Australia · City Guide

Perth With Kids

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Perth is the most isolated major city on the planet and it does not care even a little bit.

It has more sunshine than any other state capital in Australia, beaches that look like they were photoshopped, and an animal on a nearby island that smiles for selfies.

That animal is the quokka. Rottnest Island is a short ferry ride from the city and the quokkas are the reason half the families I book here put Perth on the list in the first place. They are small, furry, and they walk right up to you. Your kids will lose their minds.

But Perth is more than the quokka photo op. Kings Park is one of the largest inner city parks in the world with a treetop walkway and a nature playground that kids do not want to leave. Fremantle has markets, museums, and the best fish and chips in Western Australia. The free CAT buses loop the entire CBD so you never pay for a ride in the city center.

Perth takes a little more effort to get to. That is exactly why it still feels like a place you discovered instead of a place everyone told you about.

Getting Around

Perth Airport (PER) is about 20 minutes from the city center. The Forrestfield Airport Link train runs to Airport Central Station and connects to the CBD for around AUD$5 on a SmartRider card. A taxi or rideshare runs AUD$30 to $55 depending on where you are headed.

In the city, Transperth runs all the buses, trains, and ferries on one system. Get a SmartRider card at any train station or newsagent.

The free CAT buses are the thing to know about. Four color coded routes loop through the CBD all day. Red CAT runs north to south, Blue CAT runs east to west. You hop on and off whenever you want and you never touch your card. Elizabeth Quay, Northbridge, the cultural center, all covered.

For Rottnest Island, Swan Valley, or Yanchep National Park, rent a car for those days. The city itself does not need one.

Where to Stay

The CBD around Elizabeth Quay is the best base for families. You are walking distance to the water park, the free CAT buses, and the ferry to South Perth. Northbridge is close by with restaurants and nightlife but it can be loud.

If you want apartment style space with kitchens and laundry, Adina and Fraser Suites both do multi bedroom apartments that make a huge difference when you are traveling with kids for more than a couple of nights.

What to See

Rottnest Island and the Quokkas

Rottnest Island is a 30 to 90 minute ferry ride from Perth, Fremantle, or Hillarys. No cars allowed. You rent bikes and ride around the island, stopping at beaches that look like the Caribbean and taking selfies with quokkas who walk right up to you.

The Basin is the swimming spot everyone talks about. Crystal clear water, sheltered bay, snorkeling right off the beach. Oliver Hill has old gun tunnels from World War II that kids love exploring.

Ferries run from Barrack Street Jetty in the city, B Shed in Fremantle, and Hillarys Boat Harbour. Return tickets are around AUD$55 to $85 for adults and AUD$25 to $40 for kids, with family packages available. Bike hire is about AUD$30 to $35 per day. A full day trip is enough for most families, but overnight glamping and holiday units are there if you want to stay.

Fremantle

Fremantle is 30 minutes from Perth CBD by train and it feels like a completely different place. Heritage buildings, street performers, the famous Fremantle Markets running Friday through Sunday, and a cappuccino strip that Australians have argued about for decades.

The WA Maritime Museum and the WA Shipwrecks Museum are both free. The Shipwrecks Museum has actual artifacts pulled from Dutch ships that wrecked along the Western Australian coast hundreds of years ago. For older kids, Fremantle Prison is a UNESCO World Heritage site with torch light tours that are genuinely creepy.

Fishing Boat Harbour is where you go for fish and chips. Cicerello’s is the famous one but there are half a dozen spots along the waterfront. The Esplanade Park has a huge playground and a skate park if your kids need to burn off energy.

What to Eat

Perth’s food scene is built around fresh seafood, relaxed pub dining, and the kind of brunch culture that Australians take very seriously. The fish and chips here are a step above because the seafood comes straight off the boats in Fremantle.

Swan Valley is the bonus. A 25 minute drive from the city and you are tasting chocolate, honey, wine, and cheese, most of it free.

Nicole’s Perspective

Perth is the Australian city that rewards families who are willing to fly the extra hours to get there.

It is not on the typical first trip to Australia itinerary. Most families start with Sydney and Melbourne, maybe throw in the Gold Coast. But Perth has something those cities do not. Space. Quiet beaches. A pace that feels like a vacation instead of a checklist.

The quokkas at Rottnest Island are the headline, and they should be. But what I keep hearing from families I have booked here is how much they loved the everyday stuff. Kings Park with the treetop walkway and a playground that kept the kids busy for two hours. The free CAT buses that made the whole city feel walkable. Fish and chips at Fremantle while watching the boats come in.

I plan most families here for five to seven nights. That gives you two days in the city with Kings Park and Elizabeth Quay, a full day at Rottnest, a day in Fremantle, and a Swan Valley afternoon with chocolate and wildlife. You leave feeling like you relaxed.

Crown Towers is the splurge pick and the pool alone is worth it for families. Adina is where I send families who want apartment space without the resort price tag.

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