In this guest post I share my space with Australian Travel Blogger and mom of one, Megan, who blogs over at The Common Adventure.
Most people, when planning a trip to Australia will right away think of travelling to the East Coast of the country. Perth, being on the West Coast, is often overlooked but it is also highly underrated!
Living in Perth, Western Australia my whole life, maybe I am just a little bias. But having travelled all around Australia (there are only a few spots left on my bucket list!) Perth has so much to offer! We love to take our 2-year-old son on adventures all around our home city. He especially loves anything outdoors so a lot of our favorite places to visit reflect this!
Top 5 things to do in Perth
1. Kings Park & the Blue Boat House
Our little City of Perth is home to one of the world’s largest inner city parks, Kings Park (its larger than Central Park in the US!) From Kings Park you can take in spectacular views of the city, learn about Aboriginal and European history and explore the Western Australian Botanical Garden. There is also an incredible tree top walk and various playgrounds that your kids will love!
We always love coming to Kings Park for a picnic lunch or dinner, while the kids play or we take in the city views.
From Kings Park you can even walk to the iconic Blue Boathouse that is located along the Swan River. It is a beautiful walk through nature, taking roughly 20 minutes each way from the Fraser Avenue Precinct.
2. Hiking in the Perth Hills
The Perth Hills make for the perfect day out with your kids, with plenty of hikes that showcase Western Australia’s beautiful nature. Some of our favourite kid friendly hikes include:
– Serpentine Falls: 3-5 hours
– Lesmurdie Falls: 1-2 hours
– Ellis Brook Reserve: 1-2 hours
Hiking in Perth Hills is best for any time from April – November. If you would like to experience the wildflowers, make sure you go in the Spring. Waterfalls in Perth are generally only flowing after we have had a lot of rain. So, if you are planning a visit, it is best to go during the Winter or early Spring.
3. The Beach
As a family we love visiting the beach, whether we go for the day or a quick visit over dinner. Here in Perth, Western Australia we are spoilt for choice with countless beaches with beautiful white sand. It’s not hard to find a good beach in Perth.
If you are visiting with kids, there are some that are set up for families with incredible playgrounds, grassed areas, BBQs and picnic benches along the foreshore. Some of our favourite beaches with these types of amenities are:
– Rockingham Foreshore
– Coogee Beach
– South Beach, Fremantle
– Mullaloo Beach
– Scarborough Beach
Seeing as Perth is located on the west coast of Australia, we are often treated to stunning sunsets over the ocean. If you are visiting our beautiful city, make sure you head down to the beach to catch the sunset over the ocean… it’s very worth it!
4. Elizabeth Quay
Elizabeth Quay is located on the foreshore of Perth city, along the Swan River. It is a beautiful place to visit with kids, with so much to do for families. There is an interactive water playground, with fountains and puddles to splash in, which is particularly popular during the summer. There is also a nature playground, Venetian Carousel, the Elizabeth Quay Bridge, a Public Art Walk, Adventure Golf and family-friendly restaurants for you to enjoy.
From Elizabeth Quay you can board a ferry for a scenic cruise along the Swan River. You can ride the ferry across the river to South Perth, another great area of Perth to explore. In South Perth you will find Perth Zoo, a short walk away from the ferry terminal.
5. Caversham Wildlife Park
Caversham Wildlife Park is a family-run wildlife park “featuring interactive experiences with Australia’s most interesting animals” (Caversham Wildlife, 2020). Here you can see animals such as wombats, dingos, snakes, koalas, kangaroos and even crocodiles!
Your kids will love experiencing this Perth wildlife park and all the Australian’s animals with a classic laid-back Aussie touch. You can come and hand feed the kangaroos and even have a photo with a koala! All of the interactive activities are included in the entry fee so you won’t be charged extra for the full experience.
Admission Price is $30 per Adult and $14 per child (ages 3-14). Prices are in AUD.
Free Things to Do in Perth
Perth is a great destination to enjoy nature and explore it for free. Many of the top things to do in Perth are both free of charge and great for the whole family. If you are looking for more ideas for what to do with your kids on a budget, then read this blog post: Top 5 Free Things to Do in Perth with Kids
Rainy Day Activities in Perth
Are you wondering what to do on one of Perth’s rare rainy days? Here are some of our favourite things to do when the weather is bad in Perth:
Visit Fremantle
Fremantle is a great place to experience art, history and one of the best food scenes in Perth. We love to come here when the weather is bad and enjoy a coffee in one of the many hipster cafes along the Fremantle café strip. Some other popular indoor activities to do in Fremantle are:
– Fremantle Markets: established in 1897 it is a tourist market that embraces culture and celebrates history
– Maritime Museum: a museum that explores Western Australia’s maritime relationship and history
– Fremantle Prison: one of Western Australia’s most significant cultural attractions in relation to the states convict history
There are also free CAT buses that you can take to get around Fremantle. So if you find yourself here for the day, it is easy to explore the city!
Visit AQWA
The Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) is a great place to visit if you are interested in marine life. Being mostly indoors it is a great place to visit on a day when the weather outside is bad. It is located on the Hillarys Boat Harbour, which is a great place to grab a bite to eat after your visit!
A visit to AQWA will cost you $30 per adult and $18 per child (ages 4-15). Prices are in AUD.
The Most Iconic Thing to Do in Perth
The MOST iconic thing to do from Perth is to take a ferry ride to Rottnest Island, one of Australia’s most famous landmarks. Rottnest Island is a popular spot for many tourists who come to Perth, particularly know for its cute little quokkas and the famous “quokka selfie.” Rottnest Island is home to some of the most pristine beaches in Perth, and is an incredible place to spend the day.
A ferry ticket to Rottnest Island will set you back $70.50 per adult and $32.50 per child (ages 4-12). Prices are in AUD.
If you decide to visit Rottnest Island, you may want to consider taking or hiring a bike for the day. There are no cars on the island, so the best way to explore the beaches is by bike. Additional costs may apply for this.
How to Get Around Perth with Kids
In Perth, the easiest way to get around with kids is by private car. The City of Perth is very sprawled and public transport won’t be able to take you to some of the more distant places.
However, if you are keeping close to the CBD of Perth, then taking public transport should be fine. The train system in Perth is simple, with only a few rail lines to consider.
You can easily take the train from Perth to Fremantle. For most other destinations you will need to take a bus from the train station.
Within Perth CBD and the City of Fremantle there are free CAT buses that will take you to various destinations around both. The CAT bus routes cover most of the kid-friendly attractions offered by Perth. Just note, they can get very busy at peak hour so it’s best to avoid them during that time.
For more information on public transport in Perth, head to the Transperth website for bus and train prices and timetabling.
Where to Eat with Kids in Perth
When eating out in Perth you will be treated to delicious and well-presented food, almost everywhere you go. In Perth you can visit trendy bars, cafes and restaurants to enjoy everything from fresh seafood to the best coffee in the world.
When looking for a place to eat with kids, there are plenty of pubs and restaurants that welcome families. Here is a list of some of the top places to eat in Perth with kids:
– King Road Brewery, Oldbury – outdoor dining, great pizza and a playground
– Cicerello’s, Fremantle and Mandurah – on the waterfront, fish and chips with a chilled vibe
– Masonmill Gardens, Carmel – stunning gardens for customers and a playground
– Carine Tavern, Duncraig – pub styled dining with a playground
There are also a lot of food trucks set up throughout the City where you can order food for a picnic dinner. Some of the best food trucks are:
– The Acai Corner, South Perth
– Sunset Markets, Scarborough Beach
– Kingsway Markets, Madeley
We always enjoy ordering fish and chips to eat in the park or on the beach rather than going to a restaurant.
Where to Stay in Perth with Kids
Some of the best areas to stay with your family in Perth are in the CBD, Fremantle or inland around the Swan Valley. Being a coastal city, Perth has a lot of great accommodation options near the beach. Some of the best areas for beach accommodation include: Mandurah, Scarborough and Hillarys.
Some of the best family friendly hotels and resorts include:
– City Stay Apartment Hotel
– Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough
– Tradewinds Hotel Fremantle
– Mandurah Quay Resort
– The Vines Resort, Swan Valley
– Hillarys Harbour Resort
If you are looking for more affordable accommodation, look for an Airbnb, farm stay or for a cabin at a holiday park.
Perth city has a cool vibe making it easy to slip into the relaxed and laid-back Aussie lifestyle. Throughout the city you will find plenty of innovative playgrounds for your kids to enjoy while you sip on a delicious Perth coffee. As a sunny city, full of natural beauty and family friendly activities you will easily find something to suit your budget!
Read more about life in Perth in this Honest Expat interview with Reeva, a South African expat living in Perth
About the Author
Hi, I’m Megan the creator, photographer and author behind thecommonadventure.com. I created this family travel blog to show the realness of travelling with kids and highlight the incredible Western Australia that is my home. My family has a simple and achievable way of travelling and we use our experiences to help other families take adventures with their kids! With a passion for photography I am always inspiring and teaching other mamas to document and capture their family adventures too.
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