Perth City Guide | 5 min read
The Best Family Perth City Guide!
Familydaysout.com has done ALL the hard work so you don’t have to with this ULTIMATE Perth City Guide to print & use!
Lisa Downs
24 Jul | read
Perth is so much more than a city. It's a destination filled with experinces and activities, from charming historical townships, to culinary adventures, playgrounds, trails and turqoise bays. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this eclectic city!
It's because of this we're excited to share our Perth City Guide featuring our "Top 9 Family Attractions", filled with some amazing family attractions that you can enjoy on your Family Days Out!
Make sure really delve into the entire Perth City Guide, put together just for you, so you know can plan your perfect family day out in Western Australia's capital!
Main Image Credit: Tourism Western Australia
Image Credit: Destination Perth
In this Perth City Guide, you can find our top 9 things to do with kids, and we also share some super fun experiences to bring out the child in everyone!
We know budgets can be a factor when travelling - especially with kids - so also in this Perth City Guide we wanted to share some fun things to do in Perth on a budget!
Getting around Perth without a car is also really easy, so if you need any tips on public transport, you're in the right place! You'll also uncover some fun facts about Perth that might just surprise you!
If that wasn't enough, our Perth City Guide shares one of our favourite day trips from the city, and you'll discover some famous faces born right in the city!
So whether this is your first trip saying "Yes, take me to Perth" or perhaps you've lived here for years but never explored and you wonder "What is there is to do near me in Perth?", keep reading as we have the top 9 things to do in Perth with kids...and so much more!
Image Credit: Optus Stadium
Long before Perth had been explored by Europeans in 1697, then established by Britain as the Swan River Colony back in 1829, the land was occupied by the Indigenous Whadjuk Noongar people for millennia.
It was the lakes found on the coastal plains that were truly important to the Aboriginal people, fulfiling themselves spiritually and physically.
Then, 1829 came around and Captain James Stirling established the area as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony, before obtaining city status in 1856.
The name "Perth" was inspired by Sir George Murray, who at the time was an MP for Perthshire.
Across the years, the city and its economy has been shaped by minerals, with the famous gold rush of the 1890s causing the population to boom.
The city took a hit during WWII, then the years that followed saw an influx of European immigrants to the country, before unfolding into the great city you can visit today.
With such a rich history and influence from worldly cultures, Perth really makes for an amazing visit for all ages!
Image Credit: Tourism Western Australia
Perth is filled with history, adventure, kids fun, wildlife...we don't know where to start with all the fun things you can do!
Love history? There is plenty of that! From the fascinating Fremantle Prison, to the Perth Mint and WA Museum Boola Bardip, the learning experiences are endless!
Love wildlife? How about heading to Perth Zoo for the day, or perhaps getting that photo at the Cohuna Koala Park?
Feeling active? Check out BOUNCE Cannington where you can literally bounce the day away, or if you want to take it easy, just relax at places like Cottesloe Beach and Kings Park and Botanic Gardens.
With so many fun things to do in Perth - including the impressive Matagarup Zip+Climb - you might find yourselves spending another family day out there...and another...and another....! We don't blame you!
Image Credit: Tourism Australia
Perth really is an easy city to get around without a car, thanks to its great public transport network. Also, Perth has some amazing weather which means walking and biking are great year round options too!
The network of buses, trains and ferries all take the Transperth SmartRider card, so if you plan on using public transport a lot then picking one of these cards up is a great idea.
This SmartRider card be picked up at Perth Airport, as well as Transperth InfoCentres plus SmartRider retail outlets.
For those wanting to try out the train, the rail network is a great way to visit attractions across the city as well as to reach the surrounding suburbs.
If you're just travelling within the city centre, don't miss the Free Transit Zone for trains travelling in the area between City West, Elizabeth Quay and Claisebrook stations! To take advantage of the free fares, make sure you tap on and off with a SmartRider card.
For more information, just visit Australia.com
If you want to visit the only place in the world to see an adorable Quokka in the wild, then a visit to Rottnest Island is a must! Only 90 minutes via ferry from Perth (or 25 minutes from Fremantle), this amazing island (also known as "Rotto" to locals) is a great addition to any Perth visit!
Rottnest Island is covered in national park and also 63 jaw-dropping beaches. The whole family can explore the idyllic bays on bikes, or enjoy unforgettable up-close encounters with those quokkas! With spectacular shores perfect for secluded swimming, epic surf opportunities and incredible marine encounters, Rottnest Island is one of the most truly special places on the planet!
Image Credit: Tourism Western Australia
Our Top 9 Fun Things To Do With The Kids In Perth
Image Credit: Perth Zoo / Keeper Teagan
Perth Zoo is one of the leading conservation zoos throughout the world, and did you know that the zoo is also over 100 years old? This family attraction really is a West Australian icon! This means for any family day out in Perth, it's worth a visit.
The animal collection within the zoo is incredibly diverse, with around 170 species represented across their 1200 animals. The amazing creatures of the world really do come to you. There are also some incredibly gardens that you can explore, including the impressive Rainforest Retreat.
Image Credit: Tourism Australia
Matagarup Zip+Climb is a an unforgettable bridge climb experience bridge with a twist! With Matagarup Zip+Climb you can choose from three different climbing options, with one of them climbing up to the 75m high SkyView platform, then zipping 400m back down to home base!
You can enjoy impressive views of the city and river, and whether you want to just take on the 90min climb up and walk back experience, or zip back from half way up the bridge, or take on the full experience, you'll be sure to have a great time in Perth!
Image Credit: Cohuna Koala Park
Cohuna Koala Park began life in 1982 with the arrival of 4 koalas, and today not only can you see 25 in the colony, but the family can also meet a host of other incredible wildlife across the park's 14 hectares, including emus, wallabies, owls, dingos and deers!
There are photo opportunities with the koalas, as well as feeding opportunities for numerous animals! Kids will love a ride on the miniature railway, and there is even a space observatory too! A great day out with the family who just love wildlife!
Image Credit: Adventure World
Adventure World has been giving families thrills and spills for over 30 years, so why not visit for yourselves and enjoy everything WA's premiere theme park has to offer?
Adventure World has a range of rides to suit everybody, from the littlest of thrill seekers to those who really want to test their bravery! Fly on a dragon, dodge some tipping buckets, and even take on rides named "Freefall" and "The Rampage!". Even the under 6s have their own water play area to cool off in. Adventure puts the "adventure" in the family day out, so let's get going!
Image Credit: The Nostalgia Box
Retro games are BACK at The Nostalgia Box! The super cool Nostalgia Box museum is where parents can re-live their childhood memories and kids can learn all about the joys of nostalgia, with over 100 video game consoles on display that date back from the 1970s!
The items on display take you through right up to the early 2000s - so you can see how much games have grown (kids, just like YOU do over the years!) Your admission also allows you to actually PLAY the games, so why not take on Pac Man one more time, or challenge each other to Space Invaders? You know you want to!
Image Credit: Bounce Inc.
BOUNCE the day away at BOUNCE Cannington, Perth's incredibly huge indoor adventure playground filled with amazing bounce-tastic adrenaline rush activities for all ages! Here you'll find over 50 interconnected trampolines to literally bounce from wall to wall, with the Big Bag, Slam Dunk and Dodgeball courts all rolled into it - meaning everyone can enjoy a super safe trampoline experience!
BOUNCE Cannington is so much more than just the main trampoline area. You can also find the 3 tiered Cliff Jump as well as their famous BOUNCE X-Park obstacle course, NINJA courses, wall climbs, rope courses, and so much more!
Image Credit: Perth Observatory
Perth Observatory is the oldest observatory in the state, and over its 125 years it has been the gateway to the Universe for countless families! Part of WA's Heritage Register in 2005, Perth Observatory offers a number of tours which will allow you to really dive deep into our night sky, solar system, Universe and beyond!
Not only that, you can also experience the rich history and cultural significance of the observatory itself. Don't miss a visit to the super cool gift shop too!
Image Credit: AQWA
Get ready for an underwater adventure at the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA)! This popular Perth aquarium is where you can explore 12,000km of WA coastline (all in just a few hundred metres!) before getting up close to the icy waters of the southern ocean, as well as delving into the tropical wonderland of the coral reefs of the north!
Did you know you can also travel beneath 3 million litres of Indian Ocean for your close encounter with 4m long sharks, incredible stingrays, adorable turtles and hundreds of stunning fish!? So much to explore - and we have only just scratched the surface on what there is to enjoy at AQWA! Let's make a SPLASH!
Image Credit: Fremantle Prison
Get ready to head to prison - but we don't mean as an inmate! We are off to Fremantle Prison, and it's here you can learn all about the prisoners that actually did call it home, along with the rich history of why Fremantle Prison is one of Western Australia's most significant and fascinating culture sites. Did you know the prison is also on the World Heritage List too?
Explore Fremantle Prison through guided tours offering a real insight into the horrors the convicts would have faced. Hear legends of cunning escapes, and the brave little prison explorers in the family can actually delve into the tunnels which can be found a whopping 20ft below the prison floor! Cool!
Famous Folk from Perth!
Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger was an iconic Australian actor. His films include 10 Things I Hate About You and Brokeback Mountain.
He won an Academy Award for his role as The Joker in The Dark Knight.
Image Credit: Howie
Dacre Montgomery
Dacre Montgomery is an Australian actor, known for films such as Power Rangers and Elvis.
He is best known for his role as Billy Hargrove in the series Stranger Things.
Image Credit: iDominick
5 Fun Perth Facts
Impress your friends with your Perth knowledge!
- In 2014 the first Krispy Kreme store opened in Perth, and the queue went on for days! Some people queued for 72 hours to get their hands on those delicious sugary treats!
- Perth WAS home to the 2nd last Blockbuster video rental stores in the world. Sadly it closed in 2019.
- If you love sun - great! Perth is the sunniest of all Australia's capital cities!
- Perth is closer in distance to Bali in Indonesia, than it is to the country's capital of Canberra!
- You can find the world's largest inland park in Perth!
Free Things To do Perth
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Image Credit: Aspects of Kings Park - Photo by Jason Thomas
Surround yourself with nature at the Kings Park and Botanic Garden, located in the heart of Perth. Here the family can spend the day exploring the amazing collection of Western Australian flora, before enjoying a lovely picnic, and then why not take a stroll through the flowers? Kids can play, explore, learn, and have a great time!
Don't miss checking out the amazing panoramic views throughout the park, and kids can learn all about the rich history of WA as they make they way around! A highlight is always the Beedawong - a special place for the Indigenous people. There is also a pretty special 750 year old boab tree!
Perth City Farm Farmers Market
Image Credit: Shoshana Kruger Photography
A farmers market is a great way to really get to know a city, and the people who make it special. Perth City Farm is a wonderful place to do just that, and every Saturday they host a great farmers market in the courtyard of their organic community farm.
The focus of this weekly farmers market is organic, biodynamic produce, as well as locally made artisan goods that all support local WA growers and producers! With eco-friendly home and beauty products too, why not take a stroll and really feel the beating heart of Perth!
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Image Credit: Art Gallery of Western Australia
The Art Gallery of Western Australia is a wonderful free entry experience (although donations are welcome) found in the Perth Cultural Centre. This great art museum showcases an extensive array of art, with art from Western Australian, as well as Aboriginal art and Torres Strait Islander art. You can even see art from across the world!
Throughout the year, the Art Gallery of Western Australia also offers a diverse range of free, fun and educational activities designed just for children including indoor trails taking you around the gallery, and plenty of school holiday activities!
Western Australian Maritime Museum
Image Credit: WAMM
Worth a visit when in Perth is the fascinating and well put together Western Australian Maritime Museum, a museum symbolic of Fremantle’s past, present and future as a coastal city and port.
This iconic WA museum is where you can delve into several unique galleries that explore WA's relationship with the sea, with permanent and temporary exhibitions to enjoy! Kids can learn all about leisure boats and handcrafted sailing boats right up to to commercial pearl luggers, so get ready to be inspired as you discover WA’s affinity with the ocean! Whilst there is an admission for adults, all children under 15 years go free!
Cottesloe Beach
Image Credit: Western Australia
Cottesloe Beach is one of the city's most popular spots for swimming, surfing, snorkelling and enjoying family time - and when you visit you'll see why! It really is as pretty as a picture! The water is crystal clear, and the swell is consistent so it's great for those little ones too.
Cottesloe Beach is also surrounded by restaurants and cafes, plus there are great picnic spots too. If you visit in March you can check out Sculpture by the Sea which takes over the foreshore and transforms the area into a super cool outdoor gallery!
Foodie Guide to Perth!
A Fun Day Trip From Perth!
A visit to this iconic day trip will see you experiencing one of the oldest cultures on Earth - we of course are talking about Yanchep National Park! It's an incredibly beautiful national park filled with incredible flora, fauna, and culture.
Image Credit: DBCA
Found only 42km north of Perth, and near the locality of Lanchep, this beautiful national park is famous for it's native bush, impressive caves and adorable koala colonies.
However, long before it was a national park, the area was inhabited (as well as being a noted hunting site) by Indigenous Australians for thousands of year prior to the arrival of the first European visitor in 1834 - a man named John Butler.
In fact, the tribal name for the park is named after the lakes and reeds which were considered a similar resemblance to the hairy mane of the dreamtime creature the Waugul: Nyanyi-Yandjip.
The word Yanchep itself is derived from Yandjip (or Yanget) - the aboriginal name for the local bulrush reed.
Families visiting Yanchep National Park have a host of wonders and adventures waiting. From bushwalks, to picnics & BBQs, koala viewing boardwalks, caves and even a Treetop Adventure, get ready to soak up nature in Western Australia!
Here’s our top 4 Yanchep National Park things to do:
- Treetops Adventure
- Yanchep Crystal Cave
- Explore the Koala Park
- Yonderup Cave
We hope you found this content useful! Please share with your friends, and if you have any comments, or want to let us know what we can do to further help you find fun days out with the family, then just email our team at [email protected]!
Let's get the family adventure started!
Written by Lisa Downs
Lisa has been a content writer for Family Days Out for nearly 10 years, and a keen travel writer for nearly 20. She loves experiencing the best of a city, discovering the many things to do and immersing herself in the culture, and sharing these experiences with others through her writing.
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