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Perth’s rare mix of big-city energy and relaxed coastal charm makes it one of Australia’s most underrated destinations. Between the Indian Ocean and the desert, it serves up everything from beaches and wildlife encounters to wineries and cultural landmarks.
Read on for all the must-do experiences in Perth.
1. Get lost in Kings Park
Bigger than New York’s Central Park, Kings Park offers 400 hectares of bushland, botanical gardens and elevated views over the Swan River and city skyline, which are particularly magical at sunset. Wander through the Western Australian Botanic Garden with more than 3,000 species of unique flora, including ancient boab trees and seasonal wildflowers that carpet the park in spring. Lotterywest Federation Walkway takes you through the treetops on a glass-and-steel bridge, while the State War Memorial offers moments of quiet reflection.
2. Fall in love with Fremantle
Just 30 minutes south of Perth’s CBD, Fremantle is a historic port city that’s held onto its 19th-century charm with beautifully preserved colonial architecture. Fremantle Markets (operating since 1897) are essential for fresh produce and artisan goods. The South Terrace, known as the Cappuccino Strip, is lined with alfresco cafés, while the working harbour still brings in the day’s catch. Round off your visit with a craft beer at Little Creatures Brewery (currently closed for renovations; its grand reopening will be announced on its socials), housed in a rustic converted warehouse right on the water.
3. Meet quokkas on Rottnest Island
This car-free island, just a short ferry ride from the mainland, is famous for two things: the happiest marsupials on the planet (quokkas) and some of Australia’s most pristine beaches. Hire a bike and roam around the 19-square-kilometre island, stopping at secluded beaches like The Basin and Parakeet Bay for snorkelling in crystal-clear waters. Quokkas roam freely here; while these pint-sized, friendly creatures are keen to photobomb your selfies, remember to keep a respectful distance.
4. Sip your way through Swan Valley
Just 25 minutes from the city, Swan Valley is Western Australia’s oldest wine region. The boutique wineries here focus on small-batch, quality drops, particularly Verdelho and fortified wines. Sandalford Wines offers vineyard lunches with estate-grown produce, while Mandoon Estate combines wine with an onsite brewery and homestead restaurant. Stop at The House of Honey for tastings straight from the hive, or visit one of the craft distilleries like West Winds.
5. Cruise the Swan River at sunset
The Swan River winds through the heart of Perth, and seeing the city from the water offers a completely different perspective. The scenery is at its most spectacular during golden hour on a sunset cruise, as you glide past riverside mansions and Kings Park from below. If you’re after something more active, opt for a kayak tour and explore at your own pace, paddling through calmer sections and getting up close to the riverbanks.
6. Discover hidden treasures at The Perth Mint
Dating back to 1899, this now-tourist attraction is Australia’s oldest operating mint and produces legal tender coins and gold bars to this day. It offers a fascinating glimpse into gold rush history and modern production and refinery, with live demonstrations showing the molten metal poured into a traditional ingot mould. On display are some seriously impressive pieces, including a one-tonne coin. Handle a real gold bar (it’s heavier than you think), see the world’s largest collection of natural gold nuggets and learn about the prospectors who shaped Western Australia’s history.
7. Hit the beaches in Cottesloe, Scarborough & beyond
Perth’s coastline is home to some of the best beaches in Australia, with stretches of sand to suit every kind of beachgoer. Start at Cottesloe, a wide crescent of white sand backed by the iconic Indiana Tea House. Further north, Scarborough has had a major glow-up in recent years, thanks to its revamped foreshore and upgraded public facilities. Keep going to Trigg Beach, a local favourite known for its surf breaks and rock pools, or head south to Leighton Beach in Fremantle, where calm, dog-friendly shores invite you to linger. Wherever you go, the Indian Ocean is inviting year-round, and the sunsets are always world-class.
8. Go whale watching (September to December)
Every year, humpback and occasionally southern right whales cruise past Perth’s coastline during their annual migration. Seeing them out on the water is genuinely thrilling: tour operators run trips from Hillarys Boat Harbour and Fremantle, taking you out to the continental shelf where whales are most active and you might be lucky enough to see them breach. Dolphins frequently join the show, while seals bask on offshore rocks. September through December is peak season (or earlier for southern rights), with November offering the highest numbers as whales make their southward journey back to Antarctic waters.
9. Explore the Cultural Precinct
Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge packs several of the city’s key institutions into one walkable area. The Art Gallery of Western Australia holds an impressive collection of Indigenous and contemporary Australian art, while the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip showcases everything from dinosaur fossils to the state’s maritime history. Street art is splashed across laneways connecting these spaces, and the whole precinct has a creative, slightly edgy energy that contrasts nicely with the city’s polished CBD.
10. Wander through the laneways and arcades
Perth’s laneways have transformed in recent years, from overlooked shortcuts into destinations in their own right. Wolf Lane is a hub for street art and boutique bars, while the heritage-listed London Court arcade transports you to Tudor England with its mock-Elizabethan architecture and charming shops. Tiny bars tucked into basement spaces, hole-in-the-wall coffee roasters and independent boutiques fill these hidden corners.
11. Take the kids to Adventure World or Perth Zoo
Perth knows how to keep families entertained. Adventure World, with its water slides and rollercoasters, is particularly brilliant during the hot summers when water attractions become essential. Or take advantage of the shade beneath the canopies of Perth Zoo, which focuses on conservation and animal encounters. Walk through the Asian Rainforest, meet sun bears and tigers, or visit the Australian Bushwalk where kangaroos, koalas and wombats do their thing.
12. Get your adrenaline fix in the Perth Hills
Just east of the city, the Perth Hills offer towering forests, quaint villages and plentiful adventure. Head to the nearby Serpentine Falls and Lesmurdie Falls for scenic waterfall walks and Mundaring Weir for picnics and easy trails, while Araluen Botanic Park explodes with colour during tulip season. For something more adventurous, Bickley Valley is gaining attention as a cool-climate wine region, and zipline operators offer canopy tours through the jarrah forest.
Feature image: SueBeDoo888 / Shutterstock.
