Last Updated on 16 July 2025 by Ariana Svenson
The Araluen Botanic Park and garden provide a wonderful respite from the busy, hectic life in the city. Don’t get caught up in the idea of only visiting for the Araluen Tulip Festival; Araluen is a lovely place to visit throughout the year.
Located in a cool valley in the Perth Hills, Aralien has a special micro-climate of high rainfall and colder winters, which means rare and exotic plants you wouldn’t normally see in WA thrive here.
Araluen Botanic Park is 59 hectares, but just 14 are developed gardens; the rest is natural bushland where you can explore the natural bushland of gums and marri trees.
Araluen holds a special place in my family’s heart. I remember my grandmother talking about packing up their Holden for a day at Araluen in the 1950s. My mother and her sister would sit in the dickey seat, and it sounded like so much fun. Even in latter years, my mother and her sister would take their aging mother for a day out at Araluen.
Where is Araluen Botanic Park, Western Australia?
Location: 62 Croyden Road, Roleystone WA 6111
You’ll often see Araluen described as ‘Araluen Botanic Park Perth’, but it’s actually in the Perth Hills just outside Perth. You’ll also see Araluen listed as one of the best Perth Gardens. When researching the Araluen Tulip Festival, you’ll come across it being named as ‘Perth Tulip Festival’ and the ‘Perth Garden Festival’.
Araluen Park is actually located in Roleystone, a scenic 45-minute drive southeast of Perth’s CBD, and feels like it’s a world away – perfect for a day trip from Perth or even as a weekend getaway.
How to Get to Araluen Botanic Park from Perth
Driving: Drive along Brookton Highway from Armadale following signs to Roleystone. There’s plenty of on-site parking, which is free, although it can become very full during events or on weekends.
By Public Transport: Araluen is particularly challenging to reach via public transport, typically requiring two buses and a lengthy walk, or the Armadale train and a similarly long walk. Taking a taxi instead of walking is often the best option.
Araluen Botanic Park Map
Here is the official Araluen Botanic Park Map. You can grab a printed map at the entry gate or download the digital version.
When is the Best Time to Visit Araluen Botanic Park?
The best time to visit depends on what you want to see. If you’re visiting because you’re interested in the heritage, the park is perfect to visit throughout the year. However, if you’re visiting to spot some of the famous flower species, your visit depends on what you want to see.
The Araluen Tulip Festival runs from the middle of August to the beginning of October. So, what is the best time to see the tulips in flower? Based on our experience, this will depend on the season – if its been raining or sunny.
It’s a good idea to be in contact with Araluen to find out when the best chance to see the blooms will be. Or, personally, we follow the Araluen Instagram.
The last year we visited, we didn’t have a spare weekend until the end of September, so we had to try our luck to see what the blooms looked like then! (not as good as early in the festival.. but there were very few people as well!)
From April to October, you’ll also have the chance to see Camellias bloom and Roses follow in late October and November.
In April-May, you’ll see Golden deciduous trees light up the nearby Perth Hills, and you can combine your visit with the Persimmon Festival at Raeburn Orchards.
For more info, read our guide to the best time to visit Western Australia.
Araluen Botanic Park Opening Hours
Opening hours depend on the season. From May through August, the opening hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (last entry 3:00 pm).
Entry Fees
Admission to Araluen Botanic Park is subject to change at any time; the current 2025 rates are as follows. For more information, check out the Araluen Pricing.
| ADULT | $15.00 |
| CONCESSION* | $10.00 |
| CHILD (6 TO 15 YEARS) Children under 6 | $8.00 |
| FAMILY PASS (2 ADULTS + 3 CHILDREN) | $45.00 |
Note that entry during the Tulip Festival is different. Read more about this in our Araluen Tulip Festival Guide.
How Long do I Need at Araluen Botanic Park?
At a minimum, we recommend a duration of at least two hours. If you had packed a picnic and wanted to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere, I would add another hour. If you’re visiting during an event, definitely plan a longer trip.
The trackless train is also running during the festival. It’s about 20 minutes plus wait time (30 minutes on a busy weekend). During the Tulip Festival, train rides are $10 per seat (adults and children). It’s an ideal way to see the grounds, especially if you’re with grandparents/have little ones in tow.
Visiting Araluen Botanic Park: What to Do and See
Here’s what you’ll find when visiting Araluen Botanic Gardens:
The Grove of the Unforgotten
One of the most beautiful war memorials is the Grove of the Unforgotten. The Grove is a series of terraces, framed by pines that form the shape of a lyre, the international symbol of music.
Water cascades down the terraces to the pool of reflection. Tulips and flowers are planted on terraces, bringing this touching memorial to life.
Camellias at Araluen Park
A beautiful, old-fashioned flower, Camellias are among the oldest flowers at Araluen, dating back to the Young Australia League camp.
In 2012, the International Camellia Society(ICS) recognised Araluen under its Camellia Gardens of Excellence program.
From April through June, you can see Camellia sasanqua cultivars whose flowers come at a similar time to the displays of brightly colored autumn leaves throughout the park.
From June to September, you can see the Camellia japonica, while the later-flowering Camellias finish up in October. The bright flowers of the Camellias certainly brighten up the park during the winter days in Perth!
One of the camellias at Araluen, which were planted c1930s, located near the Chalet Healy tearooms, towers over the roof of the log cabin
Araluen Roses
One of the things that makes the Araluen Rose Garden so special is that it is not a formal rose garden; instead, the roses are found amongst the native Australian bushland.
The Rose Gardens at Araluen Park are a relatively new initiative, having been planted in 2000, compared to the rest of the park. It is now recognised for its world-class Tea Rose collection! The roses are in full bloom from late October to early November.
Heritage Sites
There is so much heritage architecture to spot in Araluen Park, including:
- Margaret Simons Memorial Pergola: One of the largest granite‑and‑Jarrah pergolas in Australia.
- Chalet Healy Café and the Roundhouse: As well as being one of the top dining spots in Araluen Botanic Park, it goes right back to 1937. The Roundhouse cookhouse is also a major heritage site, established in the 1930s.
- Totterdell & Aspro Cottages: early guest cottages used by Young Australia League members.
- Stone Terraces and Timber Bridges: Also built in the 1930s, and many are still in use today.
My mother talks about visiting Araluen for picnics as a child in 1950s Perth. In my own childhood, we’d take my aging grandparents on walks up there. Without a doubt, Araluen Park plays a significant role in the memories of many Western Australians.
Araluen’s Origins:
Araluen Park was established as a holiday camp in 1929 by Australian businessman and founder of the Young Australia League, J.J. “Boss” Simons. He bought 59 hectares in a beautiful valley where creeks ran through, offering a cool climate.
Simons named the valley Araluen, an Eastern States Aboriginal word meaning “singing waters,” “running waters” or “place of lilies”.
By 1990, the Araluen Botanic Park Foundation (ABPF) and the State Government purchased the park. Since then, ABPF continues to manage Araluen on a day-to-day basis. Significant funding has been invested in order to realise their vision for Araluen:
To create a unique, world-class botanic park of great natural beauty and tranquillity, which is accessible to and remembered by all who visit.
Wildlife
The park’s quiet corners, especially near Stinton Creek and in the upper bush trails, are ideal for spotting shy or smaller birds. Visit during the cooler months (autumn and winter) for the best bird-watching experiences. Birds to spot include Splendid Fairy‑Wrens, Scarlet Robins, Kingfishers, Raptors and New Holland Honeyeaters.
Animals you may spot include Western Grey Kangaroos (dawn and dusk). Quendas in the undergrowth, Bobtail Lizards during the summer on the stone paths and even Brush-tailed possums during twilight hours.
Autumn Leaves
In autumn (late April- May), the colours of the deciduous trees of Araluen Park are worth visiting! Not all deciduous trees develop colours such as reds, purples, yellows, oranges, and golds. Some might just go brown.
However, in windy, wet weather, the leaves are often blown off the trees before the gorgeous, rich colours can form.
Other Facilities
You’ll also find toilets, a function centre and a gift shop.
Where to Eat
The Roundhouse
Opening Times: Thursday-Sunday 10:00 am-2:00 pm (winter season)
The Roundhouse building was the original cookhouse for the Araluen pioneers in the early 1930s. Nowadays, it offers coffee and cakes.
Chalet Healy
OPENING ON FRIDAY 23RD AUGUST
Opening Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (breakfast 9:00 am -11:00 am)
The Chalet Healy Caféis a Canadian-style log cabin, with the verandahs covered by a gorgeous flowering purple wisteria, which also happens to be one of the oldest plants in the park.
It’s made from enormous Jarrah logs from the bushlands and stone from the creek. While in the summer, the purple flowering Wisteria covers the balcony, in winter, the log fire offers a warming log cabin experience.
Visitors to the café enjoy breakfast or lunch from the verandah overlooking Stinton Creek. The setting was beautiful on the day we visited, and this is a great reason to visit during non-festival days – you get a very atmospheric experience.
The Chalet Healy Café has recently reopened under new management for the spring Tulip Festival. Their aim is to elevate the offering beyond a typical café menu to one featuring seasonal produce and modern Australian cuisine. There’s a seasonal menu featuring local produce, as well as a kids’ lunch special during the school holidays.
BBQs
There are a few BBQs on-site, although you’ll need to arrive early in the day to secure one. Note that alcohol is not permitted in public areas.
What can’t I do at Araluen Botanic Park?
- No dogs are permitted at Araluen. The policy states, “no domestic pets”.
- Smoke. All tobacco products are not permitted, including electronic smoking devices.
- Play ball, frisbee, scooter, ride a bike, or other activities that would be better suited to a playground or sports area.
Araluen Botanic Park Events
So … what is there to do and see apart from the Perth Tulip Festival?
Tulip Festival
The Araluen Tulip Festival in Araluen Botanic Park is a vibrant welcome to spring and the park’s main event of the year.
The 2025 Araluen Tulip Festival is planned to run from 22nd August until 3rd October.
Read our full Araluen Tulip Festival Guide for more info.
Other Events
From Remembrance Services to Shakespeare in the Park, the Foundation also hosts concerts, theatre productions, children’s days (e.g., treasure hunts), and seasonal festivals, such as the Fremantle Chilli Festival.
Tours, Hikes and Scenic Drives from Araluen
- AR Adventure Trails: This is the perfect option with kids. The park offers augmented reality walking trails, featuring virtual fairies, frogs, and forest creatures, which can be accessed by scanning QR codes scattered throughout the gardens.
- Heritage Bushwalks: A 4-5km guided hike through the park’s upper bushland trails via The Hike Collective. Learn about Araluen’s 1930s origins, conservation, plants and animals.
- The Canning Dam Hiking Trail: Start the 8km Canning Dam Hike at Araluen through forest and open Jarrah woodlands.
- Darling Days Out Trail by Car: This 66 km self-drive loop through the Perth Hills features Araluen as a stop, along with other nearby attractions, including Serpentine Falls, Raeburn Orchards, and Naked Apple Cider House.
Things to Do Around Araluen Botanic Park
If you are visiting Araluen Park in spring, for the Tulip Festival, then I’d say it’s a fair guess that you love flowers. We have a wonderful guide to Western Australia Wildflowers and a guide to Perth Wildflowers, which includes sections on the Perth Hills, particularly around Roleystone.
Another idea for the warm springtime in Perth is to explore the gorgeous walking trails and National Parks, such as John Forrest National Park and Lesmurdie Falls. We cover all the best ones in A Guide to the Best Waterfalls Perth.
Raeburn Orchards
Raeburn Orchards is a family-owned business that offers a wonderful day out for all the family. An on-site shop offers the freshest fruit, while stunning fruit trees provide impressive displays throughout different seasons.
They hold a Persimmon Festival on weekends in May, which features the amazing orange and reds of the Persimmon trees.
In September, they have a Spring festival, featuring beautiful pink and white blossoms. Their Instagram prediction: the fluffiest dates are usually between 7 and 24. Bring a picnic, take an orchard walk and enjoy the fresh air up in the Perth Hills.
Core Cider
Located in Pickering Brook, a stunning place for some food and cider is the Core cider house. Core Cider is set on a 40-acre orchard where they grow a variety of apples, pears, stone fruits, and citrus, all used in their ciders and wines. On school holidays, they have themed activity programs, and kids love their playground all year round. (at least mine do!).
You can also join a tour to Core Cider:
Naked Apple Cider House
An award-winning, family-friendly venue located in lush gardens at Karragullen in the Perth Hills. The Naked Apple Cider House is open Wednesday to Sunday and welcomes fur babies and human babies. A great place for a drink and lunch.
Perth Hills
If you’re already planning a visit to Araluen Botanic Park, why not make a full day (or weekend) of it by exploring more of the beautiful Perth Hills region?
Don’t miss John Forest National Park, the stunning Lesmurdie Falls, and exploring the Perth Hills walking trails.
If you visit the Perth Hills during winter, don’t miss out on some of the best Perth Waterfalls.
Araluen Accommodation
Even though Araluen Park and the Roleystone area are just 45 minutes from Perth, they are a world away. A perfect place for a staycation, a family getaway or a couples weekend. Here are some places we have considered!
If you are coming from outside Perth, check out our list of the Best Family Accommodation in Perth.
Final Words
If you love roses or camellias, history, hiking, birds or even family-friendly spots, Araluen Park is the perfect place to visit even outside festival time.
Read our guide to South West WA to discover more amazing places to see tulips + events.
FAQs
Araluen offers good access in its main garden areas, with sealed and gravel paths through the lower terraces and lawns. However, upper sections such as Bennett’s Lawn and Stinton Creek are unsealed and more challenging. ACROD parking is available near the entrance and the Chalet Healy Café.
Araluen’s romantic gardens and creekside settings make it a popular spot for ceremonies. Favourite locations include the Poolside Pergola, Rose Garden Gazebo and Grove of the Unforgotten, though couples can also choose their perfect corner. The Foundation offers venue hire with tailored packages, so it’s worth booking well in advance, especially outside festival season.
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