I Hope you find this Western Australia family holidays destination guide useful for planning your next trip to the West. Making up nearly half of the Australian continent, Western Australia is massive in area! It is also overlooked by first-time visitors to Australia who head to the activity-packed Eastern States. However, that means that Western Australia’s vast landscapes are un-touristed and offer many rich and rewarding experiences for family holidays WA. This makes a family holiday in Western Australia less touristed and more adventurous than most. The most notable cities in Western Australia are Perth, Margaret River, and Broome.
Looking for the The Best Places to visit in Western Australia – a bucket list?
Because Western Australia is so large, there is so much to see and do. Also, being a traveling family from Western Australia we have so much insider information to share. In fact, so much so that we created another blog strictly dedicated to all things Western Australia. Our World of Travels with Kids sister site, Western Australian Travel, is jam packed information and recommendations. Most of the links in this post will take your to Western Australian Travel.com where you can explore all the Western Australia has to offer.
This post may contain affiliate links, from which we would earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More info in my disclaimer.
WA Family Holiday Destinations
Since Western Australia covers such a large area, naturally there are many different things to do and see. When looking for the best WA family holiday destinations you are really spoiled for choice. Depending on how long you will be visiting Western Australia, and what your must-see list entails, there are many different Western Australian itineraries.
Below we have compiled an extensive list of our resources for many different areas of Western Australia. Being a traveling family based in Western Australia, all our suggestions and tips are straight from a local living here. Many of these places we have visited multiple times, so we believe we can offer really inside knowledge. Of course, if you have any additional questions feel free to let us know in the comments below!
What makes a great family holiday destination? When you read our suggestions of great ideas for a family holiday in Western Australia – we will try to tell you what age worked for us!
We are frequent travellers to all parts of the world, so it goes without saying I spend a lot of time researching destinations. It causes me endless frustration finding blogs full of long lists of recommendations. They aren’t really suggestions of the very best things to do in a place, more like a complete list of everything to do. And worse, when you are travelling with family you wonder, “Did their kids really enjoy this? Or are their kids really well behaved?” I know everyone is different… but honestly, kids are kids after all… until they become tweens and then teens… So when you read our suggestions of great ideas for a family holiday in Western Australia – we will try to tell you what age worked for us!
Perth Family Holiday Ideas
Perth is one of the best holiday destinations for families in Australia! Think year-round sunny weather, stunning beaches, and plenty to do and see. From the wineries of the Swan Valley to the turquoise water of Perth’s own island getaway, Rottnest, there is definitely something for everyone in Perth. Below is our massive collection of Perth-related posts! Perth family holidays can be amazing! You can really get a feel for why we think Perth is one of the best places for Western Australia family holidays .
What ages is Perth good for? Being the capital city of Western Australia, there is something for every age in Perth.
*Start Here* If you really want to create the BEST possible Family holiday from Perth then read this post first! An Awesome Perth Family Holiday Itinerary
We have a wealth of different ideas for the best Perth family holiday, but here are several of the main posts to get you started:
- 101 Awesome Things to do in Perth with Kids
- Fantastic Perth Playgrounds And Parks In Perth
- A Useful Guide To Kings Park Perth WA
What is the Best Perth Accommodation for Families?
There is quite a bit of good family accommodation in Perth, and we have covered our suggestions thoroughly in our post:The Best Family Accommodation Perth – Family Resorts & Kid-Friendly Hotels
Things to do in Perth in Winter
As we have mentioned above, a Perth family holiday is a great year round, and that includes in the wet winter months. Here are some ideas to get you started! On a sunny day a hike to visit one of the national parks around Perth is memorable. On a rainy day two of our favourite inside activities is a visit to Scitech, or the AQWA the Aquarium of Western Australia.
If you are looking for activities and things to do in Perth in the winter, check out these posts:
- A Guide To The Aquarium Of Western Australia – AQWA Perth Aquarium
- Sensational Scitech Perth Planetarium Review
Bestfamily holidays from Perth (within 2 hours driving)
Yes, there is so much to do and see in Perth, but some of Western Australia’s iconic sites are found within 2 hours drive and so these two posts cover everything from the best Perth weekend getaways to visiting the famous Penguin Island.
When you are travelling with younger kids, having a home base (like an apartment or airbnb) seems to work better for them. So we highly recommend making a series of day trips from Perth and then coming back to your base each night.
Exciting Short Breaks and Perth Weekend Getaways
A Delightful Day Visit To Penguin Island, Western Australia
Super fun WA family holiday destinations.
If you are planning a family holiday Western Australia and don’t have a lot of time, or have smaller kids and don’t want to spend a lot of time in the car, these are some ideas for great places to base your family within a couple hours of Perth. These are some of the best family holidays destinations in WA that we consider “hidden gems”:A Guide To Visiting Gnomesville WA
while our guide to South West WA covers all the major spots, it also includes some of the best information you will find on the web about the best things in the country towns in this area for kids – its a long post but scroll down to nBest Stops for Kids on a South West Australia Road Trip. We cover the best restaurants on the route for kids (including those with playgrounds) plus also recommend a stop at the famous Donnybrook Fun park … and much more (you will have to read it to find out!) Its information like this that will make or break your Western Australia family holiday -for sure!
Busselton – A Great WA Family Holiday Destination!
Another of the most popular places to have a Western Australia family holiday is Busselton. With a seaside vibe that centers around the famous Busselton Jetty, there are loads of resorts in Busselton ranging from 5 stars right through to caravan parks.
- Awesome Things to do in Busselton
- The Best Things to do in Busselton for Families (yep, that’s right the first post we wrote was about ALL the things you can do in Busselton… for adults. This post is written specifically for families with kids of ALL ages.
- An Excellent Guide to the Busselton Caravan Parks
- I bet you didn’t know there were great Wineries and Breweries in Busselton!
- And for the foodies, check out The Best Restaurants in Busselton.
Margaret River Family Activities (Including Yallingup And Dunsborough)
Oft described as Western Australia’s holiday capital, the Margaret River area has loads of kid-friendly things to do. We love our Margaret River Family holidays. From spectacular beaches, caves, short hikes and, then there are the culinary delights! There are plenty of family-friendly wineries, breweries, and restaurants with great playgrounds and places for the kids to play. Don’t forget that the broader Margaret River region includes the towns of Yallingup, Dunsborough and Augusta. Each of those would make a great base for a Western Australian family holiday. (But personally we prefer Dunsborough or Yallingup than the actual town of Margaret River… but that is our family’s experience)
- How to Ace the Perth to Margaret River Road Trip
- Awesome Things to do in Margaret River with Kids
- Best Things To Do In Dunsborough WA
- The BEST Things to do in Yallingup WA
Things to do in Margaret River in Winter
Like other WA family holiday destinations listed in our comprehensive post, Margaret in winter offers lots for the whole family to do. These activities have been included in Best things to do in Margaret River in Winter.
A Complete Guide to the Margaret River Caves
What You Need to Know about Quinninup Falls & Other Short Margaret River Hikes
The Best Margaret River Breweries that you NEED to Visit
Margaret River WA Accommodations
The are many family holiday packages Western Australia and Margaret River is no exception. Make sure to check with your preferred Margaret River area accommodation to see what they offer in terms of package deals.
There is quite a lot of good Family Accommodation in South West WA, including around Margaret River.
If you travel with your pooch, like we do, you will find this very useful: Dog and Pet Friendly Accommodation in Margaret River.
Also, if you are looking for a great place to stay in Margaret River read our Pullman Resort Bunker Bay: Margaret River Luxury Accommodation review.
Road Trips from Perth & A Family Oriented Western Australia Itinerary
With some massive spaces to cover, if you are visiting Western Australia it is likely that you are going to do a West Coast Australia road trip in your time in Western Australia. Maybe it won’t be a massive coastal expedition from north to south, but even if it is one of the explorations of the South West, you are sure to discover some real Western Australian hidden gems!
Western Australia Road Trips from Perth
Best of South Coast of Western Australia; A Margaret River to Albany Road Trip
A Guide to South West WA and South West Australia Road Trip Ideas
The Spectacular Albany to Esperance Road Trip Guide (2022)
An Insider’s Guide – A Perth to Albany Road Trip (2022)
WA family holiday destinations: Southern Forests
Not as well known as the nearby Margaret River, the Southern Forests Region includes the picturesque town of Pemberton WA, and the surrounding forests. Below are some resources for the area:
Going on A Truffle Hunt Manjimup WA
Valley of the Giants Area – Including Walpole and Denmark
The Valley of the Giants area, which includes the town of Walpole, the Walpole Wilderness, and stretches through to charming Denmark, is one of Western Australia’s hidden gems that not too many people know about. Here are some of the top things to do in this area with kids:
A Complete Guide to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk Walpole Denmark
The Best Things to do in Denmark WA
Great Things to do in Walpole WA (2022)
Accommodation Recommendations for the Denmark and Walpole Area
The Best Accommodations in Walpole WA
The Best Denmark WA Accommodations
A Roundup of the Best Dog Friendly Accommodation South West WA
Albany and Mt Barker Area
Albany is a city located on the southern edge of Western Australia. A drive straight from Perth to Albany is about 5 hours (but this misses all of the coastal cities like Busselton and Margaret River). Margaret River to Albany, on the other hand, is about a 4-hour drive. Even though it is a bit south and out of the way from other destinations, it is still a great place.
Here are our top resources for Albany, Western Australia, and other destinations in the amazing south coast:
Amazing Things to do in Albany Western Australia
The Best Family Accommodations in Albany Western Australia
The Spectacular Hike to Granite Skywalk Castle Rock WA
Interesting Things to do in Mt. Barker WA
The Amazing South Coast of Western Australia
The amazing South Coast of Western Australia is a top-notch travel destination. From Cape Leeuwin to Eucla, there is so much to see and do in between. If you are planning on making the trip, here are some helpful posts:
The Spectacular Albany to Esperance Road Trip Guide
The Best Things to do in Bremer Bay WA
An Awesome Perth to Esperance Road Trip and Esperance Beaches
The Best Things to do in Esperance and Accommodation Ideas
WA Family Holiday Destinations – Outback
Seriously, we have only scratched the surface of all the wonderful things that there are to do in Western Australia with kids. And – to be honest, we are only discovering them ourselves! Here are some Outback destination choices:
Fascinating Things to do in Kalgoorlie and Goldfields WA
The Best Things to do in Wave Rock WA and Hyden Accommodations
A wonderful season to visit Western Australia is Wildflower season! We have a whole post called Where to Find the Best Wildflowers in Western Australia.
WA Family Holiday Ideas – Northern Western Australia
Awesome Things to do in Kalbarri for Families
The Ultimate Perth to Kalbarri Road Trip Itinerary
A Guide to the Spectacular Natures Window & Kalbarri Skywalk
WA Family Holiday Destinations – Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef
A wonderful place for a family beach holiday is the Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef area. We loved our holiday there and have got a few very useful posts to share with you. But…. is Exmouth of the best places for a WA family holiday? I think it depends on the age of your kids. Exmouth town is ok for a day or two, but its not jam packed with kid friendly activities. Out of town the magnificent Ningaloo Reef is there for exploring, but it wouldn’t be a lot of fun if your child wasn’t a confident swimmer.
Best Things to do in Exmouth WA (2022)
Guide to Visiting Ningaloo Reef Exmouth and Cape Range National Park (2022)
The Best Guide to Swim with the Whale Sharks Exmouth (2022)
An Awesome Bullara Station Experience
What About a Family Holiday to Broome?
A family holiday to Broome should be on any Western Australian family holiday plan. Plan your Broome Western Australia vacation with, The Best Things to do in Broome (2022).
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Western Australia?
As Western Australia is the largest state in Australia (geographically speaking the area is huge), the climate changes depending on what area you are in. The best time to visit is purely subjective and really depends on what your interests are and what type of climate you are comfortable in. The “high season” is usually described as October thru February.
However, as a Western Australian family we have found that there are so many things to do year-round. As you can see in all of our suggestions below, there is plenty to do rain or shine. With that said, Perth is actually known as the sunniest capital city in all of Australia for its average of almost 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, there really isn’t a “BEST” time to visit Western Australia as it can be enjoyed all year round.
Western Australian Festivals and Events to Plan Around
There are some small regional festivals that are attractive, but otherwise, Western Australia doesn’t have major events that might affect the visitor. Here are some public holiday dates to keep in mind when considering your WA family holiday destinations.
Some public holidays include:
- January – New Year’s Day. and Australia Day which is January 26th.
- April – April 25th is ANZAC day
- June – The first Monday in June is known as Western Australia Day.
- September – The Queen’s birthday is celebrated each year on September 25th.
- December – December sees the observance of Christmas and Boxing Day.
WA Family Holiday Destinations Guide
We Rate Western Australia 3/5 For Kids
Kid-Friendly Facilities – 5
Variation in Budgets – 3
Tourist Levels – 5
Travel Times – 1
The Verdict – The Best of Family Holidays WA
If you are a family that loves to explore, especially doing hikes or outdoor activities then Western Australia will be a great family holiday destination for you. With so many WA family holiday destinations you are spoiled for choice. From the many attractions of Perth itself to the fascinating south coast and the tall timber of the Southern Forests, there is so much diversity to discover. if you are looking for family road trips from Perth then we have got you covered as well. All we can say is – get out and explore this great state!
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