Work on Western Australia’s First Wave Pool Begins
Construction has begun on the WA’s first surf park, the state’s largest private tourism infrastructure development for 25 years.
Work on Perth Surf Park at Jandakot is under way after a formal groundbreaking earlier this month.
The park 18km south of the Perth CBD is being delivered by Aventuur and is expected to generate its first waves in spring 2027 ahead of a public opening later that year.
At the centre of the development will be a 62-module Wavegarden Cove surfing lagoon, one of the largest of its kind globally, designed to produce consistent waves in a controlled environment.
The broader precinct will include a members’ clubhouse, surf academy, wellness studio, retail offering, equipment hire, training areas and a skate park, alongside hospitality venues, accommodation and community event spaces.
Plans for accommodation at the Perth Surf Park have shifted over time from a larger hotel-style offer to a smaller, integrated stay within the surf precinct.
Early proposals for the Jandakot project included a boutique hotel of about 100 rooms, positioned alongside conferencing and event facilities as part of a broader tourism destination.
More recent project material, however, points to a scaled-back and more experience-led approach, with references to rooftop accommodation integrated into the hospitality offering.
The current plans centre on short-stay options designed to complement the surf park’s mix of leisure and wellness uses, including beach club, dining venues and training facilities.
It is in line to become Australia’s third wave pool to open, after URBNSURF parks at Melbourne and Sydney.
Its only contender for the crown, The Break at Aldinga in South Australia is also targeting a late-2027 opening, but is facing a legal challenge that could put its future in doubt.
Residents have filed a case in the Environment, Resources and Development Court alleging the Onkaparinga Council mishandled the planning assessment for the Break Surf and Stay project, which would include wave pools capable of producing 2.1m waves, a surf academy, villas and a restaurant.
Aventuur chair and chief development officer Andrew Ross said the start of construction was a turning point for the long-planned project.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the Perth Surf Park, and for everyone who has been part of the journey,” he said.
“For Perth, this is about delivering a truly special community asset that embodies our surfing history, culture, and coastal lifestyle—a destination that is by the West, for the West.”
The surf park is expected to attract more than a million visits a year and is rising on a site near the Kwinana Freeway and Cockburn Central train station.
Aventuur director of surf and sustainability Adrian “Ace” Buchan said the facility would set a benchmark for surf parks.
“Western Australian surfers are some of the most passionate in the world, and this destination will provide convenient access to world-class waves day and night, year-round,” he said.
“The Perth Surf Park will feature one of the largest and most advanced surfing lagoons of anywhere in the world.
“The consistent quality and diversity of waves that can be created will allow everyone to surf more often, progress faster, and share memorable experiences in an inclusive environment.”
The project is expected to support more than 280 construction jobs and around 100 full-time roles once complete, with an estimated economic contribution exceeding $300 million over its operating life, according to proponents.
