Best Things to Do with Kids in Perth: Family Activities and Attractions

Perth's family activity landscape benefits from the city's extraordinary climate (averaging 8 hours of sunshine per day, making outdoor activity comfortable for more months of the year than any other Australian capital city), the beach and Indian Ocean swimming environment, and a set of attractions that includes some of Australia's finest free and low-cost family destinations.

Perth Zoo, Perth Zoo in South Perth (accessible by ferry from Barrack Street Jetty across the Swan River, adding a memorable river crossing to the visit) is home to more than 1,200 animals across 128 species, with the African Savannah, the Asian Rainforest, and the Australian Bushwalk providing the major habitat zones. The Orangutan Sanctuary and the Sunset Penguins are particular highlights for children in the appropriate age ranges.

Scitech Discovery Centre, Scitech in West Perth is Western Australia's leading interactive science and technology museum, with 160+ interactive exhibits covering the physical sciences, digital technology, and biology that are calibrated for the 5-14 age group. The Scitech Planetarium hosts multiple programmes throughout the day that are appropriate for children from age 5 upward.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Kings Park (the large bush park overlooking the city and river) is one of the world's largest inner-city parks with dedicated family amenity: the DNA Tower (climbable lookout), the Lotterywest Family Area with accessible playgrounds, and the Synergy Parkland water play area that is operational in the warmer months and enormously popular with families with young children.

Adventure World, Adventure World at Bibra Lake (20 minutes south of Perth CBD) is Western Australia's largest theme park, with water slides, the Abyss roller coaster, and family rides calibrated to the 4-16 age range. Entry is ticketed; school holiday peak periods require advance booking.

Cottesloe and the Rottnest Island day trip, a day trip from Perth to Rottnest Island (quokka photos are essentially mandatory) is one of the world's best family day trips for the combination of wildlife (the quokkas are fearless and cooperative photographers), beaches, and the car-free cycling environment that the island enables.