Matilda Bay Reserve
Matilda Bay Reserve
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
206 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
60
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,782 contributions
Jan 2023
This serene spot is a much-loved Perth location for family picnics. It's located in Crawley, on the banks of the Swan River opposite the University of Western Australia. It's favored by European families because of its resemblance to lakes and rivers back home. The grassy reserve is a fine place to spread a picnic rug. The water is usually placid, it's great for paddling. Parking is not a problem on the weekend.
Written 13 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,782 contributions
Jan 2022
Matilda Bay Reserve is a great place for a family picnic. You can spread a blanket on the ample grassed area. Matilda Bay is on the Swan River, and the waves are rarely threatening, making it a good o place for youngsters to play in the water. There is plenty of parking space on the weekend, when there are no classes at the University of Western Australia, which is opposite Matildsa Bay.
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perth Review
Perth, Australia252 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
Just past that posh restaurant there’s a lot of federal land you can park on for free. All day and all night. It’s a godsend for UWA students.
There are grey ghosts and parking inspectors who will try to give you a ticket. They cannot touch your car so they can’t leave it on your windscreen.
The only way you can get fined is if you physically accept it from their hands. It’s an admission of guilt. Just don’t take the ticket.
Walk away.
Be kind but don’t accept the ticket. They can’t force you to take it.
Happy days.
There are grey ghosts and parking inspectors who will try to give you a ticket. They cannot touch your car so they can’t leave it on your windscreen.
The only way you can get fined is if you physically accept it from their hands. It’s an admission of guilt. Just don’t take the ticket.
Walk away.
Be kind but don’t accept the ticket. They can’t force you to take it.
Happy days.
Written 6 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,782 contributions
Sep 2021
This river-side park is one of Perth's favourite picnic spots. Matilda Bay is opposite the University of Western Australia, at Crawley on the Swan River. It's good for families; there's lots of lawn and the docile river waves are rarely threatening, making it low-risk for young children. Parking spaces are hard to find during term-time, but spots on weekends usually available.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,782 contributions
May 2020
Matilda Bay Reserve is by the Swan River, over the road frorm the University of Western Australia (UWA). It is a large grassy area with trees. Many European people like it, becaue it reminds them of the lakes and rivers back home. You can swim or paddle, the water is placid. It's a good picnic spot. By the way, on the weekends, there are few UWA students around and parking is not usually a problem; you can get a good view of the city.
Written 9 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeune
5 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Boxing day 2019 was meant to be a great family get together on the so called beautiful Matilda bay.... busiest day of the year and the toilet blocks were all labeled 'out of order'however the door was wide open.
The other block of toilets were locked and so 5000 people were made to use the out of order ones. The state of the female toilets was nothing short of disgusting and a serious health issue for not only adults but for the many young children there too.
There was no toilet paper, all 5 ladies toilets were blocked to the point of them nearly spilling over the edge, faeces and urine everywhere, smelt like a sewage pipe and absolutely no number posted anywhere to call for assistance. The men's toilets weren't blocked however they were disgusting as well. Looked as if they hadn't been cleaned in months, no toilet paper and mess all over the floor!
As a tourist, I am utterly disgusted by this as Perth city has been an exceptionally clean and beautiful city to visit until today.
We had to cut the day short as there is no way we were going to use those filthy amenities.
There is absolutely no hint of duty of care nor any consideration for the public's health shown by the council.
I sure hope I don't get I'll after having stood food in that.
The other block of toilets were locked and so 5000 people were made to use the out of order ones. The state of the female toilets was nothing short of disgusting and a serious health issue for not only adults but for the many young children there too.
There was no toilet paper, all 5 ladies toilets were blocked to the point of them nearly spilling over the edge, faeces and urine everywhere, smelt like a sewage pipe and absolutely no number posted anywhere to call for assistance. The men's toilets weren't blocked however they were disgusting as well. Looked as if they hadn't been cleaned in months, no toilet paper and mess all over the floor!
As a tourist, I am utterly disgusted by this as Perth city has been an exceptionally clean and beautiful city to visit until today.
We had to cut the day short as there is no way we were going to use those filthy amenities.
There is absolutely no hint of duty of care nor any consideration for the public's health shown by the council.
I sure hope I don't get I'll after having stood food in that.
Written 26 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nigel H
Perth, Australia1,041 contributions
Mar 2019
Lovely views over the bay and on towards Perth.
Safe swimming areas, Cafes and toilets
Can get busy during weekends, but normally space to stop and picnic.
Shade from trees.
Wheelchair and pushchair friendly
Free parking
Safe swimming areas, Cafes and toilets
Can get busy during weekends, but normally space to stop and picnic.
Shade from trees.
Wheelchair and pushchair friendly
Free parking
Written 11 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jess
Northmead, Australia384 contributions
Jul 2019
Beautiful views to enjoy while you walk around, really enjoyed walking around the water and taking in the scenery
Written 15 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy H
Perth, Australia129 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
A group of us had a wonderful couple of hours at Matilda Bay, on the reserve. It was a perfect autumn day, sun shining and best of all, a family of dolphins just by the foreshore. Wonderful to see them frolicking in the water. Perth at its best.
Written 24 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KLndBP
Perth, Australia74 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
A relaxing Perth experience right on the river. Great for families and friends, some lovely eating options or cook your own BBQ
Written 13 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kuen Z
Perth Hills, Australia
Do we need to get permit / permission to have a small gender reveal at Matilda bay Crawley park? There will be around 10 ppl and it’s going to be a small celebration like picnic.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,782 contributions
A small picnic-style gathering may need a permit from the Department of Environment and Conservation. This will give you a designated area for your party. Please be aware, parking is very hard to find on weekdays, though not impossible..
Safari372753
Fremantle, Australia
Hi are dogs allowed on leash?
Jo M
Perth, Australia563 contributions
Hi, Yes it's a good place to have your dog, you can take them swimming and then have a picnic your dog is most welcome here :))
Will I able to see wildflowers in August?
GiPa_12
Perth, Australia50 contributions
Apologies for missing this question. The bet time in Perth is mid to late September. Areas North of Perth are best in August and areas down near Albany flower later still.
Look at web sites for Kings Park or Tourism WA.
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Claim your listingMatilda Bay Reserve (Crawley) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Matilda Bay Reserve
- Hotels near Matilda Bay Reserve:
- (0.21 km) Wonil Hotel, Perth - Handwritten Collection
- (0.54 km) St Catherine's on Park
- (2.97 km) Quest South Perth Foreshore
- (0.65 km) Trinity on Hampden
- (4.45 km) COMO The Treasury
- Restaurants near Matilda Bay Reserve:
- (0.17 km) The University Club of Western Australia
- (0.78 km) Matilda Bay Restaurant
- (0.40 km) The UWA Tavern
- (0.52 km) Bayside Kitchen
- (0.52 km) Matilda Bay Tea Room