Manning Park

Covering an area of approximately 117ha, Manning Park is a cherished destination for families, tourists, and community members. As a part of Beeliar Regional Park, it features Manning Lake and the scenic limestone ridge, offering a diverse range of activities and natural beauty.

Manning Park attractions

• Picnics, hikes, and walking trails: Discover the vibrant flora and fauna around Manning Lake and its wetlands. Enjoy picnics in open spaces or explore walking trails like the scenic Davilak trail - a limestone track that runs from behind the museum and across the ridge with spectacular views of Cockburn Sound and the city. 
• Climb Manning Stairs: The Manning Stairs, featuring 192 steps, wind their way up the Manning Ridge, leading to two lookouts at the top that offer spectacular views of the Darling Scarp and Cockburn Sound.
• Playground and basketball court: Get active and have fun with the kids.
• Museums and music: Visit the Azelia Ley Homestead Museum and enjoy musical events at the Alan Thomas Music Shell.
• Community events: Join in the fun at the Spring Fair, the Annual Teddy Bears Picnic, and more. Check out current events and workshops.

Historical and cultural significance

• Aboriginal heritage and signficance: The Manning Park area and coastal surrounds are of great Aboriginal significance, both as previous camping grounds and as sites of spiritual importance. There are a number of Aboriginal registered sites within proximity to Manning Park.
• European heritage and significance: Manning Park is significant primarily due to its colonial history as a former estate and farm for the Manning Family. Today, remnants of this historical land-use remain, including the Azelia Ley Homestead, now a museum and ruins of the previous homestead – the Davilak Ruins. 

Natural beauty and biodiversity

Manning Park boasts five unique vegetation communities, from Swamp Paperbark forests to Tuart and Redheart woodlands, alongside Honey Myrtle shrublands and Acacia woodlands on the dunes. This diverse habitat supports a wide range of fauna, including various bird species in the wetlands and ridge uplands, reptile species like the threatened Lined Skink, and marsupials such as the Southern Brown Bandicoot. Notably, the park serves as a habitat for the threatened Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, highlighting its importance for conservation efforts

Getting there, opening hours and amenities

• Getting there: Manning Park is located north of Azelia Road and Hamilton Hill (view map below)
• Accessibility: Wheelchair access and entry points are available
• Opening hours: Open all year round between 7am to 7pm
• Amenities: Bicycle racks, toilets, dog pouch station, bbqs, shelter/gazebo.

More information and contact

Visit the Azelia Ley Homestead Museum to find out more about the area. You can also pick up a walking map from the museum, or download a copy below.