Things to do with kids in Rockingham, Kwinana & Mandurah
Rockingham Beach faces north, so the water is calm and clear most of the year, with playgrounds and cafes along the foreshore. In summer, swimming pontoons go in. At Cape Peron, the reefs and little bays are some of the best snorkelling around Perth, and a coastal loop trail joins them up. For a patrolled surf beach, go to Secret Harbour, which has the Octopus Playground nearby.
At Lake Richmond, a boardwalk looks over thrombolites, living rocks that are a bit like the earliest life on Earth. The playground at Singleton Beach has a swing for children with disability and beach matting down to the sand. In Kwinana, the Spectacles Wetlands have a boardwalk through the paperbarks and a bird hide.
Near Pinjarra, Ranger Red's Zoo lets kids hand-feed animals, hold a snake and pat a bettong, with free barbecues for lunch.
85 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Rockingham. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.
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Top things to do in Rockingham & Mandurah
Swim in the calm at Rockingham Beach
This north-facing beach is sheltered from the prevailing winds, so the water stays clear and calm for most of the year. Playgrounds and picnic areas line the foreshore beside cafés and restaurants. Swimming pontoons go in off Railway Terrace and Flinders Lane from late November to March.
under 5 min
Beach · Rockingham Beach
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Snorkel the reefs off Cape Peron
The limestone headland is dotted with reefs, caves and swim-throughs, and the City of Rockingham rates its snorkelling among the region's best. A 2.2km loop trail follows the coast past sheltered bays. Viewing platforms and parking are on the cape.
about 10 min
Walk · Cape Peron
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hand-feed kangaroos at Ranger Red's Zoo
This hands-on zoo sits on the banks of the Murray River near Pinjarra, about an hour from Perth. Kids can hand-feed animals, hold a snake and pat a rufous bettong among more than 100 species, from koalas and wombats to dingoes. Free barbecues mean you can bring a picnic and make a day of it.
about 45 min
Wildlife park · Ranger Red’s Zoo and Conservation Park
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
See living rocks at Lake Richmond
A boardwalk at Lake Richmond looks over thrombolites, structures built by microbes that resemble the earliest life on Earth. The easy 3km Anne Mueller Environmental Walk loops the lake, where pelicans and black swans feed. There are barbecues and a wildlife hide, but no toilets.
under 5 min
Walk · Lake Richmond
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Swim at patrolled Secret Harbour
Secret Harbour is the only patrolled beach in the City of Rockingham. Lifesavers are on duty on weekends and public holidays from October to March, and on weekdays too in December and January. The Octopus Playground is about 300m from the beach.
about 20 min
Beach · Secret Harbour Beach
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Spot birds from the hide at the Spectacles
A 130m boardwalk winds through paperbark forest from the car park. Two longer trails, 3.5km and 5km, pass a bird hide and signs about traditional Nyoongar life. There is no drinking water, so bring your own.
about 20 min
Walk · The Spectacles Wetlands
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Play on the accessible playground at Singleton
Singleton's foreshore playground has a double-width slide, a climbing net and a pod swing that supports children with disability. A sealed path with a handrail and 20m of beach matting lead from the car park towards the sand. There are barbecues and toilets with direct access to the sand.
about 25 min
Beach · Singleton Beach
Photo: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Step into old Rockingham at the museum
The Rockingham Museum fills the 1946 Art Deco building that was once the Roads Board office. Volunteers from the district historical society run exhibitions on the people and events that shaped Rockingham. Rockingham Beach is about 300 m away, so it pairs well with a swim.
under 5 min
Museum · The Rockingham Museum
Photo: Brian Coleman, CC BY-SA 2.0
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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.