4 best places in Perth to take your plane-obsessed toddler ✈️
Does your toddler stop and stare every time a plane flies overhead? Well then, Perth has plenty of family-friendly spots where little aviators can get up close to the action. From cafés with runway views to interactive museums and even a playground shaped like a plane, there are loads of ways to fuel that fascination. If you’re after a weekend outing, a school holiday activity or just an easy adventure close to home, these are the best places in Perth to take your plane-obsessed toddler.
✈The Apron Café, Royal Aero Club WA
A favourite for toddlers, plane fanatics and pilots alike, the The Apron Café at Jandakot Airport is a must-visit. Perched upstairs at the Royal Aero Club WA, this family-friendly café offers some of the best runway views in Perth. With huge glass windows overlooking the action, you can sip your flat white while your toddler stays glued to the sight of planes taxiing, taking off and landing. There’s even a lift if you’re visiting with a pram.
The café itself is spacious but does get busy at lunchtime. If you’re chasing those coveted window seats, aim for morning tea or head in after the lunch rush for coffee and cake. Their menu has plenty of easy options for families with quick cabinet bites, kids lunch packs, hot chips and wedges, plus Friday night dinner and happy hour specials if you’d like to enjoy a drink with a side of plane spotting (though note that flight activity winds down by 5pm).
But the real highlight? The rooftop viewing deck just a few steps up from the café. Two short flights of stairs lead to a wide-open viewing space where kids can burn off some energy running around the airport map painted on the ground (while pretending they’re planes themselves, of course). From up here, you’ll feel the full thrill of aviation complete with the rumble of engines and planes zooming right overhead.
My toddler especially loves spotting the student pilots in uniform and more than once they’ve stopped to chat when asked, “Are you a real pilot?” It’s those little interactions that make the Apron Café such a magical outing for plane-loving kids.
If you’d rather keep things budget-friendly, Robert J Cross Park down the road is also a great option. Spread out on the grass or use the shaded picnic tables and enjoy the same front-row view of Jandakot’s busy runway, no café purchase required.
✈Aviation Heritage Museum, Bull Creek
For something more hands-on, head to the Aviation Heritage Museum in Bull Creek. Spread across two huge hangars, it’s home to more than 30 aircraft plus thousands of fascinating artefacts. From tiny replicas through to massive military planes, there’s plenty here to spark your little pilot’s imagination.
The South Wing features smaller aircraft, a Catalina flying boat and a Huey helicopter, alongside interactive displays where kids can press buttons, spin propellers and peek inside cockpits. The North Wing is all about the big names, including an Avro Lancaster bomber and a Dakota, complete with a raised viewing platform that gives little ones the thrill of looking up at giants of the sky.
What makes this museum special are the volunteers, many of them retired pilots and aviation enthusiasts, who happily answer questions and share stories. While you can’t climb inside every plane, plenty have open doors or steps so kids can get a closer look and imagine themselves in the pilot’s seat.
Entry is ticketed with free entry for children under five. Plan for one to two hours here. It’s the perfect mix of fun and learning, and you can wrap up your visit with a stop at the small gift shop for a plane-themed treat.
✈ Perth Airport Public Viewing Area
If you want to experience the roar of the big jets, the Perth Airport Public Viewing Area is your go-to. Located off Dunreath Drive, this free viewing platform gives families a front-row seat to the southern end of the main runway. The raised deck is accessed by a stroller-friendly ramp, fenced for safety and has space for toddlers to move around while you enjoy the view.
Kids will love the full sensory experience with the rumble of engines, the sight of planes flying overhead and the information panels that help them learn to identify different aircraft. Depending on the wind, you might see more take-offs or more landings, so no two visits are the same.
Early mornings and late afternoons are the most comfortable times to visit, while weekends can be busy with fellow plane spotters. There’s limited shade and no toilets on site, so be sure to bring water, snacks, sunscreen and hats. For a free and family-friendly outing, this is easily one of the best spots in Perth for plane-obsessed toddlers.
We often visit this spot when waiting for family to land. It’s a great way to fill the time before the “I’ve landed!” text comes through.
✈ Drimmie Park, Clarkson
If your toddler loves planes but also needs to climb, slide and run around, Drimmie Park in Clarkson ticks both boxes. The park’s standout centrepiece is a bright red World War II Catalina seaplane replica, perfect for imaginative play. Little aviators can climb, explore tunnels, zoom down a huge tunnel slide, and scramble over climbing nets. The aviation theme continues across the play area, making it the perfect place for little ones to burn off energy while staying in their element.
The park also has a soft-fall hill that’s easy on little knees, plus open grassy areas that are perfect for picnics or ball games. Facilities are limited, there’s no on-site toilet and only partial shade so pack what you need and plan ahead. But for a playground that doubles as an aviation adventure, Drimmie Park is a real gem for families in Perth’s north.
✈️ Ready for Take-Off?
Whether it’s planes soaring overhead, hands-on museum fun, or a playground shaped like a seaplane, Perth has plenty of ways to keep your little aviation fans entertained. These spots aren’t just great for toddlers, they’re also easy, affordable outings the whole family can enjoy. Next time you’re looking for something different to do, swap the usual playground for a plane-spotting adventure and watch your toddler’s face light up as the engines roar.
For more ideas on family-friendly things to do in Perth, keep exploring our guides: from the best cafés with play areas to nature playgrounds and kid-approved day trips. Your next adventure is just around the corner.
