Lifestyle
Where are the best suburbs to raise a family in Perth?
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Dalkeith is our top vote for the most family-friendly suburb in Perth, based on the crime rate, the number of schools, and the number of sports grounds and playgrounds in the area. The crime rate is based on the number of offences against property in the period 2016-2017, according to the Western Australia Police Force.
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Following Dalkeith, the suburbs of Carine, Mullaloo, Craigie and Melville fill up the top five spots on our list.
Perth suburb rankings
| Suburb | Number of offences 2016-2017 | No. of public primary schools | No. of public high schools | No. of sports grounds | No. of playgrounds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalkeith | 114 | 1 | 0* | 2 | 6 |
| 2 | Carine | 116 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Mullaloo | 153 | 2 | 0* | 3 | 9 |
| 4 | Craigie | 217 | 1 | 0* | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | Melville | 221 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 6 | City Beach | 253 | 2 | 0* | 6 | 17 |
| 7 | Noranda | 278 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| 8 | Mount Pleasant | 278 | 1 | 0* | 3 | 7 |
| 9 | Koondoola | 288 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 10 | Orelia | 348 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
*There are multiple public high schools nearby
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1. Dalkeith
Dalkeith, on the Swan River, has a lot to offer families. There are some green parks and reserves, including Point Resolution Reserve, which runs along the riverside, and Beaton Park, which is constructing an all abilities playground.
Mason Gardens is a fun park with a turtle pond, enchanted garden and art trail. The Gardens also host the annual Summer Concerts in the Park event.
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Dalkeith also has trendy cafes and restaurants nearby. You can grab a nice cup of coffee from Archie & Max, or visit Trattoria Valdarno for some Italian food.
Dalkeith is one of Perth’s more expensive suburbs, which means there are some stunning houses to see when you go for a walk. There are events held regularly at Dalkeith Hall, Paul Hasluck Reserve and the Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club. In nearby Subiaco, there is the Elements Art Gallery, which showcases Western Australian art.
2. Carine
Carine’s parks and local fairs make it an ideal suburb for families. The Carine Open Space is a popular venue for sport and is also the site of the weekly 5km Carine Glades Parkrun. The Open Space also has a skate park, ovals, tennis courts and bushland. Interestingly, Carine's preserved wetlands were formerly swamps.
This suburb in the north of Perth has two annual fairs, the Carine Community Fair, held at the Carine Open Space, and the Summerset Art Festival, run by the City of Sterling council.
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The Carine Glades Tavern, known locally as The Carine, is a popular family-friendly pub. There’s not only good food and drinks but also quiz nights and jam nights with performances by local musicians.
In nearby Duncraig, you can visit a fortnightly farmers market and the Leanne Pearson Artist Gallery.
3. Mullaloo
Mullaloo, a coastal suburb in the north of Perth, would suit a sporty family with its many sports events, including the Joondalup Autumn Classic Aquathlon and the Mullaloo Triathlon.
There’s also Inspire Fitness group classes for women, held at Mullaloo Beach. The beach itself offers a perfect place for kids to run around, go for a swim, or play in the sand.
If you’re in need of food, just next to the beach is the Mullaloo Beach Hotel. The hotel hosts performances by bands like The Rubens and is also home to the Panorama Restaurant, where you can eat a delicious meal while gazing out across the water.
4. Craigie
Craigie, not far from Mullaloo, always has something to entertain you and your family. Craigie Leisure Centre regularly holds fairs, markets, workshops, and expos that you’ll enjoy taking the kids to. These events, including the Collector Zone Toy and Hobby Fair and the Christmas Markets, are run by Linsey’s Community Events.
If you want to get some exercise, Craigie Bushland is a great spot for a walk. It is known as one of Perth's best 'pram-friendly nature walks'.
If you’re looking for refreshments, the Roma Republic cafe and the Craigie Tavern in Hillarys are both popular.
5. Melville
Melville, south of Perth, is a bit of a cultural hub, thanks to the enthusiasm of the City of Melville council. The Melville Theatre puts on lots of productions that you can take the kids to.
There are also festivals and exhibitions to show off all the local artists, such as the City of Melville Sculpture Walk in Mount Pleasant and the City of Melville Art Awards.
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Melville’s Kadidjiny Park, also known as the Dr Seuss Playground, is very popular with local families. It has unusual play equipment and tries to encourage kids to come up with their own games through its unique landscape and sculptures. If your kids are looking for indoor fun, there’s the bowling alley, Super Bowl Melville.
If you’re looking for food, the most popular place in Melville is the Miami Bakehouse, part of a chain in Western Australia. There’s also plenty of other restaurants around, given that the suburb is fairly close to the centre of Perth.
Read more about the safest suburbs in Perth here.
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