1. Jirdarup Bushland Precinct
Comprising nine hectares of native bushland, Jirdarup Bushland Precinct is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Enjoy a leisurely walk through nature, spot a native bird or two, picnic under the stunning eucalyptus trees, or just relax in the tranquil bush surrounds.
Named from the Nyoongar word meaning ‘place of birds’, Jirdarup is home to an array of native bird life and a wealth of native flora and fauna species. You can take a walk on one of the marked walking trails, where even dogs on leads are welcome, or sign up for a guided tour with the Friends of Jirdarup Bushland Group on their socials to learn more about the area.
You’ll find the bushland located in Kensington, with entry points off Etwell Street, George Street and Baron Hay Court.
2. GO Edwards Park
This hidden treasure, tucked away behind Great Eastern Highway, features ten hectares of tranquil parklands with a variety of recreation spaces for connecting with nature, picnicking, playing and celebrating special events with friends and family.
The parkland features an ornamental lake with water birds, stately trees, grassed lawn areas, barbeques, seating, toilets, an interactive nature playground with tunnel slide, exercise equipment, a dog exercise area and a stunning gazebo that can be booked for weddings and special occasions. It really is a park for everyone!
Near the lake, you will also find the Heritage Circle public artwork which celebrates the Town of Victoria Park's unique indigenous and settlement history. The intricate carvings represent events and communities, transport, industry, architecture, flora and fauna and sport and recreation.
3. Koolbardi Park
Koolbardi Park, which gets its name from the Whadjuk Noongar word for the Australian magpie, is a great spot for the whole family to enjoy. Nestled in Carlisle, it offers plenty of benches, green space for picnics, barbeque facilities, sporting activities and dog exercise areas.
The nature playground is a winner with younger kids, featuring a pirate ship, water and sand table and cubbies scattered in the bush. For older children, there’s a skate park and tennis courts available. Your fur baby need not miss out either, with an enclosed dog park available for them to socialise with their furry friends.
4. John MacMillan Park
John MacMillan Park is the perfect place to stop off after shopping at Park Centre or visiting the local library.
Enjoy a picnic on the open grass, explore the recently renewed nature play area, shoot some hoops in the basketball half court or enjoy a game of table tennis. On warmer days and nights, the kids will love the park’s featured ‘Portal’, which sprays mist at random intervals and lights up at night!
The Vic Park markets are held here every Sunday morning, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Victoria Park and Rotary Club of South Perth Burswood. Grab a coffee, pick up some handmade treasures and shop for fresh produce from local stallholders.
5. Burswood Peninsula
The iconic Burswood Peninsula not only has all your entertainment needs covered in the one spot but a few hidden treasures to explore amongst its surrounds.
The area is home to some of the state’s biggest tourist attractions, including Crown Perth, Optus Stadium, the Camfield, Belmont Park Racecourse and the State Tennis Centre. It also offers a few lesser known attractions, such as the Matagarup Bridge Climb, Burswood Park Walk and plenty of picnic spots that are well worth checking out too.
Surrounded by parkland, the area has a diverse range of offerings to suit everyone. Come and enjoy a family picnic and walk by the foreshore, catch a game at Optus Stadium, get adventurous with a climb up Matagarup Bridge, or enjoy sumptuous delights at the many fine dining and premium restaurants and bars located at Crown Perth.
6. Urban Gallery
Did you know that Vic Park has its own street art gallery? The Town has more than 45 bright murals and cutting-edge street artworks from both international and local artists, scattered across its urban landscape for you to explore at your leisure.
The Vic Park Collective, has created the Urban Gallery Victoria Park walking map to help locals and visitors track down all the amazing artworks throughout Vic Park. Copies of the map are available from local businesses in Vic Park or at the Vic Park Minilab.
7. Centre for the Arts
Another space to enjoy the arts is at the Victoria Park Centre for the Arts, located on Kent Street. The Town’s community arts and culture centre provides the perfect meeting place for community, artists and those interested in the arts.
The Centre regularly holds exhibitions, events and classes for people of all skill levels, ages and backgrounds, and encourages and promotes a range of local arts and cultural activities throughout the year.
Housed in a quaint 1940s weatherboard cottage, the Centre incorporates an exhibition space, gift shop, meeting room and studio that opens onto the garden and art installations. An additional studio can be hired for workshops, with a kitchen area available for catering purposes.
8. Pinot and Picasso
For those art lovers who’d prefer to engage with their inner artist and try their own hand at painting, Pinot & Picasso Victoria Park offers regular Paint & Sip sessions throughout the year.
Sip on a glass of your favourite drop with friends while local WA artists walk you through the entire painting process to help you create your own artistic masterpiece.
Sessions range from Still Life to Frida Fridays and Harry Potter Theme Nights to Paint Your Pooch! There are also classes designed for children.
9. Urban Revolution
For those looking to create a more sustainable lifestyle, make sure you visit Urban Revolution.
Committed to helping people minimise their landfill waste and environmental impact, Urban Revolution sells a range of eco-friendly and plastic free garden, cleaning, household and personal care products. They also have a Terra Cycle recycling system available, where you can drop off your harder to recycle products, such as Nespresso pods, toothpaste tubes and aerosol cans.
Regular composting workshops are hosted onsite, where you can learn about all the options available to keep your food scraps and other home organic waste out of landfill bins and turned into rich, vibrant soil for your garden.
Those with a green thumb can also pick up heirloom seeds sourced from five WA companies for the garden, while you’re there.
10. Vic Park Vintage Trail
Vic Park is known for its wide range of range of urban, food and shopping experiences, including an eclectic mix of independent vintage shops that have popped up in recent years.
Head to Carlisle to check out Horatio and Agatha’s Vintage Supplies. Located on Archer Street, they sell a range of vintage art, décor, furniture and upcycled costume jewellery for the bohemians at heart.
Across on Oats Street, you’ll find more vintage delights at JoJo’s Vintage Pop which offers five rooms full of vintage collectibles, as well as a warehouse of furniture. They also have a coffee bar on site, where you can grab a beverage to help get you through your vintage travels.
In nearby Lathlain, stop off at the Eclectic Squirrels – a quirky little shop full of whimsy and style from yesteryear. They are also WA’s largest stockist of Erstwilder.
Round off your vintage trail adventure with a visit to one of the Town’s op shops, including Hope Op Shop, Salvos Stores and Vinnies, where you might just discover a hidden vintage gem or two!
With plenty of great cafés along the way to replenish your energy, you can easily make a day of it as you explore Vic Park’s Vintage Trail.