Things to do with kids in Perth's Northern Suburbs
Yanchep National Park is the big day out up north. A raised boardwalk lets you see koalas in the trees, kangaroos graze the lawns early and late, and the flat Wetlands Walk circles Loch McNess. Guides lead tours through Crystal Cave every day. Nearby, Yanchep Lagoon has a reef for snorkelling and lifeguards in summer.
For the littlest kids, the beach inside Hillarys Marina is sheltered from the waves, and the aquarium is a short walk around the harbour. Mullaloo Beach is patrolled and a local favourite. At Scarborough, the beach pool is heated all year and has a warm leisure pool beside the surf.
Bikes and scooters can follow the long shared path around Lake Joondalup, with a boardwalk and a bird-watching tower. Closer to the city, Herdsman Lake has a floating jetty at Popeye Lake. On hot or wet days, Arena Joondalup has an indoor water slide.
87 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Joondalup. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.
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Top things to do in Perth's North
Meet the koalas at Yanchep
A raised boardwalk in Yanchep National Park lets you see koalas in the trees, 8am to 4.30pm daily. The flat 2.7km Wetlands Walk circles Loch McNess from McNess House, past a lookout over the water. Western grey kangaroos graze the lawns early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
about 30 min
Walk · Loch McNess and Wetlands Walk Trail
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Go underground at Crystal Cave
Guides lead daily tours past stalactites, helictites and the "jewelled city" in Yanchep National Park. Buy tickets at McNess House on the day or book online; a family of four pays $40. Park entry of $17 per car is extra.
about 30 min
Cave · Crystal Cave
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Paddle in the calm at Hillarys Marina Beach
Inside Hillarys Boat Harbour, the marina shelters this beach from waves, so the water stays calm for toddlers. Toilets and cafés are close by. AQWA, the Aquarium of Western Australia, is about 470m around the harbour.
about 15 min
Swimming spot · Hillarys Marina Beach
Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0
Swim between the flags at Mullaloo
The City of Joondalup names Mullaloo one of its two local favourites for swimming, with white sand and surf lifesaving patrols. Parking, toilets and food are all close to the sand. A no-kitesurfing zone stretches 200m out to sea at Mullaloo.
about 10 min
Beach · Mullaloo Beach
Photo: The original uploader was Agrobert at English Wikipedia., Public domain
Snorkel the reef at Yanchep Lagoon
Yanchep Lagoon Beach is known for snorkelling along its reef. Lifeguards watch it from 9am to 4pm between the third Monday in November and Easter Monday. Always swim between the red and yellow flags.
about 35 min
Swimming spot · Yanchep Lagoon
Photo: Jpoeta2, CC BY-SA 4.0
Swim beside the surf at Scarborough Beach Pool
This outdoor pool on the Scarborough esplanade keeps its 50m lanes at 27 degrees all year, and the leisure pool runs warmer at 31. Spring hours stretch to 9pm on weekdays. Children under 13 need an adult aged 16 or over with them at all times.
about 25 min
Pool · Scarborough Beach Pool
Photo: -wuppertaler, CC BY 4.0
Ride the path around Lake Joondalup
The 16km Lake Joondalup Circuit is a family-friendly shared path in Yellagonga Regional Park, so watch for bikes. A boardwalk and a bird-watching tower are good spots to look for wrens, turtles and water rats. Tiger snakes and dugites live here too, and swimming, fishing and boats are not allowed.
under 5 min
Lake · Lake Joondalup
Photo: Thewinchester, CC BY 2.5
Look out from Popeye Lake's jetty
More than 100 bird species have been recorded at Herdsman Lake, and entry is free. A shared path makes a 7km loop, and Popeye Lake has a floating jetty with an observation deck. The Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre runs talks and night walks.
about 30 min
Lake · Herdsman Lake
Photo: Gnangarra, CC BY 2.5 au
Race down the slide at Arena Joondalup
The aquatic centre, formerly HBF Arena, has a leisure pool with an enclosed water slide, plus a 25m pool. A brand-new 10-lane, 50m indoor pool has also opened. Casual visits are welcome, so no membership is needed for a family swim.
under 5 min
Pool · Arena Joondalup
Photo: DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.