Perth is full of fascinating historic buildings that make it easy to turn a simple city outing into a mini history lesson. From old prisons and mills to fire stations, hospitals and grand public institutions, these places help kids picture how people once lived and worked in WA. If your family enjoys stories from the past, hands‑on displays and exploring character‑filled spaces, these historic spots around Perth are well worth adding to your list.
The Old Mill, South Perth
The Old Mill is one of Perth’s most recognisable landmarks and a lovely way to mix riverside exploring with a slice of local history. Dating back to the 1830s, it gives families a feel for Perth’s early colonial days, while the surrounding grounds and interpretive signage also highlight the site’s deep cultural significance for First Nations peoples. With scavenger hunts, lawn games on open days and easy access to the South Perth foreshore, it’s an appealing stop for kids who like to roam, look for clues and ask questions. Read the Buggybuddys review of The Old Mill, South Perth.
Address: Melville Place, South Perth WA 6151
Website: https://southperth.wa.gov.au/discover/things-to-see-and-do/old-mill
Fremantle Prison, Fremantle
Fremantle Prison is one of WA’s most powerful “step back in time” experiences, with towering limestone walls, eerie cell blocks and stories that feel surprisingly recent. Only accessible by guided tour, it’s best suited to tweens, teens and primary‑aged kids who can handle some confronting history, and there are several tour options depending on your family’s interest and bravery level. From convict tales to true crime, tunnels and torchlight adventures, it’s an unforgettable way to bring WA’s convict and criminal past to life. Read the Buggybuddys review of Fremantle Prison.
Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160
Website: https://fremantleprison.com.au
The Round House, Fremantle
The Round House in Fremantle is Western Australia’s oldest surviving public building, completed in 1831, and it’s a great way to introduce kids to the very earliest days of the Swan River Colony. Originally built as a small prison, this distinctive circular structure now offers families the chance to walk through the old cells, learn about convict life and early law and order, and enjoy sweeping views over Bathers Beach and the Indian Ocean from the limestone headland. Time your visit for the 1pm cannon firing and kids will love the drama and noise as history is brought to life right before their eyes. Read the Buggybuddys review of The Round House, Fremantle.
Address: 15 Captains Lane, Fremantle WA 6160
Website: https://fremantlestory.com.au/business/the-round-house
WA Shipwrecks Museum, Fremantle
The WA Shipwrecks Museum is perfect for turning a Fremantle wander into a “real pirate treasure” adventure. Set inside beautifully restored 1850s limestone Commissariat buildings, it tells dramatic stories of shipwrecks along WA’s coast, with cannons, coins, model ships and other relics on display. The reconstructed hull of the Batavia is a standout for older kids and teens, while younger children can follow a simple treasure‑hunt style trail through the galleries. With free general admission (donations welcome) and an easy walk from Fremantle Station, it’s a great, low‑cost history stop to add to your day in Freo. Read the Buggybuddys review of the WA Shipwrecks Museum.
Address: Cliff Street, Fremantle WA 6160
Website: https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/shipwrecks
Old Central Fire Station, Perth City
Perth’s Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre is a brilliant mix of hands‑on play and real‑life history, set inside a beautifully preserved, heritage‑listed fire station in the city’s East End. Kids can learn about WA’s firefighting past, explore galleries filled with old equipment and stories, and enjoy interactive features like rock climbing, crawl tunnels and dress‑ups that make safety messages stick. With free entry and an easy walk from public transport, it’s an ideal city outing for truck‑mad toddlers through to school‑aged history buffs. Read the Buggybuddys review of the Old Central Fire Station.
Address: 25 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000
Website: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/oldcentral
The Perth Mint, East Perth
The Perth Mint combines a gorgeous heritage building with plenty of “wow” moments, making it a hit with school‑aged kids and teens. Families can step into Australia’s oldest operating mint, join a guided Gold Tour to learn about WA’s gold rush history, see record‑breaking coins and gleaming nuggets, and watch a live gold pour in the melting room. With interactive displays, quizzes, dress‑ups and the chance to lift a real gold bar, it’s a great option for kids who enjoy shiny treasures, science and stories from the past. Read the Buggybuddys review of The Perth Mint.
Address: 310 Hay Street, East Perth WA 6004
Website: https://www.perthmint.com
Royal Perth Hospital Museum, Perth City
The Royal Perth Hospital Museum is a fascinating little stop for families who enjoy “how it used to be” style history, set within the heritage precinct just across from the Old Central Fire Station. Inside, kids can see old operating theatre set‑ups, early medical equipment and uniforms, and follow stories of epidemics, innovation and everyday hospital life from the 1800s to today. It’s compact, free, and best suited to school‑aged children who won’t be spooked by some of the more old‑fashioned medical gear, making it a great add‑on to a city history outing. Read the Buggybuddys review of the Royal Perth Hospital Museum.
Address: 10–14 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000
Website: https://rph.health.wa.gov.au/About-us/Museum
WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth City
WA Museum Boola Bardip is a brilliant all‑rounder for families, bringing together WA’s natural, social and cultural history inside a striking mix of heritage buildings and modern architecture. Kids can move between animal displays, space and science, tech and social history, and powerful First Nations stories, with plenty of hands‑on elements and multimedia along the way. With free entry for children, excellent facilities and a central location in the Perth Cultural Centre, it’s an easy, high‑value day out that you can revisit again and again. Read the Buggybuddys review of WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Address: Perth Cultural Centre, Perth / Boorloo WA 6000
Website: https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/boolabardip
No1 Pump Station, Mundaring Weir
No1 Pump Station is a great pick if you want a historic outing that also feels like a proper day in the Perth Hills. Set just below the Mundaring Weir wall, this beautifully restored red‑brick pump station shares the story of how water was first pumped from the dam all the way to the Goldfields via the famous pipeline. Inside, families can walk through the old boiler and pump rooms, stand beside enormous steam‑driven machinery and follow interactive displays that show how the system worked and why it mattered. It’s an easy add‑on to a picnic or walk at the weir, especially for kids who love big machines and engineering “wow” moments. Read the Buggybuddys review of No1 Pump Station, Mundaring Weir.
Address: No1 Pump Station, Mundaring Weir Road, Mundaring WA
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/no-1-pump-station/
From city icons to tucked‑away museums, Perth’s historic buildings offer so many easy ways to weave a bit of “living history” into your family’s weekends. Whether you drop in for an hour or build a whole day out around one of these spots, kids will come away with new stories, questions and connections to the place they call home. If your crew enjoys these outings, be sure to also check out our companion guide to Perth’s best historic homes, where you can step inside old cottages and homesteads for an even closer look at life in days gone by.
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
