Overview
Perth edges the Indian Ocean – with 19 pale, sandy beaches – framed around enormous Kings Park (Kaarta Koomba), and carved by the s-bends of the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan). Western Australia’s capital is a dynamic city that balances its natural beauty with a lively after-dark scene.
The Western metropolis is the sunniest capital city in Australia, and its people are as bright as the blue skies overhead. Summer arts festivals collide with days on the water, walks in one of the largest inner-city parks, and half-hour drives to fringing wineries and bushland where you can see kangaroos and cockatoos. Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), famous for its smiling quokkas and picture-perfect bays, is only a 30-minute ferry trip across the ocean.
Perth’s character neighbourhoods deserve exploring. Northbridge’s small bars, street murals and micro boutiques are linked to the city’s core by Yagan Square, a bustling public thoroughfare, and the Perth Cultural Centre, itself home to the newly opened WA Museum Boola Bardip and the Art Gallery of WA. Less than 10 minutes’ drive away, urban villages Leederville, Mt Lawley and Subiaco foster an eclectic mix of local restaurants, shops and bars.
Climate
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Summer
Dec—Feb33°C Avg. High31°C Avg. Low -
Winter
Jun—Aug19°C Avg. High17°C Avg. Low
Places to go
Fremantle
Fremantle (Walyalup) has a way of drawing you in and making you want to stay forever. Its charm is found in narrow streets lined with historic buildings, a seagull-scattered port bobbing with fishing boats, one-off shops, unconventional breweries, and quirky buskers. It can be reached from central Perth via a 25-minute train ride, or half hour drive along Stirling Highway.
Freo, as the locals call it, has a history as colourful as its buzzing markets. In days gone by, convicts, bushrangers, prison escapees and sailors frequented the postcode and since 1897, hundreds of tiny stalls run by artists, makers and growers have clustered within the Fremantle Markets’ limestone walls. This DNA has resulted in a creative, independently minded population. Sign up for a walking tour to hear about the port town’s characterful past and present. Many roam the heritage-listed West End, where repurposed former pubs, shipping headquarters and warehouses loom with grand architecture, or you can put on overalls and a hard hat to explore the subterranean tunnels of World Heritage Listed Fremantle Prison – by torchlight – as you learn about its inmates.
Tips
Top experiences in Fremantle:
- The Old Synagogue
- Fremantle Markets
- Fremantle Prison
- Cappuccino Strip
- Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
- Bathers Beach
Rottnest Island
Home to the happiest animals on earth – quokkas – Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) is a holiday haven of pristine beaches, aquamarine bays, bike tracks and walking trails. The best part? The car-free, conservation-minded Class A reserve is only a 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle in our capital city, Perth and an unforgettable adventure for every visitor.
Whadjuk Noongar people are the original Custodians of Wadjemup, and the island holds a rich and complex history for Aboriginal people across WA. Join an immersive Aboriginal tour or visit the Wadjemup Museum and connect to the historical, cultural and spiritual significance of the island.
Ferries bound for Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) depart from Perth, Fremantle (Walyalup) and Hillarys Boat Harbour, while light planes and helicopters offer scenic transits from various locations. Once you’ve crossed the 19-kilometre channel between Perth and the island, get about on foot, with a hired bicycle or e-bike, use the shuttle, or board the hop on-hop off bus, which loops around the 11-kilometre-long island. By night, relax in eco-glamping tents, historic cottages, a beachfront hotel or, bring your camping gear to enjoy the simple life as city lights twinkle across the ocean.
Tips
- Rottnest Island boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Western Australia. Spend time swimming, snorkelling, or sunbathing on the island’s pristine shores. Popular snorkelling spots include The Basin, Little Salmon Bay, and Parker Point.
- Learn about the Island’s rich history by visiting attractions such as the Oliver Hill Battery, Wadjemup Lighthouse, and Rottnest Island Museum. Join guided tours or explore independently to discover the island’s fascinating past.
Swan Valley
Western Australia’s oldest wine region is a patchwork of grapevines and galleries, cellar doors, breweries and produce stalls, all within easy reach of Perth. Taste more than 180 years of winemaking and choose from 150 attractions on a gentle, 32-kilometre loop drive around the region. The Swan Valley is a 30-minute drive from Perth CBD (Boorloo). Many tours will take you there and back. You can do guided tasting tours via river cruise, kayak, limousine, private car, bus and even horse-drawn wagon – or go on a self-led adventure.
The region hosts a hotbed of artisanal makers. Forget the shiny cellar doors and linen napkin service common to high-end wine regions; this is where you’ll find coffee roasters hauling hessian sacks of beans, gin distillers applying bottle labels, restaurant owners hand-picking asparagus and winemakers pouring tastings in between checking barrels. You’ll notice a delightfully unpolished style that delivers an authentic experience – it comes from much of the valley being family-owned and run. Even at the grander wineries, such as Mandoon Estate and Sandalford Wines, there’s a sense of relaxed inclusiveness. It’s what makes the Swan Valley special.
Art peeks between the drinking and dining venues. Aboriginal owned-and-operated Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery is a highlight, as is the little-known Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park. Being a diverse place for all-ages, there’s also koala holding and kangaroo feeding at Caversham Wildlife Park, found inside Whiteman Park, where there are vintage train rides and playgrounds. See live (contained) bees at The House of Honey, indulge at Whistler’s Chocolate Company and stock up at Mondo Nougat Factory.
Tips
- Popular wineries to visit include Sandalford Wines, Houghton Wines, and Upper Reach Winery.
- Explore Swan Valley’s history by visiting attractions such as Guildford, the region’s oldest settlement, and historic buildings like the Guildford Courthouse and Woodbridge House. Join guided heritage walking tours or explore independently to discover the area’s fascinating past.
Mandurah
A lifestyle town with a holiday vibe, Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap) combines dolphin spotting and relaxing canal cruises with adventures to lesser-known wetlands and beaches, all within one hour of Perth. Mandurah, or Mandjoogoordap, an Aboriginal Nyoongar word meaning ‘meeting place of the heart,’ rings true for many visitors. Learn about the area’s ancient culture on a walking tour with an Aboriginal elder or take a special Mandurah Cruises journey led by a traditional custodian. Keep an eye out for the Aboriginal sculptures and interpretive signs throughout Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap).
Interesting waterways lie only minutes from the town centre. There are rugged beaches where you can explore in a four-wheel drive, such as Tim’s Thicket, or quieter swimming stretches including Town Beach and Halls Head Beach. There’s also the Peel-Harvey Estuary which is twice the size of Sydney Harbour and contains samphire saltmarshes and the internationally significant Peel-Yalgorup Wetlands. Join an eco-tour of the wetlands – on foot, in a kayak or on a sailboat – and observe waterbirds and wildlife in their natural habitats.
Tips
- Check local event calendars for festivals, markets, and cultural events happening in Mandurah during your visit. Events like Mandurah Crab Fest and Mandurah Stretch Arts Festival offer opportunities to experience local food, art, and entertainment.
- Explore the natural beauty of Mandurah’s surrounding parks and reserves. Visit places like Lake Clifton Thrombolites, Yalgorup National Park, and Serpentine National Park for bushwalking, birdwatching, and picnicking.
Tips & Suggestions
- Perth has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses, trains, and ferries. Consider purchasing a SmartRider card for discounted fares. Additionally, renting a car can provide flexibility for exploring attractions outside the city centre.
- Don’t miss stunning views from Kings Park and Botanic Garden, and spend time relaxing on the city’s beautiful beaches, such as Cottlesloe Beach and Scarborough Beach.