Hillarys Master Plan
The Hillarys Boat Harbour Master Plan (the Master Plan) encompasses a series of initiatives and aspirations to ensure the continued success of Hillarys as a unique destination and visitor focal point north of Perth.
Importantly, the Master Plan aims to deliver opportunities to increase the activities and attractions available to improve the competitiveness of Hillarys as an Activity Centre. The Master Plan introduces physical, infrastructure and operational improvements to the landscape, built form, activities and surrounding environment that will see the Hillarys Boat Harbour remain as one of the most visited tourist and family destinations in Western Australia.
Hillarys traffic changes
Hillarys timed parking
The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) introduced a timed parking trial at Hillarys Boat Harbour in February 2026 to improve access to parking and manage increasing visitor demand.
The timed parking trial concluded on 31 July 2026. Feedback received from harbour users, businesses, employees and visitors, together with parking data collected during the trial, is currently being considered.
The trial timed parking arrangements remain in place at the harbour to help improve parking availability and turnover in the busiest areas.
Current parking arrangements include:
- Free parking across the harbour
- Pick up and drop off zones and 4P (four-hour) parking limits in high demand visitor areas in the southern and northern precincts
- P45 (45 minutes) parking zone adjacent to the southern boat pens (Jetties A-F) and harbour management office
- Longer term parking bays in the northern precinct and a section of the southern precinct for employees, all day and longer stay penholders and visitors.
The trial parking data and feedback received will be used to determine permanent timed parking changes at the harbour. DTMI will continue to work closely with harbour users, businesses, employees and visitors to implement the permanent changes once decided.
Contact Harbour Management
Email: hillarys@transport.wa.gov.au
Hillarys Activation and Access Upgrades
The State Government is investing $14.1 million in activation and access improvements at Hillarys Boat Harbour.
Projects underway include:
- Refurbishment of the inner harbour changerooms, including additional accessible toilets and facility upgrades.
- Upgrades to the northern breakwater fishing platform to improve functionality, provide a greater fishing experience, and enhance universal access.
- Planning for an interim Youth and Family Plaza on the former Great Escape Water Park site with recreational, fitness and casual relaxation spaces, as well as a new changing pavilion for families near the beach.
The interim reactivation will provide immediate benefits to young people and families while robust, longer-term planning is undertaken to deliver the significant transformations envisaged by the Hillarys Boat Harbour Activation Masterplan.
Target market feedback, including engagement with young people, will help inform the design of the Youth and Family Plaza.
Alongside the activation initiatives, Main Roads WA are working with the City of Joondalup to improve pedestrian access across Whitfords Avenue into the harbour.
Project Status
Construction works for the inner harbour changerooms refurbishment and northern breakwater fishing platform replacement have commenced and are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The northern breakwater fishing platform and inner harbour changerooms will remain closed while these works are undertaken. Temporary public toilets remain available during the changeroom closure.
Planning for the Youth and Family Plaza is underway, with construction expected to commence in 2028.
Southern Breakwater Refurbishment
Essential maintenance work will ensure the southern breakwater at Hillarys Boat Harbour continues to safely protect the harbour and its associated infrastructure.
The breakwater is more than 30 years old and requires routine maintenance to address damage.
The maintenance work will reinstate the breakwater to its original and current design dimensions. No changes will be made to the breakwater’s footprint, alignment, rock slope, rock type or overall geometry.
Why the works are needed
- Timely maintenance will significantly extend the service life of the breakwater.
- Refurbishment of the structure will maintain its integrity and effectiveness.
- Using the same rock type will preserve the existing look and character of the coastline and harbour environments.
- The work underpins the harbour as a thriving coastal hub providing diverse business opportunities and employment and a place for the community to gather and enjoy.
Project status
The Hillarys Breakwater maintenance works are scheduled to start in early May 2026 and will continue for several months.
Project details
Works will be undertaken from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
To ensure safety, for the duration of the works part of the breakwater will be temporarily closed to the public, shown as an exclusion zone in Figure 1.
Pedestrians will be able to access the breakwater via the carpark to the west of AQWA.
Deliveries of rock and equipment to the work site will result in temporary traffic changes.
Further information
For further information about the Southern Breakwater Refurbishment, please email breakwaters@transport.wa.gov.au.