Things to do in Perth

All about Perth

When to visit

Perth usually has a mild but wet winter, so most locals are breathing a sigh of relief by the time spring rolls around. Not only does September bring warmer weather, it’s also prime time to see wildflowers, with colorful displays popping up around the city and a month-long wildflower festival held in Kings Park. Summer is also Perth’s time to shine, with nearly 80 miles (125 kilometers) of beautiful Indian Ocean coastline to explore.

Getting around

Perth is one of those cities you can easily navigate by bicycle, bus, train, or car, depending on how far you want to go. Around the city center, public transport is a good option, with trains and buses out to some of Perth’s best attractions, including Elizabeth Quay, Perth Cultural Precinct, Northbridge, Scarborough, and Fremantle. However, if you want to cruise along the coastline, and enjoy the freedom of the open road, nothing beats renting a car and going exploring.

Traveler tips

For a city of its size, Perth is still very connected to nature. Around the city you’ll find an island filled with penguins, flower-dotted nature reserves, riverside parks, waterfalls, and even ancient caves that were once a hidden dancehall for the city’s elite. Lovers of the stars will also find two observatories, where you can join stargazing sessions led by Aboriginal elders and learn about the mysteries of the night sky told by the world’s first astronomers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Perth best known for?

Perth is known as one of the most isolated cities in the world—and for being the capital of the state of Western Australia. With the Indian Ocean to the west and the vast expanses of Western Australia in every other direction, Perth is an ideal jumping-off point for this dramatic region of Australia.

How can I spend 3 days in Perth?

With three days in Perth, you can see the central city’s best, plus surrounding areas. Visit top attractions such as Kings Park and the waterfront on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Swan River. Make day trips to Rottnest Island, Swan Valley, and Pinnacles Desert.

What activities are there in Perth?

Perth offers a range of cultural and outdoor activities. In the city, cruise the Swan River, visit the bush-covered Kings Park, and take a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Nearby, enjoy a Swan Valley wine tour, whale watch on the way to Rottnest Island, and admire the otherworldly Pinnacles Desert formations.

What is so special about Perth?

Perth is unusual as such an isolated city, with the Indian Ocean to the west and the vast deserts of Western Australia everywhere else. Residents embrace a frontier spirit, born out of isolation. There are many unique and dramatic natural attractions nearby, from Rottnest Island to the Pinnacles Desert.

What can you do in Perth for free?

Visitors to Perth can enjoy loads of free activities, many of which are outdoors. Swim or snorkel at the beaches, follow a city or mountain biking trail, hike in the forests east of the city, browse farmers markets, and stroll among more than 200 public art installations around the city.

What’s nearby to Perth?

Attractions and sights of interest near Perth include Rottnest Island, famous for its quokkas; Pinnacles Desert, with dramatic rock formations; Swan Valley, with vineyards that produce some of Western Australia’s finest wine; and Margaret River, a town with white sand beaches and more fine wine.

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