A ride on the Transperth ferry is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to give the kids a “wow” moment on the Swan River. Linking Elizabeth Quay with Mends Street Jetty in South Perth, the ferry turns a simple journey into a mini adventure, with big city views and plenty to see along the way. It’s an especially fun add-on to a day exploring either Elizabeth Quay or the South Perth foreshore, and a great option for school holidays or weekends when you’re looking for something low cost but memorable.
From the South Perth side, the ferry departs from Mends Street Jetty, right on the riverfront near cafés and the Mindeerup piazza. On the city side, it pulls into the Elizabeth Quay Ferry Terminal, in the heart of the quay. Services run frequently throughout the day, generally every 15 minutes or so, and the trip itself only takes around eight to ten minutes each way, so you’re never waiting long to hop on board. The short crossing is perfect for younger kids who might get restless on longer cruises, but still want the excitement of being out on the water.
The ferries are designed to be family friendly. There are wide walkways and ramps for easy boarding with prams, as well as dedicated spaces where you can safely park your stroller during the trip.
Once on board, children can choose a window seat or head to the open areas (where available) to watch the city slip by. Little ones love spotting familiar landmarks like Kings Park, the city skyline and the ever-changing line-up of boats on the river. If you’re lucky, you might even glimpse dolphins, black swans or pelicans as you cruise across.
For many families, the ferry ride becomes part of a bigger day out. From South Perth, you can wander along the foreshore, visit Playgrounds, or continue on to Perth Zoo, which is an easy walk from Mends Street Jetty. On the city side, Elizabeth Quay offers the Island Playground, BHP Water Park, the carousel, Swans on the Swan, the Bell Tower and plenty of places to eat. A simple itinerary is to catch the ferry over, enjoy a play or a walk, grab a coffee or an ice cream, and then ride back again – all within a couple of hours.
Using public transport tickets keeps the outing affordable. The ferry is part of the normal Transperth network, so standard fares and concessions apply, and you can use your SmartRider or contactless payment just as you would on a bus or train. Because tickets are time-based, you can often combine a ferry ride with a train or bus trip on the same fare if you’re travelling within the time limit, and options like the FamilyRider and free Sunday travel for SmartRider and contactless users can make it even better value for families on weekends and holidays. It’s worth checking the Transperth website for the latest fares and any service changes before you go.
If you simply want the experience of being on the river, you can stay on board and return straight back to your starting point, turning the crossing into a round-trip cruise. Otherwise, build the ferry into a full day of exploring – perhaps South Perth Playgrounds in the morning, a ferry ride and lunch at Elizabeth Quay, and then back again in the afternoon. However you choose to use it, the Transperth ferry is an easy, fun and budget-friendly way to show kids their city from a different angle.
TransPerth Ferry, Swan River
Address:
Elizabeth Quay Ferry Terminal – The Esplanade, Perth WA 6000
Mends Street Jetty – South Perth Esplanade, South Perth WA 6151
Opening hours:
Ferries operate daily, roughly every 15–20 minutes from early morning until late evening (check the current timetable for exact times and any service changes).
Website:
Transperth
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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.
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