September is a special month at Whiteman Park, marking the Park’s official 40th anniversary and capping off four decades of heritage, nature and family fun on Whadjuk Noongar land. It’s also the perfect time to visit, with the bushland bursting into colour and a calendar full of great events. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a comfortable, well-paced day out, whether you’re chasing wildflowers, reminiscing at the museums, or bringing the grandkids for a picnic and a train ride.
The Experience
Spring is prime time for wildflower and bird lovers at Whiteman Park, with hundreds of species putting on a show across the Park’s bushland.
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Wildflowers: Of the Park’s 400+ flowering native species, over 100 feature in a handy pocket guide available at the Visitor Information Centre, perfect for a leisurely stroll spotting everything from big yellow cottonheads to tiny purple tinsel lilies.
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Birdwatching: Keen birders can pick up a printed species list at the Visitor Information Centre before setting off, making it easy to identify what you spot along the way.
- Nocturnal Woylie Walks: September also brings the return of the popular Nocturnal Woylie Walks, running Friday evenings through to April. Led by a knowledgeable volunteer guide, this torchlight tour of Woodland Reserve, a protected habitat just 20 minutes from the Perth CBD, gives you the chance to see critically endangered woylies and quenda feeding close by, along with echidnas, bush stone-curlews and tammar wallabies.
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Heritage on display: The Revolutions Transport Museum is marking the 40th anniversary with a limited display of Park uniforms and ephemera. Open daily 10am to 4pm (entry by donation), the museum is compact, air-conditioned and largely accessible for wheelchairs and walkers, with only a few historic interactives out of reach.
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Rail history: The Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Society, who operate the beloved Bennett Brook Railway vintage train, are celebrating 50 years since forming in 1976. They moved to Whiteman Park in 1981 and laid the first track in 1982, a lovely bit of history to share as you take a ride.
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- A sweet stop: The Lolly Stop is celebrating its own milestone, 20 years in the Park, with old-fashioned hard-boiled lollies and international confections. Open daily 10.30am to 3pm.
Visiting with Grandchildren
Spring is an ideal season to bring the grandkids to the Children’s Forest, a free, community-grown bushland space located between the Village and Mussel Pool. Open daily from 8.30am to 6pm, the Forest is made up of 18 planted stages connected by a network of easy walking trails, so you can tailor the distance to suit your group. Look out for the resident “guardians”, the Boy of the Bush and his sister Fern, a life-size steel wedge-tailed eagle’s nest, and painted tiles marking the children who helped plant each stage over the years. Free activity sheets are available to guide younger visitors through spotting native flora and fauna along the way, a nice way to keep grandchildren engaged as you stroll together.
If your family includes a four-legged member, mark the calendar for Doggies Day Out on Sunday 27 September, 10am to 3pm at Mussel Pool West in the Village. Set in the lush surrounds of Mussel Pool, there’s plenty of space to roam while you browse local pet services and products, and cheer on the doggo competitions for best crooner, top tricks and best-dressed pooch. The kids are well catered for too, with free face painting and a doggy-themed bouncy castle keeping the grandchildren entertained while the grown-ups enjoy the atmosphere. For those who prefer a calmer start to the day, the first hour (10am to 11am) is set aside as a Quiet Hour, offering a lower-sensory experience before the crowds build, a thoughtful touch for anyone sensitive to noise or busy environments.
Getting Around
The three museums, including Revolutions Transport Museum, are all within the Village precinct, making for a manageable walk between them, with ACROD parking available in Car Park 2 opposite Revolutions. For those wanting to cover more ground with less walking, the vintage Bennett Brook Railway train is a comfortable and nostalgic way to see the Park’s bushland, especially fitting given the operators’ 50th anniversary this year.
Dining & Facilities
The Village precinct offers a good base for a comfortable day out, with the Village Cafe nearby for a sit-down meal or coffee, and shaded picnic spots around Mussel Pool suited to a quiet lunch or a seniors’ club outing. Accessible toilet facilities are available in the Village area, and benches are dotted along the main paths for regular rest stops.
Whiteman Park’s 40th birthday, paired with a spectacular spring wildflower season, makes September an especially rewarding time to visit. Whether you’re after a quiet morning spotting birds and blooms, a nostalgic wander through the museums, or a full day out with the grandchildren and the family dog, the Park offers something comfortable and worthwhile for every kind of visitor.
Getting to Whiteman Park
Whiteman Park is located about 22km north of the Perth CBD, in the Swan Valley, making it an easy day trip for those coming from around the metro area. The main entrance is off Drumpellier Drive, with additional access from Beechboro Road North, and parking, including ACROD bays, is available near the key attractions.
For those who’d rather not drive, the Whiteman Park train and bus station on the Ellenbrook line sits right near the main entrance, a comfortable option if you’re travelling with a seniors’ club group or simply prefer public transport. Just remember that there is a 2km walk into the Village if visiting on a day without heritage tram or weekend shuttle bus services.
For full details on attractions, opening hours, events and bookings, visit the official Whiteman Park website.
