Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square
Located on Wellington Street in East Perth, Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square's upgrade is complete.
The City of Perth $17.5 million upgrade took just over 12 months to complete and has transformed the park.
The newly-constructed Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square will be a hub for residents, visitors, families and friends to meet, celebrate, adventure and explore.
The park boasts a new intergenerational playground supported by a $4.37 million grant from Lotterywest and a place of reflection in the north-west corner of Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square to commemorate the Stolen Generations.
New amenities also include event spaces for medium to large scale activities and multi-use sporting field.
With 350 new trees and 60 per cent canopy cover, the park also features expansive shade and greenery.
The Star attraction is certainly the 3000m2 intergenerational playground Koolangka Koolangka Waabiny, one of the biggest playgrounds in greater Perth.
Meaning, Children Children’s playground in Whadjuk Nyoongar, the area features nature play, a skate park, parkour activities, a flying fox, embankment slides, a pump track, waterplay and climbing towers, as well as basketball courts.
The theme for the community playground is 'Landscape of Play' and the design is influenced by Aboriginal themes and Western Australian iconic landforms.
The park also features an off-leash dog park, new footpaths and shaded picnic areas for relaxation. New lighting and CCTV will also ensure the safety of the park into the evening.
Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square represents cultural and spiritual significance, linking the past and the present, where Whadjuk Nyoongar people met, raised families, hunted and performed ceremonies.
Both the park and playground have received dual names in recognition of Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square’s significance to many members of the Aboriginal community, and out of respect for the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land.
The Council has moved to waive reserve hire fees for community groups, charities and not-for-profits holding community events in Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square until 30 April 2022.
Community event applications received before 1 May for events between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022 will be honoured in the fee waiving process.
Additionally, those community groups that wish to move their upcoming event from another location to Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square can do so.
Other associated event fees that may be applicable, such as waste, parking, public health and power, are not included in the fee waiver. However, the City of Perth offers event grants and sponsorship for further support to community groups wishing to hold events in the city.
Check out the helpful Event Guidelines here.
For all wedding related enquiries, including wedding ceremonies and photography, please visit Weddings in the City or complete the Wedding Enquiry Form.
Key Facilities
BBQ facilities
Children's playground
Open grassed area
Public toilets
LocationWellington Street, East Perth, WA, 6004
Attractions- Birds
- Children's playground
- Gardens
- Monument
- Public artworks
Facilities- Accessible toilets
- Basketball court
- BBQ facilities
- Drinking fountain
- Park benches
- Pathways
- Picnic benches with tables
- Public toilets
- Rubbish bins
- Shade
- Water taps
Suitable for- Birthday parties
- Commercial events
- Community events
- Concerts and performances
- Social gatherings
- Wedding ceremonies
Pets- Dog exercise area - allowed off leash
- Pets are allowed on leash
Parking- On-street parking
Accessibility- Wheelchair accessible
Frequently Asked Questions
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How has the cultural significance of Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square informed the recent park enhancement?Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square is a site of significance for the Traditional Owners, the Whadjuk Nyoongar people. The park also has strong historical connections to children’s play and this has been recognised by the inclusion of a unique intergenerational playground. The Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square Cultural Heritage Assessment underpins the design response for the entire upgrade of the park. Whadjuk Working Party representatives shared stories of the Nyoongar link to dreamtime yarns and how the natural phenomena and associated events are reflected in the on-going and unbroken connection with Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square. Their key priorities for the rejuvenation of Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square included maintaining the integrity of the park as a social and meeting place, revealing the history of the space and ensuring that the space was welcoming and inclusive to all people. Treatments that created exclusion and barriers such as fences were not supported by the Traditional Owners.
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What is the Landscape of Play?The Landscape of Play is a key theme of the playground providing unstructured play opportunities for people to climb, explore, create and have fun! Hints of WA will be found throughout the playground, with banksia woodlands scattered through the sculpture play towers, the Swan River providing inspiration for water play and the open clearings providing areas for socialising and gazing at the sky. These elements were informed by the stories shared by the Whadjuk Working Party representatives. The water play consists of a series of pumps and streams engraved into granite and sandstone rocks. The rock escarpment play area also reflects the dramatic rock formations found around WA.
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What does Koolangka Koolangka Waabiny mean?Koolangka Koolangka Waabiny means Children’s Children’s Playground in Whadjuk Nyoongar. Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square has long provided refuge and safety for Aboriginal people and was a favourite place for local children to play. The Whadjuk Nyoongar name for Wellington Square – Moort ak Waadiny - also recognises the park’s importance as a meeting space for families. You will find a number of signs throughout the park explaining the cultural significance of this space to Aboriginal people.
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What is an Intergenerational Playground?The playground is intended to be a space for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy. Play opportunities range from elements suitable for toddlers through to older children and adults to ensure a space that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The play space has been designed to be fully immersive so that adults are actively encouraged to be part of the play experience.
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What are the key features of the playground?
There are a number of play elements within the playground including;
- Junior Climbing towers
- Senior Climbing Towers
- Water Play
- Parkour
- Skate Zone
- Pump Track
- Basketball Courts
- Trampolines
- Flying Fox
- Rope and Net Play
- Sand Play
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Are there any accessible features within the playground?
There are a number of accessible elements throughout the playground including;
- Mounded accessible pathway to embankment slides
- Slides accessible by rubber softfall
- Double flying fox with accessible seat
- Inclusive spinner
- Quad Swing Set
- Basket swing
- Accessible waterplay
- Trampolines on rubber mounds
- Accessible BBQ, seating and tables
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Where can I find toilets?Toilets are located near the playground on the corner of Wellington and Bennett Streets.
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Candle Banksia - Senior Play TowerThis play structure is for the thrill seekers and designed for older children and adults. Please note this play structure may not be suitable for younger children on their own but we encourage adults to join in the fun and give them a helping hand.
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Is the playground covered by shade?There are several mature trees throughout the park providing shade and shelter to areas of the play space, BBQ and picnic facilities. New tree plantings will also provide shade as they mature and establish. The circular disks above the playground are an artistic sculpture that represent the stars and sky from Dreamtime stories. They also provide shade, and create play opportunities with colours and patterns cast over the ground. As always we encourage you to slip slop slap – clothing, sunscreen and hats - when outdoors. In hot weather, surfaces within the playground may get hot and care should be taken.
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Can I bring my dog into the playground?No, dogs are prohibited within the play spaces. Dogs are permitted around the periphery of the playground on leash. Dogs are also allowed off leash in the open playing fields.
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Where can I park?
On street parking surrounds the park on Wellington, Bennett, Wittenoom and Hill Streets. There are ACROD parking bays on Bennett and Wittenoom Streets. Alternately, make your way to Wellington Square via the free Yellow Cat, or by train with Claisebrook and McIver stations within a 10-minute walking distance. -
How much did the development cost?The overall park upgrade including the playground, surrounding playing fields, picnic facilities, new lighting, trees and street upgrades was completed with a construction value is $17.5 million. The playground was funded by a $4.37 million grant from Lotterywest.
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Can I book the space for parties and events?For event bookings and large social gatherings please follow the relevant links on this page.
Video credit: Moondreamz Inc.
Photo Gallery
Have enquiries about the Wedding Venues?
Please complete the following form in line with the City of Perth Wedding Hire Guide 2019 which provides you with all the information you need to get the very best experience on your special day.
Wedding Enquiry FormHaving a Social Gathering?
Are you planning a social activity or gathering with less than 50 people, have minimal structures and do not require power or vehicle access? Please let us know by clicking the button below.
Social gathering notificationDo you want to Hire this Venue?
Wellington Square can cater for small to major events of up to 15,000 people. Application submission time-frames are dependent on size and impact. Please allow up to 6-12 months for major events.
Hire Fees for This Site
Fees depend on scale, impact and event type. Please refer to Events Fees & Charges for further details.
For wedding bookings:
$100 per hour.Need more help?
If you have any further questions please contact the Activity Approvals team on :(08) 9461 3333 or info@cityofperth.wa.gov.au
