Coode Street Jetty Walk, South Perth

Coode Street Jetty is a brilliant starting point for a family-friendly river walk along the South Perth foreshore. Tucked slightly away from the busier Mends Street precinct, it has the huge advantage of a free car park, making it an easy choice if you’re visiting with kids, prams, or bikes. From here you can head west towards Mends Street Jetty or east towards the Causeway, enjoying sweeping views of the Swan River and Perth city skyline the whole way.

The paths along this section of foreshore are wide, flat and clearly marked, with separate areas for pedestrians and cyclists in many spots. This makes it ideal for scooters, bikes, prams and even wheelchairs. Just remember to keep left and keep an eye out for joggers and cyclists, especially with little ones who tend to zig-zag. From the Coode Street Jetty car park to Mends Street Jetty is around a 2km return walk, which is very manageable for most children, with plenty of interest points and rest stops along the way.

One of the lovely features of this walk is how close you get to the river environment. The path hugs the Swan River, so you’re likely to spot black swans, shags and other waterbirds, as well as boats and ferries moving along the water. There are sandy river “beaches” dotted along the foreshore, some set up with beach volleyball nets – a great excuse to pack a ball for an impromptu game on the sand. Kids will love the chance to kick off their shoes, explore the shoreline and play by the water under supervision.

The Coode Street to Mends Street stretch passes through a wetlands area, which adds a different feel to the walk and is a nice opportunity to chat to kids about the local environment and birdlife.

You’ll also come across the beautifully maintained aromatic Scented Gardens. These are lovely to wander through slowly, with plenty of different plants and perfumes to discover, and they provide a pretty backdrop for family photos.

Right next to the Scented Gardens you’ll find the Scented Gardens Playground, a great midway stop for a play break. The Playground offers a mix of equipment to suit younger and older children, and because it’s just off the path, adults who want to keep walking or jogging can easily loop back. Combined with the open grassy areas, it’s easy to spread out with a picnic rug while the kids burn off more energy.

Picnic facilities are a real highlight of this foreshore section. There are numerous benches dotted along the path for quick rest stops, plus many shaded picnic tables and free gas barbecues. This makes Coode Street Jetty Walk a top option if you’d rather pack your own picnic or barbecue lunch instead of eating out. With the river views and city skyline as your backdrop, it’s a very easy, low-cost way to spend a morning or afternoon outdoors as a family.

As you reach the Mends Street end of the walk, the atmosphere changes from peaceful foreshore to lively village feel. The Mends Street Jetty Piazza is now a real focal point, welcoming visitors who arrive by ferry or wander up from the path.

Two striking giant canopies, shaped like a frilled‑neck lizard and a numbat, stretch over the Piazza, providing shade by day and a colourful light show after dark.

Kids are instantly drawn to the animal sculptures – a family of crochet meerkats dotted along the jetty wall and up Mends Street, plus a trio of sturdy emu sculptures that are perfect for little ones to pat and “ride”. There’s also a small Playground beside the emus, giving children another chance to play before or after your walk.

The Piazza itself has generous seating, grassed areas with young trees, and wooden tables with bright orange umbrellas, all set against those postcard‑worthy city and river views. It’s a lovely place to pause with a coffee or ice cream while the kids explore the artworks and open space.

In the evenings, when the canopies are lit and the city lights glitter across the water, it becomes a very pretty spot for a relaxed family stroll or an early dinner.

At the water’s edge, the Mends Street Jetty is busy with ferries and river traffic. Mister Walker, perched right on the jetty, has a takeaway window that’s handy if you want to enjoy your food back on the grass or under the canopies, and the restaurant caters for dietary needs if you’re dining in.

From here you can hop on the Transperth ferry for a short, scenic eight‑minute ride across to Elizabeth Quay, turning a simple walk into a bigger day out.

You might also spot (or book) the historic Paddle Steamer Decoy, which runs river cruises and special events and is a fun extra for families with older kids or visiting relatives.

Just up Mends Street you’ll find a cluster of cafés and eateries that suit different tastes and budgets, including spots for French pastries, Asian bites, health‑conscious café fare and classic ice creams and frozen yoghurt. It’s very easy to reward the kids with a treat, grab a takeaway coffee, or enjoy breakfast before you start the walk back to Coode Street.

Back closer to Coode Street, families looking for a sit‑down meal will find the popular Boatshed Restaurant and café within easy reach. Its excellent fenced Playground is a big drawcard for parents who’d like to relax over a coffee or meal while children play safely nearby. With the combination of river walk, Playgrounds, the vibrant Mends Street Jetty Piazza and plenty of kid‑friendly dining, you can comfortably spend several hours in the area without needing to move the car.

A handy extra at Coode Street Jetty is the filtered water dispenser. Bring along an empty drink bottle and you can refill with ice‑cold filtered water for a small fee. It’s far cheaper than repeatedly buying bottled water, and a more environmentally friendly choice – especially useful on warm Perth days when the kids constantly seem to need “just one more drink”.

Overall, the Coode Street Jetty Walk is an easy, scenic and very family‑friendly outing. The flat, pram‑ and wheelchair‑accessible paths, river beaches, wetlands, Scented Gardens, multiple Playground stops, lively Mends Street Jetty Piazza and choice of picnic spots or cafés make it suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities. Whether you’re after a short stroll with toddlers, a scooter ride for older kids, or a half‑day adventure that includes a ferry trip to Elizabeth Quay, this stretch of the South Perth foreshore is hard to beat.

Coode Street Jetty Walk, South Perth

Address: Coode Street Jetty, Coode Street, South Perth WA 6151