What to Do in Perth With the Kids

In a city that draws people outdoors, here’s where to find the best of what to eat and do with the kids.

Where to eat

Mary Street Bakery
One word – doughnuts. Alright, they do a mean scrambled eggs and their gourmet sandwiches, made with the bakery’s in-house breads, are stellar, too. But take one bite into their lemon maple pecan or pistachio and rosewater doughnuts and you’ll be in for return visits. The City Beach outlet has a spacious verandah and is a short hop to the waves but there are four others throughout Perth.

The Island Brew House
In a historic 1928 kiosk that was relocated brick by brick from the Esplanade, this microbrewery and family-friendly restaurant sits on an island at Elizabeth Quay, accessed via a scenic pedestrian bridge. Parents can sample the six craft beers brewed on site (try the hoppy Little Island Pale Ale or the malty Craggy Brown Ale) and the kids can fuel up on fish and chips before burning it off in the nearby playground or at the free ping-pong tables.

What to do

Kings Park
This 400-hectare expanse of bush, playgrounds, gardens and walking tracks, with over 70 bird species and more than 3000 types of native plants, is the green jewel in the heart of Perth. Check out the free guided walks, adventure playground, the 242-step fitness challenge of Jacob’s Ladder and the treetop walkway that winds up to 16 metres high among the eucalypts.

Elizabeth Quay
Opened in 2016, Elizabeth Quay is a waterfront precinct in the city that’s built for wandering and lights up at night. Peruse the abstract sculptures, cool off in the water park and stroll under the giant loops of the pedestrian bridge that spans the Swan River while pelicans glide by underneath.

Where to stay

Citadines St Georges Terrace
These spacious serviced apartments are within strolling distance of Yagan Square and Elizabeth Quay and a 15-minute walk or five-minute drive from Kings Park. The modernist décor gives rooms a stylish but warm appeal and kids are treated to a basket full of board games and DVDs during their stay.