which adds to the festive feeling.

This area makes it easy to pace the evening to suit you – you can sit, people‑watch, enjoy a drink and take a break from walking whenever you like.

Glow‑in‑the‑Dark Mini Golf

To make the outing feel extra special, you can include Night Mini Golf / Glow Golf in your visit.

There are 36 themed mini golf holes winding through the illuminated gardens.
Glow‑in‑the‑dark balls and lighting effects give it a fun twist after dark.

It’s a good option if you’re visiting with grandchildren or a mixed‑age group – some can play, others can simply enjoy the lights and sit on the lawn.

If you decide on the night that you’d like to upgrade your standard “sightseeing” ticket, you can show your wristband at the kiosk and receive credit for what you’ve already paid towards a Glow Golf ticket.

Ticket Prices & Sessions

For 2025, Wanneroo Botanic Gardens offers a fairly budget‑friendly way to experience Christmas lights:

Adults: $8
Children under 14: $6
Family pass: $24

Entry is free if you’re:

Dining with a confirmed booking at Leapfrogs, or
Playing mini golf (Glow Golf)

To manage crowds, visits are organised into 90‑minute sessions, typically at:

5:30pm
7:00pm
8:30pm

Ninety minutes is generally enough time to stroll through the lights at a comfortable pace, watch the “snow”, and enjoy a drink or a quick bite. For the full effect of the lights, aim for 7pm or later, once it’s fully dark. If you’re bringing younger grandchildren and prefer to be home earlier, the earlier session may suit you better.

Tickets are best booked online in advance – only a small percentage of capacity (around 10%) is kept for walk‑ins each night, and popular dates can book out. Check current prices, session times and availability at Wanneroo Botanic Gardens – The Magic of Christmas.

Dining Options – Leapfrogs & Lawn Service

There are a couple of ways to handle dinner:

Leapfrogs restaurant (table booking required)
If you book a table at Leapfrogs, your entry to the gardens is included. You’ll enter through the restaurant and receive a wristband for access to the lights. Because it’s a popular spot during the festive season, it’s wise to make a reservation early.
Casual food on the lawn (no booking, ticket still required)
If you don’t have a restaurant booking, you can still order pizza and hot chips from Leapfrogs to enjoy on the top lawn from 5:30pm. In this case, you’ll need to purchase a sightseeing or Glow Golf ticket for garden entry.

Alcohol and soft drinks from the caravan bar, plus snacks such as hot doughnuts and ice creams, round out the food options – a pleasant way to finish the night on a warm Perth evening.

Accessibility & Practical Considerations

From the official information provided by the gardens:

Wheelchair access
- The Garden Golf course is accessible for wheelchair users, though the older European-style track design includes a round rail that can make manoeuvring a little tricky in places.
- The Billiard Golf course has levels and steps and is not wheelchair accessible.
Companion Card
The gardens honour Companion Cards for the Christmas lights experience. You’ll need to pre‑purchase a sightseeing ticket for the person attending, then present the Companion Card on arrival for one complimentary companion entry (per guest).
Footwear
Shoes are required at all times for safety. Paths are garden-style rather than polished pavements, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Pets
No pets are permitted in the gardens, with the exception of licensed assistance dogs (you’ll need to speak with staff on arrival).
Trolleys & prams
Standard prams are welcome, but large pull‑along beach trolleys or wagons are not allowed, as paths aren’t wide enough to accommodate them safely.
Picnics & eskies
BYO food, drinks, picnics and eskies are not permitted, as all food and beverages must be purchased onsite.

If you prefer quieter times, it’s worth noting that Glow Golf tee‑offs between 7pm and 8pm tend to be the busiest. Earlier or later in the evening may feel a little more relaxed, especially if you’re not playing mini golf.

A Few Tips for a Comfortable Visit

Allow time to park, check in and get your bearings before your session starts.
Bring a light cardigan or wrap – once the sun drops, it can cool down even on a warm day.
If walking for long periods is a challenge, consider focusing on the main paths and lawn area rather than trying to see every corner of the gardens. There is plenty to enjoy without covering the entire 5 acres.
If you’re visiting with grandchildren, agree on a meeting point on the lawn so you can sit and relax while they explore nearby.

Location, Dates & Details

When: 26 November 2025 – 11 January 2026
Where: Wanneroo Botanic Gardens, 25 Drovers Place, Wanneroo (around 30 minutes north of the Perth CBD, a short drive from Joondalup)
More info & tickets: Wanneroo Botanic Gardens – The Magic of Christmas

From wandering under sparkling trees to enjoying a quiet drink on the lawn while watching the “snow” drift past, The Magic of Christmas at Wanneroo Botanic Gardens offers a relaxed, atmospheric way to celebrate the festive season – with or without the grandkids in tow.