Explore culture and history
- Art and exhibitions in the city - The Art Gallery of WA, PICA and the WA Museum Boola Bardip are all free to wander. The State Library adds to the mix with displays of rare books, old photos and WA stories.
- Fremantle’s maritime heritage - The WA Shipwrecks Museum brings WA’s coastal history to life. It’s free every weekend, and the Batavia gallery alone is worth the trip.
- Heritage trails - Grab a self-guided map from your local council. Guildford’s historic town centre is a favourite, but Midland, Subiaco and Fremantle also have heritage walks that are perfect for a weekend morning wander.
- Goolugatup Heathcote (Applecross) - Free gallery and heritage buildings set on lush lawns overlooking the river.
- Join a walking tour - Free walking tours are a great way to discover Perth’s charm and character. Local guides share stories you might not hear otherwise.
Outdoors and active
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden - The Lotterywest Federation Walkway gives you sweeping views, and the weekend is ideal for a long picnic or a free guided walk.
- Lake Monger and Herdsman Lake - Both are weekend favourites for birdwatching and walking trails.
- Coastal strolls - Scarborough’s foreshore is lively with weekend skaters, fitness groups and families.
- Scarborough Beach foreshore - A lively weekend hub with a skate park, surf and free outdoor gym.
- South Perth foreshor e, Scarborough Beach, Burswood Park and Lake Monger all have free-to-use exercise stations (along with lots of parks in local suburbs)
- Outdoor courts - Many suburbs have outdoor half or full courts you can use any time. Central ones include Wellington Square and Hyde Park.
- Public tennis courts - A few local councils (like Victoria Park and Bassendean) keep unbooked community courts open on weekends.
- Skate, scoot or ride - Fremantle, Leederville and Scarborough have large, well-designed skate parks that are free to use and great for all skill levels.
Community, music and events
- Free outdoor concerts - Councils like Joondalup, Canning and Cockburn often run weekend concerts in parks through summer. Pack a picnic rug and enjoy.
- St George’s Cathedral, Perth - Sunday at 5 pm is reserved for choral evensong, a free performance in one of Perth’s most beautiful historic buildings.
- Local libraries - Weekend workshops, story times and talks are regular features. From Wanneroo to Armadale, check the local program-you might find anything from family history sessions to Lego clubs.
Quirky and offbeat
- Street art - Perth’s laneways are full of murals. Chinatown, Murray Street and Leederville are always changing canvases. Fremantle and Maylands also have colourful walls worth exploring on a Sunday wander.
- Public chess - Outside the State Library, giant chess boards are in play on weekends-watch or join in.
- Plane spotting - The Perth Airport Viewing Platform gives you front-row seats for landings and take-offs. Jandakot Airport offers smaller aircraft and helicopters. Note: The outdoor viewing platform is closed until October 2025
- Crawley Edge Boatshed - Still a weekend photo favourite, perched on the river just past Kings Park.
Family fun
- Bunnings Workshops - Did you know that Bunnings offers super cool free workshops for kids every weekend? It's a great way to get your young ones excited about DIY projects such as gardening, woodworking, mosaics, and more. Just head on over to your local store, check out what's coming up, and book in. These workshops are suitable for kids over five, so it's perfect for a fun weekend activity!
- The State Library (Perth Cultural Centre) - Weekends from 10 am. They have a fantastic children's mezzanine floor called The Story Place, filled with all sorts of wonderful children's books and educational activities. Your kids can explore the floor at their own pace, join in with story time, or simply find a cosy corner to snuggle up with you and a good book. Make sure to check the library's calendar to see what exciting events they have planned.
- DFES Education and Heritage Centre (Perth CBD) - Let’s face it, most kids love a fire station! They can climb aboard a fire engine, dress up as a firefighter, and explore all the cool exhibits both upstairs and downstairs. It's free to enter, and the friendly volunteers there are full of interesting facts to share!
- Geocaching - Free and fun in any suburb. Use your phone and GPS to track down hidden caches - a weekend treasure hunt for the whole family.
Sunset spots
- Cottesloe Beach - The most iconic sunset view, with the sun dropping straight into the Indian Ocean.
- Matilda Bay Reserve - Riverside lawns perfect for a sunset picnic.
- South Perth Foreshore - Watch the city skyline light up as the sun sets behind it.
- Kings Park - Elevated views of the city and river, perfect for finishing the weekend in style.
You could also:
- Go camping - at home!
- Have a pull apart day and show your kids how different appliances work (using old and broken appliances, obviously)!
- Have an indoor scavenger hunt.
- Teach your kids about your extended family and create a family tree.
- Enjoy the cinema experience - at home!








