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Hi buddinseeker.
It's a difficult balance, where you want a telescope that's great for a newbie, great for kids, and yet versatile enough to be able to be used for astrophotography later on.
Astrophotography really is a whole other ball game and can require a much larger investment in gear, and time!
How old is your son?
A dobsonian is certainly a recommended way to go for newbies, and 6-8" or 10" dobs are good for kids too as they're fairly low to the ground and depending on how old the kids are, might be able to get by with a small step ladder or crate.
An 8" dob is really the ideal starting size, because it's big enough to be able to see excellent detail on the planets, moon and see galaxies and nebulas, while still being small enough and cheap enough to be a first telescope and portable.
Stay away from small, cheap refractors because they're really only good for looking at the moon.
As always, if you can, try to get along to an astro society meet neet you (not sure where Wanneroo is!?) and have a look at and through some of the different sized telescopes you'll see there. It'll help you refine your decision process.
Good luck!
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