Perth with kids wasn’t always on our must-go list. In fact, when I visited in my twenties, I remember being a little underwhelmed. The shops closed early, the city felt quiet, and it didn’t quite match the fast-paced energy I thought a holiday needed.
Parenthood shifts your lens. And when Ashriel and Adriel were born in 2019, we started seeing travel differently—less about chasing adrenaline, more about creating pockets of calm where we could slow down together. We had planned to pay a visit to Perth with the kids in June 2020. Of course, COVID had other plans.
Six years and a few other detours later (Taiwan, Norway, Japan, Shenzhen was one of them), we felt the boys were ready for their first road trip. Just the four of us. Ten days across Perth with kids and parts of Western Australia (WA) —quiet towns, open skies, nature and everything in between. It turned out to be one of the most grounded holidays we’ve had in a while.
Visiting Perth with Kids
Perth City – Where We Stayed
Perth makes for a soft landing—just 20 minutes from the airport and not too overwhelming to navigate. We stayed at Novotel on Murray Street for our first two nights. It had everything we needed: comfortable beds, a clean gym, sauna and pool. The boys were just excited about the idea of staying in a hotel, really. Parents might appreciate that the beds here are more generous in size—bigger than your usual Asian double—and honestly, the bedding was a win. We all slept well.
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BEAT THE HEAT: Sengkang Swimming Complex’s Amazing Water Slides
One thing to note: it’s located opposite some bars and clubs, so Friday and Saturday nights might get a little rowdy. But if you’re used to the city buzz (or miss it a little), it’s manageable.
On our final two nights, We ended in Perth city again partly to time with Friday late-night shopping (till 9pm!) and to avoid dragging shopping loot all over WA. In the final leg of the trip, we upgraded to the InterContinental Perth, just one street over. More luxe, yes, but to be honest we chose it because our credit card gave us a good deal. Otherwise, we’d have happily stayed at Novotel again.
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Tip: take the CAT bus to go around Perth city for free!
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Perth with Kids – What We Did
SciTech Discovery Centre
We spent the morning at the interactive science centre. Located one train station away from Perth Central station, the centre is filled with hands-on activities about space, motion, and daily science. The boys loved the Mars rover simulator and building simple circuits. What we appreciated most, though, was the preschooler zone — thoughtfully designed with flowing water play, soft blocks, and imaginative construction corners.
Address: City West Centre, Sutherland Street, West Perth WA 6005
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Perth Zoo
We took the scenic ferry ride from Elizabeth Quay to South Perth (about AUD8 for the family), which gave us a nice view of the city skyline. The zoo itself is undergoing some upgrades, but we still enjoyed walking through its recreated habitats—bushlands, wetlands, rainforests. The boys were especially drawn to the Zoorassic Park area, complete with animatronic dino models and a dig site.
There’s a big playground near the central lawn where parents can grab some food and coffee while the kids climb and crawl freely.
Address: 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth WA 6151
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Whiteman Park
A short 25-minute drive took us to Whiteman Park, an expansive space that offers so much more than meets the eye. We didn’t manage to cover everything, but what we did experience was memorable. There are three museums dedicated to rails and wheels, a heritage train and tram ride — but we focused on just one spot.
We explored Pia’s Place, a beautifully inclusive playground inspired by natural elements. Its standout feature is a tall lighthouse-style climbing tower that gave the boys both a physical challenge and a thrill.
We also wandered through the Children’s Forest, a space planted and maintained by children themselves. And perhaps our favourite moment was renting a family quad bike from Pedal Play and cycling around as a team, slowly taking in the surroundings. We had breakfast at the Village Café, and with every AUD25 spent, a kids’ meal came free. Our total came to just AUD50. and we left with full bellies and happy hearts.
Address: Whiteman Drive East, Whiteman WA 6068, Australia
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Kings Park
Another day was spent wandering Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, a sprawling green space just overlooking the Swan River and Perth CBD. We challenged ourselves to visit all the major playgrounds — May Drive Parkland, Saw Avenue Picnic Area, and Ivey Watson Playground. Each had its charm. But the Rio Tinto Naturescape stole the show. It’s a playscape that encourages exploration—wading in creeks, climbing boulders, and crawling under logs. The boys had the time of their lives just being out in nature.
Address: Kings Park WA 6005
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Warhammer Miniature Shop
We didn’t plan to stop by the Warhammer store, but we’re glad we did. Tucked into a row of shops on Murray Street, this miniature gaming shop offered free painting sessions for first-timers. The staff were incredibly patient with the boys, guiding them through the process and even letting them take their miniatures home. It was free, fuss-free, and surprisingly one of the boys’ most talked-about experiences.
Address: 622 Murray Street, West Perth WA 6005
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Fremantle with Kids
On one of the weekend days, we made our way to Fremantle, a port town about 25 minutes from the city. Fremantle has its own charm—old colonial buildings, lively weekend markets, and a much slower rhythm. The Fremantle Markets were buzzing with food stalls, souvenirs, and buskers. We walked past the Ferris wheel to reach the Esplanade, where the boys enjoyed the big playground and skate park. We had initially planned to do the full tour of Fremantle Prison but decided it might be too intense for the boys. Instead, we visited the courtyard, which gave us just enough history to be meaningful without being overwhelming.
Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160
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Perth City – Where We Shopped
Shopping in Perth required a bit of strategy, especially with most shops closing at 5pm. We visited Belmont Forum, a suburban mall about 15 minutes away from the city centre. Big W, Kmart, and Woolworths kept the kids entertained, but what surprised us were the deep toy discounts. We walked away with LEGO sets up to 40% cheaper than what we would pay back home. My wife also browsed the children’s book section at Big W for ages — tempted to buy an entire suitcase worth.
Address: 227 Belmont Avenue, Cloverdale WA 6105
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Perth City – Where We Ate
When it came to food, we kept things simple. We often lean towards familiar Asian dishes when travelling, and Perth didn’t disappoint. Bari-Uma Ramen was consistently crowded but worth the wait. We also tried Lucky Cat Asian Food nearby, where portions were hearty and satisfying. For something different, we stopped at Betty’s Burgers on Forrest Chase and treated ourselves to burgers and truffle fries—because calories don’t count on vacation. One dessert stop that made an impression was Yo-Chi, where we got to build our own frozen yogurt bowls from a colourful spread of toppings.
- Bari-Uma Ramen: 108 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000
- Yo-Chi: 143 William Street, Perth WA 6000
- Tillisch: 2/131–137 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
- La Veen Coffee: 90 King Street, Perth WA 6000
- Lowdown: Shop 16, Cloisters Arcade, 865 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000
Looking Back at Perth with Kids
Looking back, our time in Perth was exactly what we needed. It gave us space to reconnect, to watch the boys learn through play, and to slow our own pace down too. The early shop closures that once frustrated me didn’t matter this time. We weren’t chasing an itinerary—we were building memories.
We left Perth with rested bodies and full hearts. But this was just the start. The real adventure began when we hit the road. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we drive through Bunbury, Dunsborough, and the wine-lined roads of Margaret River.
