If you’re hunting for a family adventure that’s equal parts mind-bending and giggle-worthy, Escape This delivers. A perfect off-screen activity for tweens and teens, Escape This is super easy to get to. Found right in the heart of the Hay Street Mall, down a flight of stairs, underneath Kmart (which, in my mind is still Target)! We strolled in, the central location couldn’t be more convenient for a city day out, with both trains, bus stops and parking nearby, and plenty of cafes and restaurants to celebrate a successful escape afterwards.
Inside Escape This, the first surprise was just how many choices there are. We had booked online, but I didn’t realise there were so many themed escape rooms to choose from! With 13 rooms plus a dedicated quiz room, there’s something for every family. The rooms are suitable for kids aged 9 years and over, and the older they are, the more they’ll understand and enjoy the puzzles.
The themes are wildly creative and beautifully made which really immerses you in the scenario – more on that soon. There’s pirates and wizard worlds, an Aussie dunny room, ancient pharaoh adventures, a money heist and so much more.
First, you check in using the easy touch pads, and pop your belongings (phones included) into a locker.
Our kids (aged between 9 and 16) and us, the adults, were excited to enter the High Noon room – the “wild west” jailbreak. The story hooks you immediately: locked in the county gaol after a stagecoach heist, your loot stashed under the Sheriff’s nose. The moment the timer started, we were off! Calling across the cells, passing clues, and piecing together the town’s secrets.
High Noon is rated a solid 7/10 challenge, but family-friendly. The puzzles are clever without being impossible, and the teamwork moments were really brilliant, the room nudges everyone to contribute. I’d love to tell you more, but I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise or give away any clues! There are props that require you to move things around – using keys etc, and also written clues, requiring you to think (a lot!).
The room is dimly lit and if you’re a parent in your 40s like us, or older – you may even want to bring your reading glasses to read the small print!
Escape This leans hard into immersion. The soundscapes (even tense music near the end!), set details, and tactile props made us completely forget we were in the middle of the CBD. We especially loved their “non-linear puzzle design” which means there’s more than one puzzle to figure out at any time, so no one feels left out. When we did hit a snag, we tugged on the rope to ring the bell. The Gamesmaster chimed in with just the right clue to keep the momentum going, but without spoiling the fun.
We spent a thrilling hour trying to break out of High Noon, each new clue solved revealing another surprise and puzzle to crack. The six of us definitely solved a couple of challenges/puzzles each. At 55 minutes, hearts pounding, we were about to crack the last puzzle – when the Sheriff came in! Groans, and laughter broke out in equal measure. Then we posed in the cell for a team photo – with a mix of us looking like criminals and the others smiling for the camera lol
Even without the official “escape” under our belts, we walked out already plotting which themed room to escape next. There’s toilets on site, plus a vending machine for snacks and drinks. The lobby has plenty of sofas and tables to wait on and play a game while you wait for your session to start.
The vibe is so friendly, the staff are really engaging and with so much variety – it would be easy to return again and again. Pirates room for swashbucklers, wizard worlds for Potter fans, Aussie-themes, pharaoh adventures, and more, there’s a perfect pick for every family. Add in the quiz room, great for friendly rivalry, and you’ve got a go-to family outing that’s memorable.
Next time, Sheriff, we’re getting that safe open!
Find out more about Escape This and book your session on their website.
Escape This is found at 712-720 Hay Street Mall, Perth. (just next to Kmart).
Amanda and her family played as guests of Escape This. All words, opinions and images are her own.
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life” has enjoyed an exciting name change in 2021, as “The Chef’s Ex-wife” embarks on new adventures with Simply PERTHfect. Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA, as well as brunching, tapas or something a little fancy in equal measures. With her son “Little Chef” in tow, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
