10 Things You Must Do in Perth, Australia
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Perth, the state capital of Western Australia, is the most isolated city in the world. If the white sand and blue water beaches don't pull you in maybe the active lifestyles and nearby wine regions will attract you.
You might be moving to Perth, on holiday or starting an adventurous road trip south or north of the city. Whatever your reason for visiting Perth, you’ll want to keep reading to discover 10 things to do in Perth Australia.
Have a stroll around Elizabeth Quay
You'll find Elizabeth Quay in the heart of the city and right on the banks of the Swan River. It's the perfect place to take a stroll and watch the boats come and go, or admire the skyline views from the bridge. There are a few boats that depart from here to either take you on a dinner cruise along the Swan or a ferry to Rottnest Island (more on that later).
You also will find a handful of bars and restaurants here and it does make for a lovely place to sit have a bite to eat and a refreshing drink.
Visit Kings Park and the Botanical Gardens
Kings Park is one of the world's largest inner city parks and boasts some incredible views over the city and the river. It's the perfect spot to spend the day, just make sure you wear some super comfy shoes, as there's a lot of walking involved.
Also inside Kings Park, you will find the Western Australian Botanic Garden home to 17 hectares of stunning garden displays and free to enter. The walkway over the treetops and the water garden are my two favourite spots. You can get a map from the visitor information centre or join a tour daily at 10 am or 1 pm, see more information here.
You can walk to the park from the city centre, however, you may notice it’s a lot higher than the river which means STAIRS or HILLS. Jacobs Ladder made up of 242 steps is quite a popular way to make your way to the northeast corner of King’s Park. Personally, I would utilise the city’s free CAT buses instead. The Blue Cat bus travels between Perth Busport and Kings Park, via Perth Station and Elizabeth Quay Bus Station.
Take a boat to explore South Perth
As I mentioned earlier there are quite a few boats that depart from Elizabeth Quay, one of them being the Transperth Ferry to Mends Street Jetty (South Perth). The journey is very scenic and if you grab a seat by the window you can enjoy a lovely view of the city skyline. You can either use your SmartRider or purchase a ticket at the office by the departure point.
Once you get off the ferry have a stroll along the South Perth promenade, you can hire kayaks, boats or paddleboards from Funcats Watersports, stop by Perth Zoo or have a refreshing beverage at Windsor Hotel.
Bonus Tip- if you have a smart rider do this on a Sunday as it’s free travel!
Explore the area of Fremantle
Fremantle is about a 30-minute train journey out of the centre of Perth and it offers a laid-back vibe with a lot to explore. You could do a never-ending cafe crawl, go shopping at the markets, visit the Fremantle prison, take a brewery tour of Little Creatures, watch a sunset from Bathers Beach and that’s only scratching the surface of things to do here.
16 Fun Things to Do in Fremantle ->
Get active and take on the Perth Cycle Trails
Perth has an average of 8 hours of sun per day making it one of the sunniest places in the world. So what better idea than to get outside and enjoy the sunshine on a bike ride? With plenty of trails around the city, you can go anywhere you please. I recommend the Swan River Loop for fantastic views and a wholesome day of fun.
Plan your journey around the cycle paths ->
Witness a magical Perth sunset
Nothing hits like a Perth sunset on a clear day, I mean look at the photo above. I can promise you it looks just as magical not through a camera lens. I believe the best place to catch these Perth sunsets is from the coastline. Cottesloe is a good choice as you’ll be able to watch the surfers and windsurfers which is fun. There is also a handful of bars/restaurants along the Cottesloe coastline if you prefer to watch the sun disappear with a cocktail in hand. Otherwise, some other lovely spots I have enjoyed are South Beach, King’s Park or Bathers Beach in Freo.
Bonus Activity- Catch a sunrise from Kings Park, if you're an early bird. Like a real early bird, sunset time in the summer in Perth is not for the faint-hearted.
Check out the beaches surrounding the city
Western Australia has a striking coastline, so it’s simply a must to check out the beaches in Perth. Here are some of the best beach spots that are accessible by public transport from the city centre.
Cottesloe Beach is the most iconic beach in Perth making it an ideal place for a dip in the sea. It's also the perfect spot to watch the sunset, but you might want to take a jumper with you as in the afternoon in Perth it tends to get quite windy by the coast.
City Beach is a little quieter, whilst still having the gorgeous white sand and bright blue sea vibes of Cottesloe. With plenty of space and a new boardwalk, it's also an ideal spot for a walk along the coastline.
Scarborough/Trigg Beach are further north of the city. Scarborough is known to be very backpacker-ish and has a lively atmosphere with things always happening on the beachfront. Trigg Beach (photo above) is one of my favourite beaches in Perth it is stunning and only a 15-minute walk from Scarborough.
Coming soon! A beach guide to Perth, Australia
Hop on a whale-watching boat
Depending on what time of year you are visiting Perth you might be able to spot some of these gorgeous sea creatures. I recently did a tour to see humpback whales in October and we got to see so many whales breaching and swimming around.
If you are visiting between August - December you will likely be able to witness the humpback migration. Or in April - May you could spot the magnificent Blue Whale.
We went with Whale Watch Western Australia from Fremantle and had a great experience, find out more here.
Go wine tasting in Swan Valley
Get yourself out of the city and head on a short 25-minute journey to the area of Swan Valley. Stop by the distilleries, taste some local wines and relax in the gorgeous vineyards of Swan Valley. And it’s not just wine you will find here there are chocolatiers, honey producers and ice cream and nougat makers.
Discover the range of tours in Swan Valley ->
Get yourself a Quokka selfie on Rottnest Island
Easily the best thing I did during my time in Perth was visit Rottnest Island, this place is like nothing I had ever seen before. The island is surrounded by stunning blue waters and is littered with gorgeous coves and beaches to explore.
Take the ferry from the city of Perth and be transported to paradise in around 90 minutes or just 30 minutes if you go from Fremantle. Most people opt to rent a bike for the day to explore Rottnest and this is what I would recommend. However, you can walk or catch the bus if you wish. Don’t forget the all-important snap with the VIP of this place the Quokkas, your cute new furry friend.
Rottnest Island Itinerary: A guide to Perth's best day trip ->
Let us know your favourite thing to do in Perth, Australia in the comments below.
