What free things can teenagers do in Perth?

Beaches, galleries, museums and skate parks are all free or have free entry. Let them choose from a short list. Check the listing for details.

Is the WA Shipwrecks Museum good for teenagers?

Many teenagers enjoy its stories of ships and wrecks, and it is close to the Fremantle cafes. Check the listing for what is free and what is open.

How do I get a Perth teenager to come along?

Let them pick the place and keep food in the plan. Once you arrive, give them some room, with a clear time to meet again.

Can teenagers go to the beach on their own in Perth?

That is your decision as a parent. Remind them to swim between the flags where patrols operate, and to read local safety signs. Agree a meeting spot and a time.

Free things to do with teenagers in Perth

Perth gives teenagers a lot of room, and the best approach is to give them some say. Warm weather, a good train network and a long coastline suit a restless age group. The beach is the easy win. Cottesloe, North Cottesloe, Trigg, Mullaloo, Coogee, Floreat, Leighton and Sorrento all have wide sand and a social feel, and Fremantle is close to some of them. Swim between the flags where patrols run, and treat an unpatrolled beach as one with no lifeguard. Teenagers who surf or bodyboard should stay within their ability and pay attention to the rips. Indoors, the WA Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle and AGWA in the city give more than you might expect, especially for teenagers who like stories, design or contemporary art. Let them choose the rooms. A teenager who feels listened to is a much better companion than one who has been told where to go. Let them pick between two or three ideas. Food helps, and so does a clear but loose meeting plan. A train ride to Fremantle with a friend can be as much a part of the outing as the museum. In summer, plan early starts and long shade breaks.

Our picks

Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe
Cottesloe Beach, known as "Cott", is the Town of Cottesloe's main beach, with clear water, white sand and shady Norfolk Island pines.

Patrolled October – March · All-abilities access · ★ 4.8 (177)
WA Shipwrecks Museum Fremantle
The WA Shipwrecks Museum on Cliff Street, Fremantle, is run by the Western Australian Museum and is housed in the historic Commissariat buildings.

★ 4.7 (2,507)
The Art Gallery of Western Australia | AGWA Perth
The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is the state art gallery in the Perth Cultural Centre, a short walk from Perth train station.

★ 4.4 (2,842)
Watermans Bay Watermans Bay
Watermans Bay, on the corner of Beach Road and West Coast Drive, is a small cove with a playground.

Patrolled October – April
Mettams Pool North Beach
Mettams Pool, off West Coast Drive north of Trigg Beach, is a natural rock pool protected by a surrounding reef.

Patrolled October to March; seven days a week in April
Museum of Perth Perth
The Museum of Perth chronicles the social, cultural, political and architectural history of Perth.

★ 3.7 (335)

Before you go

Best for which ages

Most of this suits thirteen and over, though younger siblings who love the beach will join in. Older teens may want to go with friends, so set the limits before the day. Fourteen-year-olds usually want more independence than thirteen-year-olds, so adjust accordingly and be ready to renegotiate along the way.

What to bring

Water, a hat and sunscreen for the open sand. Charge the phone and take a power bank. Bring swimmers for beaches, comfortable shoes for walks, and headphones for the trip. A towel is always forgotten, so check. A little spare cash for a snack buys goodwill, and a hoodie for the evening sea breeze avoids a complaint.

Parking and facilities

Many places are in the city, Fremantle or on the coast, where parking can be limited. Trains and buses give teenagers some independence and are often easier. The listing says what is on site. A train ride with friends can be part of the outing, and many teenagers find it more fun than the car.

Best time of year

Summer suits beaches, and spring, autumn and winter suit walks and indoor visits. Galleries and museums work in all seasons and are good on wet days. School-day afternoons are quiet on the beaches in the cooler months. Holiday weeks crowd Cottesloe and Fremantle, so a midweek visit is calmer.

How to make a day of it

Give them three ideas and take their pick. Put an ice cream or a hot chip stop into the plan, and let them lead the way. Keep the plan loose, and allow time for doing nothing, which teenagers often value most. A teenager who helped plan the day complains less during it.

Beaches, rock pools and ocean baths

Swim between the red and yellow flags. Patrol seasons and hours on each listing come from the surf club or council page.

Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe
Cottesloe Beach, known as "Cott", is the Town of Cottesloe's main beach, with clear water, white sand and shady Norfolk Island pines.

Patrolled October – March · All-abilities access · ★ 4.8 (177)
Watermans Bay Watermans Bay
Watermans Bay, on the corner of Beach Road and West Coast Drive, is a small cove with a playground.

Patrolled October – April
Mettams Pool North Beach
Mettams Pool, off West Coast Drive north of Trigg Beach, is a natural rock pool protected by a surrounding reef.

Patrolled October to March; seven days a week in April
Trigg Beach Trigg
Trigg Beach, between Karrinyup Road and South West Coast Highway, is popular with body boarders, kite surfers and surfers, according to the City of Stirling.

Patrolled October to end of March (volunteers)
Floreat Beach City Beach
Floreat Surf Life Saving Club volunteers patrol the beach on weekends during the October to March patrol season.

Patrolled October to March
Quinns Beach Quinns Rocks
Quinns Beach in Quinns Rocks has an 85 x 300 metre swimming enclosure.

Patrolled October – April · All-abilities access
Port Beach North Fremantle
Port Beach in North Fremantle, near the City's working port, has views out to Rottnest Island and a cafe next to an enclosed playground, according to the City of…

Patrolled 8 November 2026 to 14 March 2027
Mullaloo Beach Mullaloo
Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club patrols on weekends and public holidays from 8:15am to 12:30pm in October and November and from 8:15am to 4:30pm between December and 29…

Patrolled October – 29 Mar 2027
Coogee Beach Coogee
Coogee Beach Reserve, part of Woodman Point Regional Park, has a swimming enclosure next to Coogee Jetty, about 300 metres long and 75 metres wide, which the City of…

Patrolled 18 October 2026 to 21 March 2027
North Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe
North Cottesloe Beach, north of Cottesloe Beach, is described by the Town of Cottesloe as a more serene and less crowded beach, popular for swimming, sunbathing and…

Patrolled 17 October 2026 to 4 April 2027
Leighton Beach North Fremantle
Leighton Beach, close to Port Beach in North Fremantle, is described by the City of Fremantle as a white sand spot for swimming and watching the sunset.

Patrolled 4 Oct 2026 – 29 Mar 2027 · All-abilities access
Sorrento Beach Sorrento
Sorrento Beach is one of two City of Joondalup beaches, with Mullaloo, that the council calls local favourites for swimming.

Patrolled October to April
North Beach North Beach
North Beach lies on West Coast Drive between Waterman's Bay and Trigg Beach.

Patrolled October to March; seven days a week in April
Secret Harbour Beach Secret Harbour
Volunteers from Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club patrol on weekends and public holidays from 8:30am to 1pm in summer, and lifeguards cover weekdays from 6am to 11am.

Patrolled October – end of March

All beaches and rock pools in Perth, free and paid

Free museums, galleries and science

Permanent collections with free entry. Special exhibitions can be ticketed; the listing says so.

WA Shipwrecks Museum Fremantle
The WA Shipwrecks Museum on Cliff Street, Fremantle, is run by the Western Australian Museum and is housed in the historic Commissariat buildings.

★ 4.7 (2,507)
The Art Gallery of Western Australia | AGWA Perth
The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is the state art gallery in the Perth Cultural Centre, a short walk from Perth train station.

★ 4.4 (2,842)
Museum of Perth Perth
The Museum of Perth chronicles the social, cultural, political and architectural history of Perth.

★ 3.7 (335)

Skate parks, pump tracks and bike paths

Council-run and free. Bring helmets; the listing notes lighting, shade and whether there is a beginner area.

Mills Park Skate Plaza Beckenham
Mills Park Skate Plaza is a City of Gosnells skate park at 86 Brixton Street, Beckenham, for skateboard, scooter and BMX riders.

★ 4.6 (175)
Darlington Skate Park Darlington
Darlington Skate Park is a Shire of Mundaring skate park on Pine Terrace, Darlington, in the Perth Hills.
Gosnells Skate Park Gosnells
Gosnells Skate Park is a City of Gosnells skate park at 99 Ashburton Drive, Gosnells, in Jean Garvey Park.

★ 4.1 (93)
Leederville Skate Park Leederville
Leederville Skate Park is a City of Vincent skate park at 64 Frame Court, Leederville, beside the YMCA HQ.

★ 4.1 (22)

All skate parks and bike tracks in Perth, free and paid

Questions parents ask

What free things can teenagers do in Perth?: Beaches, galleries, museums and skate parks are all free or have free entry. Let them choose from a short list. Check the listing for details.
Is the WA Shipwrecks Museum good for teenagers?: Many teenagers enjoy its stories of ships and wrecks, and it is close to the Fremantle cafes. Check the listing for what is free and what is open.
How do I get a Perth teenager to come along?: Let them pick the place and keep food in the plan. Once you arrive, give them some room, with a clear time to meet again.
Can teenagers go to the beach on their own in Perth?: That is your decision as a parent. Remind them to swim between the flags where patrols operate, and to read local safety signs. Agree a meeting spot and a time.