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Places to Visit in Perth

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Perth Sightseeing Places

Here is the list of best places to visit in perth:.

Kings Park And Botanic Garden

Kings Park and Botanic Garden is a large public park located in Perth, Western Australia. It is situated on the western edge of the central business district and overlooks the Swan River and the Perth city skyline. The park covers an area of about 400 hectares and is home to a wide variety of plant life, including over 3,000 species of Western Australian flora.

Top Experiences To Do in Kings Park And Botanic Garden

Swan Valley

The Swan Valley is a region located in the upper reaches of the Swan River in Western Australia. It is home to a number of wineries and breweries, as well as many other attractions such as restaurants, cafes, and farmers markets. The region is known for its production of wine, beer, honey, and other local produce. It is a popular Perth tourist attraction for food and wine lovers, offering a range of tastings and experiences.

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe Beach is a popular beach located in the suburb of Cottesloe in Perth, Western Australia. It is known for its clear blue waters, white sandy beach, and beautiful sunsets. Cottesloe Beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, and other water sports. It is also a great place to relax and enjoy the sun and sand, with plenty of space for picnics, beach games, and other activities.

Top Experiences To Do in Cottesloe Beach

The Perth Mint

The Perth Mint is a world-renowned gold refinery and mint located in Perth, Western Australia. It is the oldest operating mint in Australia, having been founded in 1899 to mint gold sovereigns for the British Empire. Today, the Perth Mint is known for producing a wide range of gold, silver, and platinum coins and bars, as well as other precious metal products.

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Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison is a historic prison located in Fremantle, Western Australia. It was built in the 1850s and operated as a prison until 1991. Fremantle Prison is known for its well-preserved historical architecture and its role in the history of Western Australia. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Perth Zoo is a popular attraction located in South Perth, Western Australia. It is home to a wide variety of animals, including exotic and native species, and is known for its conservation and research efforts. The zoo covers an area of about 16 hectares and is home to over 1,200 animals from over 150 species.

Top Experiences To Do in Perth Zoo

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Hillarys Boat Harbour

Hillarys Boat Harbour is situated on the coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, marina, and a range of recreational and dining options. Built in 1985, Hillarys Boat Harbour is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and other water sports, with a number of sheltered beaches and a large marina.

Top Experiences To Do in Hillarys Boat Harbour

St Mary's Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral which started building in 1863. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Perth and the mother church of the Archdiocese of Perth. The cathedral was designed in the Gothic Revival style and completed the building in 2010. It is a prominent landmark in the city of Perth and is a popular tourist attraction.

Top Experiences To Do in St Mary's Cathedral

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Swan Bell Tower

The Swan Bell Tower is a distinctive landmark located in Perth, Western Australia. It is situated on the banks of the Swan River in the Perth central business district, near the Barrack Street Jetty. It is a bell tower that houses a collection of 18 bells. The tower also has a number of other features, including a viewing platform, a museum, and a gift shop.

Top Experiences To Do in Swan Bell Tower

Art gallery of western australia.

The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is a public art museum located in Perth and opened in 1979. It is the state's premier visual arts institution and is home to a diverse collection of artworks from Western Australia and around the world. The AGWA's collection includes over 18,000 works of art, ranging from historical to contemporary pieces.

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Aqwa Under Water World

Aqwa (Aquarium of Western Australia) is an aquarium built in 1899 in the suburb of Hillarys, Perth, Western Australia. It is home to a 400 different range of marine species from Western Australia and around the world, including sharks, rays, fish, and other marine animals. The aquarium features a number of interactive exhibits, including a touch pool where visitors can interact with a variety of marine animals, and a glass tunnel where visitors can walk through and view marine life from above and below the water.

Top Experiences To Do in Aqwa Under Water World

Rottnest island.

Rottnest Island is a small island formed on a base of aeolianite limestone located off the coast of Perth. It is one of the popular places to visit in Perth for its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters, and unique wildlife. Rottnest Island is home to a number of interesting Perth attractions, including the Rottnest Island Museum, and the Wadjemup Lighthouse. The island is also home to a number of walking trails, which provide access to the island's natural beauty and wildlife.

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John Forrest National Park

John Forrest National Park is a protected national park named after Sir John Forrest, the first Premier of Western Australia. The park is home to a diverse range of plant and animal life, including a number of threatened species. John Forrest National Park is home to a number of walking trails, including the Heritage Trail, which follows the route of the original water pipeline that supplied water to the goldfields in the late 19th century.

Aviation Heritage Museum

The Aviation Heritage Museum is a museum located in the suburb of Bull Creek, Perth and was established in 1979. It is dedicated to preserving and displaying the aviation history of Western Australia and is home to many aircraft and other aviation-related artefacts. The museum's collection includes a range of aircraft, including military planes, civilian planes, and helicopters.

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Scarborough Beach

Scarborough Beach is a popular beach located in the suburb of Scarborough and known for its beautiful white sand and crystal clear waters, making it a popular destination for swimming, surfing, and other beach activities. One of the things that makes Scarborough Beach special is its location. The beach is situated just a short drive from the city of Perth, making it a convenient destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.

Penguin Island

Penguin Island is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, known for its beautiful beaches, wildlife, and conservation efforts. One of the main Perth attractions of Penguin Island is the opportunity to see penguins up close. The island is home to a colony of little penguins, the smallest species of penguin in the world. Visitors can take a guided tour of the island and learn about the penguins and the conservation efforts to protect them.

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The suburb of City Beach itself is a residential area with a mix of houses and apartments. It has a laid-back, beachside atmosphere and is known for its relaxed, family-friendly vibe. There are several restaurants, cafes, and shops in the area, as well as several parks and playgrounds for kids to enjoy. There's also a golf course and a number of sporting clubs, making it a great place for sports enthusiasts.

Adventure World

Adventure World is a popular theme park for tourists and locals alike, offering a variety of thrilling rides, attractions, and activities for people of all ages. It is open from September to April and has a total 32 rides and attractions to keep each visitor entertained. There are also several family-friendly rides and attractions, as well as a range of dining and shopping options.

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Mullaloo Beach

Mullaloo Beach, Perth is an idyllic spot located on the outskirts of the bustling city of Perth, Australia. The beach regularly draws visitors and locals alike who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and explore Australia's beautiful coastline. It features white sand, crystal clear waters, inviting swimming pools and an array of other activities such as fishing, paddling boats and snorkelling to make sure your beach vacation is memorable.

Araluen Botanic Park

Araluen Botanic Park is a botanical garden located in Roleystone, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. The park covers an area of approximately 59 hectares and is home to a wide variety of plants, including rare and endangered species. It is known for its beautiful gardens, including a formal rose garden and a native plant garden, as well as its large collection of exotic and native plants. The park also has a number of walking trails, a picnic area, and a café.

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Yanchep National Park

Yanchep National Park is a protected area located about 50 kilometres north of Perth, Western Australia. It covers an area of about 2,799 hectares and is home to a variety of native flora and fauna, including kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and a wide range of bird species. Its bushland and wetland are home to western grey kangaroos and rich birdlife.

Scitech is a science museum and discovery centre located in West Perth, Western Australia. It is a hands-on, interactive science centre that aims to educate and inspire visitors of all ages about the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and maths. The museum features a range of exhibits and displays, including a planetarium, a robotics lab, and a series of interactive science exhibits that allow visitors to learn about and explore various scientific concepts.

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Elizabeth Quay

Elizabeth Quay is a mixed-use development located in the central business district of Perth, Western Australia. It is named after Queen Elizabeth II, and it was built on the site of the former Perth waterfront. The development includes a variety of attractions, including restaurants, shops, a hotel, and a public transport hub. The centrepiece of the development is a man-made inlet called the Quay, which features a waterfront promenade, a bridge, and a water park.

Fremantle Markets

Fremantle Markets is a vibrant and lively market that features a range of stalls selling a variety of goods, including fresh produce, handmade crafts, clothing, and souvenirs. The markets are housed in a historic building that was built in 1897, and they have been a popular destination for both locals and tourists for over 100 years.

Caversham Wildlife Park

Opened in 2008, Caversham Wildlife Park is a wildlife park located in the suburb of Whiteman, Western Australia. The park is home to 2000+ a wide range of native Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas, and a variety of bird species. The park offers a range of experiences for visitors, including the opportunity to feed and interact with the animals, as well as guided tours and educational presentations. 

Bathers Beach

Bathers Beach, also known as whalers beach is a small beach located in the city of Fremantle, Western Australia. It is located on the western side of the Fremantle port, and it is known for its crystal clear waters and white sand. The beach is popular for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking, and it is also home to the Bathers Beach House, which is a popular restaurant and bar that offers views of the beach and the surrounding area.

Wa Maritime Museum

The Western Australian Maritime Museum is an iconic part of the history and culture of Western Australia. Not only does it contain priceless artefacts and exhibits that tell the story of WA’s maritime past, the museum itself is a beautiful structure with a remarkable presence in its waterfront home.

Leighton Beach

Leighton Beach is a popular beach located in the suburb of North Fremantle, Western Australia. The beach is known for its crystal clear waters and white sand, and it is a popular destination for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Leighton Beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the sunny weather, and it is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. 

Nambung National Park Perth

The Nambung National Park is a national park located in the southwestern part of Australia covering an area of almost 193 square kilometres. Wildlife is not abundant but there is enough and you can easily spot kangaroos, emus along with red fox, dingoes, possum, sand goanna, etc. The most unique attraction of the place is the Nambung River from which the park derives its name.

Rockingham Beach

Rockingham Beach in Perth, Western Australia, is one of the most popular beaches in the region due to its crystal clear waters, beautiful white sand and range of activities. There are also plenty of other Perth attractions near Rockingham Beach for those who prefer something more leisurely such as whale watching cruises, winery tours and fine dining at local restaurants.

Top Experiences To Do in Rockingham Beach

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Perth, Western Australia

Guide to Perth

Aboriginal name:  Boorloo (pronounced Boor-loo)

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• Getting to Perth
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Embrace the best of both worlds in Perth, where soft-sand beaches and scenic parks meet a thriving metropolis of small bars, creative restaurants and curated street art.

Australia's urban oasis of Perth is nestled within the vast nature of Western Australia – and that's why the locals love it! Here, not only can you relax on the serene white-sand beaches, but you can immerse yourself in the bustling art galleries, historic neighbourhoods and epic events. Just outside of Perth, you can find idyllic local wineries and unique wildlife.

Perth/Boorloo stands on the ancient country of the Whadjuk Noongar people, one of the 14 clans of the Noongar nation, who have been the Traditional Owners of the south west of Western Australia for at least 45,000 years. Experience Aboriginal culture with the many First Nations tours operating in Perth all year round.

• Traditional name: Boorloo (pronounced Boor-loo) 
• Indigenous Peoples: Whadjuk Noongar people
• Traditional lands: Whadjuk Noongar Nation
• Traditional languages: Noongar language
• How to say g’day in Noongar: Kaya

Perth Airport is easy to access both from international and domestic transit hubs. If you are flying from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne, you can get a direct flight into Perth with an average flight time of five hours. 

• Perth Airport (PER) is 12km (7.5mi) from the city and services domestic and international arrivals
• Hire cars, taxis and rideshare services as well as shuttle buses are available to book prior to your arrival, or on the day 

Cycling is the most popular mode of transport for residents, but the city also offers an efficient and affordable public transport system. Read more about getting around Perth .

The weather in Perth is very consistent all year round. Enjoy a hot, dry summer between December and February, and a mild winter between June and August. 

From September to November, not only is the weather dry and warm, but it is also the perfect time to spot whales migrating along the coast as the females with newborn calves are on their way back from the nursery grounds.

• High season: Dryer seasons (September to January)
• Low season: Wetter seasons (March to May)
• Don’t miss: Whale watching in spring (September to November)

Perth welcomes visitors of all abilities and offers a range of accessible facilities and experiences.

• Arrival: Travellers with disabilities, including hidden disabilities , can receive special assistance with baggage and travel throughout Perth Airport.
• Getting around: The Transperth website helps you navigate Perth’s many accessible buses, trains and ferries.
• Accessible experience highlights: Travellers with limited mobility can join Go Cultural Tours to explore Aboriginal art and history. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, head out for a day of fishing with Fishability .
• Helpful resources: Travellers who are blind or have low-vision can access audio guides to Perth and surrounds via the Vacayit app .

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12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Perth, Australia

Written by Karen Hastings Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Perth is one of the planet's most isolated capital cities. But this sun-soaked capital of Western Australia defies its remote location by boldly flaunting its riches, and there are many – both natural and material.

A gorgeous setting astride the winding Swan River, with a string of pearly beaches nearby, provides the perfect playground for outdoor adventures. Sailing, swimming, fishing, and boating are all popular things to do in Perth, and in the center of the city, beautiful Kings Park brims with natural bushland and panoramic views.

Like Melbourne , Perth frequently ranks as one of the world's most livable cities. Despite its sprouting skyscrapers, fueled by a mining boom, the city exudes a refreshingly relaxed vibe, but you'll still find plenty of big-city tourist attractions and activities. You can dine at fine restaurants, shop at stylish boutiques, browse art galleries and museums, or see some of the country's top talent at its lively entertainment venues.

Not far from the city, idyllic Rottnest Island is a popular day trip from Perth , as is Fremantle, at the mouth of the Swan River. This historic port is the namesake of the famous Fremantle Doctor, a cool sea breeze that blasts the summertime heat from this effervescent city.

Explore the best places to visit in Western Australia's capital with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Perth.

See also: Where to Stay in Perth

1. Wander through the Treetops at Kings Park and Botanic Garden

2. cruise along the swan river, 3. bask on perth's beaches, 4. hang out at elizabeth quay, 5. find your weight's worth in gold at the perth mint, 6. hillarys boat harbour, 7. art gallery of western australia, 8. meet the animals at perth zoo, 9. the bell tower, 10. find inspiration at scitech, 11. st. mary's cathedral, 12. aviation heritage museum, where to stay in perth for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to perth, map of attractions & things to do in perth, perth, australia - climate chart.

With beautiful views of the Swan River and Darling Range, Kings Park and Botanic Garden is an oasis of peace near the heart of the city. It's also one of the largest inner-city parks in the world .

One of the top things to do in Kings Park is wander through the treetops on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway. This is a great way to soak up spectacular city views. Suspended in a canopy of eucalyptus trees, the walkway stretches for 620 meters through the Western Australian Botanic Garden.

Other walking trails weave through the park, taking you to picturesque ponds, play areas, and panoramic viewpoints. Mount Eliza , in particular, offers stunning views over the city, and you'll also find the Kings Park War Memorial here, a poignant tribute to servicemen from Western Australia.

Almost two-thirds of this 1,000-acre park is natural bush, with a diversity of native plants and birds. Dedicated to conservation, the Western Australian Botanic Garden spotlights plants from Western Australia and other Mediterranean climates, such as South Africa and California. Highlights include an acacia garden, the peaceful Place of Reflection, and a water garden that recreates a Darling Range creek.

After a stroll through the park, pop into Aspect of Kings Park, a retail precinct of gift shops and galleries highlighting local artists. Fraser Avenue Lookout dishes up delicious views of the city.

Looking for romantic things to do in Perth? At night, the park is the perfect spot for a romantic stroll, with views of the twinkling city lights.

Address: Fraser Avenue, West Perth, Western Australia

Official site: http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/

Local Aboriginal people believe the rainbow serpent, "Waugal," created this winding river. To Perth locals and tourists alike, it's the perfect setting for outdoor fun.

To see some of the posh houses of the riverfront suburbs, hop aboard a relaxing river cruise between Perth and the historic port of Fremantle. Another popular day trip is a cruise upriver to the fertile shores of the Swan Valley , Western Australia's oldest grape-growing region. Here, foodies can sample fresh local produce and scrumptious artisan foods at the highly acclaimed restaurants. Most ferries and river cruises depart from Barrack Square Jetty .

Looking for other ways to enjoy the Swan River? You can picnic in the riverside parks, bike or hike along the many trails, cast a fishing line, sail, swim, or kayak the calm waters.

Sun lovers can choose from a bevy of beautiful beaches in and around Perth. Less than a 15-minute drive from the city center, pine-fringed Cottesloe is one of Perth's most popular beaches, with clear waters and a thriving café culture.

Port Beach is also a favorite, and City Beach has a children's playground and plenty of picnic nooks.

For families, the sheltered inlets on the snaking Swan River, such as Como, Crawley, and Point Walter are top choices, as well as Rockingham Beach and the sheltered shore at Hillarys Boat Harbour .

Ready to surf some swells? Trigg Point has one of Perth's best and most reliable surf breaks, and Scarborough is another top spot to ride the waves.

Farther afield, the shores of Rottnest Island and Penguin Island offer excellent snorkeling and are great for fun family day trips.

Wondering about things to do in Perth's CBD? Add a visit to Elizabeth Quay to your sightseeing itinerary. Adjacent to the city center and the Swan River, this new waterfront pedestrian precinct is a hot spot for Perth nightlife .

If you're hungry, you can dine on everything from gourmet burgers and pizza to succulent seafood specialities. Live music adds to the convivial vibe.

Taking the kids? They'll love riding the antique carousel, devouring tangy gelato, and frolicking around the fountains at the BHP Water Park. Visit after dark, and the fountains light up in all the colors of the rainbow. Kids can also jump, climb, and "walk the plank" at the maritime-themed playground.

Elizabeth Quay is also a romantic spot to stroll along the water. Outdoor sculptures and art installations adorn the Public Art Walk , and you'll also find the rocket-shaped Bell Tower here. Beautiful views of the city skyline and the ferry boats plowing the Swan River also greet you along the way.

Looking for a place to stay in Perth? Elizabeth Quay makes a good base. You'll find a range of Perth accommodation here to suit all budgets.

More attractions are being added as the precinct develops, so check here first if you're looking for new things to do in Perth.

Popular with adults and children, the Perth Mint offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of gold in Western Australia. The Gold Exhibition displays the world's largest coin, weighing a whopping one-tonne, as well as gold nuggets and bullion.

In the 1899 melting house, you can watch pure gold being poured to form a solid bar, and you can also ogle the largest collection of gold nuggets in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hourly guided talks provide fascinating insight into the discovery of gold in the state and the history of the Perth mint, and the tours include a short film. You can even find out your weight's worth in gold, one of the unique things to do in Perth.

After your visit, stop by the gift shop to ogle the Argyle pink diamonds or pick up an unusual souvenir, or enjoy a Devonshire Tea at the café.

Address: 310 Hay Street, East Perth, Western Australia

Official site: http://www.perthmint.com.au

Looking for things to do in Perth with the family? About 20 kilometers northwest of central Perth, Hillarys Boat Harbour is an expansive marina with restaurants, shops, and kid-friendly attractions.

The Aquarium of Western Australia is a top tourist draw here. You can stroll through a glass underwater tunnel and observe more than 200 species of marine animals, including stingrays, manta rays, dolphins, and sharks.

Bike paths, walkways, parks, and sheltered beaches make this a favorite spot for a fun family day out, and if you're looking for some indoor family fun, Leisurezone hosts all your favorite retro arcade games.

Want to get out on the water? Fishing trips, whale watching cruises, yacht charters, and dive excursions depart from here, and you can also catch a ferry to Rottnest Island , one of Perth's top day trips .

Address: 86 Southside Drive, Hillarys, Western Australia

Official site: http://hillarysboatharbour.com.au/

In the Perth Cultural Centre , a one-minute-walk from the nearest train station, the Art Gallery of Western Australia houses a collection of both international and Australian art from 1829 to the present day. Special emphasis lies on works from Australia and the Indian Ocean Rim.

As well as an extensive collection of traditional and contemporary Indigenous art, the gallery displays works by eminent artists such as Hans Heysen and Frederick McCubbin.

Art Gallery of Western Australia is currently undergoing a redevelopment project to create a new rooftop event venue with an open-air sculpture walk. Plans include a new internal gallery space for exhibitions and events and two outdoor spaces with inspirational Perth views.

Art lovers will be pleased to know that entry to the gallery is free, but visitors are asked to make a donation upon entry.

Address: James Street Mall, Perth Cultural Centre, Perth, Western Australia

Official site: https://artgallery.wa.gov.au/

About three kilometers from the city center, Perth Zoo has been delighting animal lovers since 1898. International visitors can experience some of the country's unique wildlife in the Australian Bushwalk and Wetlands exhibits. All the favorites are here: kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian devils.

Other exhibits take you around the world to different ecosystems. Feed giraffes at the African Savannah, ogle orangutans in the Asian Rainforest, enjoy an elephant show, or peer at a pygmy marmoset in the South American primate exhibit.

The zoo is easily accessible by bus, car, train, and bike, and you can also hop aboard a ferry from Barrack Street jetty.

Address: 20 Labouchere Road, Perth, Western Australia

Official site: http://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/

It looks like an alien spaceship or rocket, but the Bell Tower in Barrack Square is actually one of the world's largest musical instruments . Despite its space-age appearance, housed within it are the original 14th-century bells from Saint Martin in the Fields Church, the parish church of London's Buckingham Palace.

Entry tickets include an interactive demonstration on the ancient art of bell ringing, as well as interesting exhibits on the history of the bells.

While you're here, make sure you take time to enjoy the 360-degree views of the city and Swan River from the open-air observation deck on the 6th floor. For an extra fee, lovestruck couples can purchase a personalized "love lock" to add to a chain-link fence.

It's easy to visit the Bell Tower. You can walk here in about five minutes from the CBD.

Nearby is Elizabeth Quay , a new riverfront precinct, with restaurants, shops, cafés, and entertainment venues.

Address: Barrack Square Riverside Drive, Perth, Western Australia

Official site: https://www.thebelltower.com.au/

If you have wiggly kids in tow, Scitech makes a great addition to your sightseeing itinerary. This engaging, family-friendly museum encourages kids to explore science and technology, engineering, and math through imaginative and interactive exhibits.

Discoverland is specially designed for three to seven year olds. Here, you'll find displays on air, water, gravity, electricity, and magnets. The construction zone here is great for budding builders, and kids can even dress up as sea creatures and crawl into a tunnel at the small aquarium exhibit, or spy on mom and dad through a periscope.

Waterlandia explores the water cycle, and older kids will enjoy the planetarium movies and science shows. A puppet theater and special themed exhibitions round out all the fun.

Address: City West Center, Corner of Sutherland Street & Railway Street, West Perth, Western Australia

Official site: http://www.scitech.org.au/

St. Mary's Cathedral is a soothing spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Constructed over three centuries, this grand neo-Gothic church was consecrated in 1865 and renovated extensively over the years. The site for the cathedral was included in the first plan of Perth in 1838.

If you're interested in learning more about the cathedral, you can join a tour of the building every Tuesday at 10:30am. Tickets are available at the Church Office across the road. At night, lights imbue the cathedral with an ethereal glow.

Address: 17 Victoria Square, Perth, Western Australia

Even if you're not interested in aircraft, you might be surprised by the fascinating displays at the Aviation Heritage Museum. Exhibits of more than 30 aircraft and thousands of artifacts cover civilian and military aviation. They trace the evolution of aircraft, from two-winged WWI planes to present-day passenger jets.

For an extra fee, you can also book a personal tour of a Lancaster bomber or a Dakota C-47 and Spitfire Mark XXII.

The Aviation Heritage Museum lies about 15 kilometers south of Perth.

Address: Air Force Memorial Estate, Bull Creek Drive, Bull Creek, Western Australia

Official site: http://www.raafawa.org.au/museum/

For first-time visitors to Perth, one of the best places to stay is the city center, near the sparkling Swan River. This is especially convenient for those planning to use public transport. Fantastic shopping and dining are within walking distance, and top attractions such as the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Western Australian Museum, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Kings Park are also close by. Free CAT buses loop around the city, stopping at the top sites. Here are some highly-rated hotels in this central location:

Luxury Hotels:

• In a lovingly restored mid-19th-century state building, steps away from fabulous shopping and St. Mary's Cathedral, COMO The Treasury blends contemporary styling in its oversized rooms with ornate architectural features. Its modern amenities include an indoor pool, gym, library, and holistic spa.
• The Ritz Carlton, Perth is a popular 5-star pick presiding over the Swan River at Elizabeth Quay. Swim in the river-view infinity pool, relax at the luxury spa, and drink in the views through floor-to-ceiling windows in the stylish rooms.
• Pan Pacific Perth is a larger property in the city center that sits steps away from the Perth Mint and an easy stroll to the shops and restaurants of Elizabeth Quay and the city center.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• A great option for longer stays is the apartment-style Quest Mounts Bay Road , at the base of Kings Park. Bright and modern, the rooms range from studios and one-bedrooms to dual studio interconnecting apartments. Guest laundry is complimentary.
• On the outskirts of the city, a walk from Kings Park, Sage Hotel West Perth is a popular 4-star choice. Tasty food and contemporary rooms with super comfy beds make for a cozy stay. Want to stay fit? Work out at the 24-hour gym or hop on a free loaner bicycle to explore Perth.
• Guests love the buffet breakfasts and quaint European charm of the European Hotel , a short hop from shops, restaurants, and St. Mary's Cathedral.

Budget Hotels:

• Offering excellent value for money, the Comfort Hotel Perth City offers large, clean rooms within walking distance to the city center, the waterfront, and the free CAT bus.
• Other budget options in the CBD are Baileys Motel in East Perth, with a small pool and a family-owned Italian/Mediterranean restaurant on-site, and the basic Citylights hotel , close to the city and public transport.

An organized tour is a convenient way to see the sights around this vibrant city without the hassle of planning your trip, driving vast distances, or organizing boat trips. Many of these tours include admission fees and pickup and drop-off at your hotel, saving you time and money. Below are some fun city sightseeing tours and day trips:

• See the City Sights : For maximum flexibility with your sightseeing plans, purchase a ticket for the Perth Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour . With an informative commentary, this double-decker bus takes you to all the city's top tourist attractions, including the Swan River waterfront, Kings Park, and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. You can choose between a 24- or 48-hour pass, and hop on and off the bus at any one of the 11 stops. Upgrades include extras like a round-trip river cruise to Fremantle and a tram tour.
• Escape to Rottnest Island: On the Rottnest Island Tour from Perth or Fremantle including Wildlife Cruise , you can explore one of Perth's most popular weekend getaways from both the water and land. Travel by high-speed ferry to the island and board a 90-minute wildlife cruise to spot fur seals, birds, and dolphins, then enjoy free time to explore the island by bike or on foot. This full-day tour includes a professional guide; the Rottnest Island Authority Fee; and lunch, if you select this option.
• Explore the Desert: If you're seeking a rugged wildlife adventure, the Pinnacles Desert, Koalas and Sandboarding 4WD Day Tour from Perth is an excellent option. This full-day excursion takes you to Caversham Wildlife Park to see koalas, kangaroos, and other native animals, then to the seaside town of Cervantes. Bump along the dunes in the 4WD vehicle or sandboard down the grainy slopes at Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park and enjoy a guided tour of its lunar-like landscapes. The tour includes snacks, a picnic lunch, entrance fees, and pickup and drop-off from your hotel.
• Learn about Aboriginal Culture: Impressive rock formations, sacred aboriginal sites, and quaint country towns are the highlights of the Wave Rock, York, Wildflowers, and Aboriginal Cultural Tour from Perth . Learn about aboriginal history and Dreamtime stories at the sacred Gnamma Holes, explore an old pioneer town, and see fascinating geological formations such as 15-meter-high Wave Rock on this action-packed full-day tour. From September through November, you might also see stunning displays of spring wildflowers. Included in the tour are hotel pickup and drop-off, transport via air-conditioned coach with a live commentary, entrance fees, and a hearty country-style lunch.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Perth is a great jumping-off point for other adventures and things to do in Western Australia . In the state's north, you can visit the tropical tourist town of Broome . To the south, Esperance is the gateway to spectacular Cape Le Grand National Park. A short flight from Perth, Exmouth is home to World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, as well as some of Australia's best fishing opportunities . Need help planning your Aussie travels? See our article on the top itineraries in Australia .

More on Australia

Perth and Surrounds

Blending urban cool with raw natural beauty, Perth is effortlessly Australian. With its immersive experiences and proximity to a range of daytrip destinations, Australia’s sunniest capital city is a place where relaxation and adventure go hand in hand.  

Uncover Perth's artistic side in its vibrant street art, cultural precinct and entertainment hubs, and embark on a fascinating Aboriginal walking tour through Kings Park (Kaarta Koomba), a diverse oasis that’s one of the biggest inner-city parks in the world. The area’s coastal and waterfront restaurants are the perfect spot for gourmet indulgence, while the wineries and artisan food producers of Swan Valley are just a short drive away.  

Then explore countless sandy stretches as you make your way from the laid-back city of Fremantle (Walyalup), famous for spearheading the Australian craft beer scene, to the pristine islands and reefs off the coast of Rockingham and Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap), where wild dolphins sometimes gather close to the shoreline. Encounter smiling quokkas and other wildlife on the island sanctuary of Rottnest Island (Wadjemup). 

Tourism Western Australia acknowledges Aboriginal peoples as the traditional custodians of Western Australia and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal West Australians and honour their continuing connection to Country, culture and community. We recognise and appreciate the invaluable contributions made by First Nations peoples across many generations in shaping Western Australia as a premier destination.

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The All-Time Best Things To Do In Perth

By Claire Logan – who grew up in an ingredient household and swears by the healing powers of a good martini

27th Mar 2024

We know we’re biased and not at all humble, but Perth/Boorloo has to be one of the best cities to holiday and live in. Ridiculous beaches , amazing eateries and scenery that will blow your mind—deciding what to do in Perth can sometimes be a bit much. 

If you're not sure where to start, Urban List's best things to do in Perth will have you covered. To make life easier, we’ve split it up by activity type. 

Outdoor Adventures

Arts and culture, food and drink, kid-friendly activities, snorkel the coogee maritime trail and omeo shipwreck.

Perth’s pretty blessed to have a shipwreck just 25 metres out from shore. Together with the underwater art trail and artificial reef, Coogee’s  Omeo Wreck  is the perfect spot for a day of snorkelling and sunshine. 

The underwater trail starts in the shallow waters surrounding the Omeo Wreck, so it's a nice and easy snorkel for beginners. If you wanna keep going, the underwater art trail has heaps of linear sculptures that attract all sorts of marine life. Most of the trail is at depths of around 2.5m to 5m on average, so you can choose to just take it in from the surface or dive down to get a good look.

Remember, the wreck and art trail is for looking, not touching. Try not to disturb anything, steer clear of any marine life and always take any rubbish or belongings with you when you leave. We want to keep this spot looking every bit as gorg as it does now!

Soak Up Some Sunshine At Perth's Beautiful Beaches

It’s no secret that Perth has some of the best beaches going around. Coastal hubs like Cottesloe and Scarborough are the most obvious options and are awesome if you love the bustling vibe with plenty of cafes and bars nearby.

For a little more of a laidback experience, we're also big fans of dog beaches like South Beach and Leighton down in Fremantle and kid-friendly beaches like Floreat and Mettams Pool up north.

Oh and if you wanna make new friends over your morning dip, you can also check out Cold Nips . The wholesome group meets weekly for the ultimate wakeup: a 6am plunge in the ocean. They often pair it with guided ice baths, breathwork, meditation and of course, that post-swim coffee.

Get Up Close With West Australian Wildlife 

See a koala up close at  Cohunu Koala Park  or venture to  Caversham Wildlife Park  to see cute kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and wombats. Prefer  to swim alongside a dolphin? At  Perth Wildlife Encounters  you can glide alongside wild dolphins and live out your childhood (or adult) dreams. 

Take On The Matagarup Bridge Climb, Zipline And Mini Golf

We may not have Sydney’s iconic harbour bridge, but we do have the mighty Matagarup.  On this bridge  you can climb to an open-air viewing platform, then zip back down at a whopping speed of 75km an hour. It’s a great opportunity to admire Optus Stadium, the city skyline and the Swan River all in one go.

Afterwards, you can tee off for a round at the new riverside mini golf course before grabbing a drink at Perth's biggest pub, The Camfield. 

Explore The Swan River 

See the Swan River from a new angle, either on your own waterbike from Perth Waterbike Co or your very own dog-friendly, BYO Nauti boat. Neither requires any sort of boating skills or license so anybody can get on the water. 

You might also like:

• Perth's Best Hotels
• Perth's Best Restaurants
• Perth's Best Breakfasts

Spend The Day At Kings Park

Did you know that Perth’s home to one of the largest inner-city parks in the world? Yep, Kings Park is even bigger than New York City's Central Park—pretty crazy, huh?

Set up a picnic and soak up the sweeping views of Perth CBD and the Swan River or get your heart racing with some of Kings Park’s  best walks and hikes . Our top pick is the DNA tower showing off the park, river and Rotto from 15 metres above the ground.

We'd also highly recommend heading off on one of the Aboriginal cultural tours to learn about the continuing significance of the iconic hill to Perth's traditional owners, the Noongar people. 

Hike And Swim At Serpentine Falls

Located just an hour outside of Perth, the natural swimming hole in Serpentine National Park  is our pick of WA's natural pools.

Take a hike and explore the national park—there are a few well-signed trails to choose from depending on your skill and energy levels—then cool off in the natural pool at Serpentine Falls.

If you’re hungry there are awesome picnic facilities and a few cafes available in or around the park's entry, but if you can hold out we’d recommend heading to the nearby Millbrook Winery restaurant afterwards. It's seriously one of the most picturesque dining spots in WA.

The best time to visit is around September, after all the winter rain and in the peak of WA's wildflower season. 

Need more ideas? Here's where to find  the best natural pools near Perth .

See Perth From A Helicopter

There really is no better way to take in the views of Perth’s stunning coast than from up in the air. Jump on a chopper and gasp over the sights of Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park as you make your way down to City Beach through to Cottesloe and Fremantle. 

Venture Into A Sea Of Purple On A Jacaranda Walk

The jacaranda season in Perth normally runs from mid-October and peaks in mid-November as summer really starts to roll in. If you're in Perth during this time, head to Jacaranda hot spots to soak up the purple haze.

The backstreets of Applecross are always a safe bet. Plus, bonus points for this hood having some solid real estate porn to gawk at along your stroll.

See Perth On A Walking Tour

Jump on a tour with Oh Hey WA and take in some of Perth’s best bits while you soak up the knowledge of your local guide. You can pair a boozy walking tour with a bit of street art, or be a bit fancier with a history, architecture and art tour of the city. 

Visit WA Museum Boola Bardip

Boola Bardip means many stories in the Noongar language, and this is exactly that—a place to share Western Australia’s many stories. Before you step inside, take a moment to appreciate the stunning architecture then head on in to explore the State’s history and culture. For more inspo, check out other fantastic Perth museums .

Set Off On A Noongar Cultural Tour

Perth’s rich Noongar culture is awe-inspiring and something every West Aussie should experience.  Bindi Bindi Dreaming  showcases the unique Aboriginal culture of Perth and its traditional people as well as their continuation of cultural traditions. 

Kick Back At An Outdoor Cinema

One of the best things you can do on a warm summer night is head to one of  Perth’s outdoor cinemas  for a dose of nostalgia, a blockbuster or an artsy foreign film. Bring the whole fam out to  Moonlight Cinema  in Kings Park, snuggle up on a beanbag at  Rooftop Movies  or picnic under the pines at  Somerville .

Gallery Hop Through Perth’s Cultural Centre

With the Art Gallery of WA (AGWA) and Perth Institute Of Contemporary Art (PICA) within walking distance, you can go all in your cultural fix. Once you’re done, grab a drink outside Picabar or head up to AGWA’s rooftop bar.

End The Weekend With Sunday Music At Fremantle Arts Centre

From October to March each year, the  Fremantle Arts Centre  plays host to a wholesome afternoon of live music on its lush lawns. Just BYO picnic and blanket and rally up a group of friends. While you can’t BYO booze, there’s beer and wine available to purchase.

Catch a Gig At Kings Park Botanic Gardens

While we're all for a good moshpit, we’re not ashamed to admit that sometimes we’d prefer to sit back on the lawn and enjoy our live music picnic-style. Kings Park hosts plenty of outstanding artists and the lush parkland setting makes for a truly mesmerising night of music.

Sculpture By The Sea

Combining next-level sculptural artworks from local and international creatives and the undeniable beauty of Cottesloe Beach, the annual  Sculpture By The Sea  trail is always a stunner. 

Fringe World Festival

Fringe World Perth runs every January-February and is hands down the city's most loved celebration of all things dazzling, delightful and downright strange. As one of the biggest Fringe fests anywhere in the world, we really are spoilt for choice here. During Fringe season there are pop-up hubs and venues around town showing back-to-back circus, cabaret and comedy shows each and every night, so you'll find most bars and restaurants in Northbridge are pumping with locals and visiting performers keen to make the most of the lively atmosphere. 

Perth Festival

Another major mark on Perth's event cal has to be Perth Festival . Each summer they bring an exciting mix of film, music, theatre and art to the city, with past headliners like Bjork, Bon Iver, Paul Kelly and Sampha. 

Go For Sunset Cocktails Overlooking Cottesloe Beach

There are few places more quintessentially Perth than Cottesloe Beach, so if a drink with a view is what you’re after, Indigo Oscar is the spot. Grab a seat by the windows, order a round of spicy margaritas and watch the sky change colour as the sun dips into the water.

Set Off On A Food Crawl Through The Fremantle Markets

A Sunday stroll through Freo is not complete without a trip to its historic markets. The Fremantle Markets have been around since 1897 and are now home to hundreds of traders slinging everything from fresh produce and banging street eats to handmade gifts and art.

For us, a trip to Freo Markets is all about the food, though. Our top picks include a banh mi croissant from Viet Kites , the ultimate eggy sandwich from Egg Spot and a serve of GFree Donuts .

Treat Yourself To An Unforgettable Degustation 

If you design your life around brain altering dining experiences, you’ve gotta splurge on a degustation in Perth. Perched within the luxurious State Buildings precinct, Wildflower remains a standout for extravagant, multi-course dining with an evolving modern Australian menu designed around the six Noongar seasons. Otherwise, why not try your hand at a fancy Japanese omakase experience? 

Wake Up Early For A Beachside Breakfast

We can’t get enough of brunch, so why not pair it with some sweeping ocean views? After, all, Perth is seriously punching in that department. Our top picks would be  Bib & Tucker  and  The Shorehouse , but  check out this list  for other superb beachside spots. 

Set Off On A Bakery Crawl

Perth has seen a bakery uprising over the last few years, so there’s no shortage of mind-blowing baked goodies around. If you’re short on time, our essential shopping list includes a cinnamon scroll from North Street Store , a flakey puffed pastry pie from Goods Bakery , a salted caramel doughnut from Chu Bakery and a croissant from Teeter Bakery .

Devour One Of Perth’s Famous Conti Rolls

If you’re from out of town, you might not know we’ve got a massive crush on conti rolls in Perth. So much so, a mere mention of the topic can cause local conversation to spiral into a heated debate over where the best conti in Perth lies. Stuffed with the finest Italian meats and plenty of cheese, all loaded up with plenty of antipasti, it’s no wonder we’re all obsessed. The Re Store usually gets named as the original source of Perth’s best conti roll, but there are other epic choices to look at too. Our fave at the moment might just be Deli's Continental .

Wrap Your Hands Around A Cult-Worthy Sandwich

While we’re talking contis, it’d be remiss of us not to mention the sandwich craze that’s taken hold of Perth. Two Slices and Mortadeli are the best places to go for those generously filled focaccia paninis that you see all over TikTok. Peggy’s in Fremantle offers contemporary, refined takes on classic sandwiches from eggplant parm to egg salad. Bagel Os is smashing out seriously loaded bagels to rival NYC’s best. And Deli’s Continental is known for its ginormous Italian-inspired subs.

Enjoy Fish And Chips On The Beach

Summer in Perth means balmy nights and late sunsets. Basically the perfect conditions for a sundowner serve of fish and chips on the beach. Throwing a rug down on the lawn overlooking Cottesloe Beach with a greasy paper package from Amberjacks is always a good idea. 

Make Your Own Gin At A Fremantle Distillery

The 2.5-hour session at the Republic of Fremantle will teach you all about the history of distilling before you get hands-on and craft your own bottle of gin (which yes, you'll take home at the end).

Pair Good Music And Drinks At A Vinyl Bar

Whoever said Perth is behind on things clearly hasn’t heard we’ve got the vinyl bar trend nailed, with not one but two cracking spots to choose from. Astral Weeks is a cool little listening bar tucked away in Northbridge’s Chinatown laneway, with lofi wines and snacks. While in Fremantle, you’ve got Ode To Sirens and all its 70s nostalgia.

Get Sipping At Perth’s Top Wine Bars

There are seriously so many good wine bars in Perth right now, it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide which to hit up. If you wanna keep it simple, do the Northbridge double and visit Wines Of While and Vincent Wine Bar . Other classic combos to try include Casa and Sonny’s in Mount Hawthorn, Nieuw Ruin and Patio Bar in Fremantle or Besk and Butters in West Leederville. Because let’s face it, why stop at one?

Go Hard At Bottomless Brunch

Bottomless may be one of our favourite words and there’s no shortage of bottomless brunches, lunches and more to choose from. From mimosas and cocktails to Biscoff waffles, you’re going to want to get out the stretchy pants. 

Get A Glass At This Lush New Urban Winery

Fremantle just scored a huge new wine oasis filled to the brim with plants. The first of its kind in Perth, the new H&C Urban Winery brings in grapes from all over the state and ferments and blends their own wines on site. We dare you to find a better combo than their chilled red and fried chicken wings. 

Sink Some Pints At An Urban Brewery

If you’re craving an ice cold frothy, head straight for a  Perth brewery . We’ve got loads around town, but let’s start with Blasta Brewing Co.’s massive new hub in Burswood, Gage Roads portside beauty in Freo and the new BrewDog in West Perth.

Grab Girl Dinner At This Chic Fromagerie And Wine Bar

Set down a laneway in Leederville, Powell’s might just be the most gorgeous little bar we’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s our fave place to chow down on cheese and nibbly bits while trading ‘for the plot’ updates over a bottle of something nice.

Cosy Up At A Jazz Club

Head to the Jazz Cellar for pizza, BYO vino and the most intimate, lively jazz you’ll experience in Perth. There’s also the Ellington Jazz Club in Perth and Duke of George in Freo. 

Bar Hop Through The City

If you’re new to Perth, kick things off with a glass of good champagne up on Wildflower's swanky rooftop terrace or The Royal for some breezy balcony bevs. Once the sun falls, head for  Northbridge bars like Picabar , Mechanics and Edward And Ida’s before accidentally ending up on the dance floor at Connections .

Health And Wellness

Soak and steam your cares away at ember bathhouse.

For a moment of complete bliss, head to Ember Bathhouse . Here you can take your pick between the Morrocan hammam steam room or Finnish sauna, plunge into the cold spa or soak your cares away in the hot mineral bath before taking a moment to reflect under the rainfall showers equipped with Japanese-style onsen tools.

Start Your Day With Yoga In Hyde Park

Set in the lush surrounds of Hyde Park, these outdoor yoga classes will take you through a beginner-friendly vinyasa flow over one hour. And the best part is, you only have to pay what you can afford. Held 9am Saturdays and Sundays from 14 October til 16 May 2024.

Lace Up For One Of Perth's Run Clubs

Run clubs have taken over Perth, and it’s not too hard to see why. These beginner-friendly running communities are more about getting a little fresh air, making friends and grabbing a post-run coffee than hitting PBs. Plus, they cover some exceptionally beautiful strips of coastline and other nature trails around town, so it’s a unique way to explore more of Perth.

The Rottnest Swim

If you’re keen to test your limits, there’s no better challenge than the annual Rottnest Swim . Join a team (unless you’re crazy enough to go at it alone) and take turns swimming the 19.7km open channel from Perth to Rottnest. It’s a big day, but the post-swim parmi and pints at the Rotto pub are legendary.

City To Surf

Another bucket list challenge for the sweat-seekers, Perth’s annual City To Surf sees the city transform into a 12km running track for the day—starting on St Georges Terrace and ending in City Beach.  

Get Competitive With A Game Of Mini Golf

Hit up Holey Moley for a hit of pop-culture putt putt with a side of burgers and sugary cocktails. Or check out more of these mini golf spots in Perth .

Puzzle Out Of An Escape Room

Escape rooms are the ultimate bonding experience for the Pink Panthers among us. There are plenty of adventures to be had—from hunting down serial killers to stopping a viral outbreak. Here’s our pick of the  toughest escape rooms in Perth . 

Or Tackle Perth's First Challenge Hotel

Perth has finally scored a  Hijinx Hotel  with ten lavishly decorated challenge rooms for the whole fam to tackle. The fully immersive challenge rooms—including the Adore-a-ball, Scrambled, and Lolly Ball Pool challenges that go off in East Coast locations—each offer quick-play fun for groups of two to six players, with colourful and nostalgic theming in a retro New York-style hotel setting. 

Get Behind The Wheel Of A Go-Kart

Calling all adrenaline junkies, revheads and Mario wannabes, ‘cause there are some cool go-karting spots around Perth. Here’s a list of the best to hit up. 

Go 10-Pin Bowling

Head to Perth’s oldest Tenpin Bowl, Rosemount Bowl  for retro vibes or enjoy all the mod cons at one of Perth's many  Strike Bowling joints . 

Soak Up Some Sporting Action

We're pretty serious about sports here in Perth, so you'd be mad not to get amongst the action. Perth's massive and award-winning Optus Stadium is a good place to start. Head there in summer along with every other cricket fan to see the Scorchers smash sixes. While in autumn-winter, it's all about footy—just make sure you know whether you're going for the Fremantle Dockers or West Coast Eagles before you go. If you're more of a basketball fan, the Perth Wildcats always put on a good show at RAC Arena over spring-summer.

Shop Up A Storm At A Local Market

Whether you’re after a gift for a friend, a bite to eat or just a casual stroll and a browse, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for at one of Perth's local markets . 

Hide Away In A Perth Bookshop

Favourite stores include Crow Books in Vic Park, the iconic Planet Books on Beaufort and in Northbridge, but there are so many more amazing bookstores in Perth to scout out. 

Explore One Of Perth’s Best Shopping Malls

Located 20 minutes north of the CBD, Karrinyup has to be one of our fave shopping destinations in Perth. It’s gone through quite the revamp over the last few years and now houses an all-star lineup of women’s fashion and beauty brands, plus an exceptional dining and entertainment precinct too. Lunch at an urban distillery followed by shopping and a movie sounds pretty good to us.

Spend A Day (Or Two) In Fremantle 

There are so many things to do in Fremantle  (also known as Freo) we could write about it all day. Spend your day walking through the laid-back streets of Freo or head into the iconic markets to grab some local produce and quirky gifts. You’ll then want to take yourself on a food tour through this epic part of Perth and see how many of these Fremantle restaurants you can conquer for lunch. Then get sipping through all of Fremantle's best bars , including Patio Bar , Strange Company , Jungle Bird , Ronnie Nights and Republic Of Fremantle . 

Hop On A Ferry Bound For Rottnest

Home to some of the prettiest beaches in the world, you’ll want to pack your snorkel and bike (or you can hire them there) and explore the island. There are so many things to do on Rottnest Island like a visit to the famous bakery, snorkelling the crystal clear bays, Pinky’s Beach Club for cocktails and a luxe four-hour seafood cruise.

Eat And Drink Your Way Through The Swan Valley

Just 30 minutes out of the city, you’ll feel a world away as you make your way through the Swan Valley’s best wineries , breweries , restaurants and more. You could even arrive in the valley in style on a wine cruise . 

Looking for more ideas? Check out: 

• What's On In Perth
• Things To Do This Weekend In Perth
• Cheap Things To Do In Perth

Main image credit: Cottesloe Beach |  Tourism WA

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The 23 BEST Things to Do in Perth (2024 Locals Guide)

• Last Updated: January 2, 2024

You might be wondering ‘Is Perth worth visiting?’ Well after checking out this list of the best things to do in Perth you’ll be sure to add it to your Western Australia bucket list in no time!

Ask anybody who truly knows Australia – West is best.

While most travellers to Australia flock to the east coast, home to world-famous cities like Sydney and Melbourne, the state of Western Australia oozes charm, nature, culture, adventure, and cuisine without the crowds!

Nature and urban life coexist in a symbiotic bond in Perth, the sunniest capital city in Australia and a wonderful place to visit year-round.

It’s the kind of place that you fall in love with once you get there, and you’ll be blown away by all the fun things you can do around in this part of the country.

Here are our favorite things to do in Perth, Western Australia!

Table of Contents

Cottesloe Beach

Mullaloo beach, scarborough beach, 2) enjoy the views at kings park, 3) explore the wineries of the swan valley, 4) go for an afternoon walk on the lotterywest federation walkway, 5) check out the fremantle markets, 6) get a selfie with a quokka on rottnest island, 7) get the kids out of the city, 8) take a cruise on the swan river, 9) visit an island in the middle of the city, 10) take the kids to scitech, 11) caversham wildlife park, 12) visit the perth mint, 13) ride along the perth cycle trails, 14) play a round of supa golf, 15) visit the fremantle prison, 16) go to an afl game or cricket match, 17) visit an art gallery, 18) visit perth’s culture centre, 19) wander around the new elizabeth quay, 20) have some laughs at a comedy night, 21) catch a film at the rooftop movies, 22) go surfing, 23) hit up perth’s small bars, the best things to do in perth, western australia.

If you’re interested in the local culture, wander through the city of Fremantle’s winding streets and around Perth city centre’s museum and gallery precinct.

If you grow tired of the bustle of Perth capital city you can visit Rottnest Island, take a day trip to Margaret River , walk among the foliage of the botanic garden in Kings Park or take a food and wine tour through nearby vineyards.

Our list of the best things to do in Perth, Western Australia includes:

• Visiting the epic beaches
• Enjoying the views from Kings Park
• Taking an afternoon Walk on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway
• Checking out the Fremantle Markets
• Getting a selfie with a Quokka on Rottnest Island
• Taking a cruise on the Swan River
• Visiting an island in the inner city Perth
• Exploring the local wineries
• And plenty, plenty more!

READ MORE: Don’t  visit Australia  without reading our ultimate travel guide!

1) Visit Many of the Gorgeous Beaches

Definitely one of the best perks of living in Perth is its beaches.

Backed up to the Indian Ocean, Perth is home to crystal clear water and glistening white sand. And it’s little wonder most people will spend at least one day chilling at the beach on a holiday here.

Being on the west coast, the sunsets are of course sensational, so make sure you come down in the afternoons to enjoy one of the best things to do in Perth.

Check out our guide to the best Perth beaches so you can make the most of your beach time in Western Australia!

Cottesloe Beach, or as the locals refer to it ‘Cott’, is one of the most iconic beaches in Western Australia, and it’s only 20 minutes away from Perth city by public transport!

It is wildly popular due to its laid-back surf culture and clear aqua waters, and nearby pubs and restaurants to grab a bite or beer.

It’s honestly like one big natural water park!

Don’t miss out on a Sunday Session at the Ocean Beach Hotel (OBH), for those that like a drink with new friends.

Mullaloo Beach is a favourite for people visit Perth with kids, whether it’s during the school holidays or not.

The waves aren’t too big, so it’s safe even for swimming beginners.

The beach has a grassed area at the top with barbecues and sheltered benches for a picnic. There is a lot of space and a playground for kids to play.

Scarborough (or ‘Scabs’ as it’s known to us locals) is a perfect gem, and one of our personal favourite places to visit in Perth.

The reconstruction of the beach strip began in 2017 with a $100 million investment and was just recently reopened.

The new additions to the beach include a large play space for families, a beach pool and a skate bowl.

It’s a fantastic beach for surfers with constant strong waves year round.

There are plenty of open-air cafes and upscale seafood restaurants overlooking the Indian Ocean, perfect for an after-swim nibble

Exploring more of Western Australia? Don’t miss this awesome list of the fun  things to do in Broome!

Kings Park is not only one of the top tourist attractions in Perth – it’s incredibly popular with locals in Western Australia too!

Boasting a mix of European and Aboriginal heritage throughout the gardens, it’s well known in the fields of horticulture for its conservation efforts and scientific research.

The park is largely famous because it houses the  Western Australian Botanic Garden and has over 400 acres of protected bushland right next to the city with an epic vantage point.

One of the garden’s highlights is the DNA Tower. It was inspired by a staircase in a Chateau at Blois in France, that also happened to resemble the DNA molecule.

We recommend going on a Perth city tour , where you will get to enjoy not only Botanic garden but also scenic views during a coastal drive, a trip to the beach as well as an opportunity to have lunch at a winery.

This is definitely one of the best things to do in Perth!

Another reason to head to the Swan Valley, but this time leave the kids at home!

As one of the oldest valleys in Western Australia, the wine culture has grown and evolved with the help of migrants from Europe that moved to the region after World War I and II.

Like Margaret River to the south and nearby Avon Valley, the majority of the 40 or so wineries are family-owned and you can witness the unique passed-down traditions in the wide array of a variety of flavours on offer.

You can self-drive around the area, but then you won’t be able to sample all the delicious wine.

Instead what we recommend is booking a Swan Valley Wine Tour so that you can hit up all the best spots, enjoy as much delicious wine as you’d like and still get home safely.

There’s a new company in Perth called King Mini Bus Charter , and they have a few different options whether you’re solo traveller, small group of friends or a whole party.

They pick you up from your home or hotel and cruise around to the best venues in the Swan Valley. The best part is when you’re done at the end of the day they drop you back at your accommodation or somewhere else in the city.

King Mini Bus Charter has a range of vehicles including 13-seater or 14-seater mini buses, a bigger 20-seater luxury bus or even large 25-seater and 35-seater buses if you have a whole party to head out to the Swan Valley.

Check them out if you’re looking to book a Swan Valley wine tour.

Lotterywest Federation Walkway is a botanical garden in Kings Park.

There is no better way to spend an afternoon than walking 16 meters above the ground amidst the tall eucalyptus trees and wildflower gardens while enjoying the views of the Swan River.

Among the Perth attractions, this is one is a great blend to learn more about the indigenous culture and the rich flora of Western Australia.

Some attractions you will be able to see here are wildflowers of Western Australia, plants from the Mediterranean Climatic Zone, Kimberley flora, bushland flora, Oak Heritage Woodland and more.

READ MORE: Why not go on an epic road trip from Perth to Exmouth ? Check out our ultimate itinerary guide.

Fremantle Markets is the most famous weekend markets in Western Australia, and one of the best in the entire country.

It offers fresh and local produce, handcrafted souvenirs, clothing, delicious meals and an eclectic atmosphere of over 100 years of culture and heritage.

But best of all, there’s no entrance fee, which makes it a perfect day out for family fun!

Visiting the Freo Markets is one of the best things to do in Perth for sure, even if you don’t enjoy shopping.

So what else can you do besides shopping?

You can stroll along the Freo Markets Heritage Trail to learn about the weekend markets’ role in the city’s history, visit the baby animal farm or taste some of the specialties sold in the Hall.

Or do what we personally do and catch the buskers performing outside. It’s actually this market where John Butler got his start in the music industry!

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

A short ferry ride away from the city is the beautiful Rottnest Island, which is an amazing day trip from Perth.

Jump on a boat from the city or from Fremantle and spend the day cycling around the island, snorkelling in the stunning bays, eating in some of the restaurants or just kicking back on a beach.

But what has made Rottnest Island really famous in the last few years is its native population of Quokkas.

These cute creatures wander the island and are extremely friendly. So much so that it’s possible to get right up to one and take a selfie with it!

We don’t recommend feeding them as they are wild animals still, and definitely don’t touch them, but they are so cute that you can’t help but want to take a pic with them.

To get out to the island you need to book a ferry ahead of time. Do that here .

If you head north from Perth city you will stumble upon one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, with an impressive 180 years of viticulture.

The Swan Valley is a wine-cheese nirvana, with a 32km driving loop rich with food and wine.

It’s one of the best things to do in Perth with kids as you can explore the wildlife, cuddle with farm animals, visit a water park, play Supa Golf or check out a chocolate factory!

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend the day around Perth, this is the place to go.

The area is populated by bright foliage of shrubs, red coloured banks of the river and a vantage point view of the mountains – making it a truly picturesque bicycle ride or walk.

It’s a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is September-December due to its beautiful spring weather (and you can witness the blooming of wildflowers).

Another area worth checking out is the Avon Valley, another rural gem of Western Australia.

If the sun is out and it’s looking awesome in Perth, jump on a cruise down the Swan River !

You will get to enjoy a scenic cruise along the river and enjoy magnificent views as you cruise between Perth and the Port of Fremantle.

You can check off a lot of things to see in Perth with this cruise.

Keep an eye out for points of interest like the towering glass spire of the Bell Tower, the restored Swan Brewery, the famous park and many more.

Most of the cruises include a complimentary lunch, wine tastings and some even pay a visit to a winery.

Heirisson Island , at the eastern end of the river, is one of the best places to go in Perth that few tourists know about.

Heirisson Island has a number of different facilities such as picnic spots, seating areas for barbecues, a children’s playground, and what people find the most interesting – a kangaroo sanctuary.

This area is known as “Matagarup” which means that the river here is only leg-deep. It is an important place for the Noongar people.

If you’re heading south, make sure you check out Penguin Island too.

If you want to spend a fun weekend in Perth with kids, take them to  Scitech .

It is an interactive science museum that includes a planetarium and located in West Perth.

SciTech hosts a number of fantastic exhibitions on different topics – from science and technology to engineering and mathematics.

If you want to inspire an interest in science when visiting Perth with kids, this is the place to take them to.

Another one of Western Australia’s best attractions is the award-winning Wildlife Park in Caversham , which is home to about 200 species of fauna and over 2000 unique animals.

Some of the animals they house you probably haven’t even heard of are flying foxes, kookaburras, cassowaries, quokkas, echidnas and many more!

The park’s friendly staff will gladly chat with you about animals, show you how to hand-feed a kangaroo or take your photo as you pose with your favourite Aussie animal!

Book an adventure-filled tour to Caversham Park and Pinnacles Desert with Get Your Guide.

If you want to check out one of the more unique Perth activities, head to the Mint !

Established in 1899, the Perth Mint has several interesting exhibits to explore.

You can find out all about the Mint’s history starting from gold-digging legends to many other fascinating events that shaped the history of Western Australia.

You can even see the original melting house, where pure gold gets melted down.

Don’t miss the Australian Kangaroo One-Tonne Gold Coin – the largest and most valuable coin in the world.

READ MORE: Exploring more of Western Australia’s highlights? Don’t miss our detailed guide to all the best things to do in Busselton !

If you’re on a budget this is one of the top free things to do in Perth.

We’ve already talked about the dreamy beaches and mind-blowing sunsets. Why not experience all of it while cycling along the coast?

This great cycling trail includes many informative signs about native fauna, flora and the history of the area.

The highlights include the Marmion Marine Park, Burns Beach and Hillarys Boat Harbour.

The Marmion Marine Park is a great area for snorkelling while Hillarys is known for its cafes, family-friendly swimming beach and shops.

Burns Beach interlaces a stunning natural coastline and epic views.

If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one in Scarborough.

The South Perth Foreshore is also a great spot to ride your bike around, and has great views of the city.

You might think it’s for kids, but trust us – Supa Golf is high on the list of top things to do in Perth for adults!

Take a small par 3 golf course, add oversized foam balls and you have Supa Golf!

Tucked away in the beautiful Swan Valley, it’s a great way to kill a few hours while bouncing around vineyards and restaurants.

It’s a great activity to do with friends or family. And here’s a secret local tip – they let you take an esky with cold beers on the course with you, as long as you don’t get too rowdy.

You might not think to add prison to your itinerary, but its historical significance has made it one of the main Perth tourist attractions.

It was used to incarcerate convicts transported from Britain, but since 1991 it has been renovated and turned into a great place to visit.

The Fremantle Prison  offers 5 different tours to visitors. You can choose between the “Convict Prison”, “Behind bars”, “True crime”, “Tunnels tour” or the “Torchlight tour”.

If you’re looking for the top things to do in Perth at night, this is for you!

If you’re in Western Australia during winter, then you need to know what’s on in Perth – AFL!

AFL is the Australian Football League and is the most popular winter sport in the country.

Perth is home to two big teams -the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers Football Club.

Catching an AFL game is one of the best things to do in Perth, and the crowd will leave you absolutely electrified, even if you don’t understand what is going on.

If you can’t see a match live, go to one of the city’s pubs to enjoy the action. Or join in on a pretty cool stadium tour where you get the chance to go behind the scenes to spots that are normally only reserved for the world’s best athletes.

If you’re travelling in the summer try and catch a cricket game instead. The crowds are just as excited, especially for one-day internationals and Twenty-20 games!

Here’s a list of what’s on at Perth Stadium .

READ MORE: Ready to explore more places in WA? Don’t miss out on our incredible Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary !

Perth has several fantastic art galleries, with the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, and Aboriginal Art and Craft Gallery being the best.

The Art Gallery of Western Australia has more than 17,000 pieces of art, with exhibitions including indigenous and contemporary art from Western Australia.

Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts is one of the leading centres for the presentation of contemporary arts. It’s housed in a beautiful heritage building at 53 James Street.

If you’re interested in seeing Aboriginal art the best place to go to is the Aboriginal Art and Craft Gallery, located in Kings Park.

The gallery presents art, crafts, music and dance performances from Aboriginal culture.

With so many fun activities in the Perth region, you might be wondering where a lot of it is centred? Now you know.

With a massive redevelopment that has just taken place, the Perth Culture Centre is a hive of music, arts, food, entertainment and festivals, and a good mix of free things to do in Perth as well.

Come on down to enjoy the sunshine, sample some delicious food, go to a concert, or simply learn about sustainable gardening.

This landmark waterfront development project reconnects the city with the Swan River.

Some locals were torn when it started, but now that it has been completed, everyone agrees that it really is a fantastic place to wander around and one of the best things to do in Perth.

There are restaurants, bars and lots of public art, such as Spanda – a 29-meter tall abstract sculpture, and a statue of Bessie Rischbieth.

The New Elizabeth Quay is a launching point for a lot of the activities to do in Perth, like the Perth Zoo and Rottnest Island, and walking distance to Yagan Square and the state library.

Perth has some really awesome comedy night events, so if you love having a laugh you’ve come to the right place.

Perhaps one of the most famous comedy rooms in all of Western Australia is Lazy Susan’s Comedy Den.

There are three unique shows per week, so there really is something for everyone.

Tuesdays are reserved for edgy comedies and experimentation, Fridays for stand up comedies with Perth’s best comedians and Saturdays host battles of two teams of comedians.

Lazy Susan’s is located upstairs at the Brisbane Hotel, in the Highgate area of the city.

Definitely one of the best cheap things to do in Perth.

The Rooftop Movies is an open-air cinema like no other, and visiting there one of the best things to do in Perth.

The city skyline and panoramic views from here are absolutely amazing, so much so that it might be a little bit difficult to focus on the movie.

The cinema is located above the streets of Northbridge and it’s a must-have rooftop movie experience in the city.

You can sit in the comfortable bean bags, and enjoy the sunset with a drink in your hand before the movie starts.

The cinema screens a wide array of genres – from cult classics to recent releases.

If you want a memorable night in Perth, this is the place to go.

Western Australia is home to some of the world’s best surfing beaches. And while Perth City isn’t the best destination in Australia for pros, it is a fantastic place to learn how to surf.

Head to Scarborough if you’re new to the sport, or rent a car and drive up to Lancelin.

The more experienced surfers will most likely want to head southwest to Margaret River, or over to Rottnest if the swell is pumping on the Indian Ocean.

In recent years, Perth has become famous for its “small bar culture”. They are scattered all over the city, mostly in the CBD, Northbridge, Victoria Park, Fremantle and Mount Lawley area.

Here are some small bars you need to visit while in the Perth region of Western Australia:

• Henry Summer, Northbridge – famous for their Coco Kafe and cocktails
• Mrs Brown’s, North Fremantle – housed in an old Victorian terrace, this bar has a rich wine list and fantastic cheese platters
• El Publico, Highgate – if you love tequila and Mexican food this is the place you should go to
• Varnish on King, Perth – whiskey and bacon flights is what will bring you here
• Shadow Wine Bar, Northbridge – a great place for brunch, as they also have a full food menu
• Percy Flint, Fremantle – Percy Flint is well-known for its buttermilk fried chicken and for having lots of craft beers on offer
• Peaky Bodega, Mount Lawley – the place to go for cocktails and New York vibe
• Mechanics Institute, Northbridge – the perfect place to try artisan wine or any of the craft beers on offer

To truly get to know a city, you have to experience its nightlife! Make sure to include these bars when venturing on your Perth sightseeing quest.

That’s it for our list of the top things to do in Perth, Western Australia. What would you add? Did you find the list useful? Leave a comment below and let us know!

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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It doesn’t sound bad at all! Do you think a junky United Statian traveler (me) would be welcome in Perth?

Of course. Perth is a very friendly city. There is so much to do. 🙂

Thanks for the informative post Natalia. Love the detailing. And the picture of the Quokka looks adorable.

Hi Reshmaty, thank you so much for reading, Perth is a very special city that should get more credit. The Quokkas at Rottnest Island are so adorable and definitely are worth seeing. Hop you get to Perth soon. :0

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Western Australia Expert

50 Top Things To Do in Perth City: Local’s Must-See List for 2024

Kaya/hello, I’m Wendy. As a Perth local, I’ve found some hidden spots in Perth City along with all the tourist attractions that everyone visiting Western Australia should see. In this post, I’ll share all my favourite things to see and do in our city.

This post may contain affiliate links (of companies I book through). This means I may receive a small commission if you book through them. You can read the disclaimer for more information.

Table of Contents

Best things to do in perth city key takeaways.

Discover the best things to do in Perth city, including activities for couples, families, and those seeking unique experiences. Highlights include:

For Couples:

• Enjoy a romantic helicopter ride over Perth’s iconic sites.
• Experience a Western Australian twist on a gondola ride .
• Visit rooftop bars with scenic views.
• Watch the sunset in Kings Park .
• Attend a moonlit outdoor cinema.

For Families:

• Explore Perth Zoo in South Perth.
• Visit the Perth Mint to learn about gold refining.
• Discover Aboriginal culture at the WA Museum Boola Bardip .
• Enjoy BHP Waterpark in Elizabeth Quay .
• Explore the DFES Education & Heritage Centre .

Fun Activities:

• Sail catamarans on the Swan River with Funcats Watersports.
• Explore the laneways with street art , restaurants, and bars.
• Take a thrilling bridge climb or zipline on the Matagarup Bridge .
• Experience skydiving over Perth .
• Enjoy a bottomless brunch at various venues.

Cheap Activities:

• Explore the Swan River and its pathways.
• Enjoy street art in Perth’s laneways.
• Discover Kings Park with its gardens and playgrounds.
• Take a stroll around Elizabeth Quay.
• Admire the architecture of St. Mary’s Cathedral.
• Explore the city with the Hop On Hop Off Bus .
• Take a Swan River Cruise for scenic views.
• Try a Perth City Riverside Segway Tour .
• Explore the city’s streets and laneways on a walking tour .
• Take a scenic flight over Perth City .

Whether you’re looking for romantic experiences, family-friendly activities, fun outings, or budget-friendly options, Perth city has something to offer for everyone.

Read on for more ideas of things to do in Perth’s city with information on each activity.

Romantic Things to do in Perth City

1. Helicopter Ride 🚁

Departs Crown Towers

Enjoy a six-minute scenic helicopter ride over Perth with your loved one. This scenic flight takes you over Perth’s iconic sites, including Kings Park, Optus Stadium, Elizabeth Quay, and the Swan River, perfect for celebrating any occasion.

2. Gondola Ride 🚤

Romantic Gondola rides are not just for Venice. Perth has its very own Gondola tour , which departs from Elizabeth Quay.

Despite being modelled on the traditional Venice gondolas, this one is very much Western Australian. The hand-crafted vessel was designed and made in Perth from solid Western Red Cedar.

This special romance package includes:

• 60 minute gondola cruise
• Bottle of premium French sparkling wine
• Red rose and chocolates

3. Rooftop Bars 🍸

I love rooftop bars and always hunt them out on our trips. Perth has some cool ones of their own, some with scenic views of the city and Swan River, making a romantic afternoon or evening.

Some of my favourite rooftop bars in Perth are:

• 18 Knots Rooftop Bar @  DoubleTree by Hilton Waterfront
• Rooftop at QT
• Songbird Bar @ The Ritz
• Aurora Rooftop Bar @ The Melbourne 
• Henry’s Rooftop @ The Reveley
• AGWA Rooftop Bar

4. Watch the Sunset 🌅

Pack a picnic and head up to Kings Park to watch the sunset over the city. It’s one of the most romantic spots in Perth and the location for many weddings, including ours.

5. Moonlit Outdoor Cinema 🍿

Kings Park is also the location of Moonlit Cinema, held during summer at May Drive Parkland, showing the latest releases, contemporary and classic movies.

6. Private Water Bike Tour & Picnic 🚲

This water bike tour is perfect for a special celebration or romantic date – glide along the river and see the spectacular views of Perth’s city skyline. After, relax with a beautifully styled, fully catered picnic on the banks of the Swan River overlooking the city.

These water bikes are safe, stable, easy to use, and suitable for most ages and abilities.

If you don’t want a picnic, there’s also a Sunset, Bubbles, and Brews Water Bike Tour .

7. Harvest Your Own Pearl Experience

Barrack Square, Elizabeth Quay

This unique experience allows you to harvest your own pearl straight from the oyster. Your guide will reveal fascinating information about pearl harvesting and techniques while you sip on sparkling wine and enjoy canapés.

You will then harvest your own pearl, valued between A$500 and A$5,000, which you get to keep.

The private hour tour ensures a romantic and personalized experience ideal for a couple.

Family Things to do in Perth City

1. Perth Zoo 🐒

20 Labouchere Road, South Perth

Not technically in the City of Perth, but only a short ten-minute ferry ride from Elizabeth Quay to South Perth . Home to more than 1200 native and exotic animals, including some of Australia’s most endangered species, Perth Zoo is one of the most popular Perth attractions.

2. Perth Mint 💰

310 Hay Street

The  Perth Mint is Australia’s official bullion mint, built in the 19th century to refine gold from the Gold Rush. It’s a popular tourist attraction where you can take a  tour  and buy souvenirs, including Australian coins, gold, silver, and platinum. The mint is housed in a grand heritage building, one of Western Australia’s oldest heritage sites.

3. WA Museum Boola Bardip 🇦🇺

Perth Cultural Centre

The WA Museum closed in 2016 and re-opened in November 2020 under the new and improved name Boola Bardip , meaning “many stories” in Whadjuk Nyoongar. It’s one of the best Perth museums to visit.

Our favourite exhibition is Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn, where you learn about Aboriginal culture, ancestral connections, law and lore, and their experiences. Don’t miss the huge blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling in the heritage-listed Hackett Hall.

4. Water Labyrinth 💦

Forrest Place, Murray Street Mall

Children will love running through this interactive water sculpture by Danish artist Jeppe Hein. Jets spray water into the air, creating nine “rooms” that allow you to stay dry until the water stops. You can watch from one of the cafes overlooking the Water Labyrinth while your kids cool down on a warm day.

It runs daily from 10 am to 6 pm unless there’s an event in Forrest Place. 

Remember to bring dry clothes for the kids!

5. BHP Waterpark 💧

This Elizabeth Quay water playground is an excellent space for families to enjoy an interactive water feature that uses jets and lighting. Parents and carers can relax on one of the benches or the decking.

6. Heirisson Island 🦘

You can visit Heirisson Island as part of the 10 km Bridges walk or from Riverside Drive (access is via The Causeway Bridge). The island is an important part of Nyoongar heritage, and you’ll see a statue of Whadjuk Nyoongar warrior Yagan which represents his strong leadership and resistance fighting during the early settlement of the Swan River Colony.

You may see some Western Grey Kangaroos on the island, which were brought onto the island in 1998.

7. Kings Park’s Playgrounds 🛝

Head up to Kings Park for a choice of playgrounds – Rio Tinto Nature Playground, May Drive Parkland, Poolgarla Family Area, and Saw Avenue Picnic Area. Our girls loved the nature playground and the “dinosaur” playground (aka May Drive Playground) the best when they were younger, and we spent hours there.

8. DFES Education & Heritage Centre 🚒

25 Murray Street

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Education and Heritage Centre is housed in Perth’s first purpose-built fire station, which operated from 1901 to 1979. This museum has interactive displays, historical documents, and a fire engine to explore.

DFES’s Education and Heritage Centre is open from 10 am to 3:00 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and is free to enter.

Fun Things to do in Perth City

1. catamarans ⛵️.

Funcats Watersports hire catamarans that you can sail around the Swan River in. Our family enjoys this activity, and they’re easy to use as long as you listen to the instructions and pay attention to the wind direction.

2. Wander the Laneways ☕️

Spend a fun morning wandering around the laneways in Perth.

Wolf Lane is one of the coolest, with street art, restaurants, bars, and coffee.

Howard Lane is another trendy lane with bars and street art.

For boutiques, Shafto Lane has you covered, and you can stop for some lunch and a drink at one of the eateries along the way.

McLean Lane,  behind the Pier Street Car Park, features artworks, original cobblestones, stunning feature lighting, and Hifumiya, Perth’s first Japanese udon noodle house.

3. Bridge Climb 🌉

The 370m suspension pedestrian Matagarup Bridge provides access between East Perth and Burswood. The bridge quickly became a Perth icon and lights up in different colours to support major local, state, and international events.

Matagarup, meaning a place where the river is only leg deep, allowing it to be crossed, is the name given by traditional land owners to the area around Heirisson Island. The flowing arches represent the Wagyl, a water-serpent of great importance to local Noongar culture, and a pair of swans.

4. Sky Dive 🪂

Riverside Drive

Tick sky diving off your bucket list with this 14,000 ft Perth city sky dive where you’ll experience 60 seconds of freefall. Float over the coast and see stunning aerial views of the Swan Valley and Perth.

5. Bottomless Brunch 🥂

The Bottomless Brunch has been a favourite fun thing to do lately. There are many places where you can enjoy a boozy brunch in Perth. Some of the most popular are:

• Prince Lane
• The Stables
• Market Grounds
• C Restaurant

6. Strike Bowling & Escape Room 🎳

Forrest Chase

Strike Forrest Chase offers ten bowling lanes, two karaoke rooms, and two escape rooms.

7. Comedy Lounge 🎭

413 Murray Street

Visit Perth’s live comedy club for laughs from some of the funniest stand-ups from Australia and around the world.

Quirky Things to do in Perth City

Locate a Secret Bar 🍹

Add some fun to your drinking destinations with these secret hidden bars:

• Foxtrot Unicorn
• Pooles Temple
• Alfred’s Pizzeria
• Goody Two’s
• Andaluz Bar

ANZAC Bell Tour 🔔

Elizabeth Quay

Ring the historic bells during an interactive chiming demonstration and learn about the meaning behind the ANZAC Bell. This tour includes seeing the 6,500 kg ANZAC Bell ring at midday, and you’ll receive an ANZAC Bell medallion, which you can take to the Perth Mint for free engraving.

The Observation deck is a lovely place to see stunning views of the Swan River and Perth City.

Book Here ⬇️

Cheap Things to do in Perth City

Perth has many natural attractions, cultures, and buildings to explore that are entirely free or cheap.

1. Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan)

In Dreamtime, the Darling Scarp represents the body of the Wagyl (rainbow serpent/snake), who created rivers, waterways, and lakes – including the Swan River.

Situated on the edge of Perth’s CBD, the riverside has dual-use paths where you can walk, ride, or skate. The 10 km ‘bridges’ walk around the river (crossing at the Narrows Bridge and the Causeway Bridge) will take about two and a half hours. Allow time to stop for photos, a coffee in South Perth, a detour to Heirisson Island, a drink at The Point, or a gelato at Elizabeth Quay .

If that sounds too much, hop on the ferry from Elizabeth Quay to South Perth and walk from there.

Alternatively, hire a bike from About Bike Hire and ride around the river. It’s an easy flat ride, suitable for children.

If you’re a water sports enthusiast, you can sail, windsurf and kayak along the river. There are a couple of places on the Swan River that hire out kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards – Funcats Watersports in South Perth and About Bike Hire near The Point, in the Point Fraser Causeway car park.

The Swan River is a great place to see the sunset in the city and beautiful at night when lights reflect on the river in South Perth.

2. Barracks Archway

Elder Street & Malcolm St

Walk to the top of St George’s Terrace to view this iconic historic building, once part of a large military barracks designed by Richard Jewell. It was built by convict labour in 1866 to accommodate the Enrolled Pensioner Force (also known as ‘Pensioner Guards’), who guarded the convicts on the prisoner ships to Western Australia. These British soldiers had an option to continue as convict guards or remain as settlers with a 10-acre plot of land.

Most of the convict work moved from Fremantle to Perth around 1860, so accommodation was required for the Enrolled Pensioners and their families. The Pensioners’ Barracks, built in a Tudor gothic castle style, had two wings and 120 rooms.

Between 1900 and 1904, the Barracks were converted to offices for The Public Works Department, which remained there until 1966.

Unbelievably most of this beautiful building was demolished in 1966 to make way for the Mitchell Freeway, leaving just the entrance. Unfortunately, the Brand government wanted to remove the arch, as the entrance is known, so Parliament House had a clear view down St. George’s Terrace. Thankfully, the public won, and the arch remained.

Other buildings designed by Richard Roach Jewell are boys’ schools in Perth and Fremantle, Wesley Church, the oldest section of the Treasury Buildings, Perth Town Hall, Perth Goal, and Government House.

3. Government House

13 St Georges Terrace

Perth’s Government House is a heritage-listed home of the Governor of Western Australia and a place for visiting dignitaries to stay. It is the second permanent Government House – the first built in 1837 was deemed inadequate by the fifth Governor of Western Australia, Governor Arthur Edward Kennedy (1855-1862), due to  leaking roofs, termites, and porous walls.

The Foundation stone of the second building was laid on 17th March 1859, but was not completed until 1864. Designed by Lieutenant Colonel E.Y.W. Henderson in a Jacobean style, Government House has a Gothic feel and is one of the finest heritage buildings in Perth.

The beautiful 3.2 hectare garden is open to the public every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 12 pm and 2 pm (except for Public Holidays or otherwise advised).

4. St. Mary’s Cathedral – Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Victoria Square

Bishop of Perth Rosendo Salvado laid the foundation stone of St Mary’s Cathedral in 1863, which was blessed and opened in 1865. The architect and master mason, Joseph Ascione, designed the cathedral in the Norman Gothic style.

In 1924, Bishop Patrick Clune CSsR, the first Archbishop of Perth, started to raise funds for a new Cathedral. The foundation stone was laid in April 1926 and opened (despite being incomplete) four years later. Architect Mr. MF Cavanagh designed it in the English Perpendicular Gothic style with large stained glass windows.

It wasn’t until 2006 that the Cathedral was closed to complete the construction and reopened in December 2009.

5. St. George’s Cathedral

38 St Georges Terrace

St George’s Cathedral is the principal cathedral of the Anglican Province of WA and the metropolitical Diocese of Perth. It was designed by Sydney architect Edmund Blacket and is a great example of Victorian Academic Gothic architecture, one of only a few cathedrals constructed of handmade bricks.

The foundation stone was laid on 2nd November 1880, but the first service wasn’t until August 1888.

In June 2001, the cathedral was listed on the Western Australia Heritage Register.

6. Street Art

If you’re looking for some amazing Perth Street Art , take a walk around the city. There’s art everywhere – it’s easy to find in the lanes and streets. There are not only works of art by Australian artists but many international ones.

A great tour is this Perth Street Art Tour by Two Feet and a Heartbeat, Perth’s number one tour company since 2007. Over the two hours, your guide will take you around Perth’s streets and laneways showing you murals, sculptures, and architecture.

7. Art Collective WA

Cathedral Square

This not-for-profit organisation is run by leading Western Australian contemporary artists. You can visit the gallery to view their artwork and buy any that catch your eye.

Open Wednesday to Friday 11 am – 4 pm and Saturday 12 pm – 4 pm or by appointment.

8. City of Perth Library

 573 Hay Street/ Cathedral Square

Pop into Perth’s city library to relax, read the paper or a magazine, or have a coffee in the café. Visitors can explore the ceiling artwork, outdoor terrace, and floors for young adults and children.

9. Kings Park

Kings Park is a picturesque, inner city park offering panoramic views of the Swan River, city, and Darling Range. The flower and plant displays in the botanical gardens are stunning, and the picnic areas on the landscaped lawns are beautiful. There are also extensive playgrounds for children to enjoy themselves, and it’s all free!

Kings Park is one of Perth’s most popular tourist attractions, with six million visitors annually from around Australia and overseas.

10. Jacob’s Ladder

1 Cliff Street, West Perth

Jacobs Ladder, just outside Kings Park, is a popular place for a workout in Perth. At most times of the day, you’ll see people running up and down the 242 stairs. It’s one of the ways to access Kings Park from the city on foot.

11. Stirling Gardens

Corner of St George’s Terrace and Barrack Street

This small historical park, next to Government House, is the oldest garden in the City of Perth. Colonial botanist James Drummond first used the area as an acclimatisation garden in the 1830s, and in 1845 it became Perth’s first botanical garden. The gardens are named after Governor James Stirling, the first Governor of Western Australia.

You will find kangaroo sculptures, a huge Moreton Bay Fig tree, and a water feature in Stirling Gardens. It’s a quiet escape from the city – I used to enjoy having lunch under the shade of the trees when I worked in Perth.

12. Supreme Court Gardens

2 Barrack Street

Supreme Court Gardens, close to the Swan River and Elizabeth Quay, are over 100 years old and feature mature trees and garden beds. The area was planted in 1920 following the reclamation of the Swan River in 1903.

This park has public toilets and plenty of benches to rest while enjoying the flora.

The Supreme Court and the old Court House, the oldest building in the city, are in the gardens, which connect to Stirling Gardens.

13. John Oldham Park & David Carr Memorial Park (Narrows Interchange Park)

Mounts Bay Road

These pretty parks are linked by a passage under the Narrows Bridge, close to the city. Hidden away here, you will find beautiful waterfalls, water features, a playground, walking and cycling paths, barbecues, toilets, and exercise equipment.

14. Elizabeth Quay

Head to Elizabeth Quay for a nice walk around the inlet with restaurants and cafes, bars, playgrounds, luxury hotels, and boat tours.

15. London Court

647 Hay Street

This open-air shopping arcade sometimes has art installations and fake snow at Christmas (summertime for us!). Built by wealthy gold businessman Claude de Bernales in 1937, the Elizabethan-inspired arcade is a contrast to the modern Hay Street Mall.

Things to do in Perth City at Night

Twilight hawker markets.

Forrest Place

Take a trip around the world as you enjoy authentic flavours from across the globe. Experience Perth’s best International Street Food Market every Friday until 5th April 2024.

Dinner Cruise

Barrack Street Jetty

Admire the city’s twinkling lights as you cruise along the Swan River while enjoying dinner and listening to live music. Australian wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee and tea are included in this dinner cruise , and you can buy spirits from the bar.

His Majesty’s Theatre

825 Hay Street

For those looking for a bit of culture, book tickets for a show at Perth’s His Majesty’s Theatre. The Edwardian Baroque’ building was constructed in the early 1900s and is now home to the Western Australian Ballet and Opera.

Flight Club Darts

383 Murray Street

UK dart experience Flight Club allows you to play with friends in a semi-private playing area, which holds up to twelve guests. Social Darts is A$18 per person.

The bar has a nostalgic fairground vibe and serves classic cocktails, including sharing trophy cup cocktails for two. Food is mainly sharing plates, although there are a few individual options.

Perth Eat Drink Walk Bar Tour

This popular Eat Drink Walk Bar Tour by Two Feet and a Heartbeat allows you to experience Perth’s bar scene. Join your local guide for a fun night out in Perth.

This tour includes two drinks and a small amount of food, with access to any drink specials at the chosen venues. 

Tours of Perth City

Perth Hop On Hop Off Bus

You can get around the city for free on the CAT buses. However, if you are short on time, the Hop On Hop Off Bus takes you to the major attractions and includes a commentary.

Read the full Hop On Hop Off Perth Bus review here or book tickets here .

Swan River Cruise

To see the city from a different perspective, book a Swan River Cruise departing from Barrack Street Jetty. You’ll see riverfront attractions like the Bell Tower and Kings Park and glide past affluent riverside suburbs to reach Fremantle , where the river meets the Ocean.

Perth City Riverside Segway Tour

A different way to see the city is on a segway tour . This one-hour tour takes you past the Bell Tower, through Elizabeth Quay to the base of Kings Park to explore John Oldham Park, where you’ll see hidden areas of parkland,  beautiful fountains, and waterfalls.

Walking Tour by Oh Hey WA

This 4 km walking tour by Oh Hey WA explores the streets and laneways of Perth to discover food, art, and architecture. Your guide will tell you stories of Perth, learning about the history and culture on this two and a half hour tour.

Two Feet & a Heartbeat Walking Tour

This two-hour walking tour takes you to one of Perth’s most beautiful buildings, the historic State Buildings, the heritage precinct, the old theatre district, and former educational sites.

Coffee or tea at a local café is included in the price.

Perth City Scenic Seaplane Flight

Take off and land in the Swan River on this 20-30 minute scenic seaplane flight . See a birds eye view of Perth from the Cessna 208 Amphibian.

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94 Things To Do In Perth: The ONLY List You’ll Ever Need!

Perth is Western Australia’s capital city, and it’s absolutely impossible to get bored there.

There are just so many things to do in Perth – surfing or snorkelling at idyllic beaches, exploring King’s Park, going wine-tasting at Swan Valley, visiting the museums…

There’s plenty to do for any traveller or family, regardless of the budget.

The wildlife here is unique as well. You can watch dolphins, whales, quokkas, kangaroos, and penguins in the wild (and maybe even on the same day!).

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a foodie, or a history buff, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful city!

Here are 94 things to do in Perth – which ones are you going to add to your itinerary?

Table of Contents

9 things you absolutely must do in perth.

If you’re visiting for 2-3 days, here are the bare minimum things that should be in your itinerary:

1) King’s Park and Botanic Garden

This massive park sits beside the Swan River, near Perth city centre. We recommend spending at least half a day exploring it.

The views of the city skyline and Swan River are unparalleled. You’ll walk among exotic plants and beautiful landscaped gardens.

There are so many things to do, it has its own section further down !

🤩 Explore King’s Park with a tour guide with this 2.5-hour tour “Kings Park Botanicals And Beyond”

2) Elizabeth Quay

Located along the scenic Swan River, Elizabeth Quay is a vibrant waterfront hub with delicious restaurants, lively bars, and exciting entertainment options.

Make sure to walk through Elizabeth Quay Pedestrian Bridge.

This is an impressive suspension bridge that offers breathtaking views of the Perth skyline on one side and the Swan River and South Perth on the other.

🤩 Get to know Elizabeth Quay and other highlights of Perth in this 3-hour walking tour: Perth: Art, History, and Culture

3) Rottnest Island (and its quokkas)

Rottnest Island is a protected nature reserve, boasting remarkable beaches and charming quokkas

The island is easily accessible by ferry from Perth, Fremantle, or Northport, making it a perfect day trip destination.

Try visiting in the early morning or evening, as this is the time when quokkas are the most active. They usually eat around shady areas, so keep your eyes peeled for them!

Rottnest Island is also famous for its amazing marine life, including tropical fish, fur seals, dolphins, manta rays, and even whales.

Once on the island, you can go swimming, snorkelling, hike the Wadjemup Bidi , and do one of the many tours and cruises available!

🤩 This full-day, budget-friendly tour includes the ferry to Rottnest Island, sightseeing from a bus, and free time to explore before returning to Perth/Fremantle : Discover Rottnest with Ferry & Bus Tour

Fremantle markets

No visit to Perth is complete without visiting Freo (Fremantle).

The Fremantle Markets are home to dozens of stalls offering delicious food, unique gifts, and handmade trinkets.

They’re right in the centre of this quaint town, which is a 20-minute drive south of Perth City centre! Here’s the location .

5) Fremantle Prison

This is the only World Heritage-listed building in Western Australia, making it one of the biggest attractions in Perth.

You need to book a tour to enter, it’s 100% worth it. You’ll learn about its history, notorious inmates, and punting through subterranean tunnels. It’s located here .

🤩 True crime lovers will LOVE this tour: True crime Fremantle Prison tour .

6) Walk along the Swan River

This is the huge river that goes all the way through Perth. No matter where you are on the riverbank, you’ll easily find beautiful spots to walk, explore, and even sit for a picnic.

It’s an incredible place to walk along, especially at sunset. Plus, it’s less windy than the beach.

There are cruise tours that take you along the river, too. It’s an excellent activity for people of all ages, as the views are amazing and there’s a chance to see dolphins in the wild!

🤩 Sail through the Swan River and enjoy the views with this 2.5-hour tour: Swan River: Round-Trip Cruise from Perth or Fremantle

7) Cottesloe Beach

If you can only visit one of the many beaches in Perth , make it this one. You can easily spend a day out with the family here!

The swimming, snorkelling, and surfing are superb.

There’s lots of marine life (including the endangered leafy seadragon), and the waves are excellent for beginners and pros alike.

There are great shops and restaurants all down there, too, including the iconic Indiana House. The beach is also safe for children and even has a nice playground!

And if you visit in March, you can check out the Sculpture By The Sea festival . Cottesloe Beach is here .

8) The Pinnacles Desert

The Pinnacles is a unique attraction in Western Australia, at a 2-hour drive from Perth. It’s a desert with massive limestone pillars which are made out of layered sea shells.

You have to see it to believe it.

There are plenty of things to do in The Pinnacles – it even has a driving trail and a hiking trail to explore them!

If you have a car (or plan on renting one ), it’s 100% worth the drive to check this place out.

But if you don’t, no worries. Lots of visitors just book a full-day tour, as dozens of incredible operators take you there from Perth.

🤩 We recommend this full-day tour to The Pinnacles . It takes you stargazing to the desert! You’ll visit Lancelin Sand Dunes on the way and have a delicious BBQ dinner.

9) Wildflowers In Perth Hills

Wildflower season in Perth is from July-August to November. It’s an absolute spectacle everyone should enjoy if visiting during those months!

Perth Hills is the most popular place to see them near Perth. The Bibbulmun Track and John Forrest National Park are musts – the explosion of colours there is unmatched.

🤩 Visit Perth Hills even if it’s not wildflower season. This private, full-day tour takes you through all the highlights! Perth Hills Explorer Full-Day Tour

Things to do in King’s Park

This is a MASSIVE park on Mount Elizabeth, which overlooks Perth CBD and the Swan River.

It’s free to enter and it’s impossible to get bored. See, it’s the second biggest park in all of Australia, meaning there are LOTS of things to do in King’s Park:

🤩 Want to cover the massiveness of King’s Park while saving energy for the rest of your trip? Check out this 90-minute segway tour!

10) Old Swan Brewery

The Old Swan Brewery is a historic building that was originally constructed in 1838. It was a brewery until the mid-20th century, but nowadays it’s an apartment complex.

The building itself is beautiful, but the views are mindblowing! There’s also a nice restaurant there, where you can dine while enjoying the river views.

Old Swan Brewery is located here .

11) Blue Boat House

The Crawley Edge Boatshed is mostly known as the Blue Boat House. It was built in the 1930s, and it has become an iconic symbol of Perth.

Make sure to take a picture here during your visit! It’s located here .

12) Lotterywest Federation Walkway

This is a beautiful bridge with stunning views of King’s Park, the city, and the river. It’s really high – you’ll walk over the top of the trees.

This walkway offers a truly special perspective of the area, don’t miss it! It’s located here .

13) State War Memorial

This monument is dedicated to the memory of Western Australians who served in wars.

There’s a cenotaph, a flame that’s always burning to symbolize eternal life, a reflecting pool, walls inscribed with the names of those who served, and sculptures.

It’s a place to commemorate events like ANZAC Day (Apr, 25) and Remembrance Day (Nov, 11). It’s located here .

14) DNA Tower

This 15-metre-high staircase has the shape of a DNA molecule (hence the name) and it’s the highest viewpoint in King’s Park.

Climbing the 100 stairs may be challenging, but the views are 100% worth it! It’s located here .

15) Gija Jumulu (Giant Boab)

This 18-metre, 750-year-old tree was transplanted from the Kimberley Region into this park in 2008.

It was part of a conservation effort to preserve the tree, as the area where it was originally was undergoing development.

These trees have a cultural and historical significance to the Indigenous people of the Kimberley region, so it was imperative to preserve them! It’s located here .

16) Floral clock

This is a large, functioning clock made up of colourful plants and flowers.

It’s designed to showcase the diversity of Western Australian flora – the arrangement of the floral displays changes to reflect the seasons! It’s located here .

Beaches to visit

The beaches in Perth are idyllic, with crystal clear blue water and powdery soft sand. There are many to choose from, all of them at a short driving distance from Perth city centre:

17) Scarborough beach

Scarborough Beach is very similar to Cottesloe Beach , just on the northern side of the coast.

It’s also a day out in itself. The beach itself is beautiful, but there are some cool add-ons, too:

• A huge playground for kids
• A skate park
• A pool next to the ocean
• Bouldering rock climbing
• Basketball courts
• An esplanade with lots of bars and restaurants
• The Scarborough Markets
• The Scarborough Hill

There are LOTS to do for kids and adults, day or night. Don’t miss this spot! It’s located here .

18) City Beach 

This beach is a 15-minute drive from CBD. It’s known for its consistent surf breaks, which are great for surfers of all skill levels. It has grassy areas for picnics and BBQs, as well as cafes and restaurants with ocean views.

Try visiting during the sunset, it’s breathtaking! It’s located here .

19) Trigg Beach

Another excellent surfing spot, Trigg Beach also has picnic areas, BBQs, cafes, and restaurants.

It’s famous for hosting the Summer X Salt markets , and for having a beautiful coastal walk . There’s also an incredible snorkelling spot here – Mettams Pool .

That’s why Trigg Beach is definitely a spot you don’t want to miss. Plus, it’s a quick 17-minute drive from CBD! It’s located here .

20) Port Beach 

This large, white sand beach is just above Fremantle port. You can see Rottnest Island from there!

The swimming and snorkelling are great, although it can get windy at times (which is perfect for windsurfers). It’s a 20-minute drive from Perth CBD, it’s located here .

21) Coogee Beach

This must-stop is considered one of the best 15 beaches in Australia. You’ll love the white sandy coastline combined with the turquoise waters.

But the snorkelling will absolutely blow your mind. It has a specific snorkelling/diving route where you can see underwater sculptures, art installations, and the famous Omeo wreck .

It’s a 30-minute drive from Perth CBD, it’s located here .

22) Go surfing/kitesurfing (or take your first lesson)

Most of these beaches are excellent for surfing, with waves for all levels (including absolute beginners!).

If you haven’t surfed yet, there are heaps of surf schools scattered along the coast. They have expert instructors who’ll have you riding a wave in no time. These are some of the most popular:

• GoSurfPerth
• Surf School

Perth hosts several markets throughout the year. Some are in the mornings, others at night, but all of them are great!

Most open between October-November to March-April (the rest of the year is too cold and/or rainy for that!).

It’s an excellent opportunity to mingle with the locals. Here are some of the most popular markets in Perth:

23) Scarborough Markets

These are food and artisan markets on Scarborough Beach . They’re seasonal, opening between November and April, on Thursday evenings.

The food is excellent, there’s live music, and good vibes all around. Check out their website for more details and info about the vendors!

24) Trigg Markets (Summer X Salt Markets)

These are quirky surf markets in Trigg Beach , opening every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, in the mornings, from November to March.

You’ll find a wide variety of stalls, offering food, drinks, live music, outdoor wellness sessions, and more! Here’s their website for more details.

25) Point Walter Markets (Dinner At Dusk)

Another awesome evening market, operating every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, from October until March.

There are excellent food trucks here and live music. It’s an awesome plan to do with the family. It’s located here .

And if you’re there during low tide, make sure to walk along the Point Walter Sandbar !

26) Twilight Hawkers Market

These evening food markets are right in the heart of Perth CBD, at a short walking distance from Elizabeth Quay . Go there any Friday afternoon from December to March!

The stalls offer a wide array of international cuisines, so grab a bite of pretty much anything your heart desires! It’s located here .

27) Kalamunda Markets

Kalamunda is a town in Perth Hills, a 30-minute drive from Perth CBD.

There are a few markets there, but our favourites are the night markets, held the last Friday of the month, between October to April. Great food, live music, and awesome people! It’s located here .

28) Subi Night Markets

These are located in Subiaco, a 7-minute drive from Perth CBD. They open every Saturday evening, from November to April.

There’s food, vintage clothes, live music, and more! It’s located here .

29) Peel Produce Market

If you’re going to visit Mandurah (or not!) stop by these markets.

A 1-hour drive south from the city centre, these markets are open from December to August, every Saturday morning. It’s located here .

30) Toodyay Farmers Markets

These markets are in Toodyay, a 1-hour drive inland from Perth. They open every 3rd Saturday of the month, in the mornings, all year round.

It’s the place to be if you want a traditional farmers market! It’s located here .

Perth has 16 major parkland areas and dozens of small parks. Apart from King’s Park , these are the most popular ones:

31) Queen’s Gardens

This picturesque park is dubbed an “urban oasis” by Perth locals. It’s filled with beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubs.

Opened in 1898 in honour of Queen Victoria, the gardens feature a stunning lake, large viewing pavilions, and bridges. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, here’s the location .

32) Supreme Court Gardens

These 100-year-old gardens sit next to the Bell Tower , in the centre of Perth. They are absolutely beautiful, with lots of space to walk around.

As the name suggests, the Supreme Court is there, as well as the oldest building in Perth – the Court House. Here’s the location .

33) Hyde Park

This park is also near the city centre. It has some beautiful old trees and a big lake in the centre. It’s great to get a coffee and walk around.

There’s also a water playground for the kids – perfect during the summer! It’s located here .

34) Whiteman Park

This massive park is a 25-minute drive from Perth. There are awesome walking trails, plus trains and trams to make the exploring more accessible.

It’s excellent for watching wildlife, as there are lots of animals, guided tours, and even a wildlife park with unique native animals. It’s located here .

35) John Forrest National Park

This hidden gem is just a quick 30-minute drive from the city centre. It’s a stunning area with great views, several walking and bicycle trails, and two waterfalls.

There are lots of wildlife here too, as well as stunning flora – the whole area is set within a beautiful Jarrah forest that blossoms in colour during wildflower season.

Here’s the beautiful Eagle View Walk Trail , offering unique views of the city. It’s a hotspot during the wildflower season , too.

Keep in mind that entry fees apply ($17 per vehicle) and no dogs are allowed. It’s located here .

This town has lots of opportunities to get in touch with wildlife – kangaroos, dolphins, even penguins! Here are the must-see ones:

Note : The quokkas are mentioned above, click here to go there .

36) Kangaroos on Heirisson Island

Heirisson Island is a kangaroo sanctuary in the heart of Perth. Here, you can get up close and personal with these iconic Australian animals in their natural environment.

In 1998, the western grey kangaroos were introduced to the island, and today, at least five or six can be spotted during the day. Plus, it’s free to enter! It’s located here .

37) Check out Penguin Island

Penguin Island is home to a colony of over 1,000 little penguins! As well as other marine life, like bottlenose dolphins and Australian sea lions.

It’s accessible by ferry, which departs from Shoalwater (a town 45 minutes south of Perth). There, you can get up close to these beautiful animals, snorkel the crystal-clear waters, or take a guided tour.

🤩 Wanna get up and close with penguins and seals? Then book this kayak tour: Penguin and Seal Islands Sea Kayaking Experience

38) Watch dolphins in the wild

Between September and May, you can witness the playful dolphins in the wild!

From the banks of the Swan River to the waters surrounding Penguin Island, the Perth region is home to a thriving population of these friendly marine mammals.

The best viewpoints in Perth City are Matilda Bay Reserve and Narrows Bridge !

🤩 Want to swim with dolphins? Then this tour is a must: Swim with Wild Dolphins Day Tour

39) Go whale-watching

Two whale species swim through the Indian Ocean, along Perth’s waters during their migration:

Blue whales, in March and April

Humpback whales, from September to early December

A good spot for whale-watching from the shore is the Sardine Jetty , but we recommend doing a whale-watching tour if you can.

It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience that shouldn’t be missed if you visit Perth during whale season.

Plus, you’ll also see other marine life like seals, dolphins, heaps of seabirds, and more!

🤩 This is the whale-watching tour we recommend: 2-Hour Luxury Whale-Watching Cruise from Fremantle

40 ) Caversham Wildlife Park

This wildlife park is in Whiteman Park , and is home to +2000 animals native to Australia, including:

Tasmanian devils

You can easily spend the day exploring the park’s diverse habitats, learning about the unique species that call Australia home, and enjoying interactive experiences and shows!

Snorkelling

Snorkelling in Perth is absolutely epic. There are reefs, natural pools, and even shipwrecks to explore! Most of them really close to the shore.

So, if you love the underwater world, make sure to add these spots to your itinerary:

41) Omeo Wreck

This unique shipwreck is the highlight of the Coogee Maritime Trail , an epic snorkelling trail just a 30-minute drive south of Perth.

The shipwreck is very close to the shore and the beach is patrolled, making it extremely safe for a snorkelling day with the family. It’s located here .

42) Mettams Pool

Mettams Pool is one of the most popular snorkelling spots in Perth. It’s a natural rock pool with a reef in Trigg Beach .

It’s known for its calm and sheltered waters, making it perfect for kids and people of all levels. You can easily access the pool from the shore! It’s located here .

43) Boyinaboat Reef

This sanctuary zone is in Hillary’s Harbour , a 30-minute drive north of Perth city centre. It’s a 6-metre-deep reef, with heaps of beautiful marine life.

We recommend it to people with some snorkelling experience, as you need to swim a bit to get here (around 75-100 metres). It’s located here .

44) Point Peron

This incredible snorkelling spot is part of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, in Rockingham. It’s a 45-minute drive south of Perth.

There’s another great snorkelling spot nearby – Mushroom Rock. Both are incredible, with hundreds of colourful fishes hiding in the crevices of the surrounding limestone.

There are rock pools near the shore for kids, too. It’s located here .

🤩 This tour is perfect to finish a life-changing day of snorkelling: Point Peron Sunset & Sparkling Hike

45) Parker Point

Parker Point is one of the many awesome snorkelling spots in Rottnest Island!

This one is a snorkel trail with plaques attached to the ocean floor, so you can learn more about the history, flora, and fauna of the area.

It’s a bit deep, so it may be best for confident snorkelers. It’s located here .

🤩 Book this tour to check the best snorkelling spots on the island: Rottnest Island Guided Snorkel Boat Experience .

46) Burns Beach

This spot is a 30-minute drive north of Perth, and has a beautiful sheltered reef. It’s located here .

There’s an epic scuba-diving spot nearby, too – Burns Beach Rocks. You can only get there by boat though, as it’s 1.5km off the coast.

There are plenty of things to do in Perth with kids, but these are musts:

47) Optus stadium

This is a new stadium – it officially opened in 2018! The structure itself is impressive, and the views from it are top-notch.

During your visit, try catching an AFL game or go check out the Perth Scorchers (our local cricket team)!

🤩 Little ones and adults alike will love this backstage tour of the stadium: The Optus Stadium Tour

48) Hillary’s Boat Harbour

This is a big, beautiful harbour that is a 25-minute drive north of Perth.

There’s an awesome water park there, Island Aqua Park . The area also has lots of family restaurants and a few beaches nearby, making for an awesome day for the whole family.

49) Hillary’s aquarium

This massive aquarium, AQWA , is right next to Hillary’s Boat Harbour.

It has an epic underwater tunnel and an interactive touch pool! Plus several back-stage experiences, like snorkelling with sharks or dining beneath the sea.

50) Zero latency

Zero latency is a virtual-reality gaming experience, with a variety of experiences to choose from and options for all ages.

They also have arcades and other non-VR stuff if you want something more traditional. It’s right in the centre of Perth. Make sure to book ahead to save your spot!

51) BHP Water Park

This is a water park in Elizabeth Quay , in the centre of Perth. It’s 100% free to enter, so kids can have fun splashing around in the jets during a hot summer day.

It’s great to visit at night too – there’s a light show with the water, looking like a kaleidoscope of colours.

52) Escape rooms

There are a few escape rooms in Perth and Fremantle. If you like them, they’re pretty good fun for everyone!

We recommend Escape This in Perth city centre, and Escape Hunt in Fremantle.

53) Rio Tinto Naturescape King’s Park

This is an adventure park within King’s Park and it’s free to enter!

It has winding paths, treetop walkways, and waterholes for kids to play around. It’s a must-stop for families, it’s located here .

Walks and hikes

If you haven’t noticed yet, the capital of Western Australia offers lots of outdoor activities! For those who want more, these are the best walks and hikes around Perth:

Note : If you visit during the wildflower season (July-August to November), try doing at least one of these hikes!

54) Trigg coastal walk

This is a local secret! It’s an absolutely stunning walk from Trigg Beach to Hillary’s. It’s 6 km long (a 1.5-hour walk) on top of the hills, as you walk overlooking the beach.

You don’t have to walk the whole thing, but it’s a great way to explore this stretch of coast. There are a couple of cafes along the way, too. Here’s the route .

55) Hike through Perth Hills

The scenic Perth Hills is a 40-minute drive from the city centre. It’s a hilly region east of Perth, with lots of nature walks, picturesque views, and even wineries.

There are trails of different lengths and for all skill levels. One of the most renowned is the Bibbulmun Track , which starts there and takes you 1000 km down to Albany.

While exploring the Perth Hills, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the John Forrest National Park , a stunning area set within a beautiful Jarrah forest !

🤩 Love a good hike but don’t know which walks to do? Don’t miss this tour (includes lunch, too!): Hidden Gems of Perth Hiking Experience

56) Eagle View Walk Trail

This 15-km circuit is one of the most stunning walks in John Forrest National Park . After driving 35 minutes from Perth and paying the entry fee ($17/vehicle), you’ll be in for a treat.

There are waterfalls, rapids, and unique views of Perth city. But the wildflower season is when this place truly blossoms – the whole area explodes with colour, it’s beautiful! Here’s a map of the trail .

🤩 Explore this and other highlights of John Forrest National Park with this 10km guided hike: Tunnels, Falls & Eagle Views Hiking Experience

57) Wadjemup Bidi

Found in Rottnest Island , this is a 45 km-long network of 5 walking trails that thread their way around the island, offering mesmerising views and unique wildlife.

It’s one of the best ways to explore the island, as it takes you to some places only accessible by foot.

There are several bus stops along the way too, so if you get tired at any point, just hop on one to return to the town centre.

Bring a backpack with snorkelling equipment to enjoy the different underwater spots you’ll find, and keep your eyes peeled for quokkas!

S&C Travel Tip

58) Kitty’s Gorge

This 14km loop is in Serpentine National Park, a 50-minute drive from Perth CBD. The hike is beautiful, mostly in winter in spring, as the rivers will be flowing. The starting point is here .

There are forests, gorges, and wildflowers when in season. And the midpoint of the hike? Serpentine Falls !

It’s a moderately difficult hike though, as there are loose stones and uneven ground. Bring comfortable and sturdy shoes.

59) Bibbulmun Track

The famous Bibbulmun Track is one of the longest trails in the world. It stretches 1000 kilometres along Western Australia’s South West, from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills down to Albany.

The entire track can take 6-8 weeks (mad props to those who attempt it!), but most of us mortals choose to do shorter sections.

Check out the official website for more details, like choosing which section(s) to hike, planning, things to know, etc.

🤩 Book this full-day tour to hike the first 18km of the Bibbulmun Track with an experienced guide: The Bibbulmun Hiking Experience From Kalamunda

60) Numbat Trail

This grade-3, 12km trail is in the Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary, a 50-minute drive from the city centre.

There are lots of lookouts overlooking the gorgeous Avon River Valley, as well as heaps of wildlife and birdlife.

The park closes from November to April and you have to book ahead. There’s a small entry fee to fund the conservation of the area. Book your spot and pay the fee here .

🤩 Hike the Numbat Trail without the hassle! This tour includes entry fees and a guide, just show up at the meeting point: Numbat Trail Hiking Experience

61) Rocky Pool Walk Trail

This 5 km loop is in Kalamunda National Park (on Perth Hills), a 40-minute drive from the CBD.

It takes you to Rocky Pool, a natural swimming pool. The path is steep and can be challenging in some places, so it’s best for experienced hikers.

That said, the views of the valley are unparalleled. The park is free to enter and the starting point of the walk is here .

Museums and culture

These are the most popular museums in Perth:

62) Perth Mint

This historical facility is known for producing coins and bars of high-quality gold, silver, and platinum. It’s one of the few mints in the world that still refines these metals on-site.

It’s in the centre of town, here , and you can enter the shop and overall grounds for free. There’s a great exhibition about the history of WA’s gold industry and the coin-minting process, too.

🤩 Check out the historical exhibition and watch a traditional gold pour on this tour: The Perth Mint Gold Tour

63) The Bell Tower

The Bell Tower is another popular attraction in the heart of Perth, at a short walking distance from Perth Mint. It’s located here .

It was custom-built and completed in 2000, to house twelve 14th-century bells, brought from Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Church (a famous church in London) .

It has attracted thousands of tourists since then. You can enter the tower and ascend to enjoy panoramic views of Perth on its observation deck .

🤩 This guided tour lets you ascend the Bell Tower and even have a go at chiming the bells yourself: Perth Bell Tower Experience

64) WA Museum Boola Bardip

“ Boola Bardip ” means “ Many Stories ” in Nyoongar, the language spoken by the traditional owners of this land.

It’s in the city centre as well, it’s located here , and has permanent exhibitions on the cultural history of Western Australia. It’s fascinating, we recommend visiting at least once.

The general admission ticket costs $15 and you can get them online, here . They also do an impressive digital projection on the walls of the museum for everyone to enjoy for free, starting at 6 pm.

65) The Art Gallery of WA

This beautiful gallery contains +18,000 works of art and incredible pieces by both local and international artists.

It’s in the city centre and the entry is free, but they ask for a voluntary donation. It’s located here .

66) Scitech

Scitech is an interactive science museum in the centre, here . It houses Australia’s largest Planetarium, among other cool things. There are science exhibitions, shows, and activities for the whole family.

The entrance fee gives you access to the entire museum, including the planetarium. Prices vary depending on the age, with special prices for families. Check fees and book tickets here !

67) Fremantle Arts Centre

This impressive building is a short walk from the Fremantle Prison and the markets .

It has exhibitions, live music, and a nice cafe. If you’re not into art, at least check out the building – it’s pretty imposing and was built by convicts.

Food, coffee, and pubs

Perth is truly exceptional when it comes to the variety of culinary choices! Here are our favourite spots:

68) Get your inner foodie loose in Swan Valley

Perth is the gateway to the renowned Swan Valley, the oldest and most renowned wine region in Western Australia (closely followed by Margaret River).

It’s home to +30 vineyards, breweries, and wineries, each one offering a diverse selection of culinary delights.

For wine lovers, the most popular wineries are:

• Mandoon Estate
• Sandalford Winery
• Tyler’s Vineyard

Beer lovers can’t miss these breweries:

• Swan Valley Brewery
• Bailey Brewing Co
• Duckstein Brewery

Spend at least one day here exploring and soaking in the vibes, just have a designated driver for your return to Perth!

There are dozens of Swan Valley tours that can take you hopping through various wineries or breweries! Most include pick up and drop-off from Perth, so don’t worry about driving.

🤩 This budget-friendly, all-inclusive tour of Swan Valley takes you wine-hopping and includes pretty much everything (including transport): Ultimate Swan Valley Food and Wine Day Trip from Perth

69) Tucking the fish and chips on the beach

For those who want a truly local experience, get some fish and chips on the beach while enjoying the sunset! Extra points if you combine that with a cold beer.

These are some of the best fish and chips spots in town:

• The Groper & His Wife , in City Beach
• Canteen Trigg , in Trigg Beach
• Amberjacks , in Cottesloe
• Fish Boss , in Inglewood
• Grand Lane Fish House , in CBD

70) Restaurants

If you want to splurge on a meal or two, you can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants:

• C Restaurant in the Sky , have modern Aussie food in a revolving 33rd-floor dining room
• Matilda Bay Restaurant , taste local foods, including fish and grills, with river views
• The Sandbar , a relaxed bistro near Scarborough Beach, with live music
• Mister Walker , a lovely restaurant on a jetty, with river views

You can also grab an excellent meal without breaking the bank, though! The cheap but good restaurants tend to be Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, and Indian.

🤩 Explore Perth while getting to know the best of its culinary scene with this private food tour: The 10 Tastings of Perth With Locals

71) Coffee shops

Confession time: we can’t start our morning with a nice cup of coffee. That means we’ve gotten pretty good at finding the best brews in town! These are our recommendations:

• Piccolo’s Corner , in Leederville
• Hylin , in West Leederville
• Little Bay , in Watermans Bay
• Daisies , in Cottesloe
• Sayer’s Sister , in CBD

72) Pubs to check out

Pub-hopping is one of the best ways to mingle with the locals. These spots are our favourites:

• The Brisbane Hotel , in CBD
• Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub , in CBD
• Ocean Beach Hotel , in Cottesloe
• Clancy’s Fish Pub , in Applecross
• Little Creatures Brewery , in Fremantle
• Gage Roads Freo Brewery , in Fremantle

🤩 Go pub-hopping and explore Perth’s night scene with this small-group walking tour: Perth Bar + Street Art Tour

More epic things to do

These are things that we didn’t know in which category to put, but you should absolutely do them:

73) Watch the sunset at Scarborough Hill

This is a massive, beautiful hill in front of Scarborough Beach where you can sit and watch the sunset. Bring food and/or drinks and enjoy the views! It’s located here .

74) Fremantle Roundhouse

The Fremantle Roundhouse was a prison built in 1831, making it the oldest public building in all Western Australia.

It’s free to enter, so you can wander inside and check out the old cells. Try scheduling your visit at 1 pm – they fire a cannon at that time! It’s located here .

75) Saint Mary’s Cathedral

This famous cathedral has been standing tall in Perth since the mid-1800s.

No need to be religious to enjoy it, as it is a beautiful building in itself, with gorgeous stained glass windows and towering spires.

It’s free to enter and it’s located here . There are tours available, but they can’t be booked online at the time of writing. Learn more about the tours and times here .

76) Walk through Point Walter sandbar

This is a sandbar that only shows itself during low tide, extending from the Point Walter reserve into the Swan River.

You can see a range of stunning birds that use the sandbar as a feeding ground, resting place, and nesting site. It’s located here .

77) Serpentine Falls

This natural swimming pool with a waterfall is a bit outside of Perth, at a 50-minute drive ( located here ). But it’s THE place to be if you want to escape the Aussie heat.

The place is beautiful with lots of wildlife. It’s also the mid-point of the Kitty’s Gorge hike, so you can rest in the falls and lunch at one of the many picnic tables before going back to the trail!

78) Matagarup Bridge

This bridge connects the east and west sides of Perth, i.e. the CBD and the Optus Stadium . It has a contemporary design and lights up at night (which looks epic btw). It’s located here .

You can walk across it or, if you’re feeling adventurous, zip over the river for a bird’s eye view of the city, and even abseil down!

🤩 Zip over the river from Matagarup Bridge with this family-friendly tour: Matagarup Bridge Climb and Zipline in Perth

79) Mountain Quarry for abseiling and rock climbing

After a short 30-minute drive from Perth, you’ll get to this hotspot for abseiling and rock-climbing enthusiasts. It’s located here .

There’s something for everyone, from beginners to hardcore climbers, and the views from the top are spectacular! Rock climbing and abseiling must be booked in advance, more info here .

80) Watch the Ballet at the Quarry Amphitheatre

The Quarry Amphitheatre is a great place to enjoy some live music and shows, but nothing compares to watching the ballet there, under the stars.

It’s a 15-minute drive from Perth, located here . As it’s completely outdoors, it only offers shows between November and April, check what’s on here .

81) Outdoor cinema in the summer

Another awesome thing to do in Perth in the summer is to watch a movie in one of the many outdoor cinemas. These are some of our favourites:

• Sommerville Auditorium , nestled between beautiful pine trees, it’s next to King’s Park ( program here )
• Rendezvous Film Club is on top of a hotel in Scarborough, with ocean views! ( program here )
• Rooftop Movies if you want to watch newer movies ( program here )
• Galaxy Drive-in Theatre , Perth’s only drive-in theatre, it’s open all year round ( program here )

82) Karrinyup Shopping Centre

If you want to do some shopping (or just have a good time) this is the place to go! Located here , a 15-minute drive from the centre, it has great stores, lots of places to eat (bars, restaurants), a good movie theatre, and even a mini-golf course.

83) Learn about Perth’s Aboriginal culture

The Traditional Owners of Perth’s area are the Nyoongar people. They’ve lived on these lands for +40,000 years!

Theirs is the world’s oldest living culture. You can learn more about it through guided tours and cultural experiences offered by operators like Go Cultural and Nyungar Tours .

These knowledgeable guides will share the significance of locations such as King’s Park, Elizabeth Quay, and Rottnest Island in their culture, their deep connection to the land, and ancient customs.

By learning about Perth’s Aboriginal culture, you’ll gain a richer appreciation for the region’s history and the people who have shaped it.

5 Top attractions within a drive

Western Australia is famous for its beautiful and remote landscapes – beaches, woods, pink lakes , and even sci-fi destinations like The Pinnacles !

Popular destinations here include:

• Kalbarri , Coral Bay , and Exmouth to the north
• Broome and the Gibb River Road to the northwest
• The Margaret River Region and Esperance to the south

This state is famous for its vastness, too – it’s the biggest state in the country! So, to visit most of those attractions, you have to either hop on a 1-2 hour plane, or drive +6 hours .

Which may not be possible if you’re in town just for a few days, or are travelling Perth on a budget .

However, these are other INCREDIBLE attractions that are less than a 3-hour drive from the city centre! They’re perfect for a day trip :

🤩 If you need to rent a car, we 100% recommend RentalCars. They find the cheapest deals for you and there are dozens of pick-up and drop-off spots in the city : Book your car rental with RentalCars here .

84) Lancelin Sand dunes (1.5 hr drive north)

This massive stretch of sand dunes is just a 1.5-hour drive north of Perth! You’ll feel like you’re in a mini desert, but with views of the Indian Ocean – it’s breathtaking.

People flock here for sandboarding and quad-biking. Whether you’re a pro or a first-timer, you’ll have a good time. Plus, it’s free to enter! It’s located here .

🤩 Ride the dunes with this half-day tour: Sandboard and Quad Bike Adventure in Lancelin

85) Jurien Bay (<2.5 hr drive north)

If you like snorkelling, you’ll love this place. It’s located here .

Jurien Bay has a limestone reef running parallel to the pristine shore, filled with colourful corals and thousands of tropical fish swimming around.

Apart from snorkelling and diving, you can also go fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and more.

It also has the only breeding area for Australian sea lions in the state. These are the rarest sea lions in the world, and some tours ( like this one ) take you to them!

86) Mandurah (50-min drive south)

This quirky town is less than a 1-hour drive south of Perth. What makes it so unique? It has water canals all around!

You can bring your boat or hire one and go bar-hopping along the canals. Or even better – hire a boathouse and stay overnight (highly recommend doing that if you can).

Plus, dolphins are permanent residents. They’re always flipping around the waterways, it’s incredible. Mandurah is located here .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christopher Dinham and Rebecca Davies (@salt.and.charcoal)

🤩 This tour will take you cruising along the Mandurah canals in a unique way – on a pirate ship! Check it out: Pirate Ship Cruise with lunch

87) Bunbury (<2 hr drive south)

Bunbury is the second biggest city in Western Australia, famous for its dolphin encounters in Koombana Bay, and laid-back beaches with top-notch surfing. It’s located here .

The city is also sort of an open-air gallery, with beautiful painted murals all around.

There are lots of things to do in Bunbury, so it would be ideal if you could spend a day or two here (a full day is enough to see the main things, though)!

88) Busselton (<2.5 hr drive south)

Busselton is another coastal haven, less than a 2.5-hour drive south of Perth city centre ( located here ). It’s the gateway to the beautiful Geographe Bay and Western Australia’s southwest.

Snorkelling the Busselton Jetty is a MUST during your visit, as its piles create Australia’s greatest artificial reef, with underwater sculptures and everything.

And if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, check out the Tuart Forest National Park. Go for a hike there or zipline through it!

🤩 This guided snorkelling tour of the Busselton Jetty is also family-friendly! Check it out: Busselton Jetty Snorkelling Tour

For those who want a more guided experience, tours are your best bet. Here are the best ones:

89) Very Best of Perth Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ⏳  DURATION:   7 hours | ✅  Book it here!

This is the PERFECT tour to do on your first day in Perth! It’s jam-packed with the city’s highlights.

Your guide will take you to King’s Park and Caversham Wildlife Park, then continue for a wine-tasting experience in Swan Valley, and finish in Scarborough Beach for the best sunset.

It’s a general view of popular places to visit in Perth. The best way to kickstart your trip!

“ This was a really good tour. Picked up promptly by a friendly Tim. He was very knowledgeable about the wild life park and the wines especially. Beautiful lunch. Would certainly recommend (…) “ -Tripadvisor Reviewer

90) Rottnest Island Tandem Skydive

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | 📍 LOCATION: Rottnest Island | ✅  Book it here!

See Rottnest Island from a unique vantage point – from the sky! After a safety briefing, you and your small group will head for the clouds.

After a minute of a heart-pounding freefall, you’ll parachute with your instructor for a few minutes. Take in the mindblowing views before landing on the beach.

This skydiving tour is an absolute MUST for thrill-seekers!

“The people with us kept us calm and when I began having doubts due to fear after seeing my daughter exit the plane I was at the door and out the plane luckily as it was an amazing experience which was over too quickly. A big Thank you to everyone involved 🥰” -Susan F

91) Perth Jet Ski Tour

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars |📍 LOCATION: Rockingham | ✅  Book it here!

Imagine driving a jet ski, under the bluest sky, with dolphins swimming alongside you…

This is possible with this jet ski tour, just a quick 40-minute drive south of Perth!

Your guides will take you cruising around Cockburn Sound and Garden Island, beautiful marine reserves with heaps of marine life – dolphins, sea lions, and more.

“The guides were amazing. Lots of fun. Would totally do it again. We had the best time 🙂 Felt safe and comfortable” -Kaylie L

92) Ballooning in the Avon Valley

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | 📍 LOCATION: Burswood | ✅  Book it here!

This early morning tour will kick off your day with the ultimate sunrise view – floating in a hot air balloon above the stunning Avon Valley.

Then, enjoy a nice breakfast after landing. There’s no better way to start your day! Plus, the tour includes pick-up and drop off from Burswood.

“ Enjoyed every part of the experience, from pick up in Perth to the actual breakfast after flight. Our driver Thor and our pilot Dan were incredible. Highly recommend. “ -Deanne R

93) Wave Rock and Aboriginal Cultural Day Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.5/5 Stars | ⏳  DURATION:   12 hours | ✅  Book it here!

In this full-day tour, your guide will take you on a journey through Western Australia’s wheat belt, hitting up gems like York, Wave Rock, Hippo’s Yawn, and Mulka’s Cave.

It includes an Aussie-style lunch, as well as pick up and drop off.

This tour is an absolute must if you visit during wildflower season (July-August to November). The entire area blossoms with colour, it’s stunning!

“Everything about this tour was excellent. From pick up to drop off. Glenn our tour guide was the best. It was a long trip to the wave rock, but made enjoyable by regular stops and Glenn’s commentary. We kept on schedule and was back at our hotel around 8 pm. A long day but we had a great day. Would definitely recommend. “ -Debbie P

94) Abrolhos Island: Snorkelling Adventure

⏳  DURATION:   8 hours |📍 LOCATION: Jandakot | ✅  Book it here!

The Abrolhos Islands are a bucket-list destination for snorkellers and history buffs (the Batavia Shipwreck was here!).

And this tour takes you to a full day there! Your tour starts and ends at Jandakot Airport, just a breezy 20-minute drive from the heart of Perth.

Start with a scenic flight, as you go to the islands, followed by snorkel time. Dive into the crystal-clear waters around the Abrolhos Islands, explore, and enjoy the marine life.

How to get to Perth?

Perth is a bit isolated, so the easiest way to get there is by plane.

The airport is well-connected, receiving frequent flights from most Australian cities. Once you land, it’s a quick 20-minute ride to Perth CBD.

We usually book our trips with Trip.com because they find the best deals out there, check it here !

Road tripping is a legit option too! We 100% recommend this if you want to explore other parts of Western Australia and have a week or two available.

Where to stay in Perth?

There are literally hundreds of accommodation options in Perth, for any type of traveller and budget ! Here are some of our favourites:

Best stays in the CBD

The Criterion Hotel is for travellers who want a balance between a great location and good prices.

COMO The Treasury for luxury travellers who want to stay in the very centre of Perth.

• DoubleTree by Hilton for riverviews, right on Elizabeth Quay

Best stays for families and groups

• Mont Clare Boutique Apartments is an aparthotel right in CBD, with rooms for up to 6 people
• Discovery Parks (Swan Valley) is a caravan park in Caversham, in Swan Valley, with cabins for up to 7 people

Central Caravan Park is near the airport, excellent for up to 6 people

Best budget-friendly stays

• Banksia Tourist Park , a caravan park near Bushmead, a 20-minute drive to CBD
• The Civic Hotel , a budget-friendly hotel near the centre
• The Great Southern Hotel , an affordable option right in the city centre

Travelling Perth on a budget? Do this

Most of the things mentioned above are free or very cheap! There are even a few budget-friendly tours you can do.

Public transport in Perth is really affordable too, moreso if you have a SmartRider card ( more on that here )

That said, what will set you back the most is eating out. One meal can easily be around $30/per person, so it adds up quick.

If you want to make the most out of Perth without breaking the bank, definitely check out our article on how to travel Perth on a budget !

The public transport in Perth is pretty good, but we recommend renting a car if possible. This will give you the freedom to explore the entire city and its surroundings at your own pace!

Thankfully there are LOTS of budget-friendly car rentals in Perth, with dozens of pick-up and drop-off points for your convenience.

We love using RentalCars for this , because they quickly scan all the offers available and give you the cheapest ones!

Try out Rental Cars here:

Did you know?

Perth is also called “The City of Light” because of an event in 1962.

That year, the Friendship 7 spacecraft was going to pass overhead while orbiting the Earth. The city residents decided to turn on their house lights to make Perth visible from outer space, and it worked!

When is the best time to visit Perth?

The best time to visit Perth is in the spring, between September and November. The weather is good and the prices are not sky-high.

Winter in Perth (June-August) is very chilly and rainy, so it may not be a good time to visit. However, accommodation prices are the lowest during this season .

Is 3 days enough in Perth?

Yes, 3 days are enough in Perth to explore Perth’s top attractions – Kings Park, hit a few beaches, grab a drink at Elizabeth Quay…

But the sweet spot is between 5-7 days, as this will allow you to spend a day in Rottnest Island, go wine tasting in Swan Valley, and try other activities.

Are there family-friendly activities in Perth?

Yes, there are plenty of family-friendly activities in Perth! Like visiting the Caversham Wildlife Park, exploring Kings Park, and splashing around at Elizabeth Quay’s BHP Water Park.

The bottom line

It’s impossible to get bored in Perth. There are activities for every taste – outdoor enthusiasts, animal lovers, history buffs, foodies, families, and more.

Perth embodies the meaning of a truly diverse city, with unforgettable experiences for all ages. From iconic attractions like Kings Park and Rottnest Island to the bustling food scene, there’s never a dull moment !

Related posts:

• Ultimate Perth to Exmouth Road Trip: 14-Day OR 7-Day Itinerary + FREE Map + Planning Tips
• 17 Things to Do in Augusta (Western Australia) You Can’t Miss These WA Gems!
• Best Perth To Exmouth Tours: Pick The Right One For YOU, What To Expect, And More
• 28 Unmissable Things To Do In Busselton (Beyond The Jetty) + Travel Guide
• 19 Essential Things To Do in Albany (WA) Inside Tips From a Local

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Hi! We’re Chris and Bec, the two adventure-lovers behind Salt and Charcoal. We quit our jobs in 2020, to pursue the lifestyle of travelling and working remotely. We chose to dive into the unknown and prioritise experiences over material things… and it was the best decision we ever made! Now, we support others to build their dream life one step at a time. Come say hi on our socials :)

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Embrace Perth in Winter

Different day, new adventure, winter school holidays, find adventure down under.

Plan your next visit and explore everything Perth has to offer, from incredible venues, luxurious new hotels and a buzzing calendar of activities and events. Book that accommodation package, visit an attraction or jump on a tour to learn something new, and dine at that restaurant you've always wanted to try.

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Home » Oceania » Australia » Perth

10 BEST Places to Visit in Perth (2024)

Known for its chilled-out lifestyle, long coastline with many beaches, convict history, and plentiful green spaces, Perth is a cool and culturally diverse city. The capital of Western Australia, it also has the honour of being the most isolated large capital city (with more than a million inhabitants) in the world! From seaside fun, sports, and music to historic sites and cultural spots, Perth offers many great experiences for all.

Perth is a sprawling city with an even larger metropolitan area. Attractions can be pretty far apart and it can be difficult to plan your Perth itinerary. While the city centre and suburbs have good public transportation systems, outlying places of interest are best reached by private vehicle.

Your trip planning doesn’t have to be a headache! We’ve made this excellent list of the best places to visit in Perth to save you the hard work. Cut down on the research and planning time and spend more time actually out and about enjoying the diverse points of interest in Perth!

Spoiler alert! Some of these best places to visit in Perth are guaranteed to amaze you!

Need a place quick? Here’s the best neighbourhood in Perth:

These are the best places to visit in perth, faq on the best places to visit in perth.

South Perth

South Perth is a beautiful neighbourhood just a short ferry ride away from Perth CBD. It is a neighbourhood characterized by its stunning natural surroundings because it sits on the shores of the idyllic Swan River.

• Enjoy a day at the beach at the South Perth Foreshore.
• Rent kayaks and glide along Swan River.
• Explore the grounds of The Old Mill.

Now, without further ado and with useful information covered, here are the very best places to visit in Perth:

You’ll find the best places in Perth below. Before you get going, make sure to check out the best places to stay in Perth to get your accommodation sorted. We’ve even got you covered with a complete Perth itinerary so you don’t miss out on the awesome hotspots in the city!

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#1 – Fremantle – A great place in Perth if you love to shop!

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• Famous weekend market
• Alternative and edgy vibe
• Tour the old prison
• Delicious cuisine with European influences

Why it’s awesome: The port of Fremantle (sometimes referred to as Freo) must definitely not be missed when backpacking Perth . It sits alongside the glistening waters of the Indian Ocean and at the mouth of the Swan River. Originally land occupied by aboriginal groups, European settlers arrived in the area in the late 1820s. The original port for the European colony, it later attracted a large number of migrants from the Mediterranean region after the Second World War.

Along with the immigrants came a vibrant café culture, a strong fishing industry, and regional Mediterranean food. Today, it is a multi-cultural area with a distinctly European feel. It has long been a popular place with artists, writers, poets, musicians, and other creatives. It is famous for its large and vibrant weekend market, though there are also other great places to shop all throughout the week. Visitors can also enjoy diverse attractions. Most of the area is well connected by the free-to-use CAT buses.

What to do there: Visit Fremantle on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for incredible shopping at the large Fremantle Market. Two large sheds contain a huge assortment of goods spread across many stalls, and you’ll find almost anything you could imagine here. From fresh produce and quirky clothing to alternative music, books, and trinkets, it’s a top place to visit in Perth for a spot of retail therapy.

At other times of the week, you can browse in charming second-hand book shops, record stores, fashion boutiques, and other establishments. With its Mediterranean influences and cultural diversity, Fremantle is also among the best places to eat in Perth. From Italian and Greek cuisine to Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican fare, you’ll find plenty to make your mouth water! Fremantle Prison is one of the major historic attractions in Perth.

A World Heritage Site today, the notorious high-security prison closed its doors in 1991. You can peer into the old cells, walk the same corridors that nefarious characters and dastardly criminals once walked, and learn more about the prison’s past in the museum.

Join one of the tours for greater insights—the spooky ghost-hunting Torchlight Tour and the underground Tunnel Tour are popular. Spot Victorian buildings, like the Townhall, as you walk around Fremantle, and get your arts fix at Fremantle Arts Centre. Other cool museums include the WA Maritime Museum, the Shipwreck Galleries, and the former prison of the Round House. Stroll through the picturesque port, sunbathe on the beaches, and experience the vibrant nightlife in the evenings.

#2 – Gnomesville – Quite the quirky place in Perth!

• Unusual attraction
• Comical and whimsical
• Re-home your own gnome!
• Awesome photo opportunities

Why it’s awesome: Visiting Gnomesville is one of the most unusual things to do in Perth . Whimsical, cute, kitsch, colourful, and unique, the site has around 5,000 gnomes in all sizes and colours. The cheerful garden ornaments are arranged in a variety of everyday scenes, and it’s easy to feel as though the small statues are going to start roaming about at any second.

Many of the scenes are comedic, and the placement of gnomes is very well thought out. It is thought that Gnomesville began in the 1990s, although nobody is quite sure how and why the area attracted so many colourful characters. The collections are constantly being updated and expanded, and you can even take along your own gnome to add to the collection—just give it a name and say where it is from. There’s no charge to enjoy the charming “town”, and it’s open all throughout the year.

What to do there: Make sure your camera is fully charged as you’re sure to want to take lots of photos of the delightful scenes in quirky Gnomesville! Wander through the gnomes’ home and marvel at how far some of the inhabitants have travelled—signs indicate that gnomes have come here from the USA, the UK, Spain, and other places all around the globe.

Follow the pathways to see gnomes playing cricket, rocking out in bands, engaged in a game of football, re-enacting movie scenes, working in various jobs, partying, and much more. There’s even a detention centre for naughty gnomes and a section for homeless gnomes. Take a stroll through the woods, where you can spot nature and wildlife, and take a seat at one of the picnic benches to survey the unusual scenes and the lovely natural setting.

#3 – Central Business District – Possibly one of the most important places to visit in Perth

• Lively heart of the city
• Diverse museums and art galleries
• Dining and nightlife
• Historic landmarks

Why it’s awesome: Perth’s Central Business District (CBD) is a modern and busy part of the city where deals are made and trade is carried out. There are numerous tall gleaming buildings and plenty of people busying about in suits. The CBD is also home to a large number of perfectly situated Airbnbs for exploring the interesting tourist hotspots in Perth, with a wide variety of things to see and do and something to suit diverse interests.

From museums and art galleries to parks, public art, and historic buildings, you’ll have little chance to feel bored. Add excellent shopping opportunities, a diverse culinary scene, and a lively nightlife, and it’s easy to see why so many people flock to the city centre both by day and by night.

What to do there: Watch money being made literally in front of your eyes at Perth Mint, the oldest working mint in Australia. Appreciate the grand Government House from the outside; built in a Jacobean Revival style, the elegant building dates back to the mid-1800s. The Tudor-style Barracks Arch and the Gothic St. Mary’s Cathedral are other major landmarks in Perth CBD.

Pose for a fun selfie next to Kangaroos in the City, large bronze statues of Australia’s famous marsupials. Take a boat trip along the Swan River to see the city from a different perspective and relax in nature at Kings Park. The park is also home to delightful botanic gardens, one of the top Perth vacation ideas for couples. The peaceful John Oldham Park is a pleasant place to unwind and, something of a hidden gem, it is blissfully free from crowds.

Take kids to the informative Scitech museum and Perth Zoo. See the Swan Bells, taken from St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London and gifted to the city of Perth. You can go up the bell tower too for great city views. Stroll through London Court to feel as though you’ve travelled back in time and across the seas to Elizabethan England. Browse in the many shops, stop to refresh in a charming café, hit the bars and clubs for a lively night on the tiles, and, if you’re feeling flashy, you can chance Lady Luck at the casino in the Burswood Entertainment Complex.

#4 – Chittering Valley – A nice quiet place to see in Perth

• Lesser-visited destination
• Natural beauty
• Agriculture and wine making
• Scenic walking trails and driving routes

Why it’s awesome: Located in the Darling Range, the scenic Chittering Valley has varied terrain, quiet villages, nature, great views, and various experiences. Often overlooked in favour of Swan Valley, which is one of the more famous places in Perth, the Chittering Valley provides a top spot to revel in nature without being surrounded by people. Picturesque drives and walks lead through the valley, passing verdant vineyards, rugged bush, wildlife-filled wetlands, pastoral land, sparkling lakes, fragrant orchards, lush forests, and fields that, at certain times of the year, are filled with wildflowers.

What to do there: Explore Perth’s Chittering Valley by car to cover more ground, and pull over frequently to follow scenic walking trails and visit local villages, farms, and roadside market stalls. If you’d love to see where your food comes from make your way along the Chittering Farm Flavour Trail, calling into the diverse boutique farms. Many farms operate on organic principles and you can see things like grapes, avocados, berries, oranges, and mangos growing. Pop into the vineyards and wineries along the Chittering Valley Wine Trail and see how wines are produced.

Many offer tasting sessions, and you can pair your wines with delicious artisan cheeses. Stock up on fresh supplies at the regular farmers’ markets, and grab something tasty for a picnic in nature. Travel back in time as you discover Wannamal Heritage Trail. Hotspots in Perth’s Chittering Valley include Brockman Arts and Crafts Centre, Bindoon’s Heritage Museum, Muchea Reserve, Blackboy Ridge Reserve, and Spoonbill Lake. Look out for the cute characters of Mr and Mrs Chitterling proudly displayed in places around the valley.

#5 – Heirisson Island – A beautiful outdoor place to visit in Perth

• Offbeat destination
• See kangaroos in the wild
• Aboriginal heritage
• Peaceful ambience

Why it’s awesome: If you mention Heirisson Island to many locals you may be met with a rather quizzical look; despite being in the heart of the city (and having a major road running across it!) many people are unaware of its existence. The island sits in the Swan River and is connected to each side of the water by a busy causeway.

The island has aboriginal heritage, and has long associations with the Beeloo Noongar group. It appears on the Register of Aboriginal Sites. The mudflats were once a strategic crossing over the water. Today, the island is a great place to escape the city streets and take in the views of each side of the river while exploring the island’s trails and facilities.

What to do there: In the late 1990s and early 2000s several kangaroos were released onto Heirisson Island. They have since bred and you can visit the friendly creatures in the southern part of the island. It’s one of the best places in Perth to come face to face with kangaroos.

Take a relaxed walk around the island’s trails and enjoy the river views, sit for a while on a bench next to the water, cook up a BBQ, and let kids cut loose at the play area. You can also see an imposing statue of Yagan, a fearless aboriginal warrior from times gone by.

#6 – Adventure World – Awesome place to visit in Perth with kids!

• Family-friendly attraction
• Beautiful gardens
• Various rides and water rides
• Lovely themed areas

Why it’s awesome: Constructed on the site of an old quarry and open since 1982, Adventure World is one of the best places to visit in Perth with children. The water park also makes it a fantastic place to beat the heat and cool down in the sunshine while having tons of fun. There are both adrenaline-fuelled and tame rides to suit all members of the family. Attractions are set in lovely gardens and large lawns and there’s a good selection of places to eat and drink for a fantastic day out.

What to do there: Pack your bathing suits and have giggles galore in the waterpark. You can drift about and relax in the Lagoon, a Hawaiian-themed pool with varied features. Kids can splash about at Kahuna Falls, a large water-based play area with bright colours, exciting noises, slides, a giant tipping bucket, water jets, fountains, and more.

Adults can brave The Kraken, a mammoth water slide that gives thrills and spills through height, gradient, and speed. Other water rides and slides include the Water Mountain Mat Slides, the Tunnel of Terror, the Rocky Mountain Rapids, Sea Serpents, and Tidal Wave. Peer into the koi pond to see the large and colourful fish.

On dry land, thrill-seekers are sure to love rides like Rampage, Goliath, Black Widow, and Abyss, while younger members of the family can have fun on the Little Leaper, Yarli’s Safari, and the Dragon Flyer. Get up close and personal with a variety of creatures in the Aussie Wildlife Experience, watch lively and entertaining shows, and make many magical memories at Adventure World.

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#7 – Rottnest Island – Certainly one of the most exotic places to see in Perth!

• Meet the unusual quokkas
• Spot a variety of flora and fauna
• Colonial architecture
• Outdoor activities

Why it’s awesome: Lying some 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) off the coast of Perth and covering 19 square kilometres (7.3 square miles), Rottnest Island (often shortened to Rotto) is among the famous places in Perth. Often considered a Perth must-see, it is known as Wadjemup to local aboriginal groups. Once part of the mainland, it was separated by rising sea levels some 7,000 years ago.

Evidence suggests that people lived in the area many thousands of years ago, with a number of ancient artefacts unearthed on the island. Past uses of the island include as a prison and as a military centre. Today, around 300 people call the island home, though numbers swell as visitors arrive. A top place for spotting wildlife, conservation efforts seek to protect the islands flora and fauna. Visitors can also see colonial-period architecture. Regular ferries connect the island with the mainland.

What to do there: Rent a bicycle and set out to explore the island’s trails. Seeing the unusual quokka is a Perth must do—the cute marsupials aren’t found in the wild in many other places. The small creatures thrive on Rottnest Island because of the lack of natural predators, and you’re sure to be delighted as you watch the creatures in their natural habitat. Turn your gaze towards the waves and you might spot fur seals, sea lions and dolphins. Migratory humpback whales can be spotted at some times of the year too.

The sea and salt lake are also home to various types of birds, including gull, duck, avocet, oystercatcher, osprey, cormorant, and tern. Keen birdwatchers should take a pair of binoculars on their trip to enhance bird sightings. Peacocks strut near the settlements. Other creatures on the island include feral cats, lizards, snakes, and frogs, and the waters yield many species of fish and other marine life. Discover more at the Rottnest Island Museum, take a tour to see old wartime artillery, enjoy a moment’s reflection in the old churches, snap pictures of lighthouses, and hear whispers from the past in the cemetery.

#8 – Cottesloe Beach – One of the most incredible free places to go to in Perth

• No charge to enjoy the beach
• Excellent facilities and amenities close to hand
• Water sports
• Surf culture

Why it’s awesome: One of the best places to visit in Perth for beach lovers and budget travellers, there’s no charge to enjoy the popular Cottesloe Beach. The beach came into its own when British settlers wanted days at the seaside. Easy to reach from the heart of the city, the beach has a chilled ambience and today attracts many surfers.

The soft white sands, clear waters, and gentle waves make it a perfect place for families, and it is also popular with groups of friends and couples. There are many places close by where visitors can unwind over a delicious meal or a few drinks, and there are varied activities to suit all types of beach goer.

What to do there: Spread out your towel on the sands and catch some rays, and take a dip in the cool waters to cool down in the sun. If you’re into surfing, stay in a hostel nearby , wake up early and hop on your board and take to the waves before anyone else. And, if you’re not, you can sit and watch as energetic surfers work their magic in the water.

Go snorkelling to see diverse marine life and join boat trips to spot dolphins frolicking in the sea. Take a walk along the Cottesloe Esplanade and soak up the views, and go cycling along coastal tracks. After a great day at the beach, pop into one of the tempting cafes, restaurants, and bars, just steps from the sands. Do try to visit the beach on a Sunday, when you can mingle with locals and experience the spirited Sunday Sessions.

#9 – Swan Valley – A beautiful and scenic place to check out in Perth

• Popular wine-making area
• Glorious views
• Rich with nature

Why it’s awesome: Perth’s Swan Valley is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in all of Australia, with a wine heritage that stretches back almost 200 years. The wine industry grew largely because of the efforts of migrant farmers from Europe. The landscapes are colourful and diverse and there are many splendid views around every corner. Visitors can explore by car, foot, or bicycle, and there are plentiful places to visit in the area.

From farms and many wineries (more than 40 to be exact!) to an enticing chocolate factory and kid-friendly attractions, there’s plenty to keep people occupied and busy in the Swan Valley. Those who visit in the springtime will be treated to the glorious sight of vibrant wildflowers adding bursts of colour to the landscapes.

What to do there: Enjoy nature under peddle power and hop in the saddle to bike along the Swan Valley Heritage Cycle Trail. Running for 12 kilometres (7.5 miles), it leads past a number of top wineries (where you can pause to sample tasty wines and cheeses), interesting art galleries filled with aboriginal artworks, and other cool attractions. Prefer to walk? A number of shorter trails lead through the towns and natural terrain.

To cover more ground, drive along the picturesque Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail, complete with numerous wineries, vineyards, markets, distilleries, art galleries, and much more. Satisfy your sweet tooth at places like Mondo Nougat and the Margaret River Chocolate Company. Get up close and personal with kangaroos and other native wildlife at Caversham Wildlife Park, a particularly great place in Perth to take the kids, and play a few fun games at Supa Golf. The museum at Whiteman Park lets you peer into the past and the town of Guildford has many elegant colonial-era buildings.

#10 – Northbridge – A great place to visit in Perth at night

• Pulsating nightlife
• Great art galleries and a vibrant performing arts scene
• Alternative shopping
• Fascinating street art

Why it’s awesome: Although sometimes seen as having a gritty and somewhat seedy character, Northbridge is one of the best places to visit in Perth for a vibrant nightlife, creative atmosphere, and diverse culinary scene. The area has softened slightly over the years and is today a popular hipster hangout and a centre for alternative shopping. It’s also a magnet for backpackers and budget travellers. There’s plenty of art too, ranging from well-organised galleries to eye-catching street art and graffiti. It’s difficult to believe that just a couple of hundred years ago the area was swampland!

What to do there: Inspire your inner creative and admire art at Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Take a walk through one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Perth and check out the brilliant street art that covers many of its alleys. Poke around in tiny herbalist shops, bakeries, noodle shops, and massage parlours in the small but lively Chinatown, unwind and watch the world go by in one of the cool cafes, sip beer at Northbridge Brewery, bask in the sunshine at Northbridge Piazza, and browse in the independent, retro, and quirky shops along William Street.

Pay a visit to The Nostalgia Box, which is one of the most unusual things to do in Perth—it’s the country’s first interactive museum dedicated to video games! Book tickets to watch a live performance at one of the area’s many theatres and event spaces, including the State Theatre of Western Australia, the Blue Room Theatre, Perth Concert Hall, and His Majesty’s Theatre. Don your glad rags come evening time and find out why Northbridge is one of the top places for a lively night out in Perth!

Get insured for your trip to Perth!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Find out what people want to know about the best places to visit in Perth

Which places in Perth are great for first time visitors?

Fremantle or the port of Fremantle to be correct is a great place to visit in Perth for first timers. Check out the massive weekend market, soak up the unique and laid-back vibes or opt for a tour through the old prison.

Which places are free to visit in Perth?

Check out these cool places to visit in Perth – the best thing about them, they’re free! – Heirisson Island – Rottnest Island – Cottesloe Beach

Are there any good places to visit in Perth in winter?

Visit these cool Perth places once it gets cold outside: – Central Business District – Gnomesville – Fremantle

What are the best places to visit in Perth at night?

Perth has got some cool nightlife on offer. Fremantle has vibrant parties at night but the Central Business District is where it’s really going down. If you’re a night owl, you’ll never get bored here.

Discover the best places to visit in Perth

Perth has many excellent beaches where you can spend long days without barely spending a cent; Scarborough Beach, Brighton Beach, South Beach, and Port Beach are among the favourites. If you want an all-over tan, head to Swanbourne Beach, the city’s only clothing-optional beach.

The scenic Bickley Valley is one of the most underrated places to see in Perth, while the lesser-visited Garden Island is a nice non-touristy place to visit in Perth. Love nature? Check out the Avon Valley, Walyunga National Park, and John Forrest National Park. In the northern suburbs, the Aquarium of Western Australia is a fabulous place to take the kids.

From culture, art, cuisine, and history, to nature and wildlife, nightlife, and beaches, Perth offers no shortage of ways to have fun. Tick off these best places to visit in Perth for a fantastic vacation in Western Australia.

Alexandria Zboyovski

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Perth   Travel Guide

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11 Best Things To Do in Perth

Updated Feb. 11, 2021

The best things to do in Perth run the gamut from natural attractions to historical and cultural sites. There's the expansive Kings Park & Botanic Garden , filled with native plants and flowers, wide swaths of green grass, and beautiful lookouts and

• All Things To Do

Kings Park & Botanic Garden Kings Park & Botanic Garden free

According to visitors, Kings Park & Botanic Garden can hold its own among the world's best parks – including Central Park in New York, El Retiro in Madrid and Stanley Park in Vancouver. Not only do the park's various sections feature more than 3,000 varieties of trees and plants, from red-flowering gum trees in the Fraser Avenue Precinct to bushland-specific flora, fauna and fungi, but there are also playgrounds, playing fields, cafes and picnic areas. What's more, the park's Rio Tinto Naturescape, due to open in 2018, will feature a creek for paddling, a rock pool for wading, and rock climbing and scrambling spaces too.

Travelers and locals alike adore this park's expansive walking paths and its ability to appeal to everyone from families to retirees. Others say the views of the city from the walking paths, especially from the raised Lotterywest Federation Walkway, are just "fabulous," as are the shade and breeze on hot summer days.

Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe Beach free

Located less than 10 miles southwest of central Perth, Cottesloe Beach – with its lifeguards, clean sands and clear waters – is one of the area's most popular shorelines, especially among families. But kids aren't the only ones who enjoy Cottesloe. Breathtaking sunsets and a collection of neighboring pubs make it a prime spot for adult travelers too. Stretching for nearly a mile from Mudurup Rocks to the southern rocks of Swanbourne Beach, Cottesloe is also a popular swimming, snorkeling and surfing spot (it boasts consistent waves perfect for body boarding).

Recent travelers strongly recommended making time for a sunset visit. They say the sunsets over the Indian Ocean are truly remarkable. Others appreciated the public toilets and showers near the shoreline, but many bemoaned the limited parking, so consider using public transportation to avoid the hassle. The annual Sculpture by the Sea event, held every March, was also highly recommended among reviewers. 

Kings Park State War Memorial Kings Park State War Memorial free

As its name suggests, the Kings Park State War Memorial – a set of several different structures that honor Australians for their service and sacrifice across history – is located in Kings Park & Botanical Garden . The nearly 60-foot granite cenotaph honors all fallen Western Australians with bronze plaques etched with the names of nearly 4,000 Australians who died during World War II, as well as those who lost their lives in conflicts that followed. Along the western side of the memorial area, visitors will find the Court of Contemplation and the Pool of Reflection, which is lit by the continuously burning Flame of Remembrance, signifying the promise to remember the fallen.  

Recent travelers described the war memorial as "thought-provoking" and "captivating." Others said the panoramic views of the Swan River and surrounding Perth are additional reasons to pay a visit. 

Popular Tours

Pinnacles Desert Sunset Stargazing Tour

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Rottnest Island Rottnest Island

In the late 17th century, Dutch explorer William de Vlamingh saw this sunny island's hordes of quokkas (think small kangaroos) and thought they were rats, so he named the island, Rotte nest, literally "rats nest." Along with snapping selfies with the quokkas, the island is a great place for swimming and snorkeling, hiking on the Wadjemup Bidi trails, or relaxing on one of its 63 beaches, including the most popular, The Basin and Salmon Bay. 

Stopping by the Rottnest Island Visitor Centre and chatting with the helpful docents about what to do on the island should be your first stop, many visitors say. Others recommend heading straight to the white sands of The Basin to swim and snorkel. 

Swan River Swan River free

Whether you walk or bike beside it to reach Elizabeth Quay or float along on a boat to the port city of Fremantle, some time spent in or around Swan River is a must. Featuring both footpaths and cycle ways, as well as numerous river cruises from companies like Captain Cook Cruises , Swan River is a picturesque way to view the city and reach its numerous things to do. Visitors can also rent paddleboards from Funcats , kayaks from Rivergods and bikes from About Bike Hire for use in and around Swan River. 

Travelers offer varying reviews on the best way to experience the Swan River. Some recommend a morning walk before the midday heat sets in, while others suggest a river cruise to Fremantle. Some call the experience of watching the sun set and the stars emerge as "magical." Visitors can enjoy the Swan River around the clock, though the businesses that provide rental equipment have set hours. 

Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail free

Just about 25 miles north of Perth along the Swan River are the vine-draped hills of the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail. This 20-mile trail loops the state's oldest wine region. In fact, wines have flowed this swath of the country since 1834. These days, it's best known for its chenin blanc, verdelho, shiraz and petit verdot found at wineries, such as Pinelli Estate Wines and Faber Vineyard , among several dozen others.

Recent visitors said the trail was a lovely accompaniment to a Perth vacation. Some recommended stopping in the other establishments along the trail too, including the chocolate and honey shops. 

St. Mary's Cathedral St. Mary's Cathedral free

St. Mary's Cathedral is the short name for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which rises high on a hilltop in East Perth. Since construction first began on the church back in 1865, it has undergone several repairs and expansion efforts. 

"Beautiful" is the sentiment most travelers used to describe St. Mary's Cathedral, complimenting its mix of old and new architecture and its serene atmosphere. But reviewers were mixed on the best way to experience this religious site. Some recommended taking a tour, while others suggested attending one of the religious services. 

The Art Gallery of Western Australia The Art Gallery of Western Australia free

Founded in 1895, the Art Gallery of Western Australia contains a trove of paintings and sculptures, prints, installations, craft and more. Its permanent collection contains upward of 17,000 pieces and receives the most acclaim for its focus on indigenous and nonindigenous Western Australian artists. The gallery also showcases a rotating roster of traveling exhibits. 

Not only were recent visitors impressed by the gallery's collection of indigenous art, but they also appreciated the air conditioning and shade the gallery provided on hot days. Reviewers were also captivated by the building's modern design and its well-curated permanent collection.  

Ultimate Swan Valley Food and Wine Day Trip from Perth

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Wave Rock, York, Wildflowers, and Aboriginal Cultural Day Tour from Perth

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Pinnacles Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Experience a Small Group Tour

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Scitech Scitech

When the weather won't cooperate and you're forced inside, head to Scitech, a nonprofit science museum geared to curious minds of all ages, from young children to adults. Along with a handful of temporary exhibits, Scitech's permanent exhibits include a puppet theater and an interactive science lab, as well as a planetarium. The museum also puts on science shows and hosts science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshops.

Recent travelers praised Scitech's interactive exhibits (especially the way in which they appeal to youngsters), but most travelers said the best part of the museum is its planetarium, which takes visitors on a "journey" through the solar system with the help of its 180-degree dome screen and surround sound system.

The Perth Mint The Perth Mint

The Perth Mint offers visitors a rare glimpse at lots and lots of gold – tourists can even handle $700,000 worth of it. The mint's exhibits walk through Western Australia's history with gold discovery and showcase everything from natural gold nuggets to the largest gold coin ever made (it weighs a ton). During the tours, a guide will lead you through the mint's vaults and demonstrate an actual gold pouring, all the while telling you stories about gold mining legends. 

Although you can meander the Perth Mint on your own, most travelers recommend taking the hourlong guided tour for a richer experience. And even if it seems like it would appeal to a niche audience, most recent travelers say the exhibits and tours are so well done that this attraction is universally appealing.

Perth Zoo Perth Zoo

To view animals ranging from Goodfellow's tree-kangaroos to Australian tarantulas, as well as creatures from other corners of the world – Bolivian squirrel monkeys, African lions and Asian small-clawed otters – the Perth Zoo is the place to go. Along with its diverse collection of animals, the zoo also hosts daily "Walks and Talks" in which staff members provide an in-depth, up close overview of select animals, such as elephants, Tasmanian devils and penguins. To get a more intimate look at the zoo's residents, consider booking one of its Close Encounters, which allows visitors to interact with animals, such as giraffes, orangutans and rhinos (for an extra fee). 

Some travelers recommend going on days when the temperatures are cool, since the animals tend to nap during hot days. Others express a little frustration at the high admission price, but most visitors reported having a lovely time thanks to the beautiful landscaping and interesting array of animals.

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• 10 Phenomenal Places To Visit In Perth That You Dare Not Miss

23 Mar 2023

Perth, known for its salubrious climate, awesome beaches, amazing lifestyle, and friendly people is the perfect destination for vacations this year. Although, it can be visited round the year, Perth comes alive during the springtime, which is from September to November. Events like Kings Park Festival and Fremantle Markets Wildflower Display are key tourist attractions.

If an Australia voyage is on cards, ensure at least a day or two at Perth. And what to do and where to visit in Perth in those days is made easy to figure out with our list of the 10 best places to visit in Perth.

10 Places To Visit In Perth

• The Bell Tower
• Rottnest Island
• Captain Cook Cruises
• The Aquarium of Western Australia
• Penguin Island
• Adventure World
• Fremantle Markets
• West Australian Symphony Orchestra
• The Perth Mint

1. The Bell Tower

Image Source

Located close to Riverside Drive, Bell Tower is one of the magnificent Perth tourist attractions. It overlooks the serene Swan River and is known for its attractive design as well as historic legacy.

Key attractions: Get a chance to ring the chime yourself, and go to Observation Deck to behold the magnificent view of glittering Perth tourist attractions around. Tip: Visit the tower when the bells are ringing.

Must Read: Sonic Side Of The Sunny Capital: 11 Places To Spend An Electric Night In Perth

2. Kings Park

One of the world’s most beautiful, Kings Park is the perfect place to enjoy the spectacular skyline and the stunning coastline of Perth. A lot of ceremonial and cultural events are organized in this beautiful park that make it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Perth.

Key attractions: Visitors must enjoy the Rio Tinto Naturescape, where they can experience closeness with the nature. Also, the distinct and diverse flora of Western Australia in all its glory is worth a watch.

3. Rottnest Island

Known for its amazing scenery, unspoiled bays, relaxed atmosphere, amazing marine life, and some of the finest beaches of the world, the Rottnest Island is one of the perfect places near Perth to visit  and have fun.

Key attractions: Enjoy snorkelling at Parker Point or Little Salmon Bay. Tip: Hire a bike and explore the island at a leisurely pace.

4. Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises ensure plenty enthralling views of the city. The Cruise between Perth and Fremantle gives you enough magnificent views to savor while sipping and tasting premium quality wines.

Key attractions: Listen to wonderful music and relish the amazing delicacies while sightseeing in Perth on one of the most gorgeous vessels. Tip: Free membership is available for kids between 4-14 years of age.

5. The Aquarium of Western Australia

Amongst the most popular places to visit in Perth, the Aquarium of Western Australia, boasts of an an enjoyable underwater journey. Discover its unique marine life, and the magnificent coral life at AQWA. The five areas on different themes that showcase unique and distinctive features of Australian coastline must be covered while sightseeing in Perth.

Key attractions: Enjoy snorkelling, take a plunge at the Shipwreck Coast, and don’t miss the journey through the underwater tunnel and the colorful coral reefs. Entry: $79 for a family with two adults and two kids

6. Penguin Island

Penguin Island is one of the best places to go to in Perth. With gorgeous coastline and marine scenery, it is perfect to relax amidst nature. The largest colony of penguins is also home to other animal species, plants and lovely landscapes.

Key attractions: Enjoy a picnic with your friends; and visit Penguin Island Discovery Center to watch the little penguins at close quarters. Tip: Avoid visiting this place during early June and mid September as the park is close during this time.

Suggested Read: 10 Fun Things To Do In Perth So Good That You Can’t Resist Switching To Repeat Mode

7. Adventure World

Adventure Island is one of the tourist places to visit in Perth. There are excellent rides and other attractions that keep kids as well as adults amused. This magnificent park is located just 18 kms away from Perth.

Key attractions: Experience the thrill with amazing water rides. Also the Dinosaur Island is an important tourist attraction in Perth for kids. Tip: The park closes during winter season. Other tourist attractions in Perth, however, offer amazing views in winters.

8. Fremantle Markets

Fremantle Markets are famous among locals as well as tourists for their impressive architecture, fresh produce, various events, historical legacy, market bar, and pulsating music.

Key attractions: Be a part of events that are held on a regular basis, such as the Friday Good Vibes; catch the famous artist Henry Lam caricaturing, and you can see yourself in your favorite cartoon character look. Tip: Buy the best quality organic and fresh produce.

9. West Australian Symphony Orchestra

If you are a music aficionado, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) is the best among the places to go in Perth to watch the talented musicians perform. A lot of concerts are organized from time to time where musicians of myriad caliber showcase their talent.

Key attractions: Attend a concert by the Master Conductor and experience the melodious harmony of music. Tip: Book your tickets early to enjoy the stage view.

10. The Perth Mint

One of the oldest mint’s in the world, the Perth Mint is the perfect place to see minting of gold. Experience the excitement of the early gold rush and visit the original melting house to watch pouring of gold.

Key attractions: Buy natural gold nuggets, exclusive souvenirs, gift-ware, and collector’s coins at The Perth Mint Shop. See the heaviest, biggest and highly valuable gold bullion coin. Entry: $19 for adults and students get a concession.

There are some best places in Perth that you simply cannot miss to see on your next trip to Australia . So pack your bags and get ready for a trip down under.

Further Read: 27 Most Beautiful Beaches In Australia To Pamper The Beach Baby In You

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Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Perth

What are the top attractions in Perth?

The best places that you must explore during your visit to Perth are the Bell Tower, King’s Park, Rotnest island, Captain Cook’s cruises, Aquarium of Western Australia, Penguin island, Adventure world, the Symphony Orchestra, and Perth Mint.

What are the best outdoor activities to do in Perth?

Some of the best things to do outdoors in Perth are sandboarding and seeing the sunset at Pinnacles desert, going for dinner on a cruise at Swan River, biking at Rottnest, a cruise tour to Fremantle, and quad biking in Lancelin.

Is it safe to visit Perth during covid times?

Australia is one of the many countries who have implemented strict guidelines in order to contain covid from spreading. Only vaccinated individuals are permitted to enter the country for travel purposes and should obtain a health certificate from the government’s official website to travel within Australia. A negative RR PCR test done 24 hours prior to departure should be provided to the respected authorities. Visitors must adhere to basic guidelines such as wearing a face mask and social distancing in a public place.

What can you do in Perth for free?

Some of the free things that you could enjoy during your visit to Perth are visiting the beach, going for a picnic at King parks and Botanical Garden, exploring Heirisson island, and visiting the King Park’s memorial.

Which are the best places to visit in Perth for couples?

The best romantic places that you must explore with your partner during your visit to Perth are Swan River, Perth City, Kings Park, Pan Pacific Perth, Rottnest Island, Sunset Coast, and the pristine beaches.

What is Perth best known for?

Perth is an Australian city surrounded by the Indian Ocean from one side and Australian outback at the other. So, you will get plenty of opportunities to get into the wild. Quokkas, the cute Aussie creatures, are another thing Perth is famous for.

What is the best month to visit Perth?

September, October, and November are the best months to visit Perth. It is a season of spring in Perth with plenty of sunshine and no downpours. During these months, Perth attracts many visitors and most of the popular attractions are open to tourists.

How can I spend a day in Perth?

Perth comprises some of the most exquisite places that you could visit during your Australian tour. The perfect destination for adventure enthusiasts, you can indulge in various sports activities or go for a nice cruise dinner at Swan river.

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20 Amazing Perth Beaches

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While Perth might be the most isolated capital in the world, it has some of the best beaches – think sugary sand and crystal clear, blue waters. Not only do these beaches seem to stretch on forever, but they’re also highly accessible. Most beaches are less than a 20-minute drive from the city centre. Unfurling from either side of the city, Perth presents an exceptional 80-km stretch of pristine coastline. So whether you’re looking for a beach to snorkel in, to unwind with family or to relax and enjoy the perfect beach-going weather, you’ll bound to love one or more of these beaches in Perth.

1- Scarborough Beach

2- city beach, 3- port beach, 4- coogee beach, 5- cottesloe beach, 6- trigg beach, 7- swanbourne beach, 8- bathers beach, 9- mettams pool, 10- peashom-floreat, 11- leighton beach, 12- south beach, 13- mullaloo beach, 14- the basin (rottnest island), 15- little salmon bay (rottnest island), 16- the west end (rottnest island), 17- pinky beach (rottnest island), 18- geordie bay (rottnest island), 19- parakeet bay (rottnest island), 20- thomson bay (rottnest island), beaches in perth and surrounds.

• From Perth: Rottnest Island Full-Day Bike and Ferry Trip
• Perth: Swim with Wild Dolphins Tour
• Perth: Shoalwater Islands Snorkel, Wildlife & Seafood Cruise

20 Perth Beaches 

Scarborough Beach should be your beach of choice if you’re a fan of people-watching.

It’s a short drive from Perth – just 20 minutes – and an iconic sand spot in Western Australia.

It has impressive surf breaks and a long stretch of white sand, perfect for swimmers and surfers alike.

Scarborough Beach also comes alive in the evening with many restaurants and cafes.

You won’t want to miss this popular ocean oasis surrounded by a high-rise cityscape.

Not only is it the perfect destination for safe and sheltered swimming conditions, but it’s also ideal for relaxation.

If you love a sunset beach picnic, tick City Beach off your list, as it’s only a 15-minute drive from the city and a busy spot for summer barbecues and surfing.

Grab a smoothie and some tacos from one of the many open-air cafes and restaurants, and lay your towel down to soak up some rays.

There are also plenty of shady grass areas for a nice picnic, a boardwalk and multiple shaded playgrounds.

This popular premium beach spot is conveniently located and offers a wide range of activities, from swimming to surfing and fishing.

A little further along, Port Beach is perfect for those windy days around Fremantle Harbour.

While it may not be as picturesque as some of the other beaches, its sheltered location makes it a prime spot.

Port Beach also comes with some great swells if you’re into surfing.

As it’s not far from Fremantle, there’s the added bonus of spending the afternoon exploring the shops and restaurants in the surrounding hub.

Port Beach also has incredible Indian Ocean views and is ideal for enjoying a perfect Fremantle sunset.

With its incredible white sand and crystal clear water, Coogee Beach is your ideal spot for an afternoon out and a great place to catch a spectacular sunset.

About a 30-minute drive from Perth City, Coogee Beach is located near the sandy shores of Cockburn.

There are plenty of shaded grass areas for a picnic and it’s also near an abandoned power station.

Since Coogee Beach comes with a jetty, it’s the ideal spot for some fishing or if you’re looking to jump off a jetty.

For families, there’s also a great play area nearby for the kids.

When visiting Perth, you absolutely can’t miss Cottesloe Beach.

It’s a short 20-minute drive from Perth and is a popular beach in Perth.

Not only is it surrounded by a gorgeous coastline, but it also comes with plenty of entertainment and is perfect for swimming.

From the large children’s playground to the plethora of restaurants situated at the beachfront, there are plenty of options for all the family.

If you are at Cottesloe Beach in March, don’t miss Sculpture by the Sea – a free exhibition on the shoreline that allows visitors to submerge themselves in art.

Stay until sunset, as this beach in Perth is famous for its gorgeous sunsets.

For more WA experiences, read:

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• Muiron Islands Snorkel Adventure
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• 20 Perth Beaches

Enjoy surfing?

Then you definitely can’t miss Trigg Beach, a 20-minute drive from Perth and has swells perfect for experienced swimmers and surfers.

It’s rated as one of the best beaches in Perth for surfing, so expect it to get a little crowded.

Even if you’re not a surfing fan, Trigg Beach has plenty of BBQ facilities, picnic tables and a large playground to keep you and your family busy.

Spend an afternoon just watching the waves and taking in the view of the stunning blue waters.

Swanbourne beach should be your top choice for those looking for a nude beach.

It’s 20 minutes from the city and has gorgeous waters and the opportunity for nude sunbathing.

It’s easily accessible and one of the official nude beaches in Perth.

There’s even a ‘clothing optional’ sign to let you know you’re on the right beach.

As Swanbourne Beach is hidden from public view, you’ll be able to enjoy sunbathing away from the crowds and as it faces west, it’s a great spot to catch the sunset.

Who says beaches have to be just about sunbathing?

At Bathers Beach, which is a 30-minute drive from Perth, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Fremantle.

Wander around the area and immerse yourself in its coastal charm by visiting The Maritime Museum, having a picnic at Esplanade Park or grabbing a bite to eat at The Fishing Boat Harbour.

While you’re there, don’t forget to grab a cocktail on the sand at Bathers Beach House.

It’s the only beachfront venue in Perth.

A 20-minute drive away, Mettams Pool is the perfect spot for those who enjoy snorkelling.

This gorgeous, naturally formed lagoon is perfect for those looking for a gentle swim, as it has pool-like conditions all year round.

There’s a diverse array of marine life at Mettams Pool, from fish to starfish.

Just remember to get there early, as it can get crowded.

After you’ve enjoyed a morning at Mettams Pool, drive along the West Coast Drive and wander down the scenic stretch of the coast to one of the cafes.

Just a 20-minute drive from the city, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a coastal oasis with its vast stretch of white sand.

Perfect for walks and relaxed swims, this is a more secluded beach that’s not as well known to the public.

You can also head to Peashom Dog Beach if you’ve got a dog.

At this beach, there are plenty of facilities for your pet, from fountain facilities to bins with poo bags and a large grassy area.

Occasionally, you may even find a mobile dog-washing service offering their services near the beach.

At Peashom-Floreat, there are some swells here, making it a good spot for surfing.

It’s also great for a quiet morning or afternoon to yourself with a book as you listen to the crash of the ocean waves.

One of Perth’s best dog-friendly beaches, Leighton Beach is about a 20-minute drive away from the city.

Its calm water stretches for quite a distance and is perfect for snorkelling.

While at Leighton Beach, grab some coffee from the Wooden Wagon or relax and unwind in one of the grassy areas.

During the summer, Leighton Beach is also a popular spot for kitesurfing.

Dining options are also aplenty in this area, from an afternoon at Bib and Tucker, to a good choice of restaurants and cafes.

If you’re not an experienced swimmer or have kids, you’ll want to check out Serene Beach.

It’s a 30-minute drive away and a great spot to build confidence in your swimming and snorkelling abilities.

There’s plenty of marine life on this beach, and you can also do paddle boarding here.

With soft white sand and large grassy areas, this beach near Perth is ideal for a picnic.

Children will also enjoy the kids’ playground and the newly developed sports hub.

The vibrant Fremantle cappuccino strip is a short stroll away with plenty of dining offerings, so there’s no need to pack a lunch.

If you’re looking for long stretches of uninterrupted coastline, you can’t go wrong with Mullaloo Beach.

It’s around a 30-minute drive away and is ideal for families with children.

There’s plenty to do, from taking a dip in the Indian Ocean to running or biking on the beach paths. And with ample playground facilities and parklands, children won’t be bored.

If you’d like to have a picnic, the shady trees are ideal for sitting under for an afternoon picnic or for taking in the stunning Western Australian sunset.

One of the best times to visit Mullaloo Beach is late November to early April, and if you enjoy beach fishing, Mullaloo Beach is the place to be.

Rottnest Island consists of a treasure trove of beaches 25 minutes by ferry from Fremantle.

The island’s clear blue waters and reefs are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

The Basin is the place to head to if you’d like to paddle and snorkel in clear and calm waters.

It’s just 10 minutes from the main settlement and is ideal for those who want to swim, snorkel or play beach cricket.

With crystal clear waters and colourful shallow reefs, The Basin is an underwater snorkelling playground to tick off your list. Find out more here .

Another gorgeous spot for snorkelling, Little Salmon Bay, is on the south side of Rottnest Island.

As it’s protected from the wind, it’s another great spot for swimming and snorkelling.

The bay is not difficult to get to as it’s a spot on the Rottnest Island bus route and is easy to cycle to.

One of the great things about Little Salmon Bay is its snorkel trail, which allows you to learn about the different types of fish swimming around the waters of Rottnest Island.

Pick up a picnic from the general store or island bakery, soak up the perfect weather and have the perfect beach day near Perth.

Located on the western point of Rottnest Island, this rugged coastline isn’t suitable for swimming, but it’s a breathtaking spot to gaze out onto the Indian Ocean.

While there is no protection from the elements here, you can scuba dive or shorefish if you’d like.

This is also an excellent place to spot dolphins, whales and even New Zealand fur seals if you’re lucky.

With its fantastic coastal scenery, The West End is the place to admire bays and coves and spot wildlife.

A short walk from the Discovery Centre, Pinky Beach is one of the best beaches on Rottnest Island.

Not only is it calm, but it comes with fantastic views.

Bathurst Lighthouse is just nearby, and you can also snorkel, kayak and SUP on this beach.

If you’re hungry, Pinky’s Beach Club is just nearby.

You can watch the sunset and soak in the views while enjoying modern Australian cuisine and cocktails – it can’t get any better.

One of the largest beaches on Rottnest Island, Geordie Bay doesn’t just have vibrant blue waters but also powdery white sand.

It’s a popular swimming spot and is the perfect beach to relax and watch the sunset with a drink.

Near the Geordie Bay area, there are also plenty of accommodation options along with a cafe, making it convenient to have everything you need close to the beach.

It’s one of the best spots to snap a photo with a quokka.

While Parakeet Bay might be small, it’s certainly picturesque.

Not only is Parakeet Bay teeming with seabirds, but it also comes with gorgeous turquoise water.

It’s easily accessible, has some great snorkelling and is generally relatively quiet.

If you’re looking for soft powdery sand and a spot where you can read a book and take the occasional dip to cool down, this is the beach for you.

It’s the epitome of an island paradise and a spot you won’t want to miss.

Thomson Bay’s roped-off swimming area is ideal for young children.

It also comes with a sweeping stretch of white sand and is exceptionally close to the main settlement – an area with plenty of cafes, restaurants, shops and more.

Known as the Island Playground, here at Thomson Bay, you can get a selfie with a quokka, soak in the sunset and the sights of the ocean dotted with ferries and explore the surrounding areas.

As you can see, Perth is a city with fantastic beaches, whether you’re looking for something family-friendly, a spot to catch the sunset, or just somewhere to unwind with a good book while occasionally taking a dip in the water. 

For more beaches around the world read:

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Perth Museum - The New Home of the Stone of Destiny

Ancient Origins - Scone Palace

Scone Palace

The stone has this lingering reputation without anyone really understanding it fully. It has this international mystique. It's hard for us modern people to understand how this lump of rock can have  so much power and significance

Scone Palace has been in William’s family for 400 years and as such he’s perfectly placed to discuss it and its important connection to the stone. It was here in around 840 AD that Kenneth MacAlpin, the first King of Scots, chose to make Scone the centre of his kingdom.

My first question is how the stone ended up here and where it came from. The oldest legends traced it to the Holy Land, identifying it as the ‘Jacob’s Stone’ of the Bible. There’s even a colourful myth set in Ireland involving an Ancient Egyptian princess. However, geological research suggests that it was mined locally to Scone sometime after the 12th century. So why was it deemed such an important part of our coronation ceremony? According to William:

“The stone has this lingering reputation without anyone really understanding it fully. It has this international mystique. It's hard for us modern people to understand how this lump of rock can have  so much power and significance.”

The most convincing theory, he explains, is that Scone was a place for gathering and decision making for a very long time and that both it, and the stone, held great importance to many different pre-Christian groups. And so, melding together ancient Pictish and Gaelic traditions, the stone was made part of the inauguration ceremony at Scone, giving legitimacy to what was then the young, fledgling realm of Scotland.

Here it was used in the coronations of 42 Scottish Kings over four centuries until 1296 when it was seized by Edward I of England (the bad guy in Braveheart ) during his infamous invasion of the country. Spellbound by its reputed mystical power, he whisked the stone back to Westminster Abbey.

Here it remained until its daring recapture by an intrepid group of Scottish students in 1950. Over the following decades, it moved back and forth across the Anglo-Scots border before coming to rest at Edinburgh Castle.

The magnificent Long Gallery at Scone Palace.

© Scone Palace

The Mystery of Moot Hill

The ancient crowning place of Scottish kings at Moot Hill.

When someone made their vows to the Scottish people and key decisions were made, they were done so by someone standing on a bit of earth that quite literally represents all of Scotland – and that I find really cool.

We take a walk to Moot Hill, in the grounds of Scone. The fact that Edward was so set on obtaining the stone speaks volumes, claims William. Not content with possessing it, he was determined to wipe Scone from the map entirely, petitioning the Pope to dissolve what was then Scone Abbey. This suggests that while the stone was a key ingredient in the inauguration ritual, it appears Scone, and more specifically Moot Hill, were just as vital.

I learn more about the fascinating lore surrounding Moot Hill and its relationship with the stone. Simply put, both were required to give your coronation legitimacy. It’s said its name derives from “boot” referring to an ancient ceremony that may even predate the stone. When a new ruler was anointed, various chieftains from around the land would arrive with a little bit of soil in their boots from their respective domains. Over time these piles of earth formed the “hill”.

“When someone made their vows to the Scottish people and key decisions were made, they were done so by someone standing on a bit of earth that quite literally represents all of Scotland – and that I find really cool.”

We head outside to take a look at the spot, the calls of the estate’s resident peacocks sounding all around. Modest and unassuming – much like the stone itself, it’s likely that Moot Hill served as an important ceremonial role during Pictish times and the early Christian era. Located just over the Tay was the Roman fort of Bertha, where 8,000 Roman soldiers were stationed. William sites this as further evidence of Scone’s strategic and political significance, both for the region’s indigenous tribes and the Roman occupiers.

With all this this in mind, it feels all the more special that visitors are free to actually sit (on a replica of the stone) on Moot Hill, a spot that for so long occupied a profoundly sacred role in Scotland and the wider UK’s history – a place that predates the idea of modern royalty and of Scotland itself.

You could easily spend all day taking in Scone Palace and its gorgeous estate but Perth Museum calls. It’s time to see the real thing.

Learn more about Scone Palace . 

New Beginnings – Perth Museum

The Carpow Logboat is one of the best-preserved historic boats found in Britain.

Familiar with the edifice of the former Perth City Hall, stepping inside what is now Perth Museum feels akin to entering the Tardis. Taking care to preserve as much of the building’s period detail as possible, the result is a cavernous exterior brimming with a vast collection of local artefacts acquired from the 1700s onwards.

After my visit to Scone Palace, finally casting eyes on the symbolic block inside its atmospherically lit chamber feels especially meaningful. An animated video charting the stone’s storied past echoes many of the fascinating details relayed during my tour of Scone.

Other exhibits offer up other surprising connections to Scone. About 3,000 years ago the trunk of a whole oak tree was taken and hollowed out it to make the Carpow Logboat that sailed on the Tay, the remnant of which is now on display. The intricate parquet flooring of the Long Hall at Scone walked by Queen Victoria and Charles II features fragments of a similar ancient dark wood dredged up from the river.

Other personal highlights include the replica of Georgina Ballantine’s 64Ib salmon – the largest ever caught in a British river by rod and line, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s sword, and charming childhood pencil drawings by Beatrix Potter.

The famous Miss Ballantine's Salmon.

Most poignant is a tiny child’s shoe excavated from a site upon which a cottage stood before its inhabitants were evicted during the Highland Clearances. It’s a haunting memento of an otherwise distant historical event.

More treasures are located on the museum’s upper floor as part of its inaugural Unicorn exhibition. I’m most struck by the Danny Jewel – an ornament unlike any I’ve seen. Where you’d expect to find a precious stone, you see instead what looks like an old piece of wood. To its original owner this would have been more valuable than diamonds – it's a “unicorn tusk”, believed to ward off evil and heal the sick.

Like many of the objects on display – alongside the Stone of Destiny and the humble Moot Hill - it’s a vivid reminder of how it’s sometimes the simplest, most mundane objects and places which are imbued with the most extraordinary symbolic power and historical resonance.

They’re what make this modern, innovative museum feel like a missing jewel restored to Perth’s crown, casting a new light on Perth’s recent and distant past. Coupled with a visit to Scone Palace, I cannot imagine a more ideal way to delve into the mystery of this ancient seat of kings. Exiting the museum, I know it will be the first of many visits to come.

Plan a visit to Perth Museum .

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12 replies to this topic

Thanks. I was hoping for 1 connection but I think I'm stiff with 2.

If you start at Edmonton, I can’t see how you would do this in 1 stop.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

You're right, I have to get to Vancouver or somewhere else, I

There is a direct Qantas flight from London to Perth .

Another option would be Edmonton - Vancouver - Auckland - Perth with Air New Zealand and Westjet/Air Canada.

Any way you travel it's going to be a long long trip. It's 14-15 hours across the Pacific from Vancouver to Australia's east coast, then another 5ish hours across to Perth. You won't get much change out of 30 hours of elapsed time.

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General election latest: Minister hangs up on Sky's Sam Coates after being told poll has predicted he'll lose his seat

A YouGov poll has predicted an enormous majority for Labour - and several big names Tories to lose their seats. One of them, Grant Shapps, hung up on our deputy political editor Sam Coates after being told live on the phone.

Monday 3 June 2024 23:00, UK

• General Election 2024

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Election news

• Bulletin: Catch up on the main news from the campaign trail
• Labour set for biggest majority in 100 years - YouGov poll
• Minister predicted to be voted out hangs up live on Sky News
• The top Tories under threat | Why this poll is a big deal | '31 days to save Tory party'
• Farage to stand at general election | Taking over as Reform leader
• Be in the audience for our election leaders event
• Live reporting by Tim Baker

Expert analysis

• Jon Craig: Grim record aside, Farage has made a canny choice
• Rob Powell: Farage U-turn is a really significant development
• Adam Boulton: 'Starmtroopers' are purging Labour

Election essentials

• Trackers: Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
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• Read more: Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | How to register to vote | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Your essential guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

We're pausing our live coverage for tonight.

Listen below to the latest Daily Podcast to catch up on the day's events.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

And a new episode of Politics at Jack and Sam's will be live at breakfast time tomorrow. 

👉 Tap here to follow Politics at Jack at Sam's wherever you get your podcasts 👈

By Jennifer Scott , political reporter

The Liberal Democrats will pledge free personal care to "all those who need it" as they make their social care offering on the campaign trail.

Making the announcement on Tuesday, the party will say it would help "end the hospital crisis" by enabling thousands of people ready to be discharged but stuck in hospital beds to get care, as well as help the elderly to "stay in their own homes longer".

The Lib Dems pointed to a report by Age UK that found an estimated 1.6 million people aged 65 and over had unmet care needs, and in April alone, an average of 12,772 hospital beds were being used by people who were ready to be discharged.

Leader Sir Ed Davey said: "As a carer for my disabled son, and after caring for my ill mother when I was young, care is deeply personal for me. That is why I am putting fixing the care crisis at the heart of the Liberal Democrat offer to the country at this election.

"Far too often, family carers are being left to pick up the pieces because the care system simply isn't there for them. Millions of people are going without the care they need, while thousands are stuck in hospital beds instead of being cared for in their own home or a care home.

"We cannot fix the crisis facing the NHS without fixing the crisis facing social care. The Liberal Democrats would bring in free personal care to help people live independently and with dignity, in their own homes wherever possible."

Read the full story below: 

 The front pages for tomorrow unsurprisingly focus on two things: The return of Nigel Farage as a Westminster candidate, and the polling which suggests a record defeat for the Tories.

Neither of these stories will be welcomed among Rishi Sunak's team.

Sir Keir Starmer could be heading to Downing Street with a majority of 194 seats, bigger than what Tony Blair achieved in 1997, according to the first polling projection by YouGov of the campaign.

The projection shows a historic Labour landslide, with the party getting the highest number of seats of any party at an election in history.

At the same time, the Tories are trying to boost ratings by talking about culture wars while Labour is talking about real wars in terms of what they would do for defence. And Nigel Farage has announced he's standing for Reform UK.

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Patterson talks to Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig about the poll and today's developments, and to Scarlett Maguire, director of the polling organisation JL Partners.

We're winding up here for the day - the clock has gone ten and we'll be off to bed soon.

Today felt like a day that could be an inflection point in the election for a number of reasons.

We had big announcements from numerous parties, and a megapoll predicting a historic result.

If you want a fuller rundown, here is today's main news:

• A YouGov poll predicted Labour will win a supermajority of 194 seats - with the Conservatives routed to just 140 MPs;
• Tory ministers are among those who could lose their seat - including the defence secretary, Grant Shapps, who hung up on our deputy political editor Sam Coates when he was told live on air ;
• As chief political correspondent Jon Craig writes, panic will be spread through Tory ranks ;
• Meanwhile, Sky election analyst Professor Michael Thrasher said Rishi Sunak has 31 days to save the Conservative Party ;
• Twelve big Conservative beasts face losing their seats - and  political correspondent  Tamara Cohen  has a despatch from one such constituency .
• Just before this poll was published, Nigel Farage announced he was standing to be an MP for Reform UK - U-turning on his previous stance of not contesting;
• As political correspondent Rob Powell says, Mr Farage doesn't just have his eye on this election but the years ahead ;
• And  political correspondent Gurpreet Narwan  says the news will send shivers down Tory spines;
• This morning, Labour  was pitching itself as the "party of defence"   as it pledged to build new nuclear submarines;
• And the Conservatives were campaigning on reforming the Equalities Act, including wanting to protect single sex toilets;
• Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch also said trans athletes may have to compete with their biological sex ;
• In slightly lighter news, the prime minister revealed his preferred Nando's order - with a surprise inclusion in the sides .
• Elsewhere, the SNP said there was no need for the UK to have a nuclear deterrent , in response to the Labour announcement;
• The Liberal Democrats sabotaged Rishi Sunak as he held a campaign event;
• Meanwhile, political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh outlined the difficulties facing Sir Keir Starmer over Jeremy Corbyn. 

Here are a couple of other stories that may interest you:

Our essential political podcast,  Politics At Jack And Sam's , is going out every week day through the election campaign to bring a short burst of everything you need to know about the day ahead as this election unfolds - here is today's edition .

Tap here to follow Politics At Jack At Sam's wherever you get your podcasts .

Today's poll suggests that in the Conservative heartlands, voters are about to turn on the governing party like never before, Tarama Cohen writes from Godalming, Surrey .

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is running in Godalming and Ash, one of the country's most affluent areas.

Conservative since its creation, Mr Hunt's majority - on different boundaries - was down to 8,817 at tzhe 2019 election, ahead of the Liberal Democrats. YouGov's seat by seat poll predicts it could be overturned altogether. 

It could be a significant moment of election night - compared with cabinet minister Michael Portillo losing his seat in 1997.

Mortgage rates are a key issue for many voters in this commuter town, and switchers were not hard to find. 

Sam and Fi Hayward, who have three children under five, previously voted Conservative but will now back the Lib Dems.

Finance worker Sam - who's natural home is with Conservatives - will be changing who he backs, saying "different issues on our radar now we have a young family".

He is also unimpressed with the government's performance, putting it down to "general incompetence, Brexit hasn't gone their way, COVID hasn't helped". 

Fi is also switching, saying "I think it would be better for our family".

At the Godalming Delights sweet shop, new mum Felicity is also switching away from the Tories. 

"We're living on savings to pay a massive mortgage", she said, and they've taken their older child out of nursery due to the costs.

Retired teacher Jean said the impact of COVID is still on her mind - including a friend who died "while [politicians] were partying".

She's also concerned about children's mental health, a subject the Lib Dems are campaigning on.

But there was still support for the Conservatives here - and lack of enthusiasm for the alternative. 

Retired railway worker Robert Jones said: "I like Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak. I like his apprenticeship scheme, my children's children need a job and all our heavy industries are going."

He was not impressed with the National Service idea - and does worry about Labour.

"Diane Abbott was in, and now she's out. The left always worry me, and the unions - although I was a union man for years - having their sway," he says.

Some voters felt Mr Hunt personally had worked hard as an MP. "He's moderate, and I'm a moderate", said Tory party member David Cooper.

But he was worried about a severe defeat. 

This corner of southwest Surrey, a constituency held by former cabinet minister Virginia Bottomley and now the chancellor, has never deserted the Tories, even at the height of New Labour. 

If the tide turns here on election night, it will be a sign the once unshakeable Blue Wall is really tumbling down.

The candidates for Godalming and Ash are:

• Graham Drage, Reform UK;
• Paul Follows, Liberal Democrats;
• Jeremy Hunt, Conservatives;
• James Walsh, Labour;
• Steve Williams, Greens.

By Jon Craig , chief political correspondent

The findings of the SkyNews/YouGov MRP poll are a disaster for the Conservatives, a worry for Labour and good news for the Lib Dems and Reform UK.

The forecast of a Tory near wipeout  will spread panic among Conservative candidates and potentially spark a fresh bout of mutiny against Rishi Sunak from the right of his party.

For Labour, the suggestion that Sir Keir Starmer is heading for a landslide even bigger than Tony Blair won in 1997 will alarm those in the party already fearing complacency.

But for the Lib Dems, the projection that Sir Ed Davey's party is heading for a result to match the heady days of Paddy Ashdown and Charles Kennedy will be a massive confidence boost.

However, the party that will be really delighted is Reform UK - already newly energised with  Nigel Farage replacing Richard Tice as leader  - who will claim that with Labour on course to win, Tory supporters can vote for them.

There will also be consternation in the Tory high command at the forecast that so many of the party's big beasts - led by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt - are at risk of losing their seat.

Mr Hunt is fighting the new constituency of Godalming and Ash - in his favour it's in a part of the affluent Surrey stockbroker belt represented by Conservative MPs since 1910.

But the cabinet minsters who are vulnerable are in seats held by Labour in the Blair and Brown years or the Liberal Democrats in the Ashdown, Kennedy or Nick Clegg years.

Read Jon's full analysis below:

By Gurpreet Narwan , political correspondent

We've just witnessed what is probably the most dramatic moment of the general election campaign so far - Nigel Farage, a figure of fear for the Tories, is entering the fray ( read more here ).

All eyes will now turn to the polls, where Reform UK is performing at around 12%.

It hasn't made any major breakthroughs so far - and this vote share will not translate into a seat.

However, speaking to Sky News after the announcement, Mr Farage was adamant the party would now ascend and win more than the 3.9 million votes UKIP took in 2015.

It was at that election that Douglas Carswell - after defecting from the Tories - won a seat for UKIP. It is in this seat that Farage is now bidding to be an MP after seven failed attempts to enter the Commons.

Clacton will be viewed as a soft target for Reform. This was a strong Leave voting area and the Conservative candidate, Giles Watling, is a Remainer.

Reform UK is polling above the national average in this seaside town - YouGov and Sky News' MRP poll puts its share here at 19.5%. But the "Farage factor" cannot be underestimated. He could really win here.

All of this will send shivers down the spines of those in Tory HQ, but Sir Keir Starmer may be rubbing his hands with glee.

Polling already suggests that Reform could cost the Tories 100 seats by splitting the right wing vote across the Red Wall and Essex. It explains why the Tories were pushing the message hard that "a vote for Reform is a vote for Labour".

Farage has turned that on its head. The election is a foregone conclusion and the Tories are too divided to be serious in opposition, he says.

Instead, given the Tories have already lost, Farage argues that a vote for the Tories is the real wasted vote.

That's his pitch to voters who he is now inviting to join his "political takeover".

It was a week ago that the government was announcing its plans to reintroduce national service - after a fashion - if they won the election.

The idea is for all 18-year-olds to volunteer at least once a month, and some to join the military for the year.

Since then, pollsters at JL Partners have asked the country for their opinions on the policy.

As part of its survey, it asked 2,013 people to check boxes against answers for which statements they agreed with.

People could tick as many boxes as they want.

Some 32% of people - a total of 651 of the 2,013 - ticked the box saying it made them feel more negative about the Tories.

Meanwhile, 23% - 467 people of the 2,013 - said it made them feel better about the Conservatives.

To break that down, that's 184 more responses that thought badly of the Conservatives after the national service announcement than thought better of it - a nine point gap.

And then 24% of people - 479 - ticked the box saying it made no difference to their views.

Some 12% - 236 - said it made them feel better about Labour, while 3% - 51 - said it made them feel worse about Sir Keir Starmer's party.

And 12% - 243 - said they did not know.

Read more about the national service announcement below.

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