Sir James Mitchell Park

by Tom Zaunmayr (subscribe)

The South Perth foreshore is well known for its Australia Day celebrations. Outside of that, the seemingly endless expanse of parkland offers activities for people from all walks of life.

Sir James Mitchell Park is the biggest park on the foreshore, covering the ground between the Mends and Coode Street jetties. The huge open green space is a very popular dog walking and casual sports destination. On weekends you can find everything from cricket to kite flying.

One of the best aspects of the park is the separate walk and cycle ways. The cycle path cuts through the middle of the park while the walkway skirts the beaches of Perth water, keeping both well out of each others way. That's a win for all!

There are two playgrounds within the park, both relatively small, making them perfect for young kids, the older ones can go to the large playground just east of Coode Street. The playgrounds aren't the best thing for kids here though. One of my fondest childhood memories was damming up the stormwater drain next to the Coode Street Jetty. They'll have hours of fun with that!

There is plenty on offer for those with a more relaxed lifestyle too. The park is home to a quiet and relaxing scented garden, complete with shaded park benches and every colour of flower imaginable.

Close by is one of the wetland rehabilitation areas. A wooden walkway snakes its way through a dense marshland full of paperbark trees, reeds, frogs and various birdlife. This tiny nature island is a safe haven and thus dogs are not allowed.

For the more adventurous there are plenty of spots to fish, swim and launch kayaks. You can even hire mini sail boats from Perth Funcats near the eastern end.

When you get hungry you have two options. The Boatshed is a large indoors restaurant/cafe on the Coode Street Jetty. The food here is some of the best around town and it comes complete with an enclosed playground. The Bellhouse cafe on the Mends Street Jetty is a small licensed venue with some very good meal specials, including big breakfasts for $9.50!

At the end of the day there are plenty of park benches along the river to sit down and soak up the views over the CBD. There ares barbeques and undercover seating for picnics and more than enough room to find your own patch of privacy.

The best way to get to Sir James Mitchell Park is via the Transperth Ferry. It's a park where you can literally spend all day discovering or relaxing. And if you get bored there is always the rest of the foreshore to explore.

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Where: South Perth Foreshore

Cost: free

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