A day in the Perth Hills feels extra special with a visit to Core Cider House in Pickering Brook. Nestled among natural bush and rows of apple trees between Kalamunda and Roleystone, this working orchard and cider house has become a go-to spot for families wanting great food, fresh air and space for kids to roam. With lush lawns, fruit trees as far as the eye can see and a relaxed country atmosphere, it’s the kind of place you can easily linger for an entire afternoon.
One of the biggest drawcards for families is how kid-friendly the outdoor spaces are. There are acres of grass for children to run around on, along with a little Playground that blends into the landscape. Kids can climb and “drive” the old tractor, scramble over big nature play logs, balance on stepping logs and crawl through a concrete tunnel.
The Playground is partially shaded, and parents can usually keep an eye on play from nearby picnic rugs or outdoor tables.
On busy sunny weekends, it’s worth packing a picnic blanket so you’ve got a comfy base under the shade of an apple tree if all the tables are taken.
Core Cider House offers two distinct dining areas, each with its own menu and vibe. The Cider Garden is the more casual option, perfect with kids who want to dart back and forth between bites and play. Here you’ll find relaxed counter-ordering; you pop up to the bar to order and collect your food when your pager buzzes. The garden menu features shareable crowd-pleasers like charcuterie boxes, nachos, cider-braised pulled pork burgers, pizzas and other casual eats. It’s ideal for families wanting a laid-back lunch with minimal fuss and maximum time outdoors. Drinks are a highlight, with Core’s own artisan ciders on tap and in bottles, along with a good range of wines, beers and non-alcoholic options for drivers and kids.
If you’re after more of a sit-down lunch, the Orchard Bistro is the spot to book. Elevated above the grounds, it has beautiful views over the treetops of the orchard and surrounding hills. The bistro menu showcases orchard-to-table dishes using seasonal produce, and portions are generous enough to satisfy hungry adults after a walk or play session.
There’s a children’s menu with a small selection of kid-friendly meals (four choices as of Jan 2026), making it easy to feed even fussy eaters without resorting to plain chips.
Core is much more than just a place to eat; they run a regular program of family-friendly events across the year. School holiday activities are a big focus, with tractor rides through the orchard a firm favourite.
The seasonal fruit-picking experiences, usually in autumn, are hugely popular with families – kids absolutely love heading into the orchard to pick their own apples straight from the trees, which often end up as lunchbox snacks in the week that follows. Their website’s “What’s On” section highlights special events like twilight dinners, summer nights sessions and school holiday programs, and it’s well worth checking or following their socials to see what’s coming up.
Core Cider House is incredibly popular, particularly on fine weekends and during peak fruit-picking season, so booking ahead for the Orchard Bistro is highly recommended. For the Cider Garden, you can usually walk in, but arriving on the earlier side of lunch can make it easier to secure a good spot near the Playground.
However you choose to visit, you’ll find a relaxed, welcoming venue that manages to cater for foodies, cider lovers and energetic kids all at once. Between the orchard views, tasty food, Playground, nature play area, tractor and fruit-picking, it’s a place many families return to again and again – and one that’s likely to become part of your regular Perth Hills days out.
Core Cider House, Pickering Brook
Address: 35 Merrivale Road, Pickering Brook WA 6076
Opening hours:
- Wednesday–Thursday: 11.00am – 4.00pm
- Friday: 11.00am – 4.00pm & from 5.00pm for Twilight Dinners
- Saturday: 11.00am – 7.30pm for Summer Nights
- Sunday: 11.00am – 5.00pm
Official website: https://corecider.com.au
Get more ideas for a day out in the Kalamunda region of the Perth Hills here.
Find more family-friendly restaurants in Perth
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, (first as “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life”) Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA for her blog ‘Simply PERTHfect’. You’ll find her checking out the newest foodie spots (brunching, tapas or something a little fancy), as well as fun family activities with the kiddos in tow, so Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
