A beach day in Perth with kids
This is a beach day along Perth's coast, from Leighton Beach in North Fremantle to Cottesloe, with a playground and a pool as back-ups. The beaches sit 11.0 to 13.1 km from the centre, and Fremantle Leisure Centre is 14.8 km out. The beaches and the park are free, and the pool charges entry. It suits kids of all ages, though the playground is listed for ages 2 to 12.
Everything is a drive from the city, so plan the day by car and treat the stops as a menu. Swim only where lifesavers are on duty, and check the patrol times below, because Leighton and North Cottesloe are patrolled on weekends and public holidays only. Pack hats, sunscreen and water. The pool is the fallback if the surf or the weather is not right.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Leighton Beach
- Late morning: Russell Brown Adventure Park
- Lunch: North Cottesloe Beach
- Afternoon: Cottesloe Beach
- Late afternoon: Fremantle Leisure Centre
Morning
Swim early at Leighton Beach
Leighton Beach, North Fremantle · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
A white sand beach in North Fremantle, close to Port Beach. Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club patrols weekend mornings from 7:30am to 11:30am, so go early. A grassed area a short walk up from the beach has electric barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and a kiosk.
Lifeguard patrol: 7:30am – 11:30am, 4 Oct 2026 – 29 Mar 2027.
Tip: Patrols run 4 Oct 2026 to 29 Mar 2027, on weekends and most public holidays, until 2:30pm from December to February.
Late morning
Play at Russell Brown Adventure Park
Russell Brown Adventure Park, Mosman Park · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 2-12 · Free · 4.6 stars (144 reviews)
A rope and timber nature playground in Minim Cove Park, Mosman Park, 11.6 km from the centre. It is free and listed for ages 2 to 12. There are picnic tables, barbecues and a public toilet, so you can dry off and have lunch here.
Tip: Barbecues, picnic tables and a public toilet are on site.
Lunch
Lunch near North Cottesloe Beach
North Cottesloe Beach, Cottesloe · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
The Town of Cottesloe describes this beach as more serene and less crowded than Cottesloe, popular for swimming and coastal walks. North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club patrols weekends and public holidays from 7am to 3pm. Several cafes and restaurants are listed close by.
Lifeguard patrol: 7:00am – 3:00pm, 17 October 2026 to 4 April 2027.
Tip: Kiosk By Longview and Longview are about 120 m away. Patrols run 17 Oct 2026 to 4 Apr 2027.
Afternoon
Swim at Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe Beach, Cottesloe · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free · 4.8 stars (177 reviews)
The Town of Cottesloe's main beach, known as Cott, with clear water, white sand and shady Norfolk Island pines. Volunteer lifesavers from Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club patrol the main beach in front of the Indiana Tea House. The reef also makes it a snorkelling spot.
Lifeguard patrol: October – March.
Tip: The club's patrolling season is October to March. No daily patrol hours are published, so check the club's page.
Late afternoon
Cool off at Fremantle Leisure Centre
Fremantle Leisure Centre, Fremantle · Swimming & Aquatics · Ages 5-12 · From $0 · 4.3 stars (353 reviews)
A City of Fremantle pool centre on Shuffrey Street with a 50m outdoor pool, indoor pools and a kids' leisure pool. It is the backup if the beach is rough or the patrols have finished. Child entry (4 to 17) is $6.40, and under 4s are free.
Tip: A supervising adult with a child under 5 pays $3. The family pass is $25.80. Open to 6pm on weekends.
Before you go
- Leighton Beach is patrolled on weekends and most public holidays from 7:30am to 11:30am, 4 Oct 2026 to 29 Mar 2027.
- North Cottesloe Beach is patrolled on weekends and public holidays from 7am to 3pm, 17 Oct 2026 to 4 Apr 2027.
- Cottesloe Beach has a patrolling season of October to March, with no daily hours published.
- On weekdays, outside those patrol times, swim only where lifeguards are on duty, so the pool is the safer choice.
- Fremantle Leisure Centre is open 5:30am to 8:30pm on weekdays and 6am to 6pm on weekends.
Questions parents ask
Which Perth beaches are patrolled?
Cottesloe Beach is patrolled by Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club in front of the Indiana Tea House, October to March. North Cottesloe is patrolled on weekends and public holidays, 7am to 3pm. Leighton is patrolled on weekend mornings, 7:30am to 11:30am. Check each beach's official page for current times.
Is there a kids' playground near the beach in Perth?
Russell Brown Adventure Park in Minim Cove Park, Mosman Park, is a free rope and timber nature playground listed for ages 2 to 12. It has picnic tables, barbecues and a public toilet. It is 11.6 km from the centre, between the Cottesloe and Leighton beaches.
What can we do if the beach is closed or the weather turns?
Fremantle Leisure Centre has a 50m outdoor pool, indoor pools and a kids' leisure pool. Child entry (4 to 17) is $6.40 and under 4s are free. A family pass is $25.80. It is open daily, with shorter hours on weekends.
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- A free day out in Perth with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
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- Visiting Perth with kids: all guides