Whiteman Park
Encyclopedia
Whiteman Park is a 4000-hectare/40-square-kilometre (10,000-acre/15 mi²) bushland area located 22 km 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
.
Whiteman Park is known for its biodiversity, including over 450 endemic plants and more than 120 vertebrate animals (some of which are rare and endangered). Over 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 variety 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.
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
. The park is in the suburb of Whiteman, in the Swan Valley in the upper reaches of the Swan River
Swan River (Western Australia)
The Swan River estuary flows through the city of Perth, in the south west of Western Australia. Its lower reaches are relatively wide and deep, with few constrictions, while the upper reaches are usually quite narrow and shallow....
.
Whiteman Park is known for its biodiversity, including over 450 endemic plants and more than 120 vertebrate animals (some of which are rare and endangered). Over 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 variety of private owners in 1978, to protect the underlying aquifer
Aquifer
An aquifer is a wet underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials from which groundwater can be usefully extracted using a water well. The study of water flow in aquifers and the characterization of aquifers is called hydrogeology...
as a drinking water source for Perth. The major owner was Lew Whiteman (1903–1994), after whom the park is named.
Attractions
Whiteman Park includes bushwalking trails, bike paths, sports facilities and playgrounds.- The Perth Electric Tramway Society runs a 4-km electric tram journey around the park.
- Caversham Wildlife Park
- Bennett Brook Railway
- The Tractor Museum of Western Australia
- The Western Australian Motor Museum
- Bus Preservation Society
- Children's forest