Perth Long Weekend Ideas for Families

Long weekends in Perth are gold. You get that extra day without burning annual leave, and if you plan it right, you can actually feel like you’ve had a proper break. The tricky part is figuring out what to do with the crew especially when every man and his dog is heading to the same spots. As one Perth parent on r/perth recently put it: “Every long weekend we end up just going to the same park and getting fish and chips. What else is out there?” Fair question. Here’s what’s actually worth doing.

Check the WA public holiday calendar to see when your next long weekend lands. WA Day, King’s Birthday, and Labour Day are the big ones.

 

What WA Long Weekends Are There in 2026?

Western Australia gets a handful of long weekends each year, and they’re spread out enough to keep things interesting. Here’s the rundown:

• Labour Day — Monday 2 March. The first long weekend of the year. Summer’s still hanging on, so beach days and outdoor stuff are prime.
• WA Day — Monday 1 June. Usually the start of proper cold mornings, but the days are still mild enough for day trips.
• King’s Birthday — Monday 22 September. Spring long weekend — wildflowers are out, weather’s warming up, and it’s a sweet spot before the summer rush.

There’s also Easter (Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April) and Christmas/Boxing Day, but those tend to be family-obligation weekends rather than adventure weekends.

 

Day Trips Within an Hour of Perth

If you don’t want to burn a full tank of fuel or spend half the day in the car, there are heaps of solid day trips within an hour of the city.

• Rottnest Island — The classic. Bike around the island, snorkel at The Basin, grab a quokka selfie. Book your ferry early though — long weekend ferries fill up fast. The Buggybuddys guide to Rottnest with kids is worth a read before you go.
• Fremantle — Markets, fish and chips on the wharf, the Maritime Museum, and a walk up to the lighthouse. It’s a classic Perth day out for a reason. Throw in a visit to the Fremantle Prison if you’ve got older kids who are into history.
• Swan Valley — Wineries for the parents, chocolate factories and playgrounds for the kids. The Swan Valley is close enough for a relaxed morning-to-afternoon outing without it feeling like a mission.
• Armadale and the Hills — Armadale is the gateway to the Perth Hills. Grab a coffee in , explore John Forrest National Park, or just drive through the hills and stop at whatever looks good.

 

Beach Days That Actually Work

Perth’s beaches are world-class, but on a long weekend, you need to be strategic about which ones you hit — otherwise you’ll spend an hour fighting for a parking spot.

• Scarborough — The playground, splash pad, and beach all in one spot. It’s popular, but there’s usually space if you get there before 10am.
• Cottesloe — The GOAT of Perth beaches. Great for families, plenty of cafes nearby, and the sunsets are unreal. Arrive early or cop the parking chaos.
• Mullaloo — A bit further north, but less hectic than Scarborough. The shallow water is perfect for little kids, and there’s a good playground nearby.
• Port Beach (North Fremantle) — Newer, less discovered, and has a great playground. Good option if you want something a bit different.

 

Outdoor Adventures for Active Families

If your kids have got energy to burn, a long weekend is the perfect time to wear them out. Here are some picks that go beyond the usual playground circuit.

• Kings Park — The nature playground is elite. Add a walk through the botanical gardens and you’ve got a full morning for zero dollars. The spring wildflowers are usually out for King’s Birthday weekend too.
• Cycling the Swan River — The paths from South Perth to Crawley are flat, sealed, and perfect for families on bikes. Grab an ice cream at the end and you’ve got a solid morning sorted.
• Scitech — Not outdoor, but the holiday programs are worth booking. The outdoor Discoveryland area is great for younger kids too.
• Bushwalking — John Forrest National Park, Lesmurdie Falls, or the Bibbulmun Track sections near Mundaring are all family-friendly in the cooler months.

Free and Cheap Things to Do

Long weekends don’t have to cost a fortune. Perth’s got plenty of free stuff that’s actually good — not just “walk around a park and hope for the best.”

• Elizabeth Quay — The playground, the fountains, and the ferry terminal all in one spot. You can catch a ferry to South Perth for free and back. Bring bathers — the kids will get wet.
• Whiteman Park — Free entry, playgrounds, shallow toddler pool, and the heritage tram. It’s a solid half-day outing that won’t cost you anything beyond fuel.
• Local libraries — Most Perth libraries run free holiday programs — craft sessions, story time, and STEM activities. Check your local council website for long weekend schedules.
• City of Perth — The city often runs free events during long weekends. Check the City of Perth website closer to the date.

 

 

Indoor Picks for Rainy Long Weekends

Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. Here are some indoor options that won’t bore the kids to tears.

• WA Museum Boola Bardip — The kids’ zone is excellent, and the holiday programs are genuinely interesting. Free entry too.
• Art Gallery of WA — Free entry, and they usually run family-friendly workshops during long weekends.
• Bounce, Launch Pad, or Lazer Karts — Indoor play centres that’ll burn through an afternoon. Not the cheapest option, but it works.
• Escape rooms — Some Perth escape rooms have kid-friendly options. Good for older kids who want something more challenging.

Backyard Long Weekend Ideas

Sometimes the best long weekend is just staying home and making the most of it. No traffic, no parking stress, no queues.

• Water play — If the weather’s warm enough, set up the sprinklers, water balloons, or a splash pad. Spring long weekends in Perth are usually warm enough for this.
• Backyard obstacle course — Use whatever you’ve got: cones, pool noodles, skipping ropes, chalk on the driveway. If you want to level it up, an inflatable obstacle course is a guaranteed hit.
• Movie marathon — Set up a projector or just use the TV. Let the kids pick the movies, make popcorn, and let the afternoon disappear.
• Bouncy castle day — If you’ve got the space, a bouncy castle turns any long weekend into the best day ever. Add a water slide if the weather’s warm enough.
• Camping in the backyard — Pitch a tent, tell stories, roast marshmallows. The kids will remember it forever.

 

FAQs

Q: What are the WA long weekends in 2026?

A: Labour Day (2 March), WA Day (1 June), and King’s Birthday (22 September). Easter also gives you a four-day break from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April.

Q: What’s the best long weekend day trip from Perth?

A: Rottnest Island is hard to beat! Bike around the island, snorkel, and spot quokkas. Margaret River is also great if you’re happy to drive 3 hours each way.

Q: Are Perth beaches crowded on long weekends?

A: Popular spots like Cottesloe and Scarborough get busy, especially if the weather’s good. Arrive before 10am or try less-known beaches like Mullaloo or Port Beach.

Q: What free activities are there in Perth on a long weekend?

A: Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, Whiteman Park, and local libraries all offer free activities. The City of Perth also runs free events during some long weekends.

Q: What do I do with kids on a rainy long weekend in Perth?

A: WA Museum Boola Bardip, Scitech, Art Gallery of WA, and indoor play centres like Bounce are all solid picks. Most libraries also run free holiday programs.

Q: How do I keep kids entertained without leaving the house?

A: Backyard water play, obstacle courses, movie marathons, baking, and camping in the backyard all work. A bouncy castle or water slide hire takes it to the next level.

Q: Is Margaret River worth it for a long weekend?

A: It’s a 3-hour drive each way, so you’ll spend a chunk of the weekend in the car. If you’re happy with that, it’s absolutely worth it! Beaches, caves, wineries, and family-friendly spots everywhere.