| Whiteman Park | |
|---|---|
) Whiteman park swans | |
)  Location in Perth | |
| Location | Western Australia |
| Nearest city | Perth |
| Coordinates | 31°50′02″S 115°57′54″E / 31.834°S 115.965°E |
| Area | 4,000-hectare (9,900-acre; 15 sq mi) |
| Open | 8:30am–6pm |
| Website | www |
Whiteman Park is a 4,000-hectare (9,900-acre; 15 sq mi) bushland area located 22 km (14 mi) north of Perth, Western Australia. The park is in the suburb of Whiteman, in the Swan Valley in the upper reaches of the Swan River.[1]
It encompasses the source of Bennett Brook - an important place of the Nyoongar people, and a source of mythology of the Wagyl and stories about Aboriginal occupancy of the area.[2]
Whiteman Park is known for its biodiversity, including more than 450 endemic plants and more than 120 vertebrate animals (some of which are rare and endangered). More than 17% of Western Australian bird species occur in Whiteman Park, including migratory birds attracted to the habitat provided by Bennett Brook and associated wetlands including Grogan's Swamp, a Conservation Category Wetland.
The state government purchased the land from a number of private owners in 1978 to protect the underlying aquifer as a drinking water source for Perth. The major owner was Lew Whiteman (1903–1994), after whom the park is named.[3]
Attractions
Whiteman Park includes bushwalking trails, bike paths, sports facilities and playgrounds.
The park is also host to heritage transport groups and their collections.[4]
- The Perth Electric Tramway Society runs a 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) electric tram journey through the park, running trams that include ones that were used in Melbourne, Perth and Fremantle.[5]
- Caversham Wildlife Park
- Bennett Brook Railway[6]
- The Tractor Museum of Western Australia[7]
- The Western Australian Motor Museum[8]
- Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia[9]
- Revolutions Transport Museum.[10]
References
- ^ www.dpi.wa.gov.au Parks and Properties. Accessed 21 March 2006
- ^ Davis, Jack, 1917-2000; Nutter, Lynda; Leach, Richard; Pell, Kelton (1998), River dreaming, [s.n], retrieved 4 August 2016
- ^ www.whitemanpark.com.au Park Information. Accessed 17 May 2009
- ^ Western Australian Planning Commission (2011), Towards land transport heritage excellence : Whiteman Park 2011, Western Australian Planning Commission, retrieved 28 July 2017
- ^ Perth Electric Tramway Society
- ^ Bennett Brook Railway
- ^ The Tractor Museum of WA
- ^ Motor Museum of W.A
- ^ Bus Preservation Society of WA
- ^ Attractions - Attractions - Whiteman Park