18 Sep School Holiday Survival Guide: Western Australia
Summertime in Western Australia means water sports, beach days, and plenty of family adventures.
Whether you’re heading to a theme park, exploring caves and coastlines, or discovering Perth’s favourite attractions, the holidays are the perfect time to get out and explore. Here are some ways to keep the kids busy and happy across WA these school holidays.
Outdoor & Water Adventures
⭐ Adventure World (Perth – Bibra Lake)
What it is: WA’s biggest theme and water park, featuring roller coasters, family rides, splash zones, and major slides like the Kraken and Tidal Wave.
Best for: Ages 3+; Tweens and Teens especially.
Accessibility:
- Good wheelchair access around the grounds.
- Many rides have mobility restrictions — check guide before visiting.
- Sensory notes: bright, loud, crowded — arrive at opening time for calmer experience.
Link Adventure World
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⭐ Adventure World (Bullsbrook)
What it is: Large water slides, toddler splash island, mazes, mini-golf, koala experiences, shaded picnic zones.
Best for: All ages (toddler areas well-designed).
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair-friendly pathways; shaded accessible viewing areas.
- Sensory-friendly: quieter mid-week; water play can be calming for many neurodiverse children.
Link Adventure World
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⭐ Busselton Jetty & Underwater Observatory
What it is: Ride the jetty train 1.8km over the ocean to a spectacular underwater observatory where kids see fish, coral and marine life through large viewing windows.
Best for: Ages 3+.
Accessibility:
- Jetty train is wheelchair accessible.
- Observatory has accessible lifts (rare for marine attractions!).
- Low-light viewing chamber may soothe sensory-sensitive children.
Link Busselton Jetty
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⭐ Rottnest Island – Beaches, Bays & Quokkas
What it is: Crystal-clear beaches, snorkelling lagoons, cycling, and famous quokka selfies.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- The Island Explorer Bus is wheelchair accessible.
- Beach wheelchair hire available (excellent for mobility-challenged children).
- Sensory note: quiet beaches = great regulation opportunities.
Link Rottnest Island
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⭐ Ningaloo Reef Snorkelling (Exmouth/Coral Bay)
What it is: World-class family snorkelling with turtles, rays and stunning coral just metres from shore. Plan a tour for this area north of Perth.
Best for: Ages 6+ (confident swimmers).
Accessibility:
- Beach access uneven; guided boat tours not wheelchair accessible.
- Sensory-friendly: calm water, predictable natural environment.
Link Ningaloo Reef
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⭐ Yanchep Lagoon
What it is: A calm, shallow, turquoise lagoon perfect for family swimming and beginner snorkellers.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Carpark close to beach; some areas pram-friendly.
- Low-waves = sensory-safe for anxious swimmers.
Link Yanchep Lagoon
Nature & Free Play
⭐ Kings Park – Synergy Parkland & Rio Tinto Naturescape
What it is: One of Australia’s best inner-city play and nature spaces — dinosaurs, ropes, water play, climbing, and shaded bush trails.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Many areas fully wheelchair accessible; some adventure zones uneven.
- Sensory: excellent mix of quiet bush areas + energetic playgrounds.
Link Kings Park
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⭐ Araluen Botanic Park (Roleystone)
What it is: Lush gardens, creeks, shaded lawns and stunning summer blooms.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Good accessible pathways; some hilly areas.
- Great low-sensory environment with calm spaces.
Link Araluen Botanic Park
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⭐ Rockpooling at Rottnest Island or Mettams Pool (North Beach)
What it is: Safe rockpools and shallow, clear-water beaches, ideal for little explorers.
Best for: Toddlers + young children.
Accessibility:
- Mettams Pool has gentle ramp areas; Rottnest beaches vary.
- Sensory-friendly: predictable water motion; excellent for tactile learning.
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⭐ Caversham Wildlife Park (Swan Valley)
What it is: Close-up kangaroo feeding, farm shows, koalas, birds, and accessible walking tracks.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Easy flat pathways suitable for wheelchairs/prams.
- Friendly handlers used to working with neurodiverse children.
Rainy-Day / Heatwave Ideas
⭐ Scitech (Perth)
What it is: WA’s major hands-on science centre with rotating exhibits, live shows, and a planetarium.
Best for: Ages 3–14.
Accessibility:
- Fully wheelchair accessible.
- Planetarium has sensory-friendly sessions occasionally.
- Great for curious neurodiverse children who enjoy hands-on discovery.
Link Scitech
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⭐ Perth Mint – Gold Pour Experience
What it is: Educational and dramatic gold-pouring demonstration plus interactive history of gold mining.
Best for: Ages 6+.
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair accessible.
- Sensory note: gold pour includes loud sounds + bright sparks — potential trigger for sensitive children.
Link Perth Mint
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⭐ WA Maritime Museum (Fremantle)
What it is: Submarine exhibits, shipwreck artefacts, interactive maritime displays.
Best for: Ages 4+.
Accessibility:
- Fully wheelchair accessible.
- Quiet rooms available.
- Good low-sensory alternative to busy indoor play centres.
Link Maritime Museum
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⭐ Fremantle Prison – Tunnels, Torchlight or Day Tours
What it is: Historic prison with engaging guided tours above and below ground.
Best for: Ages 8+.
Accessibility:
- Above-ground tours: wheelchair accessible.
- Tunnel tours: not accessible for those with mobility challenges.
- Sensory note: dark spaces + echo; may overwhelm some children.
Link Fremantle Prison
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Unique Summer Experiences
⭐ Swim with Dolphins (Rockingham)
What it is: A gentle marine encounter where families swim near wild dolphins under supervision.
Best for: Ages 7+ (strong swimmers).
Accessibility:
- Snorkelling portion not wheelchair accessible.
- Very sensory-rich (movement + ocean environment).
Link Swim with Dolphins
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⭐ Rooftop Movies – Northbridge
What it is: Outdoor cinema experience with city skyline views — beanbags, warm nights, family sessions.
Best for: Ages 6+.
Accessibility:
- Lift access available.
- Open-air format suits children who need movement or flexible seating.
Link Rooftop Movies
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⭐ Quokka Encounters on Rottnest Island
What it is: Meet Rottnest’s famously friendly quokkas — great photo moments.
Best for: All ages.
Accessibility:
- Accessible transport available across the island.
- Sensory-friendly: quiet natural environment + predictable routine.
Link: Quokka Encounters
Notes & Things to Check
- Opening Seasons / Hours: Many adventure or water parks are seasonal. Places like Jamberoo and WhiteWater World, for example, sometimes close in cooler months or for maintenance. Always check before planning.
- Age / Height / Skill requirements: High-ropes, zipline, etc, often have restrictions (min height, supervision). Good to make sure it’s suitable for your kids.
- Cost + Booking: Private ones often have higher entry fees + require bookings in advance (especially in peak holiday times).
- Distance / Travel Time: Some of these involve a drive; mix some local ones with “special day trip landmarks” so not every day means a big trip.
Tips / Reminders
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Weather check: Spring can be unpredictable. Plan at least one indoor backup plan per week.
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Book ahead: For workshops, shows, or special places, make bookings early (spots fill up).
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Variation: Mix free + paid, outdoors + indoors, high-energy + relaxed days. Keeps things balanced.
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Budget: parks, free events, and the local library can be great low-cost hits.
Budget: parks, free events, and the local library can be great low-cost hits.
See also general ideas here
