Whiteman Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whiteman Park |
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Whiteman park swans
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| Location | Western Australia |
| Nearest city | Perth |
| Area | 4,000-hectare (9,900-acre; 15 sq mi) |
| Open | 8:30am–6pm |
Whiteman Park is a huge bushland area, about 4,000 hectares big! That's like 4,000 football fields. It's located just 22 kilometers north of Perth, Western Australia, in a suburb called Whiteman. You can find it in the beautiful Swan Valley, near the upper parts of the Swan River.
This park is super important to the Nyoongar people. It's where Bennett Brook starts, which is a special place for their stories. They have myths about the Wagyl, a dreamtime serpent, and tales about how Aboriginal people have lived in this area for a very long time.
Whiteman Park is also amazing for its nature. It has over 450 types of plants that grow only in this region. Plus, there are more than 120 different kinds of animals with backbones, and some of them are quite rare or in danger. More than 17% of all bird species in Western Australia live here! This includes birds that travel long distances, attracted by the wetlands like Grogan's Swamp, which is a protected area.
The government bought this land in 1978 from different owners. They wanted to protect the underground water source, called an aquifer, which provides drinking water for Perth. The park is named after Lew Whiteman (1903–1994), who owned a large part of the land.
Fun Things to Do at Whiteman Park
Whiteman Park is packed with cool things to do for everyone! You can explore many bushwalking trails and bike paths. There are also sports areas and playgrounds for kids to enjoy.
The park is also home to groups that love old vehicles. They have amazing collections of historic transport. You can visit places like:
- Perth Electric Tramway Society
- Caversham Wildlife Park
- Bennett Brook Railway
- The Tractor Museum of Western Australia
- The Western Australian Motor Museum
- Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia
- Revolutions Transport Museum
Getting Around Whiteman Park
Soon, it will be even easier to get to Whiteman Park! A new train and bus station, called Whiteman Park station, is being built. It will be part of the Morley–Ellenbrook line and will be right near the park's main entrance.
The park's own historic tram line will also be made longer. It will connect directly to the new station, with its own special platform. The Whiteman Park station is expected to open in late 2024.
