Parkland and riverfront, a bridge with culturally interpretable arches, and sporting, concert and theatre events give Burswood a range of visitor attractions. The 53-hectare Burswood Park lies on the Swan River on the Burswood Peninsula and offers city views. Walking paths, birdlife and other animals are part of its character, as is a heritage sculpture trail.
Park paths and stories by the river
The park combines open riverside landscapes with a place where history and culture can be explored. The River Journeys Interpretation Node in Burswood Park brings the traditional stories of Joorolup to life. Visitors can learn here about the significance of this land, where jarrah forests once grew, and about the role of the yakkan in sustaining life along the river. This adds a cultural perspective to the view of the landscape without equating nature and culture.
Those who would rather plan a specific activity can visit Matagarup Mini Golf in the park: the 18-hole course features themes from Western Australia. The front nine holes are wheelchair accessible. This limitation is important when planning; the accessibility information applies to this part of the course.
Paths, bridge and views
Burswood Station is on the Armadale/Thornlie rail line at the northeastern end of Burswood Park. From the station, a 15-minute walk through the park leads to the Swan River foreshore. This specific walking time helps you work out how long to allow for a detour to the riverfront. Walking paths are also among the visitor amenities in the park.
The 370-metre-long Matagarup Bridge is a tourist attraction and connects the Burswood Peninsula with the Perth CBD. It also connects Optus Stadium and the Peninsula with East Perth. Since July 2018, the bridge has provided pedestrians with access between Burswood and East Perth. Its sweeping arches may represent black and white swans or the Wagyl, a water serpent of significance to the local Noongar culture. The bridge thus brings together a direct connection between places and a possible cultural interpretation of its form.
Matagarup Zip Climb is also on the Burswood Peninsula. The family adventure area includes a climb up 314 steps to an open viewing platform 72 metres above the Swan River. This offers a different perspective on the surroundings from a walk along the riverbank: the bridge represents connection and form, while the climb leads to an elevated view.
Events and theatre
Optus Stadium is a distinct focal point in Burswood for sport and major concerts. It hosts AFL, soccer, rugby league and rugby union games, as well as concerts by some of the world's biggest musicians. Crown Theatre offers a different experience, with musicals, concerts and live theatre performances. Its two-level auditorium has up to 2,260 seats. For a specific trip, check the dates of the events that interest you.
The event experiences also differ in format: the stadium hosts several sports and concerts, while Crown Theatre presents stage productions and live performances in a two-level auditorium. If you want to combine an event with the park, bridge or riverfront, you can plan these as separate parts of your stay rather than treating them as one set route.
Choosing Burswood as a place to stay
When looking for a holiday rental in Burswood, the reason for your trip is a useful first filter: park paths and the riverfront, the cultural history of the Swan River, the bridge architecture or an event date each offer a different focus. Consider which of these aspects matters most for your trip and use it to guide the rest of your stay planning.
Discover more destinations: Benger, Cannington, Marybrook, Wandering, Bindoon, Middle Swan, Murdoch, Hillarys
For the main travel overview: Western Australia.
