We’re pretty lucky when it comes to sunshine in Perth - but winter brings plenty of opportunities to discover the amazing variety of rainy day activities Perth has to offer!
From arcades and aquariums to glow rooms and galleries. We have it all. So take off your oodie and grab your raincoat because you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do. Don’t let a bit of drizzle get you down. We’ve got you covered.
Let's start North of Perth
1) If you haven’t been to Karrinyup Shopping Centre lately, do yourself a favour and make a day (or two) of it with the family. In 2022, they completed a 3-year, $800 million redevelopment and the centre has doubled in size. You could easily spend a whole day here and not see everything it has to offer.
They have over 300+ places to eat, drink, shop and play. From Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, with arcade games (old and new), to Strike Bowling, where you can do a lot more than just ten-pin bowling. They also have two karaoke rooms, escape rooms and laser tag! Or you may want to indulge in the ultimate movie and dining experience at HOYTS Lux. HOYTS Karrinyup is also the first cinema in WA to have DBOX cinema. It features award-winning motion technology in the comfort of your own seat, that takes you on an immersive cinema experience. Seats pitch, roll and heave in perfect sync with all the onscreen action! Perhaps some retail therapy is more your style, followed by a relaxing afternoon lunch in one of the many cafes. The options are endless. And they can even valet park your car!
2) Head up the highway and you’ll hit AQWA - The Aquarium of Western Australia, at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Offering a range of unique underwater adventures and experiences, they have a lot of cool things for kids (big and small) happening in winter. There is Sea School for the little ones, and bigger kids have the opportunity to be a marine scientist for a day for some hands-on fun. For kids that want to get even more up close and personal with the sea animals, they have a Behind the Scenes Pass, which includes a glass-bottom boat experience at Shipwreck Coast Shark aquarium.
3) For all those animal loving kids, dig out the gumboots and head to Landsdale Farm. They have morning and afternoon feeds with the farm animals and cart-rides. Jumping in muddy puddles is compulsory here.
Heading into Perth City?
4) If you are craving culture then start with the Art Gallery of WA, located in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre. Browse the impressive collections of artworks by First Nations and Western Australian artists, alongside works from around Australia and the world. If the weather is fine, they have a rooftop bar open on Fridays and Saturdays. Enjoy a sunset drink taking in city views and the sculpture park.
5) While you’re in the city you can’t miss a wander over to the WA Museum Boola Bardip, a place that uniquely shares Western Australia’s many stories. Journey through the range of exhibitions on offer such as the Stan Perron WA Treasures exhibit. Housed within the beautiful, heritage-listed Hackett Hall, WA Treasures explores objects of significance collected over time by Western Australian cultural institutions. From the well-known to the unusual, discover the stories, people and collectors behind these treasures. Maybe the Origins exhibit is more your style, drawing inspiration from our State’s spectacular landforms, this exhibition’s design evokes awe and wonder. Rare objects, artwork and multimedia sit with scientific research and personal interpretations of our role in the Universe and life on Earth. a family favourite is of course Wild Life, where you can explore the diverse environments found across our State including the Ningaloo Reef, the Peel-Yalgorup wetlands, the Stirling Ranges and cityscapes around the Swan River. Don't forget to check out the nightly Illuminate exhibit, a immersive experience with projects on the main museum facade.
6) For something completely different in the city centre, you may want to immerse yourself in a virtual reality gaming experience at Zero Latency Perth. It’s a free roaming, virtual reality experience you will never forget. Once you put on the headset and strap on the backpack, you’ll be transported into a whole new world. Get a squad together and take on zombies, robots or pirates with your mates.
7) Speaking of pirates, put a pirate escape room on your to-do list. Escape This in Northbridge has a total of ten totally immersive themed escape rooms to choose from. You might want to live out your Harry Potter fantasies in the Wizard Chamber escape room. Are you up for the challenge? Escape This also has a brand new Perth City venue to check out, with 15 brand new themes to explore.
8) If you have some pent-up frustration you need to release, we’ve got the place for you. Head straight to WA’s first axe throwing venue located in East Perth - Lumber Punks Perth and sling some steel. Thankfully the experienced axe throwing coaches will give you some training beforehand so there are no nasty accidents!
9) Treat your little (or big) scientists to a fun day out with a line-up of shows, experiments and hands-on activities at Scitech. Learn about static electricity and other ‘hair-raising’ facts, or sit back and explore the solar system in the space dome.
10) Who doesn’t want to get their hands on some gold? The Perth Mint’s original building that still stands in East Perth, is one of Perth’s most impressive monuments. Built in 1899, it’s also home to the world’s largest coin according to The Guinness Book of World Records, weighing one tonne and valued at $90 million. They have tours that run daily. Witness a traditional gold pour in the original 1899 melting house or you may get a chance to hold a large gold bullion bar.
Go South of the River
11) Heading to Fremantle? Be sure to check out FOMO Freo. FOMO weaves together art, architecture, culture, retail, food and experience, right in the heart of Walyalup Koort. If you are a foodie - then you won’t be disappointed with the choices. Grab a burger at Varsity, or try some traditional Japanese Otsumami (tapas) and Yakitori (chicken skewers) at Eda Izakaya. Or if a steaming bowl of laksa is more your thing, then head to Yin Yang Wok & Soup bar. There’s also Korean BBQ, amazing Indian and Indonesian cuisine on offer and plenty more.
12) If you’re looking for some fun after your food then head on over to try your luck at B Lucky & Sons, Fremantle’s recently opened old school arcade bar. And their pals Strike Bowling and Holey Moley Golf are right next door - games, golf and bowling all under one roof.
13) How about a family day out that will really get you ‘glowing’? Glowing Rooms in Fremantle is the first 3D Mini Golf Experience in Australia, with more than 800sqm of hand-painted artworks that jump out at you with your magic glasses on. Be transported to outer space for an astronaut’s eye view of the galaxy. Or explore the undersea world of Atlantis where hammerhead sharks, turtles and octopus come to life. Look out for King Neptune and the shipwreck with buried treasure!
14) Of course, Fremantle Markets are always a winner too, with an eclectic mix of buskers, stalls and fresh produce. Grab a coffee and spend an afternoon soaking in the atmosphere.
15) Close by and perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, WA Maritime Museum is definitely one to add to the list. With a vast collection of relics and memorabilia, it perfectly showcases Fremantle's long history as a port city. See the winning America's Cup Yacht, Australia II up close and find out what life is like living in a submarine, as you tour HMAS Ovens.
16) After that you can dive into the fascinating history of Australia's oldest shipwrecks at the WA Shipwrecks Museum. Take the kids to visit the cabin of curiosity to see collections of strange and marvellous things found at sea.
17) Has it been a while since you last went ice-skating? Get your skates on and head out to Cockburn Ice Arena. They even have Perth's own drift trikes on ice. Drift, slide and glide on an ice byke with your mates.
Heading Inland?
18) Take an afternoon drive to The House of Honey in the picturesque Swan Valley where you’ll enjoy much more than the sweet honey tastings. There's always a hive of activity with an onsite cafe, tours and workshops.
19) Not far away you’ll find Morish Nuts who offer premium handcrafted nuts. The kids will love watching the art of confectionary making through the window. They have many varieties and flavours of nuts to choose from. Truffle macadamias or caramel coated pistachios. Which would you choose?
20) In the Perth Hills, don’t miss an opportunity to go to one of the many local markets. The Chidlow Hall holds a market on the third Saturday of every month and showcases local artisans and producers selling quality craft, plants, jams, chutneys, fruit and organic vegetables. Grab some lunch while you’re there and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. There are more local markets to love in Mundaring and Roleystone.
So Perth, who said you need to stay inside this winter? There are even more options waiting for you on the Destination Perth website. Your go-to guide for planning your perfect day out. Grab your raincoat and get out there.
