Perth, Western Australia is a common travel destination for Singaporean families due to its proximity to Singapore. Plus, it takes only an approximate 5 hours to fly to Perth.

There are surprisingly many fun and engaging things you can do with your kids in Perth. We suss out 6 popular spots to visit.

DESTINATION #1: MONKEY MIA

Image credit: Shark Bay Camel Safaris

If touring by camel riding is something you are interested in, then Monkey Mia has it. The camels are led by camel whisperers, meaning no experience is required and this activity is suitable for children as well as adults. Try SharkBay Camel Safaris for camel ride tours on Monkey Mia beaches.

Image credit: Jean and Ade’s Vagabond Tour

Visit the Blue Lagoon Pearl Farm to learn how pearls are cultured and enjoy possibly meeting marine life (turtles, stingrays, dugongs and sharks) along the way on the 8-minute boat trip to the floating pearl farm. A pearl farm tour is nothing like the usual school excursions Singapore children have been to, making it a refreshing change yet still educational.

DESTINATION #2: LANCELIN, CERVANTES & JURIEN BAY

Image credit: Lancelin, Western Australia

Sandboarding in Lancelin is an experience not to be missed, especially for adrenaline-seeking families (for all ages from 3 years above). There is no need to worry about embarrassment if you fall off your sandboard as the place is usually filled with other tourists just like you are, and it’s all in the name of fun.

Younger kids can sit on the board with a parent and join in the thrill of sliding down the slopes. You can bring your own board or hire from some of the nearby rental shops, i.e. mobile board hire vans, gas stations, surf shops. Make sure to go prepared with protective eye gear, sealable plastic bags and sufficient bottled water – constant sand blowing can hurt the eyes while the fine sand may find their way into your valuables like your phone and it can get really hot and dry in the afternoon.

Stop by the Lobster Shack in Cervantes for a scrumptious seafood lunch. And if you have more time to spare, be sure to consider the factory tours they have available and learn more about the fascinating Western Rock Lobster industry.

DESTINATION #3: FREMANTLE

If you are in Fremantle on a weekend, the iconic Fremantle Markets are open and sure to be bustling with activity – from the locals doing their weekly grocery shopping to tourists visiting from all over the world. Let your senses be your guide as you see the colourful fresh produce and smell and taste delicious food and beverages such as Levi’s Doughnuts’ fluffy European style doughnuts and Black Cherries Espresso’s acclaimed coffee fill the markets.

Image credit: Daddy Ceg’s Diary

An Aussie favourite, fish and chips will find itself on your meal itinerary at least once. Try the popular fish and chips (or any other seafood of your choosing) at Cicerello’s Fremantle. Here, children under 12 years can enjoy a free kids meal accompanied with the purchase of an adult meal on Tuesdays, ongoing until promotion is withdrawn.

Cicerello’s boasts a large world-class aquarium with over 50 species of local Fremantle marine life, which is sure to capture your kids’ attention. This is great as your family gets the amazing experience of watching these fascinating marine life while having your meal, without getting your feet wet or worrying about your children’s safety in waters, and best of all, at no extra cost.

Food trucks are popping all over Perth and have evolved into a new food trend. Singaporean children may not be as exposed to the existence of food trucks since they are uncommon in Singapore itself due to the red tape involving mobile food operations.

Under The Bridge Freo Food Trucks comprise food trucks in Fremantle that gather at East Street Jetty every Monday during dinnertime (between 5 pm to 9 pm).

Image credit: Under the Bridge Freo Food Trucks

Take this opportunity to expose your kids to the food truck culture and enjoy good food and scenery in a picnic-style environment. The type and variety of food available each time will vary depending on how many vendors turn up and what type of food they sell, so prepare to be surprised! Do also check out the food trucks in Perth CBD during the Perth Food Truck Rumble Festival held once a year, which are greater in numbers and variety of food.

P.S. You can book Grand Perth & Fremantle Tour with Tram & Cruise at Klook at a discount!

DESTINATION #4: ROTTNEST ISLAND

Rather than walk, rent a bike or take a bus to explore Rottnest Island, how about riding a segway to tour the island? If you walk or cycle around the island, it is great as you get to enjoy the sights directly but tourists tend to get worn out more quickly and end up exploring fewer places. If you do a scenic drive, then your view is limited from within the moving vehicle.

Image credit: Segway Tours WA

This is why segway tours with Segway Tours WA are the way to go for a fun and effortless tour around Rottnest Island with your family. Do note that there is a minimum age requirement is 12 years by Western Australia law; hence this activity may not be suitable for families with younger children.

Take your holiday snaps to the next level with a quokka selfie at Rottnest Island, which is fast becoming a social media trend. A quokka selfie is basically a selfie of oneself with a quokka, an adorable marsupial animal native to Western Australia. Dubbed as “the happiest animals in the world”, quokkas are naturally happy-looking and are now mostly found in Rottnest Island.

Image credit: Daily Mail Australia

It appears that quokkas have adjusted to human invasion with the massive influx of tourists in Rottnest Island every year, so they are usually not afraid to approach humans and it is relatively easy to snap a happy selfie with them. However as the numbers of quokkas have reduced significantly due to habitat clearing and the arrival of dingoes and foxes, these animals are now regarded as vulnerable. It is against the law to touch them and it is recommended not to feed them as human food can make them sick or die.

Remember to hashtag #quokkaselfie while you’re at it!

Do you know you can get your Ferry tickets (Round Trip) to Rottnest Island from Klook in advance?

DESTINATION #5: SECRET HARBOUR

Image credit: Weet-Bix Surf Groms

Learn surfing at Secret Harbour Beach where there are waves all year round and it is less crowded, making it a much safer learning environment and an ideal place for surfing beginners. Big Wave Surfing School specialises in teaching families to surf. Learning to surf with Big Wave is not your typical send-your-child-for-swimming-lessons kind of school, as parent participation is highly encouraged.

Run by a couple who have two boys on their own, their passion is for families to bond over the time spent in surfing lessons – which not only teaches the child how to surf in a safe manner and grows their confidence but also enables parents to learn with their child and give them time and attention which cultivates family bonding for the majority of modern families that are time-deprived.

The lessons do have to be booked in advance and there are short 2-day and 4-day courses suitable for school holidays.

DESTINATION #6: BUSSELTON

Image credit: Busselton Jetty Facebook Page

Do not miss the opportunity to go fishing at Busselton Jetty, a renowned fishing spot for a wide variety of fish including squid and crabs. Fishing is not only good for training patience in kids, providing a source of free organic seafood, but the shared experience also strengthens relationships.

Parents can teach their kids how to fish, or book fishing classes with Access Fishing, which caters for all age groups and any level of fishing experience. They also provide fishing equipment packages for hire, which includes everything required for fishing and saves visitors from travelling with bulky fishing gear.

Travel Tips

• Invite your children to take part in the planning of your family holiday. While they are not necessarily the most appropriate travel planner (budgeting and time planning), you may be surprised at how many ideas they can come up with for fun activities or places to go. Let them be part of the planning and make the experience a whole lot more fun and engaging!
• Always call up and check the attraction’s own website to confirm the required information before you set off. These attractions/events may be closed for the day, have changed addresses/opening times/events or run out of stock, e.g. fruit farms or popular food on the menu. Also, reading up on any relevant reviews will help you know what to expect and avoid disappointment.
• For even more helpful advice and information on family holiday fun in Perth, check out the WA Holiday Guide website which includes an online holiday planner.

By Michelle Tan.

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