Escape This Perth CBD: Our Family Review

We visited Escape This Perth CBD in January 2025 with our three boys (aged 16, 14, and 11) and tried “The Legend of Captain Nemo” at the Hay Street Mall location.

Escape This Perth CBD is one of the largest escape room venues in Australia, with multiple rooms available and a mix of family-friendly and more intense themes. After trying several different escape room brands in our travels since 2018, we all agreed this was one of the best we’ve experienced for set design and puzzle variety.

Our Take: Is Escape This Perth CBD a good fit for families?

Families with kids aged 10 and up, teens who enjoy puzzles and challenges, small groups of friends, and couples looking for a unique date activity will enjoy Escape This. The rooms work well for players who enjoy problem-solving and don’t mind working under time pressure.

Who might skip it? Families with toddlers or babies (everyone needs to stay in the room during the game). Plan for about 90 minutes total—arrive 10-15 minutes early for check-in and briefing, spend 60 minutes in the room, and allow time afterward for a quick debrief and photos.

This isn’t an all-day activity, which makes it easy to fit into a Perth CBD itinerary alongside other activities. It was a nice break for us while housesitting in Perth to visit the downtown area and enjoy the busyness and proximity.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Adam McLaughlin (@adam_mclaughlin)

About the Escape This brand?

Escape This operates multiple locations across Perth and throughout Australia. The Perth CBD Hay Street Mall venue is considered one of the largest dedicated escape room facilities in the southern hemisphere, with capacity for around 200 players escaping simultaneously across its rooms.

At this location alone, there are approximately 15 escape rooms available, with new rooms added or rotated regularly. The brand focuses on themed sets and story-based rooms—think movie-quality props and detailed decorations rather than a few padlocks in a plain room. Games generally run for 60 minutes and are designed for 2-8 players, with most rooms suitable for ages 9 and up, depending on the theme and difficulty.

Escape This Perth CBD is the largest escape room venue in the southern hemisphere!

Escape This stood out compared to other escape rooms we’ve tried. The immersive escape experience felt more like stepping onto a film set than entering a puzzle room – one of the best we’ve experienced for theming and production value.

Our family’s experience: “The Legend of Captain Nemo” room

We chose “The Legend of Captain Nemo” specifically because it was listed as a family-friendly, non-horror option. With one parent who doesn’t dare try anything too intense (that’s me, Adam), we needed an adventure that would be exciting without being scary.

The room story goes like this: you’re in a submerged submarine with 60 minutes of oxygen left. Your team needs to restore power, surface the submarine, and fend off a kraken before time runs out. It’s a steampunk-themed adventure with plenty of atmosphere, but no jump scares or dark horror elements.

There are a few Escape this locations in Perth, and some rooms are specific to some locations, so book ahead to be sure the Legend of Captain Nemo is available when you’d like to visit.

This escape room includes a solid mix of puzzle types:

• Math puzzles requiring calculations
• Word challenges and pattern recognition
• Sequencing tasks
• Logical problem-solving
• Simple hands-on physical tasks (pushing, pulling, manipulating props)

What worked well for our family was that different puzzle types suited different ages. Our youngest (11) had tasks he could lead—simpler clues that gave him wins without waiting for the older kids to figure everything out. Our teens enjoyed tackling the more complex challenges, while the adults helped coordinate the bigger picture and keep track of what we’d completed versus what still needed solving.

There are more intense and scarier rooms at Escape This Perth CBD, but we deliberately chose a story-driven adventure. If you’re booking for a family, ask staff which rooms are best for newcomers or kids who might be anxious. They can point you toward the right fit.

Difficulty, hints, and how our family got on

The difficulty level felt well-balanced for a mixed-age group. It was challenging enough that teens and adults had to think, but not so hard that younger kids were sidelined with nothing to do. We were able to complete the escape with only a few minutes to spare on the clock.

Here’s how escape room hints work

Staff monitor your room via cameras and can provide clues through audio when your team gets stuck. Before the game starts, you can let them know if you want more or fewer hints. Families who want a fully independent experience can request minimal help, while those new to escape rooms can ask for more guidance.

We had to pick up a radio and dial for help when needed, so we felt like we were not going to get extra hints when we were set on solving the challenges ourselves.

Having a mix of ages actually helped. Our 11-year-old noticed visual clues that the rest of us walked past. The teens picked up on number patterns quickly. Different brains, different strengths.

Family-friendly factors to consider

Escape This suggests ages 9 and up for most rooms, which seems about right. From our experience, tweens and teens (10-17) probably get the most out of it. Younger kids can participate, but may need adults to point them toward simpler tasks so they don’t feel left out.

Scare factor: Some rooms at this location are horror-themed or described as “intense” with darker themes. If your kids (or you) don’t handle scares well, ask staff specifically for family-friendly options. Rooms like “The Legend of Captain Nemo,” “Sherlock Holmes,” “Wonderland” (Alice in Wonderland-inspired), and some of the pirate-themed adventures tend to be lighter in tone. See Escape This’ full list of family-friendly rooms here for both Perth and Sydney locations.

Physical aspects: Expect some moving around—crouching to check under props, reaching to explore shelves, working in smaller spaces within the room. There’s no extreme physical activity, but parents with mobility issues, but you might want to ask about specific room layouts before booking if you have any concerns.

Noise and sensory load: The rooms use sound effects to build atmosphere, and the countdown timer creates time pressure. Some kids thrive on this excitement; others may find it overwhelming. If your child is sensitive to noise or pressure, prepare them in advance by explaining what to expect.

Group size and who to bring

Typical group sizes range from 2-8 players per room. From our experience, 4-6 people is a comfortable number for a family. Everyone has something to do, but you’re not crowded or stepping on each other.

Escape This works well for mixed groups:

• Parents plus teens
• Families travelling with grandparents
• Two families combining kids for a shared activity
• A couple looking for something different to explore together

If you’re travelling with very young kids who can’t participate in the puzzles, this may not be the best choice for the whole family. Everyone needs to stay inside the room during the 60-minute game, so you can’t easily step out with a fussy toddler.

Practical details: booking, timing, and cost

Bookings are typically made online via the official Escape This website. You’ll choose the Perth CBD (Hay Street Mall) location, select your room theme and difficulty level, and pick a time slot. There is another location nearby (Escape This Northbridge) so the story you choose may determine the location where it’s available.

Booking tips:

• Book at least a few days ahead during school holidays or weekends—popular time slots fill quickly
• Weekday sessions and mornings tend to have more availability
• Check for group rates if you’re bringing a larger party

Timing breakdown:

Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in, 5 minutes for game debriefing, 60 minutes in the room, and 10 minutes after completion for some extra photos, questions, and talking with the game master about any questions you had about the challenges.

Pricing is per person, with possible group or off-peak rates available. Prices can change, so check the current rates directly on EscapeThis.com.au before you set your budget.

What to bring and how to prepare for Escape This, Perth

• Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in
• Closed-toe shoes are best (you may be bending, kneeling, reaching, and walking around)
• Phones will be locked in a locker—they’re not used for solving puzzles
• No special equipment needed

If your kids haven’t done an escape room before, let them know:

• It’s a timed puzzle experience, not an actual trap
• Staff can see you, and will help if you’re stuck figuring out what’s next
• The goal is to work as a team and have fun to solve the puzzles
• No one gets locked in permanently—you can leave if needed

Encourage bathroom breaks before the game starts. Once the 60-minute timer begins, you can’t easily pause, and stepping out means losing playing time.

Combining Escape This Perth CBD with other Perth city activities

Because the game itself is only 60 minutes, Escape This fits well into a half-day Perth CBD itinerary rather than filling a whole day. This is actually convenient for family travel planning—you can dive into a puzzle adventure and still have time for other activities.

Pair it with nearby options:

• Shopping and lunch: Wander through Hay Street Mall and Murray Street Mall after your game. Plenty of cafes and food options within walking distance.
• Kings Park: Catch a bus or drive up to Kings Park for playgrounds and city views. A good way to balance indoor puzzle time with outdoor play.
• Perth city libraries: If the weather is too hot or rainy, the State Library of Western Australia is nearby and free to visit.
• Elizabeth Quay: A short walk away for waterfront views and open space.

Sample itinerary ideas for Escape This, Perth:

• Option A: Morning escape room, Lunch at Hay Street Mall, Afternoon and Sunset at King’s Park
• Option B: Explore Perth Zoo or Splash Pad at Elizabeth Quay, Late afternoon escape room at Escape This, Dinner and mini-golf at Holey Moley, Northbridge.
• Option C: Morning escape room, Lunch downtown, afternoon escape room, early evening (you’ll be exhausted from enjoying the fun at Escape This!)

There are so many things to do with kids in Perth. If you need some ideas, here’s our list of recommendations.

Where is Escape This Perth CBD, and what is the venue like?

The Hay Street Mall Perth CBD location at 712 720 Hay Street Mall, right in the heart of Perth’s pedestrian shopping area. If you’re walking through downtown Perth, you’ll find it among the shops and cafes on Hay Street Mall.

The entry process is part of the fun. You’ll enter through a street-level doorway, head down some stairs, walk through a hallway, and end up in what feels like a secret area hidden from the public above. The signage is clear throughout, so there’s no chance of getting lost, but it does set the mood before you even start your game.

The venue is close to Murray Street Mall and a short walk from Perth Train Station, making it easy to combine with shopping, lunch, or other inner-city activities. Because it’s in a pedestrian mall, there’s no direct parking at the door. You’ll need to park in a nearby CBD car park or use public transport. If you’re not familiar with Perth CBD, allow a few extra minutes to find the entrance.

Inside, the venue feels purpose-built for escape rooms—multiple groups run games at once, so expect some activity in the common areas. The overall setup is busy but organised, with staff directing groups to their respective rooms.

Our verdict: Would we recommend Escape This Perth CBD for other families?

We found Escape This Perth CBD to be one of the most detailed and engaging escape rooms we’ve tried. “The Legend of Captain Nemo” was a good fit for our mixed-age group—challenging enough for teens and adults, accessible enough for our 11-year-old, and fun for everyone.

Escape This Perth is a good fit for:

• Families with kids aged 10 and up
• Teens who enjoy puzzles and teamwork
• Parents looking for a device-free activity where everyone participates
• Visitors needing an indoor Perth CBD activity on a hot or rainy day

From our family travel perspective, this was a solid choice for a hot or rainy Perth day. The balance of mental challenges and physical tasks meant everyone contributed something. And the post-game conversations—laughing about what we missed, celebrating what we solved—made it one of the more memorable parts of our Perth visit.

Book your reservation at Escape This, Perth

Here are some of our favorite photos from Escape This in Perth: