Perth is an absolute dream for kids who are obsessed with planes. From dedicated airport viewing platforms where you can feel the roar of jet engines, to plane‑themed Playgrounds, hands‑on aviation museums, flight simulators and real flying experiences for children and teens, there are loads of ways to turn that fascination into a full day out.
This Ultimate Guide to Planes in Perth rounds up the best spots for plane spotting, climbing into cockpits, learning the basics of flying and soaking up all things aviation across Perth and WA.
Airport Viewing Platforms
Perth Airport Viewing Platform (Outdoor) + Indoor Viewing Platform (T1 International)
Perth Airport has two public viewing spots: the outdoor platform on Dunreath Drive, famous for its Boeing 747‑shaped shelter and aviation‑themed information panels, and the indoor public viewing platform at Terminal 1 International on Level 3, which is open 24/7 to the general public. The outdoor platform offers free parking and is pram and wheelchair accessible, but Perth Airport currently advises it is closed until May 2026, so the indoor viewing area is the best option for now.
The indoor area is fully enclosed and air‑conditioned, with large windows overlooking the airfield, making it a comfortable spot year‑round and especially handy for families on very hot or wet days. It’s a great option if you’re already at the airport seeing someone off, or if you want to combine plane spotting with a bite to eat from the nearby terminal cafés and food outlets.
Read the Buggybuddys review of Perth Airport Viewing Platform
Address: Dunreath Drive, Perth Airport WA (Outdoor Viewing Platform)
Website: Perth Airport – Facilities & Services (Viewing Areas)
Jandakot Airport Viewing + The Apron Café (Royal Aero Club of WA)
Jandakot Airport is ideal for younger plane fans, with smaller aircraft, lots of visible movement and the buzz of one of Australia’s busiest general aviation and flight training hubs. Combine a visit with a stop at The Apron Café, which offers excellent runway views from inside while you enjoy a coffee or bite to eat, then head a short distance to the Robert J Cross Park viewing platform for a picnic‑style plane‑spotting session. There you’ll find grass, shade and toilets – perfect for families with wriggly kids.
Read the Buggybuddys review of Jandakot Airport and Apron Cafe
Address: 41 Eagle Drive, Jandakot WA 6164 (Royal Aero Club / The Apron Café)
Website: The Apron Cafe & Bar – Royal Aero Club of WA
Beverley Soaring Society and Airfield
If you’ve got a budding plane-lover (or just want a unique family day trip), the Beverley Soaring Society and Airfield is a brilliant off-the-beaten-track spot where you can watch gliders being towed into the sky and soaring overhead on thermals. Buggybuddys loved how welcoming the pilots were, often waving to the kids and making the experience feel really hands-on and exciting (with the bonus that you may even get a closer look at the aircraft on the day). It’s a relaxed, country-airfield adventure that turns a simple Sunday drive into a memorable aviation outing.
Read the Buggybuddys review of Beverley Soaring Society and Airfield.
Address: Beverley Airfield (just past the township of Beverley), WA
Website: Beverley Soaring Society
Museums
Aviation Heritage Museum (Bull Creek)
For a deeper dive into all things aviation, this museum is a standout family day out. It’s volunteer‑run by passionate aviation enthusiasts, spread across two hangars and home to more than 30 aircraft, with plenty of interactive elements. Kids can climb into the pilot’s seat of “Huey” (a Bell UH‑1H Iroquois helicopter), explore engaging displays such as the “Sugar Bird Lady” exhibit, and marvel at impressive aircraft like the Avro Lancaster bomber.
Read the Buggybuddys review of Aviation Heritage Museum
Address: Air Force Memorial Estate, 2 Bull Creek Drive, Bull Creek WA
Website: Aviation Heritage Museum
Beverley Aeronautical History (Cornerstone Building)
If you’re heading out to Beverley for an aviation-themed day, add Beverley Aeronautical History to the itinerary. While the old Beverley Aeronautical Museum has been demolished, you can now visit the Cornerstone Building for an interactive way to explore Beverley’s full aeronautical story — including the chance to “experience” a glider flight while standing on your own two feet. It’s an easy stop to pair with other Beverley aviation points of interest too, like the Vampire Jet display and Amana Memorial on Hunt Road, where you’ll also find panels detailing the town’s history with flight and aviation.
Address: Cornerstone Building, 141 Vincent Street, Beverley WA 6304
Website: Shire of Beverley – Museums (Beverley Aeronautical History)
Flight Experiences
FlightX Perth
If your aviation-obsessed kid is ready to go beyond plane spotting and actually try flying, FlightX Perth in Northbridge is a total bucket-list activity. It’s an incredibly realistic Boeing 737 simulator experience, where kids can sit in the captain’s seat of a full-sized replica cockpit and “fly” with guidance from a real commercial pilot. Sessions are tailored to young flyers (no experience needed), with options like the 20-minute Junior Jets experience for around ages 10–12, and a longer intro session for older kids/young teens, plus a personalised flight certificate at the end. There are also extra seats in the cockpit so parents can sit in, watch, and grab plenty of photos and videos—making it a brilliant special-occasion outing or school holiday treat.
Read the Buggybuddys review of FlightX Perth.
Address: 355 Newcastle Street, Northbridge WA 6003
Website: FlightX
Young Eagles Program – Royal Aero Club of WA
For kids who want to do more than just watch planes, the Royal Aero Club of WA’s Young Eagles Program is a fantastic next step. Running from Jandakot Airport, there’s a two‑day program for ages 14–17 and a one‑day option for ages 10–13. Both include behind‑the‑scenes access to hangars and aircraft, fun lessons on navigation and radio calls, time on a flight simulator and the chance to meet real pilots. The highlight for both age groups is a 45‑minute flight – a Trial Flight in a Cessna 152 for older teens (including their first logged flying hour), and a scenic flight over Perth’s beaches and city in a Cessna 172 for younger kids.
Address: 41 Eagle Drive, Jandakot 6164 WA (Royal Aero Club of WA)
Website: Royal Aero Club of Western Australia – Young Eagles Program
Swan River Seaplanes
If you’re looking to seriously wow a plane‑mad kid, Swan River Seaplanes’ “Kids Fly Free” deal on their Perth City Scenic Flights is hard to beat. On this experience, each child (12 years and under) flies free with a full‑paying adult when you use the KIDSFLYFREE promo code at checkout. Families board a seaplane on the Swan River before taking off for a spectacular scenic loop over the city and coastline – it’s a thrilling way for kids to feel what it’s like to be in a “real” small plane, complete with water take‑off and landing, while soaking up incredible views of Perth from above.
Website: Swan River Seaplanes
Plane Themed Playgrounds
Drimmie Park, Clarkson
For plane-mad kids who’d rather climb an aircraft than just watch one, Drimmie Park in Clarkson is a standout aviation-themed Playground. The “hero” piece is a bright red WWII-style Catalina seaplane structure perched on a soft-fall hill, with climbing nets to tackle and a huge tunnel slide to zoom back down. There’s also cargo-box style play elements for balancing and jumping, deep sand for diggers and builders, swings for mixed ages, plus a few nature-play obstacles and outdoor exercise equipment for older kids (and parents). It’s best for shorter visits as there are shaded shelters but no BBQs or public toilets.
Read the Buggybuddys review of Drimmie Park, Clarkson.
Address: Aviator Boulevard, Somerly (Catalina Estate), Clarkson, WA 6030
Ivey Watson Playground, Kings Park
For little aviators who love to “fly”, the standout feature at Ivey Watson Playground is the much‑loved aeroplane. Set alongside the bright red fire engine, this sturdy plane is perfect for imaginative play, with space for kids to climb aboard, “take the controls” and act out their own flight adventures while you relax nearby. It’s low to the ground and well suited to toddlers and preschoolers, making it a great first “cockpit” experience for children who aren’t quite ready for real aircraft yet. With musical instruments, a maze and other age‑appropriate equipment close by, it’s easy to spend a long stretch here while your mini pilot hops in and out of the plane, ringing the fire truck bell between “flights”.
Read the Buggybuddys review of Ivey Watson Playground.
Address: Ivey Watson Playground, Poolgarla Family Area, 37 Kings Park Road, Kings Park WA 6005
Places to Plane Spot
If you’re after easy, family-friendly plane spotting without heading to the airport, there are a few brilliant spots around Perth where you can simply look up and watch planes cruise overhead while the kids play.
Up in the Hills, Lesmurdie Falls delivers that “wow” lookout view over the suburbs and city, where you can often spot plenty of planes taking off in the distance—perfect for combining a short walk with a scenic plane-watching moment.
Along the Swan River, Claughton Reserve in Bayswater is a picturesque park for nature play and a wander along the fairy trail, with regular airplane sightings across the river making it a relaxed option for kids who love aircraft (without the full airport hustle).
And in the Swan Valley area, Noah’s Playground in South Guildford adds an extra layer of excitement for little plane spotters with planes frequently passing overhead, all while the kids tackle the ark-themed climbing structures, bridges, slides and creek-style water play.
From tiny toddlers “flying” a Playground plane to teens logging their very first flying hour, Perth makes it easy for families to lean into a love of aviation. With so many viewing areas, museums, simulators and junior flight experiences on offer, there’s always a new way to see, hear or climb inside an aircraft. Keep this guide handy next time you’re planning a day out – whether you’ve got an hour to spare near the airport or a whole weekend to fill, there’s a perfect plane‑themed adventure ready for your little (or not‑so‑little) aviation fan.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
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.
