9D8N Perth Itinerary with Toddler: Family-Friendly Attractions

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Hey Mummies (and Daddies)! I’m Elissa, a first-time IVF mummy to a super active 22-month-old toddler girl 🌟 If you’re planning a family-friendly holiday to Perth with a baby or toddler, you’re in the right place. We recently went on a 9D8N self-drive trip to Perth — just the three of us, no extra help this time like our 7D6N Jeju trip with family! This time round we tried to be a little more adventurous, but still planned around our toddler’s 1 nap schedule and 730pm bedtime. For any one planning something similar, here’s our detailed 9D8N Perth itinerary with a toddler — thoughtfully planned (and survived!) by two tired but happy parents.

Essential Tips for Traveling with a Toddler

If this happens to be your first trip with baby or a toddler, I’ve added some extra handy tips. What to pack, baby-safe medications to bring, and must-have gear to help make your trip with a little one as smooth and stress-free as possible!

Perth Itinerary with Toddler: Family Friendly Accommodation

For this 9D8N Perth itinerary with a toddler, we chose to stay in three different accommodations to make travel easier and explore different parts of Western Australia without too much back-and-forth driving. We broke up the trip into three main areas:

• Day 1-2 Fremantle – A charming, laid-back coastal town perfect for easing into the trip with a baby or toddler. Originally planned for because we contemplated a trip to Rottnest Island (and it was near the ferry terminal)
• Day 3- 6 Margaret River & Surrounds – A nature-filled escape with family-friendly wineries, animal farms, and scenic drives.
• Day 7-9 Perth City – For some urban fun, shopping, and easy access to parks and playgrounds.

This arrangement helped us balance toddler-friendly attractions with manageable driving distances and restful stays.

Days 1-2: Fremantle

Hotel: Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges

We started our trip in laid-back Fremantle — a relaxing intro to Perth with a toddler. We originally booked it for a Rottnest Island trip (which we later skipped), but it turned out to be a convenient and gentle start.

👍 Accommodation Pros:

• Free upgrade to a spacious room with a big bathtub — toddler loved it!
• Right across Esplanade Park with a quiet, nature-themed playground
• Walking distance to Fremantle Markets, Ferris Wheel, beach, and cafes
• Early breakfast buffet with decent variety (very toddler-friendly)
• Convenient parking nearby

👎 Accommodation Cons:

• Not near the ferry terminal (20-min walk)
• Hotel feels a bit dated

Mummylist Review: Decent hotel for the price (we couldn’t find better alternatives). Fremantle itself is nice but can easily be done as a day trip — no need to stay over. If you go, plan to be there over a weekend when the markets are open (Fri–Sun).

Days 3-6: Margaret River & Surrounds

Airbnb: Alley Cats – Swell Stays (Cheaper on Agoda than Airbnb)

We picked an Airbnb in Margaret River for more space, laundry access, and the option to cook for our toddler during this longer stay.

👍 Accommodation Pros:

• Central location — close to town, restaurants, and even a Pilates studio
• Full kitchen for easy meal prep
• Spacious 3-bedroom unit (though we didn’t need all the rooms)

👎 Accommodation Cons:

• Tight parking space — tricky for big cars or new drivers
• Only 1 bathroom — may not suit bigger groups
• Washer but no dryer (we hang-dried clothes indoors without issues)

Mummylist Review: Family-friendly and convenient, but slightly pricey for what you get. We’d still go for an Airbnb again in this area — just might try a different one next time!

Days 7-9: Perth City

Hotel: Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth

We ended our trip in Subiaco — a quiet yet vibrant neighbourhood just outside the city. Recommended by a friend, it was a great final stop in our Perth itinerary for toddler-friendly travel.

👍 Accommodation Pros:

• Spacious corner room
• Tasty in-house breakfast (small à la carte menu, but well done)
• Sheltered pool — perfect for toddlers
• Easy weekend parking and plenty of dining nearby
• Near pilates studios and quiet streets for strolls
• Close to the train station (if not driving)

👎 Accommodation Cons:

• Still need to drive or take a train to main attractions like Elizabeth Quay, city shops, and large parks

Mummylist Review: Subiaco is a peaceful, more affordable base if you’re okay with short commutes. We really liked winding down here after busy days out — the space, slower pace, and toddler-friendly hotel setup made it a great fit for our Perth itinerary with a toddler. If you’re after shopping and city buzz, though, you might prefer staying near Elizabeth Quay (just expect higher prices).

9D8N Perth Itinerary with Toddler (No Extra Help!)

We planned this trip around toddler-friendly attractions and generally family-friendly restaurants, and I’ll also point out spots that might be harder to manage with a little one.

Unlike our Jeju trip with extended family, this was our first long overseas holiday without extra help — just the three of us. We kept the itinerary moderately active, with 2–4 activities a day depending on our pace. Now that our 22-month-old is down to one nap, we could fit more into her wake windows — but still kept it realistic because, let’s be honest, travelling with a toddler is tiring!

If you’ve got more energy or an extra pair of hands, feel free to add more stops to this itinerary.

BONUS: eSIM tips before we dive into the activities:

• Optus eSIM (Bought Here) – Budget-friendly and decent coverage throughout, except in some ulu parts of Margaret River. I paid $13.87 for 9 days with 1GB daily.
• Telstra eSIM (Bought Here) – We got this as a backup after hearing Optus might lack coverage in Margaret River. It was pricey ($46.50 for 30GB + local calls, 5G), but my husband used it and had better reception, which was a lifesaver since he was navigating.

Note: We only saw an Optus counter at the airport, not Telstra. If you have other useful tips for eSIMs, please let us know in the comments or over on IG!

Renting A Car

We didn’t consider other transport options as Margaret River is best explored by car — public transport isn’t ideal, and as always, we wanted full control over our schedule.

For this trip, we rented from Europcar Car Rental, including a rear-facing baby car seat. The car and seat were clean and well-maintained. Best part: pick-up was right outside the arrival terminal (no shuttle needed), and drop-off was hassle-free. That said, it’s not the cheapest option.

From an informal poll among friends, the cheapest option seems to be No Birds Car Rental. But take note:

• You’ll need to call for a shuttle from the terminal, so expect some waiting time
• Car seats may not be pre-installed (this happened to a few friends)

Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions

2:30 PM – Landed at Perth Airport. Declared UHT milk, baby meds, and pouch food at customs — all smooth. Picked up our rental car from Europcar just across the road.

4:30 PM – Checked into Esplanade Hotel Fremantle.

5:30 PM – Walked to Cicerello’s for dinner — fun spot with lots of aquariums to entertain toddlers, but food was underwhelming.
Tip: Eat at Kailis Fish Market Cafe instead (we loved the one in Perth City) and swing by Cicerello’s just for dessert or the fish tanks.

7:00 PM – Took a slow stroll back, passed by the Tourist Wheel before heading in for the night.

This laid-back first day was a gentle start to our Perth itinerary for toddler-friendly travel.

Day 2: Exploring Fremantle

7:30 AM – Early breakfast followed by a fun play session at the nearby nature-themed playground across the road.

9:00 AM – Morning stroll around Fremantle: passed by the Shipwreck Museum, Bathers Beach, and The Roundhouse on the way to our main stop —

10:00 AM – WA Maritime Museum: Great indoor attraction to escape the heat. Free exhibits included taxidermy animals (hello shark!), aquarium tanks, and a small kids’ activity zone — toddler-approved!

11:00 AM – Grabbed lunch at a random café in town (we were starving), then back to the hotel for all-important nap time — for baby and adults alike.

3:00 PM – Returned to town after spotting Target and the Walyalup Civic Centre. It had everything we needed:

• Shopping run at Target
• A playground and grassy slopes outside
• A library with a toddler-friendly slide — big hit!
• Clean baby changing room in the library

5:30 PM – Met my cousin for dinner at Tonic + Ginger (fusion Southeast Asian). Highly recommend prebooking!
🌟 Must-tries: prawn toast, kingfish sashimi, pork & prawn siu mai, firecracker cauliflower, and wok-fried noodles. We did the omakase but these were the standout dishes.

7:30 PM – Back to the hotel for an early night before our road trip to Margaret River.

This day wrapped up the Fremantle portion of our Perth itinerary for toddler travel, combining culture, play, and good eats — all at a manageable pace.

Day 3: Road Trip To Margaret River

8:00 AM – Hit the road! First stop after ~1h45: Lake Clifton Thrombolites — quick visit to the boardwalk to see these ancient rock-like organisms and do a bit of birdwatching.

11:30 AM – Lunch at Pho Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant in Busselton — satisfying and toddler-friendly. Popped by Coles next door for groceries (UHT milk, fruits, breakfast essentials).

2:00 PM – Checked into our Margaret River Airbnb. Tried nap time… but toddler had other plans 😅. So we unpacked and decided to head back out.

3:30 PM – Drove to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse — beautiful photo spots and a nice walk with ocean views. Next stop: Hamelin Bay to see the famous stingrays, but rain and a wrong turn meant just a short beach walk.

5:00 PM – Drove through the scenic Boranup Forest. No formal entrance — just stopped where others did. Baby and daddy went for a quick walk among the towering trees while mummy captured photos!

6:00 PM – Dinner at La Scarpetta Trattoria, a cosy spot walking distance from our stay. The fairy-tale vibe and handmade pasta made it a lovely end to the day.

7:00 PM – Back to the Airbnb. Baby to bed, laundry done, and all clothes hang-dried overnight.

This leg of our Perth itinerary for toddler travel was a good reminder that flexibility is key — especially when naps don’t go to plan!

Day 4: Exploring Margaret River Attractions

9:15 AM – First stop: Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. A nice visit, but if you’re only choosing one lighthouse for your Perth itinerary for toddler travel, Cape Leeuwin is the more scenic pick.

10:00 AM – Headed to Sugarloaf Rock Lookout. There are stairs to climb, making it a great little adventure for toddlers — plus the ocean views are stunning.

10:30 AM – Quick beach stop at Meelup Beach to let our little one play with sand and blow bubbles.

11:00 AM – Lunch at Meelup Farmhouse — an absolute favourite. Gorgeous modern farmhouse vibes, good food, and best of all: a massive lawn where toddlers can run wild and feed Silkie chickens and ducks. Do check opening days/times before visiting!

1:30 PM – Back for nap time at the Airbnb.

3:15 PM – Braved Mammoth Cave after much debate — and no regrets! Over 500+ steps, so babywearing is highly recommended. It’s not for kiddos afraid of the dark, but ours loved it. The cave plus nature trail took about an hour total.

5:00 PM – Grocery top-up, then dinner at Morries in town. Think tapas-style plates — standouts were the crushed chat potatoes and fried cauliflower (so good we ordered a second round). Just note: portions are small.

7:00 PM – Home for the night. Another load of laundry done

This was a great mix of nature, food, and free play — perfect for a toddler-friendly Perth itinerary with room for both structured outings and spontaneous moments.

Day 5: Busselton Day Trip – Underwater Fun & Farm Encounter

7:00 AM – Early-ish start to catch our 9:00 AM Underwater Observatory Tour at Busselton Jetty. We arrived at the jetty carpark around 8:30 AM, collected tickets at the Interpretive Centre (the iconic blue huts), and placed a $10 refundable deposit for a bike lock to secure our stroller — no strollers allowed on the train.

9:00 AM – Took the Jetty Train 1.7km out to sea — what a cool experience for a toddler who loves anything with wheels! At the end of the jetty, we joined the Underwater Observatory tour. Baby girl was fascinated by the fish swimming right outside the windows. After snapping lots of photos, we took the train back and popped by the Marine Discovery Centre (can skip and spend time at the playground instead) for a quick look.

11:30 AM – Lunch at KYST. It was quiet (great for families!), and they had a kids’ menu that doubled as a colouring sheet — perfect entertainment during the wait. Food was decent, and we loved that a massive shipwreck-themed playground was just next door — a great way to burn off some energy after the meal.

1:30 PM – Nap time back at the Airbnb.

3:30 PM – Spontaneous find: Scoops Farm! It ended up being a toddler highlight of our Perth itinerary. We spent over an hour feeding animals like cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens — and even stepped into enclosures with bunnies and guinea pigs. There was also a nature playground which our little one thoroughly enjoyed exploring.

5:00 PM – Dinner at The Spot Italiano. Yes, more pasta — and yes, still a hit with the whole fam!

6:30 PM – Back to the Airbnb for an early night, ahead of our long drive back to Perth the next day.

This day was the perfect blend of structured attractions and toddler-led fun — ideal if you’re planning a Perth itinerary for toddler-friendly experiences that are equal parts engaging and relaxing.

Day 6: Dolphins Then Back to Perth City

7:30 AM – Checked out of our Airbnb and headed straight to Bunbury. First stop: Bunbury Farmers Market — which turned out to be more of a gourmet supermarket than an actual farmer’s market. That said, we still managed to pick up some yummy souvenirs for family!

9:30 AM – Trip highlight alert! We made it to the Dolphin Discovery Centre just in time to see a small crowd standing knee-deep in the bay — and dolphins swimming right around them! We joined them! It was such a magical and unexpectedly close-up encounter.

Inside the centre, we caught feeding sessions for a turtle and an octopus, and there were several hands-on activities that toddlers would love — from a drawing table to sensory play zones and a cosy book corner. They also offer dolphin-watching boat tours, which my friend raved about (we might try that next time!).

11:00 AM – Just a short walk (or tram ride) away from the centre is a fantastic playground with sand play, water features and plenty of space to run around. Our little one had an absolute blast — another great addition to a Perth itinerary for toddler-friendly adventures.

12:30 PM – Grabbed a quick lunch at a nearby ramen spot before making our way back to Perth City. And guess what? Baby girl finally napped in the car — a miracle!

4:30 PM – Checked into Vibe Hotel Subiaco Perth, then took a relaxing walk around the neighbourhood before settling on Six Chopstix for dinner. Ended the day with a lovely stroll and early lights-out.

Day 7: Up Close with Koalas & Kangaroos + City Sights

7:30 AM – Grabbed a quick breakfast and set off for one of our most anticipated stops: Caversham Wildlife Park — a must-visit on any Perth itinerary for toddler-loving families!

• 9:30 AM – Arrived shortly after opening and secured an extra ticket to carry a koala! Tip: Get there early — the earlier time slots go first
• 10:00 AM – Watched the Farm Show where we saw sheep shearing, goat feeding, cow milking and more. Super engaging for little ones!
• 10:30 AM – Wandered through various exhibits — checked out the koalas, wombat encounter, the reptile house, and lots of farm animals.
• 11:30 AM – Joined the queue for our FREE group photo with a koala (included in ticket) — no carrying but still a nice keepsake!
• 12:00 NN – I queued for my paid photo session to carry the koala while my hubby fed baby girl her lunch. #TeamworkMakesTheDreamWork
• 12:30 PM – Ended the visit with the iconic kangaroo feeding! It’s free-roaming and so fun — kangaroos were literally chilling everywhere and so gentle with kids. A real toddler crowd-pleaser.
• 1:00 PM – Picked up some takeaway shepherd’s pies (highly recommend — shockingly good) and drove back to the hotel for nap time.

4:30 PM – Headed into Perth CBD for some light shopping at Kmart — parents, brace yourselves: parking can be a bit of a pain. Then we took a relaxing stroll to Elizabeth Quay, which had lovely views. Unfortunately, rain cut our visit short, so we made a quick dinner decision and settled at Took Bae Kee Restaurant for a warm, comforting Korean meal.

Day 8: Retail Therapy At Last & Best Meal of The Trip!

7:30 AM – After a quick breakfast, we set off for my favourite activity of the trip — shopping! Our stop: Belmont Forum, which was super convenient and toddler-friendly. Everything was under one roof — Kmart, Big W, Best & Less, Woolworths, Coles and more. Honestly, perfect for mums looking to do a last-minute Perth shopping haul with a toddler in tow.

12:00 NN – Had a quick and easy lunch at the food court (nothing fancy, but super convenient when your toddler’s ready for nap time). Then headed back to the hotel for a well-earned rest.

3:30 PM – After nap time, we made one last shopping stop at Watertown Brand Outlet — but honestly… a bit of a letdown. Not many notable brands, so we left pretty quickly. Wouldn’t recommend if you’re short on time.

5:00 PM – Dinner was at Kailis Bros Leederville, and WOW — this meal deserves its own award. I had the best seafood linguine of my life here — so flavourful, packed with fresh seafood, and paired perfectly with their oysters. If you’re a seafood lover, this is a must-visit!

6:30 PM – Started packing up our bags to save ourselves the morning scramble.

Day 9: Playgrounds, Shopping & Goodbyes

7:30 AM – Early breakfast and checked out of our hotel. But before heading to the airport, we squeezed in one last fun stop for our little one: Ivey Watson Playground at King’s Park.

9:00 AM – We arrived at the motherload of toddler-friendly playgrounds. It’s not just one — it’s a cluster of themed playgrounds all next to each other, perfect for burning off that toddler energy before a flight. We easily spent a solid hour here, and honestly, it felt like the best way to wrap up our family trip.

10:00 AM – Did a quick scenic drive-by of the iconic Blue Boat House for a final tourist moment, then swung by Belmont Forum (again, I know 😅) for just a tiny bit more shopping — you know how it goes.

12:00 NN – Dropped off our rental car at the airport — super fuss-free and took all of 5 minutes. Grabbed lunch at the airport lounge while keeping baby girl entertained, and then it was time to fly home with hearts (and luggage) full.

A perfect end to our Perth adventure — from nature spots, animal encounters, and farm fun.

Toddler Friendly Attractions in Perth for Future Visits

Since this was our first trip to Perth, we didn’t get to visit everything — but here are some toddler-friendly spots we’ve saved for next time or heard great things about:

• Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park
• WA Museum Boola Bardip
• Scitech Perth
• Little Land Indoor Play Centre (Balcatta)
• Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm
• Whiteman Park
• Perth’s Outback Splash

Perth really is a fantastic destination for families who love nature and animals, with plenty of slow-paced activities that suit toddlers well. Next time, we’ll definitely make it to these spots!

If you’ve got other toddler-friendly recommendations in and around Perth, drop them in the comments — we would love to hear!

Safe travels and happy family adventures!

Find this 9D8N Perth Itinerary with Toddler useful? Do help share this article with your fellow mummy and daddy friends and spread the love! It’s not easy putting all this information together and I do hope for more to benefit from it! For more baby & parenting content and helpful tips, check out our other articles here: