10 AMAZING things to do in Perth with kids

Perth is a fantastic base for exploring golden beaches, meeting native wildlife, and enjoying wide open green spaces. From climbing through nature playgrounds in Kings Park to spotting quokkas on Rottnest Island, here are the best things to do in Perth with kids.

We spent a few days in and around Perth during our epic six-week WA road trip and got to know the area quite well. Compared to some of Australia’s other state capitals, Perth sometimes receives a bad press as being a bit boring and, as a result, many travelling families only use the city as a gateway to the rest of Western Australia and miss out on its many charms, sights and activities.

If you’re visiting Perth with kids, you’ll soon realise it’s well worth a few days of your itinerary as you discover the numerous things to do both in the city centre, and slightly afield.

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1. Rottnest Island

Our top thing to do in Perth with kids is actually located just a short ferry ride away from the city centre at Rottnest Island. If you only have one day in Perth and want to experience a truly unique place, head to the island.

To help (somewhat) preserve the balance between the natural habitat and tourism, daily numbers onto Rottnest Island are controlled via the ferry services, so it’s important to book ahead. If you’re in town for a few days, it’s advisable to check the weather forecast and aim to avoid any rainy days. Rottnest Island is very much an outdoor activity and the kids won’t enjoy it as much in the rain.

Make sure you allow for a full day, the ferry ride takes an hour (including boarding times) and you’ll want to spend at least a few hours exploring the island. You can catch the ferry from either Fremantle or Perth, both have similar frequencies although the journey is slightly longer to Perth CBD.

Most people rent bikes and this is definitely recommended with kids (although they will need to know how to use gears and there are quite a few hills). Smaller bikes and child seats are available, and everyone is provided with a helmet too. Double-check the quality of the bike you’re given in the shop, some of them need a bit of TLC and oil on the chains.

Bike hire can be arranged once you arrive on the island but there’s no guarantee they’ll have any stock left on busy days, so it’s always best to pre-book this as well, either via your ferry company or independently. You’ll be given a map to help you choose the best route for your group. We found it easier to cycle clockwise, take plenty of rest breaks and not doing too much.

Bring a few supplies if you prefer, but there’s a large supermarket at the main resort on the island, plus a few cafes and restaurants.

2. Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Kings Park and Botanic Gardens are a welcome retreat from the urban landscape of Perth CBD, and a fantastic place to visit with kids when they need to burn off some energy. The iconic view that everyone comes for is across the Swan River towards the city skyline, and there’s an abundance of lush lawn to sit and play on, plus a few cafes and restaurants to enjoy.

With free parking (up to three hours), it’s a hassle-free place to visit and one of the best free things to do in Perth.

When you’re ready for a change of pace, consider visiting Rio Tinto Naturescape, which encourages adventurous play with climbing ropes, water play, and hidden tunnels, while Synergy Parkland features a dinosaur-themed playground and plenty of picnic space. Families can also enjoy pram-friendly walks through native bushland and the treetop Lotterywest Federation Walkway.

3. WA Museum Boola Bardip

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Located in the Perth Cultural Centre (also home to several other museums and institutions), WA Museum Boola Bardip is one of the best museums in Australia and sure to be a hit with both adults and kids. Spread out over several floors, the museum (opened in 2020) showcases three distinct aspects of Western Australia (its people, landscape, and interactions with the rest of world).

Open from 9.30am to 5.00pm, the museum costs A$15 for adults, while kids are free.

4. Elizabeth Quay

One of the newer entertainment and dining areas in the city, Elizabeth Quay is the best place to visit if you’re looking for some food, drink, and play areas close to the CBD. This redeveloped patch of waterfront is home to a collection of bars and restaurants, but the best place for families is the The Island at Elizabeth Quay.

This bar and restaurant offers quite pricy food and drink option, but its location overlooking the CBD and waterfront is ideal. Better yet, there a children’s playground right next door, so you can combine parent and child downtime in the one place.

5. Watch an AFL game

Another new(ish) addition to Perth’s entertainment options, Optus Stadium is the place to watch Australian Rules Football (AFL) in the city, with both the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers playing their matches here.

Taking place weekly over the AFL season (March to September), this hugely impressive stadium is all but guaranteed to impress the kids, with fireworks, lighting and music kicking in when the home team scores. We must confess that our AFL knowledge is limited and it’s not the most simple game for a newcomer to decipher, but it’s loud, passionate, and lots of fun. Matches can last two to three hours though, so decide in advance if your kids will last the pace.

Before the match starts, the area outside the stadium is set aside for kids games including bouncy castles, obstacle courses and various AFL skills challenges. If you’re here in the summer, Optus Stadium also hosts cricket matches: try to come for the Big Bash League (a more family-orientated version of the game), rather than Test matches, which last a whole five days and are more for the aficionados.

6. Cottesloe Beach

Ask someone to mention a Perth beach suburb and it’s likely they’ll come up with Cottesloe, one of the city’s most iconic stretches of sand. Any travelling families visiting Australia are sure to make good use of the beaches and you can expect clear, safe and relaxing waters at Cottesloe that are great for family swims. At low tide children can explore the rock pools at either end of the beach.

Away from the sand and sea, there’s a wide grassy esplanade shaded by trees, ideal if you need to break for some food, either your own picnic or some fish and chips from one of the many cafe options. Parents can grab coffee or breakfast at one of the beachfront cafés while the kids play on the sand, making it an easy and relaxed family outing.

7. Caversham Wildlife Park

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It might come as a shock to kids (and parents), but there aren’t any native koalas in Western Australia, so any ideas of spotting them in the wild is off the agenda. The next best thing is to go see them at Caversham Wildlife Park, the immensely popular and Instagrammed park 20km northeast of Perth CBD.

There’s a lot more to see here than just the koalas though: over 200 species are housed here, including reptiles, kangaroos and wombats. A natural experience this isn’t, but it’s a well organised place that prioritises getting kids up close and personal to the animals. If they’re keen to be photographed next to their favourite Aussie animal, this is the place to come.

The public transport options (train to Whiteman Park or a bus) involve a fair bit of walking and organisation. It’s a lot easier to arrive by your own vehicle and use the free car parks.

Caversham Wildlife Park is open 9.00am to 4.30pm every day apart from Christmas Day and costs A$35 for adults, A$16 for kids.

8. Fremantle

The city of Fremantle might appear close to Perth on a map, but it has its own proud and distinct personality, and makes for an enjoyable and interesting day trip (or an excellent base to explore the Perth metropolitan area). Only thirty minutes from Perth on the train, Fremantle is one of the oldest cities in the country and has an almost museum-like quality to some of its back streets that house well-preserved limestone buildings.

Little Creatures brewery is something of a local institution and landmark, so it makes sense to pop in to sample their award-winning beers. Even if you’re not having a drink, it’s a welcoming place for kids before 8 or 9.00pm and it serves excellent pizzas. Just outside the entrance, across the railway tracks, there’s an excellent playground, skatepark and grassy area that the kids will love exploring.

Fremantle is home to several museums focused on its maritime and colonial history, including the WA Maritime Museum, WA Shipwrecks Museum and Fremantle Prison. In the summer months, the city streets play host to summer markets and street performers, another guaranteed hit with the kids.

9. Go surfing

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It probably comes as no surprise that this stretch of Western Australia is home to some excellent surfing, with Cottesloe and Trigg beaches popular options. If you’ve surfed before, it’s simple to head out on your own and enjoy the waves, otherwise Go Surf Perth offers kids group lessons (ages 8–15) and private sessions for younger children at Scarborough beach.

Remember that looks can be deceiving: the water here is chilly during winter months and usually takes a few weeks to catch up with the warmer air temperatures of the summer months. Pack a wetsuit for the little ones to ensure they last the course.

10. Adventure World

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For an adrenaline hit amongst all the sightseeing, it’s a good idea to check out Adventure World, which is the only theme park in Perth. Although not perhaps up to the standards of those on the Gold Coast, it’ still has plenty of offer, with rollercoasters, water slides, and rides suitable for big and little kids.

The park has a good mix of rides, some of them (like the Abyss rollercoaster) are quite intense, whereas the Dragon Express coaster is more suitable to little ones (or adults who are too old for all of this now).

Away from the thrills, you can chill out at the picnic areas and fast-food joints. It’s open from September to April, ideal for one of those Western Australian summer days.

How to get around Perth

Perth is a very walkable city, especially the area approximately bounded by Kings Park and Optus Stadium. A couple of free CAT buses trundle around the CBD if you need a break from walking, otherwise hop on one of the buses that cover most of the city and suburbs.

There’s also an excellent suburban train network that radiates out from the CBD to various suburbs, including Fremantle.

Transport tickets are tricky if you only make one or two journeys: the buses only take cash and give no change so try to get one of the day tickets if you’re likely to do a few trips.

The FamilyRider is excellent value (A$10.40 for up to two adults and five kids), although outside of WA school holidays it’s only valid on weekends or weekdays after 6.00pm (3.00pm on Fridays). During school holidays it’s valid all day every day after 9.00am.

Alternatively, if you’re planning on heading further afield, hiring a car works well in Perth, with plenty of multi-storey car parks available, easy driving and a bit more flexibility.

We recommend checking car rental prices on kayak.com.

Budget stays in Perth with kids

• Metro Hotel Perth City – A central base within walking distance of Optus Stadium, ideal if you’re catching an AFL game.
• Flag Motor Lodge: A convenient option close to the airport, great for families with late or early flights.
• Fremantle Village: the A-frame cabins include a kitchenette and large fridge, making family self-catering easy.

How long do you need in Perth with kids?

Three full days is a good amount of time to explore the city highlights plus Fremantle, Rottnest Island and Cottesloe Beach. Keep in mind that Rottnest Island requires a full day on its own though.

Allow extra time if you plan to use Perth as a base for day trips, such as heading south to Margaret River or north to Lancelin and the Pinnacles.

Final thoughts on visiting Perth with kids

With all that Western Australia has to offer, Perth might not seem the obvious choice for a visit with kids, but there’s plenty in the city and surrounding area to keep you all entertained.

There are some excellent museums here which, combined with a day trip to Rottnest Island and Fremantle, provide an interesting contrast and experience. Especially during the summer months, there’s plenty of outdoor activities to keep the kids occupied, most of which are free of charge, giving you all the chance to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that Perth is so famous for.