With the weather getting warmer and summer coming up quicker than you can say slip slop slap, it’s time to dust off the thongs, chuck the kids into the car, and get out to explore everything that Perth and the rest of Western Australia have to offer.
If you’re hitting the road with the kids in tow but you’re not sure just where exactly to go, don’t worry – we know families, and we know the perfect places you and the fam can get away to.
Let’s jump in and explore some of the best things Perth City has to offer.
Have a picnic in Kings Park
Is Kings Park on every single to-do list when it comes to Perth sights to see? Yes, but there’s a reason for that – it’s just always a great day out. Pack a picnic and the old outdoor cricket set and kick back on one of the many lush grassy areas throughout the park.
The kids will love the different playgrounds on offer, including a dinosaur-themed playground and a water playground to splash around in. They can play and you can sit back, relax, and smell the roses – or the wildflowers if you come during wildflower season (which you absolutely should – it’s stunning!).
Hit up the park around sunset to watch the gorgeous golden sky over the city, Elizabeth Quay, and the beautiful Swan River.
Take a dip at Serpentine Falls
Drive an hour out of Perth and you’ll soon find yourself swimming in the crisp cool waters of the Serpentine Falls. Right next to the Serpentine National Park, the falls is a gorgeous spot to take a dip and then relax waterside with a picnic or a BBQ.
Look out for the regular visitors of the grassy areas around the falls – the Western Grey Kangaroos love to come and have a graze.
Make sure if you’re swimming to be mindful of how to stay safe in inland waterways. Brush up on the risks and how to stay safe before you go.
Venture out to Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is a fantastic destination for a day trip, or even a weekend if you want to spend a night on the island. There are plenty of fun things to do on Rottnest – you might even run out of time to do it all.
The best way to get around the island is by bike; rent some bikes and get exploring. If you’re not vibing with a day of cycling, the Island Explorer Bus will come through every 30 minutes, stopping at almost 20 different locations throughout the island.
Say hello to the friendly quokkas or set up for the day in one of the many bays and secluded beaches along Rottnest’s coastline to watch the kids frolic in the water.
Try an escape room
If you’ve got any young detectives in the family, an escape room is the perfect place to test their sleuthing skills during the school holidays. There are a bunch to choose from scattered around Perth depending on where you live, and they all offer a variety of different rooms and scenarios. Find clues and solve problems to escape within an hour. It’s an interactive and exciting activity for young kids and older kids alike that also tests their problem-solving skills – a win-win!
Hit up Perth Zoo
If you have some animal lovers in the family, then the Perth Zoo is guaranteed to be a fun family day out – and you’ll definitely need the full day for this one.
Just five minutes from Perth CBD, you can reach Perth Zoo easily by public transport. Once there, enjoy strolling through the beautiful shady walkways and marvel at all of the amazing animals.
Explore AQWA
While we’re on the topic of amazing animals, why not check out AQWA in Perth’s northern suburbs? Located at Hillarys Boat Harbour, AQWA is an aquarium that gives your kids access to unusual sea creatures. Young kids will thrill at being able to plunge their hands into the touch-pool and feel the rough exterior of the stingrays and the bumpy surface of the starfish.
Then head downstairs to go underwater and marvel as sharks swim overhead. If you’re feeling adventurous, hit up the danger zone to see some of the more dangerous undersea critters.
Take a coastal drive to Freo
Fremantle has so much to offer – make a day of it and have an explore. The Fremantle Markets are home to a variety of different stallholders selling a wide range of things, from clothes to crafts to jewellery to food. Keep an eye out for events at Fremantle Markets, as some weekends will have visitors such as the Baby Animal Farm and the Market Fairies.
For a bit more of an educational experience, check out Fremantle Prison. One of eleven historic sites that make up the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property list, Fremantle Prison is a great place to learn more about Western Australia’s history. If you have older kids, consider going for an after-dark tour for some spooky vibes.
Looking for more cool Freo culture? The Fremantle Arts Centre hosts a range of cool events on a regular basis, and the WA Maritime Museum has a ton of historical maritime items that the kids will love exploring.
Visit the Perth Mint
Western Australia has a long and rich history (pun intended) with gold mining, and the Perth Mint serves as a popular tourist destination to learn more and see what the mint does on a day-to-day basis.
Still a fully functional mint, the Perth Mint holds regular tours and demonstrations to keep the kids entertained, with a Gold Exhibition taking you through the fascinating history of gold in WA.
Say hello to the animals at Caversham Wildlife Park
Located in the Swan Valley, Caversham Wildlife Park is about twenty-five minutes from the Perth CBD. It’s animals galore here, and if your kids are nature and animal lovers, this is one of the best places to get up close and personal to them.
Meet local Aussie fauna, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, wallabies, and plenty more. The daily True Blue Aussie Farm show is a spectacular demonstration of sheep shearing, cow milking, and stockmen taking the reigns on horseback. You’ll even get to see sheepdogs mustering sheep.
How are you getting there?
With so many incredible places to have family fun around Perth, you need a trusty driving companion – and there’s no better companion than the ultimate family car, the Skoda Octavia.
Come down to Perth City Skoda and take one out for a test drive today!
