As the much-loved capital of Western Australia, Perth hugs the Swan River while the majestic Kings Park, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, watches over the compact city. There’s so much to do in Perth, so I put together this Perth with Kids four-day itinerary for families and first-time visitors.

Kings Park hovers above Perth’s skyline

While WA’s coastline spans a staggering 12,889km, the cosmopolitan city is laid out in a compact grid. Most shops and eateries are along the Hay and Murray Street malls and the adjacent lanes, streets, and arcades, including the historic Trinity Arcade and London Court.

Perth’s cosmopolitan reputation attracts international acclaim for its fantastic lifestyle and Mediterranean climate, bathing its residents and visitors in glorious year-round weather. Within a 30-minute drive of Perth, you can be in the historic port town of Fremantle, the state’s oldest wine region in the Swan Valley, on spectacular beaches or delving into rural adventures.

Kings Park in bloom

Perth with Kids: Where to stay in Perth

Intercontinental Perth: Located metres from the Hay Street Mall, this hotel offers rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and city views.

Parmelia Hilton Perth: Offers guest suites and executive rooms in the city’s heart. You might enjoy my review of the Parmelia Hilton Perth.

Vibe Hotel Subiaco: Located in Subiaco, this hotel is worth staying at for its luxe suites and rooftop restaurant and bar, the Storehouse Restaurant. Please check out my Romantic Review of The Vibe Subiaco.

Crown Metropole: Located at the Crown Entertainment Complex, the Crown Metropole has an epic pool and nearby playground on the foreshore.

The Vines Resort: Perfect for a family getaway in the Swan Valley with a pool, mini golf, playground and kangaroo safaris.

The Esplanade Fremantle by Rydges: Located in the heart of Fremantle, you have everything you need in the port-town only a stroll away.

Self-contained apartment in Northbridge: This Airbnb property features two bedrooms and one bathroom and is within walking distance of Perth’s CBD.

His Majesty’s Theatre

Perth with Kids: Getting around Perth

The Central Business District (CBD) is easy to explore on foot, and the Central Area Transit (CAT) is a free bus service operating across the city, but you can also jump on any Transperth bus travelling within the city for free. Trains and buses run from the city, and you can take a train or ferry to Fremantle, South Perth or the Swan Valley region.

Perth with Kids Itinerary Day 1 – Perth City

Let’s start the day with spectacular views of Perth’s city skyline from King’s Park, one of the world’s largest inner-city public parks, and only 1.5 kilometres from the heart of the city. Step out onto the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, weaving through towering karri and marri forest and the Western Australian Botanic Gardens, boasting over 3,000 species of native flora, including a giant 750-year-old boab tree from the East Kimberley region. Enjoy a coffee at the Botanical Café overlooking the Swan River and city or at Zamia Café overlooking the epic playground on May Drive.

Elizabeth Quay Tour with Little Ferry Co, credit Tourism Western Australia

Head to Elizabeth Quay offering a unique perspective of the city skyline from the Elizabeth Quay Bridge while admiring the Spanda, a sculpture representing the rippling Swan River. Stop for a treat at Gusto Gelato and let the kids burn off some energy at the BHP Water Park before heading up the Bell Tower for 360-degree views of the city and Swan River from the Observation Deck.

WA Museum

For lunch, stroll into Northbridge’s Chinatown for dim sum and then spend the afternoon strolling through the WA Museum Boola Bardip to discover WA’s rich history. Don’t miss the Stan Perron Gallery in the heritage-listed Hackett Hall to see the blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling and learn about the state’s diverse environment at the Wildlife exhibition.

Since you’re already in Northbridge, further explore this neighbourhood’s food scene from around the world for dinner, such as Sauma (Indian), Good Fortune Roast Duck House (Chinese), Uncle Billy’s Chinese Restaurant (Chinese), No Mafia (Italian) and Viet Hoa (Vietnamese).

London Court

With extra time in Perth’s CBD, you could:

• Explore Perth’s Hay Street and Murray Street malls, as well as the historic Tudor-style London Court, watching for the chiming clocks at the entrances on Hay Street and St George’s Terrace.
• While at Elizabeth Quay, join the Little Ferry Co for a round trip to East Perth and back. If you get off at East Perth, walk across the Matagarup Bridge to Optus Stadium. Or thrill seekers can brave a bridge climb or zipline over the Swan River from the bridge.
• The Barrack Street Jetty is part of the Elizabeth Quay precinct where you can join a cruise to the Swan Valley, Fremantle, Rottnest Island or a leisurely cruise along the Swan River.

Elizabeth Quay Tour with Little Ferry Co, Perth, credit Tourism Western Australia

Perth with Kids Itinerary Day 2 – Swan Valley

Western Australia’s first wine region, the Swan Valley, is about 25 minutes east of Perth’s CBD and is brimming with wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, galleries and activities. The Swan Valley is also home to Caversham Wildlife Park, where you can cuddle a koala or a wombat, feed kangaroos and watch a farm show that includes sheep shearing.

Cuddle a koala at Caversham Wildlife Parth

The Swan Valley has a range of kid-friendly dining spots where you can spend the day sampling, including Bailey Brewing (which has an epic playground), the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, Maison Saint Honóre (famed for its macarons), Ugly Duckling Wines (also home to Stella Gelato Friday to Sunday and live music on the weekends), the Funk Brewshed, Txoko Brewing, and Oakover Grounds, which has aqua trikes and lawn games.

If time permits, browse the antique strip in historic Guildford and the Museum of Natural History -Academy of Taxidermy. While in Guildford, treat yourself at Mimmos Gelato and Alfred’s Kitchen, Perth’s longest-running roadside burger joint, where you can sit around the outdoor fire or in the train carriage.

Kangaroo safari at The Vines

With extra time in the Swan Valley, you could:

• Head over to The Vines Resort for 18 holes of mini golf before joining Perth’s only kangaroo safari aboard golf carts, where you’ll have the chance to mingle with a colony of kangaroos at sunset.
• Be kitted out with camouflage overalls for paintballing at Paintball Skirmish
• Visit the Swan Settler’s Market, where you’ll find plenty of produce from the Swan Valley under one roof, axe throwing, live music, kids’ activities and culinary events.

Sweet treats in the Swan Valley

Perth with Kids Itinerary Day 3 – Fremantle

Located about 30 minutes west of Perth’s CBD, the port city of Fremantle is home to an eclectic mix of artists, bohemians and European flair. The UNESCO World Heritage City showcases 19th-century streetscapes housing pubs, galleries, museums, cafes and accommodation.

Embrace WA’s rich maritime history at the Shipwreck Galleries, where you can learn more about some of Australia’s oldest shipwrecks. The WA Maritime Museum is equally fascinating, so don’t miss the Submarine Ovens, a memorial to the submariners who lost their lives during WWII and the America’s Cup-winning yacht Australia 11.

Immigrant arrivals

Check out the 12-sided limestone Roundhouse, Australia’s oldest building, built in 1831, which offers a bird’s eye view over the Indian Ocean and Fremantle’s streetscape. It was a goal until 1886 with the construction of the Fremantle Prison, where you can take a day tour or, by night, visit the gruesome gallows and trek by foot and boat through the labyrinth of tunnels 20 metres below.

Fremantle’s street art

Head to Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour for fish and chips before boarding the Ferris wheel in Esplanade Park for a unique perspective of Fremantle, the Fishing Boat Harbour and the Fremantle Shipping Port.

A twirly treat at the Fremantle markets

Established in 1897 and built in a Federation Romanesque style, from Fridays to Sundays, the Fremantle Markets still attract visitors for over 150 stalls of art, jewellery, clothing, indigenous products, buskers, performance art, fresh produce and eateries embracing Fremantle’s multi-cultural community.

Hit the Cappuccino Strip on South Terrace and indulge in the Mediterranean lifestyle at the many cafes, including Gino’s, Benny’s Bar & Café, Ruocco’s Pizzeria, and the Capri Restaurant, one of the longest-running restaurants in Fremantle.

With more time in Fremantle, you could:

• Board the tall sail training ship Leeuwin for a day sail or an extended adventurous voyage on the high seas.
• Find out for yourself if the gothic-style Fremantle Arts Centre is haunted, built in 1864 by convicts as a lunatic asylum and is now a cultural centre.
• Located about 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle, Rottnest Island is famed for its cute quokkas and stunning lagoons. The carless island offers diverse wildlife, walking and cycling trails, water sports, fishing, surfing, swimming, tours, a cute township and an array of dining and accommodation options.

Rottnest Island’s resident quokkas

Perth with Kids Itinerary Day 4 – The Pinnacles

Just 90 minutes north of Perth is one of the state’s most mysterious natural wonders. Situated in the Nambung National Park, The Pinnacles Desert contains thousands of limestone mounds in all shapes and sizes. While here, pop into the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre to learn more about this intriguing phenomenon. I’ve written more about this mystical destination in Australia’s Coral Coast: From the Pinnacles to the Turquoise Coast.

The Pinnacles

Although beautiful in any season or time of day, visiting at sunrise or sunset is the ultimate way to experience the Pinnacles, so an overnight stay is recommended to make the most of your trip.

Make your way to the coast, where you will discover why this part of the state is called the Turquoise Coast. If time permits, head to Sandy Cape, about 13km north of Jurien Bay, for a powdery white beach and sand dunes ideal for sandboarding. Kangaroo Point and Hangover Bay are also popular beaches, and Hansen Bay Lookout offers coastal views. Don’t miss the Thrombolites at Lake Thetis to witness thousands of rocks rising up from the ground believed to be over 3,000 years old.

Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre

Where to stay near The Pinnacles:

Pinnacles Edge Resort: Located in the Cervantes township, it offers self-contained suites, studios, and hotel rooms.

Cervantes Lodge: Self-contained accommodation with family rooms and ensuite deluxe rooms.

Sandy Beach Reserve has campsites with ablution facilities and incredible views.

RAC Cervantes Holiday Park: Offers two and three-bedroom villas, powered and unpowered sites

Where to eat near The Pinnacles:

The Lobster Shack: Sample the local catch of the day, including lobster, prawns and abalone. While here, enjoy a unique insight into WA’s lobster industry on a factory tour.

Cervantes Bar and Bistro: Seating over 200 guests, the menu impresses with Black Angus beef, Asian influences and fresh seafood platters with locally sourced lobster, prawns, squid, mussels, octopus and fish of the day.

Seashells Café: Located at the RAC Cervantes Holiday Park, it serves casual meals along the foreshore.

Lobster Shack, Cervantes

If you enjoyed this Perth with Kids four-day itinerary, you might like this three-itinerary for big kids 3-day Perth Itinerary: An Unforgettable Getaway with your Besties Or delve deeper into Western Australia with your very own slice of our vast state with Australia’s Extra.Ordinary. West – the ultimate travel guide. Click here to order your copy as I only have a few copies left.

Australia’s Extra.Ordinary. West is a travel book like no other

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