A quick ferry trip across the river from the city is the zoo in South Perth with lions and tigers and bears. Oh my! There's a lot to see, from the Australian Walkabout to the African Savannah and Asian Rainforest. The zoo is open daily from 9am to 5pm and admission is $21 for adults, $17 for concessions and seniors, $10.50 for children and free for under-fours. Perth Zoo is open every single day of the year, including bank holidays and Christmas.

By popular demand, I bring you The Maze, Six mazes, actually: the original timber made spread across half an acre; two mazes in a pine tree grove; a limestone block maze where right turns are forbidden; a recycled timber maze where left turns are verboten; a rope maze; and a seventh maze on the way — an old-school hedge maze. The walk-in aviary and walk-through kangaroo enclosure are not mazes, but you could have a go at getting lost in them. Pack a picnic, have a bite to eat in the café, or sate your appetite for gum leaves by having brekkie with the koalas on a Sunday morning — bookings essential. The Maze is open Wednesday to Sunday and every day during school holidays. Admission is $19 for adults, $16 for concessions, and $13 for children 4 to 15 years.

Cater 4 Kids operates entertainment corners for children in selected restaurants across Perth. They supply books, puzzles and console games, have art and craft activities, and do face painting, all to amuse the kids while you enjoy a meal, in peace!

The restaurant Ninniku Jip, or 'Garlic House' at 867 Albany Highway, East Victoria Park, has an indoor playground, Playstation and X-box to keep the tikes out of your hair while you dose up on Korean and Japanese dishes featuring 'the stinking rose'.

Gloucester Park in East Perth fires up on Friday nights with harness racing and offers a free creche for three to 13-year olds with toys, activities and movies from 6.15pm-10.15pm (phone (08) 9325 6662 to reserve a place). There are three restaurants overlooking the track and over summer there's children's entertainment in the form of bouncy castles, rides and face painting. The free red CAT bus will take you to the main gate on Nelson Crescent and admission is $10 for adults, $5 for concessions and accompanied under-16s enter free.

Go on, admit it — tearing around science exhibits, interacting with pulleys and levers, kinetic energy and centrifugal forces is as much fun for adults as it is for children. Scitech, Perth's science museum located in City West, is open 9.30am — 4pm on school days and 10am — 5pm during school holidays, on weekends and public holidays. Admission is $14 for adults ($10 after 3pm), $10 for concessions, $9 for children and free for under-threes.