The 10 Best Things to do in Perth Australia

Is Perth your destination for the winter holidays? Whether you’re here during the festive season or after, you’ll likely receive a sunny welcome from the capital city of the largest state of Australia.

Western Australia’s most populous and popular city boasts a great abundance of nature and urban life. There’s plenty of things to do and see here. From swimming in its glassy waters teeming with marine life to strolling through cultural hotspots and glass towers in the Central Business District, Perth has world-class attractions and diversions waiting for you.

Fremantle
Discover the city’s marine and colonial past by booking a segway tour around Fremantle. Learn about the history of this bustling port city, and travel back in time by visiting historic alleyways, landmarks, and nooks and crannies only expert local guides know. A trip to the famous Fremantle Prison, Western Australia’s only World Heritage Site, is essential in truly getting to know Perth.

Western Australian Shipwreck and Maritime Museum
If stories of shipwrecks and treasures buried in the deep sea off the coast of Western Australia lured you to visit Perth, then you’ve got to visit the Shipwreck Galleries located in the heart of Perth Cultural Center. The WA Shipwreck and Maritime Museum houses the ultimate collection of significant artefacts, relics, and even entire vessels (like the 16th-century wooden Batavia ship owned by the Dutch East Indies Company) discovered off the coast of Perth. Find a knowledgeable guide who can tell the stories behind the objects inside the mysterious galleries.

Cottesloe Beach
Between the port town of Fremantle and the main business center of Perth is the picturesque and pristine suburb called Cottesloe. Around November, harmless and playful leopard seals choose this beach to rest and relax. If a beach is good enough for seals, it shows promise for sun and sand lovers, too. Walk ashore, and snorkel in the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean with charming flounders, crabs, and prawns.

City Tours
Locals know their city’s best sights and attractions, and they offer their guidance and assistance for free through a program known as iCity Tours. Choose which among their specialty tours you’d like to join. Better yet, download the city guide through perth.wa.gov.au to know more about the free tour and transport services. This is a brilliant way to tap into the knowledge of Perthites who love to share the most spectacular sights and attractions in their city.

Northbridge Drinking and dining venues
Fantastic restaurants and cafes await diners at Northbridge, an inner suburb of Perth, well-known among discerning local gourmets and tourists on a budget. Taste and share the tapas and pizza at Toledo; savor authentic Southern Indian delicacies at Maya Masala; or eat healthy at Govinda’s Restaurant. Have more time to eat in the city? Another food strip worth a trip is the Beaufort Street Cafes and Restaurants.

Kings Park and Botanic Gardens
Take a photo of Perth from this vantage point for your travel album. This spot gives you the best view of the city’s scenic skyline. Burn some calories by walking or biking around this 1003-acre park. It claims to be the world’s largest inner suburb park. Pay respect to the heroes of war as you pass by the 18m granite obelisk and visit the State War Memorial Precinct. The Western Australia Botanic Garden is also situated in the park, so be sure to pop by and check out more than 3000 species of plants in this grand garden.

Hillarys Boat Harbour
If you’re here between September and December, watch as Humpback whales pass by the harbour from their yearly trip to the Antarctic. This once-in-a-lifetime encounter should not be missed by anyone visiting the city. Some tour companies offer guided whale-watching trips with enlightening and entertaining local guides.

Rottnest Island
Only 30 km off the coast of Perth is the jewel known as Rottnest Island. Go skydiving, swimming, snorkeling, or just laze by its beautiful beaches during the summer, or even in the winter. There’s a smartphone app that you can download for an essential guide to epic tours, activities, and events around the island. Volunteers are available to give you a free tour around the settlement and spot where you can meet cute marsupials known as quokka. Other noteworthy tours you can join include Bayseeker Island Tour, Wadjemup Lighthouse tour, and walking tours to famous reefs and wrecks.

Swan Valley Vineyards
Treat your taste buds to a day of beer, wine, and cider tasting at Swan Valley’s award-winning restaurants and wineries. If you’re with a bunch of kids, a stopover at Margaret River Chocolate Factory is a must. The easiest way to explore the Swan Valley vineyards is to join a food and wine tour with a small group and an experienced local guide. Private tours often offer a side trip to the Perth Zoo. The numbats await your visit.

Lesmurdie Falls
Only 35 minutes from Perth you will find Western Australia’s most wonderful waterfalls, the Lesmurdie Falls. The hilly east of Perth gave rise to this natural wonder that many tourists and locals swoon over. Outdoor enthusiasts can take a bush walk following either the short or lush long trail to the waterfalls. Wear appropriate shoes and bring food and drinks for a spontaneous picnic.

Now that there’s a non-stop flight from London to Perth, it’s only a matter of time before the US has a direct flight to this growing Western Australian capital. Have you booked a trip to Perth? If you haven’t yet, what are you waiting for?