Perth Activities

Amusement parks, animal encounters, museums for kids and all sorts of outdoor activities are on offer for children visiting Western Australia with their parents. Many activities that are available in Fremantle and Perth are free of charge, and the wonderful climate in the region makes it possible to enjoy nature here year-round.

Adventure World
Western Australia's largest water-based fun park incorporates gardens, lakes, an island with a castle and more than 30 attractions and rides that delight all ages. Some of the most exciting and popular rides include the Alpine Toboggan, Rocky Mountain Rapids, Sky Rail and the Skyflyer Lift. Facilities onsite include shaded picnic areas, swimming areas and outlets for food and refreshments. Phone: +61 8 9417 9666.

Animal Encounters
Wildlife parks in the Perth area offer the opportunity for children to see native species up close and to learn more about the natural environment in Western Australian. Caversham Wildlife Park allows visitors to pet and feed resident animals. Picnic areas are available here and the park is open every day. Another popular park is the Cohunu Koala Park that’s situated high in the Darling Ranges. You’ll see native Australian wildlife in natural habitats; have a chance to feed wallabies and kangaroos; talk to cockatoos; have your photo taken with a koala; and enjoy spectacular views of the area. Phone: +61 8 9390 6090 (Cohunu Koala Park); phone: +61 8 9248 1984 (Caversham Wildlife Park)

Maze Fun
Located in Bullsbrook, the Maze is the only attraction of this kind in Australia, giving you a chance to try to find your way through a maze in a safe environment. There are several mazes to choose from here, including one extensive timber maze and four mazes made of mini-hedges. Children can also enjoy seeing lots of animals that are native to Australia as well as numerous other activities. Phone: +61 8 9571 1375.

Museums for Kids
Museums can be a fun experience for children, and there are a few in the Perth area that are popular with the younger set. The Museum of Childhood captures the childhood experience of early settlers in the area. Displays here include a selection of toys from the period, a bush schoolroom and a nursery. This museum is located in Claremont, at Edith Cowan University. Another interesting museum for children is the Doll Museum, which is situated at the edge of Perth city.

Paddling Activities
Lots of opportunities for families in the way of paddling activities are found around Perth year-round. Kayaking and white-water rafting locales are within easy reach of the city. Also, Perth’s coastal location means that sea kayaking options are available as well. Families can organise a day of paddling fun, or have a commercial operator organise a tour which provides a guide as well. The Western Australia Visitor Centre has information on equipment hire and paddling companies. Phone: +61 8 9483 1111.

Puppet Shows
Kids everywhere enjoy puppet shows, and a number of shows are held in Perth and Fremantle throughout the year. The Spare Parts Puppet Theatre in Fremantle is one of the oldest of the troupes here, and is considered by many to be the best. The shows are popular with adults as well as children. Phone: +61 8 9335 5044.

Perth Zoo
Just a five-minute drive from the city, Perth Zoo provides a home for more than 1,300 animals, representing 200 species – both native and exotic. The zoo is set amid lush tropical gardens and habitats that closely resemble the natural environments of each species. Every day, talks conducted by zoo keepers provide interesting background on various animals and an opportunity for children to get close to the animals. You can get to the zoo by public bus routes 30 and 31, or by the ferry that operates from Barrack street, docking at Mends street. Phone: +61 8 9474 3551; website: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au.

A number of museums and art galleries are scattered around Perth and Fremantle focusing on a variety of themes. Aboriginal cultural shows, working farms and memorial reserves are all part of the interesting cultural activities on offer, which rarely leave visitors disappointed.

Aboriginal Cultural Shows
Tumbulgum Farm, located in Mundijong, features an Aboriginal cultural show along with many other things to see and do. At this large-scale working farm, you can view first-hand the country lifestyle of Western Australia, and learn about its history and culture. In addition to watching an Aboriginal cultural show, you can try the local cuisine; hand-feed many of the farm’s animals, such as emus, goats, kangaroos and sheep; and see a sheep shearing demonstration. Phone: +61 8 9525 5888.

Fremantle Arts Centre
Exhibitions of artworks by artists from Western Australia are featured at this centre in Fremantle. Musical performances and live theatre programmes are also featured during the summer months, in the centre’s courtyard. Visitors can also enjoy various facilities including a tearoom, bookshop, and the lovely gardens. Phone: +61 8 9335 8244.

Fremantle Museum
The building housing this museum once functioned as a women’s asylum. The building survives as the most important of the port’s historic structures, today housing a centre that offers a range of cultural programmes including free Sunday afternoon concerts and a variety of exhibitions. A popular programme here is the ‘Ghost Walk’ tour that takes visitors by lamp light through the dark corridors of this reportedly haunted historic building. Phone: +61 8 9430 7966.

History Village
Western Australia’s largest folk museum is located in Kalamunda, and comprises the community’s original buildings, including several cottages, a post office, village school, railway station and shops. You’ll also see a steam engine from that period and an operating fruit grader demonstrating the mechanisation of work that was available to the pioneers. Phone: +61 8 9293 1371.

Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery
Located at the University of Western Australia, this well-known gallery is worth a visit. You can tour its art collections and exhibits, and attend lectures. Dates and times of lectures vary, so it’s a good idea to check local listings for what’s scheduled during your visit. Phone: +61 8 9380 3707.

Monument Hill Memorial Reserve
You’ll see memorials here for all wars in which Australians served including the most recent memorial for the RAN Vietnam veterans. This memorial reserve is listed as one of Fremantle's heritage site and is protected by the National Trust. The location is a beautiful one, providing spectacular views of the ocean. The reserve is just a short walk along High street from the centre of Fremantle.

In Perth, Northbridge and Fremantle, you’ll have a wide array of excellent restaurants to choose from. Fremantle and Perth, in particular, are known for the excellence of their seafood dishes. Many of the restaurants in the port city are situated by the water, and offer up a range of dishes that feature fresh barramundi, tiger prawns, and the delicately-flavoured marron - a freshwater crayfish.

Japanese cuisine is particularly popular in Perth, with sushi and sashimi available at many eateries. For those who have a taste for Asian cuisine but prefer Chinese, dim sum lunches are on offer at traditional tea houses found in several locations around the city. Food halls located in Perth, Northbridge and Fremantle are great venues for anyone seeking variety. They offer up dishes from areas such as India, Japan and Southeast Asia as well as local burgers.

Shoppers will delight at the pedestrian-zoned malls found at Hay and Murray streets, and the arcades that criss-cross the city centre. Many of the arcades and malls are linked by overpasses and walkways that extend to the bus and rail stations. Not only do these features make for pleasant shopping on a rainy day, they make it easier for shoppers to make their way from shop to shop without having to deal with vehicular traffic.

Raising sheep is big business in Western Australia, so you’ll find many woollen products and sheepskins in local shops. Prices are low and the quality is excellent. Jewellery is also popular; Australia’s Argyle diamonds are available in the better shops. Some of these gems bear exotic names such as cognac and champagne. The most precious and rare of all are the pink diamonds, which are also available for purchase here.

The city’s markets offer an alternative to traditional shops and malls. Not only in the city, but in the suburbs around Perth and Fremantle, there are a number of markets that feature a wide variety of goods. Some of the markets specialise in traditional handicrafts, while others feature second-hand clothing or fresh produce.

There are evening markets, weekend markets and Sunday markets – and they’re all different. One choice is the Subiaco Station Street Market, located just minutes from the centre by car or train. Here you’ll find more than 100 stalls set in a beautiful courtyard where you can also enjoy fine food and live entertainment.

Outdoor activities available in Perth and the surrounding area range from bush walking to parasailing, with lots of variety in between. Water sports are very popular including kayaking, rafting and sailing. Cave exploring is also on offer to both beginners and the well-experienced.

Bush Walking
Head to Whiteman Park for some of the best bushwalking trails around. The park also features paths for cycling and shelters where you can enjoy a picnic. Other popular destinations for bush walking include the John Forest National Park, Kings Park, Serpentine National Park, Yanchep National Park and also the Darling Ranges.

Fishing
You can fish in Western Australia at any time of year, but the warmer months (November to March) are the best. This is the perfect time of year to venture out on the ocean or the Swan River. Fishing boat charters are available if you’re interested in the bigger fish varieties. Charters include all the gear and tackle that you’ll need and are typically quite reasonably priced.

Parasailing
This is a great way to see the beauty of Western Australia from the air. You’ll have views of the coastline, islands, beaches and possibly even of dolphins. Located at Cicerello's Wharf in Fremantle, Fremantle Parasailing has an excellent safety record and can arrange this sport for you. There is more than one parasailing company in Perth, however, and staff at your hotel should be able to provide details on those operators closest to you. Phone: +61 8 9398 5960 (Fremantle Parasailing).

Sailing
The Indian Ocean tempts many visitors to sail in its waters. Some have a destination in mind, such as Carnac, Rottnest or Garden Island, while others seek a day of relaxation at sea. You might spend the day visiting seals and dolphins south of Perth, at Rockingham. Many of the marinas in Fremantle and Perth feature yacht charters and tours, and you can head to the nearest one to find out more. Alternatively, your hotel’s concierge will be able to provide information on the range of options available.

Spelunking
In the greater Perth area, you’ll find a number of caves that are worth exploring. One of the most popular destinations is the Yanchep National Park, where you can try out the cave walk for tourists through Jewel Cave and the Adventure Cave tour for the more experienced and ambitious. The latter walk requires you to wear a helmet, which are available onsite.

White-water Rafting and Kayaking
During the rains of the winter and spring both the Avon and Murray rivers swell to provide excellent opportunities for kayaking and white-water rafting. The Avon is internationally known for the Avon Descent, the world’s longest white-water race. The Murray offers opportunities for all levels of paddling skills, although the steepest descent - the Lower Murray section - provides for thrilling white-water rafting. In the summer, water that’s released from the Wellington Dam creates a refreshing escape from the heat. Kayaks and two-person rafts are available for hire for negotiating the white-water rapids.