Frequently Asked Questions

Connect with nature - click to enlarge

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is a place for children to connect with nature and learn to appreciate the unique Western Australian environment.

Click on the links to find the answers to some commonly asked questions. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please use the search facility in the top right corner of this site or contact us.

Questions

Answers

1. What age group is Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park suitable for?

This area is most suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years. For children younger than 5 years, we recommend the Lotterywest Family Area.

2. Is there an admission fee?

No. Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is free.

3. When is it open?

The facility is fully fences and is open 9.00 am – 4.00 pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is closed every Monday (including public holidays), the entire month of February, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25-26 December), New Year's Day (1 January) and Australia Day (26 January).

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park will also be closed on days when a very high fire danger rating or above is forecast. Notices are provided on this website where ever possible regarding closures and service interruptions.

During very busy times of the year, such as school holidays and spring/summer weekends, visitation often reaches site capacity early in the day. When maximum capacity is reached, Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park will be temporarily closed to further entry. Visitors should be prepared to either queue for entry or come back later. Please be courteous to other visitors during this time or take the opportunity to enjoy other attractions in Kings Park and Botanic Garden.

4. Where do we park?

Verge parking is available along May Drive. Additional parking is available at the Wadjuk carpark behind the Fraser Avenue tourist precinct. Disabled parking bays are located adjacent to the entrance.

5. Can we use public transport to get there?

Transperth bus routes 37 and 39 from the Perth CBD are a free service. The closest bus stop is at the main carpark behind Fraser's Restaurant the Aspects of Kings Park shop.

6. Is there anywhere to picnic or have a barbeque?

Picnics and barbecues are better suited to other areas of Kings Park and Botanic Garden and should be enjoyed before or after visiting Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park. Free public barbecues are located at the Lotterywest Family Area, Synergy Parkland, Saw Avenue Picnic Area and the Pines Picnic Area. There are no barbecues, lawn or bins on site but there are seating pods with shade and many logs and rocks where visitors can rest or enjoy a small snack.

Shade tents, beach umbrellas, portable BBQs, smoking and/or alcohol are not permitted in this area. Please take your rubbish with you.

7. Is there any lawn?

Unlike Kings Park’s famous parklands, this area does not have any lawn. This is because Rio Tinto Naturescape aims to give visitors an authentic experience of the Western Australian bush.

8. Can we bring a bike or scooter?

A bike rack is located outside the entrance to Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park. Bikes, scooters, skates, skateboards and ball games are not permitted inside this area.

9. Is it pram and wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Most of this area accessible by pram and wheelchair. There is a set-down area at the entrance and toilet facilities for people with disabilities.

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park covers are large area, so a pram may help you keep up with older children if you are also bringing a young child along.

10. Is this area suitable for people with disabilities?

This area has been designed to suit children with a range of abilities. Features include a tunnel, gully and boardwalks are wheelchair accessible. Most paths are made of concrete or compacted crushed limestone. Plants, trees, rocks and built structures provide a range of tactile and sensory experiences for children with disabilities. Some zones invite noisy, active play and others are for quieter experiences.

Disability parking is located along the verge, adjacent to the Rio Tinto Naturescape entrance. Toilets with disability access are provided. We recommend that you consider visiting in advance to familiarise yourself with the area.

11. Can I drop my kids off and leave them unsupervised?

No. All children under the age 16, even the really good ones, must be supervised by an adult at all times.

12. Can I buy coffee or snacks?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased nearby at several Kings Park eating places.

13. Are there rubbish bins?

There are no rubbish bins here. Rubbish and food scraps are ‘junk food’ for wildlife. You are kindly asked to take your rubbish home.

14. How do I prepare for a fun and safe visit?

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park gives children the opportunity to challenge themselves in a natural environment. Parents and guardians must be prepared to actively supervise their children as there are natural hazards including water, rocks and wildlife.

It is important to dress for the weather and take care during your visit. Please respect the plants, creatures and other visitors in this special place to ensure everyone has a fun and safe visit.

15. What should we wear?

Dress appropriately for the weather, including hats and sunscreen. Choose clothes that are comfortable and that you don’t mind getting dirty. A change of clothes and a towel may be a good idea.

16. What are the risks?

Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is designed to give visitors the experience of being in a natural bush environment. Sharp sticks, rocks, water, snakes and spiders are all a natural part of our environment. Stay safe by watching out for the natural hazards that occur here.

17. Is the water safe to swim/wade in?

Paddling and wading only is permitted in Paperbark Creek. The water is not safe for swimming, drinking or ingesting in any way. Paddling is only permitted in Paperbark Creek. Children must not be immersed - this includes swimming or sitting in the water. The deepest water is up to 1.5m at The Billabong and Water Corporation Wetland. Access to the water is not permitted in these areas.

18. Are there snakes in this area?

Yes. The venomous Dugite is one of the most common snake species here, although a snake bite has never been reported. If you do encounter a reptile, give it a wide berth. Report the sighting to a staff member or volunteer.

19. Can my school visit this place?

Schools are encouraged to visit and take part in Kings Park Education programs. Bookings are essential for all school groups. Contact the Bookings Officer to make a booking.

20. Can you tell me about the bush in Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park?

The surrounding bushland is ancient and fragile. It is home to many native species of plants and animals, forming a unique ecosystem that need to be conserved for the future. Jarrah, Sheoak, Tuart, Banksia and Marri are common tree species in this area. The site was planted as an arboretum in 1962, to celebrate and display a variety of Australian tree species.

21. Can we pick the wildflowers or keep the tadpoles?

No plants or animals may be removed from Kings Park.

22. Where did the rocks come from?

The granite rocks are from farm land close to Bindoon. The large ironstone rocks travelled 1,400 km from Jarndrumnhna (formerly Mt Nameless) at Rio Tinto’s Tom Price iron ore mine in the East Pilbara region.

23. Why aren’t there more signs?

Signs have been kept to a minimum in an effort to provide a more natural and adventurous experience for visitors.

24. Why are there dead trees here?

Fallen logs and dead tree trunks are a natural part of the Australian bush. They provide important habitat for wildlife, such as birds, lizards and insects, and it is good for the health of the ecosystem that they are retained. Unfortunately mature trees are dying across Kings Park due to the exceptionally dry seasons we have experienced in recent years and as a result of the severe hailstorm which impacted Perth in March 2010.

25. Where does the water come from?

The water comes from underground bores which are part of Kings Park’s irrigation system. The water in this area goes through a UV filtration system and is recycled through dedicated irrigation ponds. Each zone can be isolated and cleaned as required.

26. What happens in an emergency?

A first aid post is onsite and our staff are trained in first aid. In case of fire, serious injury or other emergency, phone 000. Listen for instructions over the loud speaker.

27. How did the concept for Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park come about?

The concept emerged through our concern that urban children today are increasingly disconnected from nature. By giving children a real bush experience in the middle of the city, we hope to encourage children to connect with nature. We believe it is essential for children to touch, hear and see their natural environment in order to appreciate it and to ensure they will become the environmental custodians of the future. We also believe that spending unstructured time outdoors is a vital part of a healthy childhood and that our unique Western Australian bushland should be appreciated by all.

28. Who designed this project?

The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority designed this area using landscape architects Plan E.

29. Who approved this project?

The Minister for the Environment and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, which manage Kings Park.

30. Do you need more Naturescaper volunteers?

Yes. We have a large team of Naturescaper volunteers who share a sense of fun and discovery with children and their families. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions