The Best Things To Do In Perth For A Fun Itinerary

Laid back and serene and oblivious to its own natural beauty, Perth is the sunshine capital of Australia and a nature lover’s paradise. Straddling both mountains and oceans, surrounded by towering hills, riverine verdant valleys, stark desert landscapes, national parks, and beaches, the traditional land of the Whadjuk Noongar people is more than just a tourist destination.

Yet the Western Australian capital, tucked away far from the madding crowd is lost in its own charm. Have a picnic in the 400 hectares of King’s Park, head to Elizabeth Quay, go to Freemantle Markets, taste wine at Swan Valley, say hello to a quokka at Rottnest Island, drive coast to coast in Margaret Valley, spot wildlife and whales, get lost in star gazing or watch a mesmerising sunset over a beach. The City of Light is also a gourmet destination focussing on local produce and wine regions that are centuries old. Plan a trip to Western Australia and explore Perth with this curated list of some of the Best Things to do in Perth.

Best time to visit Perth

Spring between September and November is the best time to visit Perth when the wildflowers bloom and the landscape is painted in a riot of colours. Head to King’s Park to see the array of hues and there are several wildflower trails as well. Summers between December and February are great for the beaches as tourists and locals head to Cottesloe or Scarborough to swim or surf while it is also ripe for wine as the harvest season begins and continues to early autumn. Despite the soaring temperatures, the season also heralds the arty Fringe World and Perth Festival as well. Tourists also flock in autumn from March to May as the weather is balmy and it is a great time to be outdoors. Winter between June to August is usually wet and cold and is considered a low season.

Best free thing to do in Perth

Go on a free walking tour of Perth

Explore Perth and its icons, listen to stories of convicts, lose yourself in parks and gardens or enjoy the art and cultural scene by attending any of the free walking tours in Perth. Conducted by local volunteers, the 90-minute free orientation walking tours start from the Perth City Visitor Kiosk and take you into the heart of Perth where you can explore Kings Park and Gardens, Elizabeth Quay, and Perth Mint. There are also paid tours to Freemantle, Swan Valley, Rottnest Island, and The Pinnacles among other destinations. Book the icity Perth Free Walking Tour or Buddy Free Walking Tours or if you prefer to go on a self-guided walk, then download the Perth Trails App that offers curated trails by the City of Perth showcasing the heritage, arts, and other natural attractions of Perth. You can also take the free CAT ( Central Area Transit) Hop on Hop Off buses in Perth to explore the city.

Best fun thing to do in Perth

Soak up the sun on the myriad of beaches

Get some sun, sand and surf at the incredible beaches around Perth. Go swimming at City Beach, which is the closest to the city and is a foodie’s favourite as well with scores of restaurants and pubs. Cottesloe Beach with its soft sandy shores is a photographer’s delight and looks absolutely gorgeous during sunset. Take a seat in one of the numerous cafes on Marine Parade and enjoy the vibe. In March, the sands transform into art for Sculpture by the Sea festival. If you feel like surfing then head to Scarborough Beach or Scabs as the locals call it and neighbouring Trigg Beach, besides surfing hotspots like Waterman’s Bay and Mettams Pool.

Best thing to do for culture in Perth

Explore the iconic Freemantle Prison

Explore the cultural precinct of Perth either by CAT Buses or on a walking tour, visiting the Perth Cultural Centre, Western Australia Museum, Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. While the iconic Perth Mint is sheer gold, see the towering Swam Bell Tower with its 18 bells. Take a ferry to the port town of Freemantle and head to the museum at the UNESCO Heritage Freemantle Prison.

Don’t miss the Torchlight tour in the night, where you might be spooked by the ghosts of the past as you listen to tales of convicts and criminals. The Round House is one of the oldest buildings and a prison as well. The century-old Freemantle Market with its 150 stalls should be on your itinerary if you are here during the weekend. The Western Australia Maritime Museum and the WA Shipwreck Museum are recommended as well.

Best thing to do for couples in Perth

Wine, chocolates and cheese at Swan Valley

A 30-minute drive from Perth and you are in a 200-year-old wine region of Western Australia with 40 wineries, in a deep riverine valley, believed to be created by a serpent called Wagyl that still lives below the Swan River. A delicious spread of cheese, delectable chocolates and gourmet cuisine with native ingredients awaits you as you sample a vast range of wines from crispy whites like Chenin Blanc to sparkling and fortified varieties. And if you are in this picturesque valley during harvest season, then you can stomp and sip all you want.

Visit wineries like Ugly Duckling, Lancaster Wines, Sandaford Wines, Harris Organic Wines, Edgecombe Brothers Winery, Tyler’s Vineyard, RiverBank Estate, Mandoon’s Estate, Upper Reach, Olive Farm Wines, Faber Vineyard, Twin Hill Wines, Nikola Estate, Oakover Grounds among others. But there is more than just wine. You can even make your own nougat at the iconic family-run Mondo Noughat workshops. And there are craft beer and gin distilleries, artisanal wares, and epicurean delights complemented with wildlife and national parks, river cruises and outdoor activities.

Book your stay at The Westin Perth via Booking.com

Book your stay at The Westin Perth via Agoda.com

Best thing to do with family in Perth

Pose with the animals at Caversham Wildlife Park

With a focus on wildlife conservation, this private family-owned wildlife park with 200 species of native Australian mammals and marsupials, birds and reptiles is located in Whiteman Park, a reserve of natural bushland located near Swan Valley and is a haven for families and kids. Don’t miss the farm show where the sheep are getting sheared and you can bottle feed a lamb but all the excitement is at Molly’s Farm where the animals will pose with you.

There are daily activities where you can say hello to the wombats, meet the koalas and feed the kangaroos and penguins and visit the Reptile House. Adopt an animal from 2000 creatures living in this park or take a longer tour around Whiteman Park where you can also explore the Children’s Forest and visit the charming Village with its Lolly Shop, art galleries and other boutique outlets besides restaurants, cafes and other attractions.

Best thing to do in nature in Perth

Be mesmerised by The Pinnacles

Get mesmerised by the hundreds of limestone formations standing tall in the spectacular desert lunarscape of the Nambung National Park. Formed over millions of years, the Pinnacles are earth pillars, some soaring over 3.5 metres and scattered amidst the ochre-tinged sands, making you feel like you are in an ethereal landscape. Stop by the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre to learn about the formation of the limestone columns.

Located near Cervantes and a little over a couple of hours away from Perth by road, you can plan a day trip to the Pinnacles by taking any of the tours. Combine it with the bushlands of Yanchep National Park and the coastal vibe of Lancelin. Explore the Crystal Cave and as you hike around the park, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of Western Grey Kangaroos while at Lancelin, you can either snorkel and dive in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean or go sandboarding on sheer white sands.

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Best thing to do for adventure in Perth

Go on coastal hikes in Rottnest Island

Take a ferry to Rotto, the fond nickname given to the Rottnest Island, a picturesque nature reserve with limestone reefs, underwater caves and incredible beaches – there are over 60 of them with 20 spectacular bays, but the most brag-worthy experience is taking a selfie with the endemic adorable marsupial quokka, dubbed the “happiest animal in the world”.

The Basin is a haven for swimming, while Pinky Beach, Thomson Bay, Little Salmon Bay, Fay’s Bay, Parker Point, Geordie Bay, and Parakeet Bay are some of the idyllic hotspots to snorkel and dive. The Noongar Aboriginal People called the island, Wadjemup and you can go on an indigenous cultural and historic trail exploring the 20-metre towering Lighthouse and visiting the Rottnest Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts can hike along the 45 km coastal Wadjemup Bidi Trail, divided into many sections with Hike Collective.

Book your stay at Como The Treasury via Booking.com

Book your stay at COMO The Treasury via Agoda.com

Best thing to do at night in Perth

Go bar hopping

As the stars come up, all roads lead to Northbridge for its bustling nightlife with its medley of rocking bars, pubs, jazz clubs, wine bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. Other hotspots can be found around Mount Lawley and Leederville as well.

Go bar hopping from Geisha Bar, Universal Bar, Mint, Ezra Pound, Ruin Bar, Edward & Ida, Pica Bar, Toots, Jack Rabbit Slim’s, The Bird, Mechanics Institute, Northbridge Brewing Company, Henry Summer, Clarences, Connections, Air Night Club to The Republic Night Club among others. Head to the beaches of Freemantle for more parties and music and choose among Flight Club, Fremantle Buffalo Club, Patio Bar, Little Creatures, Bathers Beach House, Young George, Mojo’s Bar, and Whos your Mumma among others.

Best thing to do in summer in Perth

Say hello to Little Penguins at Penguin Island

Take a ferry across the azure waters of the Shoalwater Bay to the 12.5 hectares of Penguin Island, a marine conservation park where over 200 little penguins call it home. While it is a great destination throughout the year, the best time to spot the penguins is during the summer moulting period. Head to the Penguin Discovery Centre to see them up close and also watch the feeding show by rangers.

While there may not be a Penguin Parade like in Victoria’s Philip Island but you can take any of the wildlife cruises and swim with the dolphins and snorkel with the sea lions besides spotting more birds like terns and gulls as well. You can even skydive at Rockingham, subject to weather conditions and take in sensational views of the bay, the island and the marine park. There are however restrictions for visitors during the nesting and breeding seasons of the penguins while some cruises may still be operational.

Best thing to do in winter in Perth

Lose yourself in Avon Valley

Take a hot air balloon ride over rolling hills and meandering rivers, lose yourself in the galaxy of stars at night, try white water rafting, explore the untamed wilderness through innumerable walking trails, visit wineries, galleries and bakeries, and drive around historic settlements and old towns in the mesmerising Avon Valley, the land of the Ballardong Noongar people and the first inland colonial settlement in Western Australia.

Located just an hour from Perth, you can go on a driving holiday discovering heritage country towns like York, Toodyay, Beverley, Northam, and Goomalling among others, peppered with museums and murals, artisanal shops and restaurants and watering holes. There are over 18 hotspots for stargazing and if that is not breathtaking enough, camp around lakes, picnic at farms and go for long walks.

Book your stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth via Booking.com

Book your stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth via Agoda.com

Related: Sun, Sand, Sea And Surf: Bookmark These Best Beaches In Australia For That Summery Vibe

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  

– What are some of the shopping places in Perth?
King Street is a staple destination for shopping, while Freemantle Market besides Twilight Hawkers Market and other flea, artisan, seaside and weekend markets is great for local produce. There are also malls and shopping centres like Karrinyup Shopping Centre, Maalinyup Aboriginal Gallery, Hay Street Mall, and London Court. Murray Street Mall among others.

– What are the best things to buy in Perth?
From artisanal chocolates to nougats, wine and cheese to handmade arts and crafts, jewellery to gifts, there are several things to buy in Perth

– What are the best cultural places to visit in Perth?
Perth Cultural Centre, Western Australia Museum, Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts are some of the cultural places to visit in Perth. You can also take a ferry to Freemantle and see the UNESCO Heritage Freemantle Prison besides heading to the Western Australia Maritime Museum and the WA Shipwreck Museum. The Freemantle Markets are iconic as well.

– Are there any beaches in Perth?
Yes, there are incredible beaches in and around Perth. Besides the City Beach, head to Cottesloe Beach, Scarborough Beach, Mettams Pool, Trigg Beach, Bathers Beach and Leighton Beach in Freemantle.

– What are the best festivals in Perth?
Several art and music festivals in Perth and Freemantle starting with Perth Festival, Out of the Woods, Spilt Milk, Grapevine Gathering, Rotto Fest, Kings Park Festival and even a Doggie’s Day Out.

– What are the budget things to do in Perth?
There are free walking tours and even CAT buses in Perth and Freemantle. Explore King’s Park and Elizabeth Quay, head to the beaches., stroll around the markets, including Freemantle Market, visit the Perth Cultural Centre and the museums, take the ferry on Swan River and to Penguin Island and during the wildflower season, lose yourself in the hues that paint the city in myriad shades

– What are the best hotels in Perth?
Ritz Carlton, The Crown Towers, Hyatt Regency, The Westin Perth, Intercontinental Perth City Centre, The Adnate Perth-Art Series, Como The Treasury, The Melbourne Hotel, and Alex Hotel Northbridge are some of the best hotels in Perth

– What are the nearby cities to Perth that can be explored by road?
Margaret River Region, Busselton Jetty, Pemberton, Kalbarri, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, and Wave Rock are some of the destinations within a three to six-hour drive from Perth. You can also visit Freemantle, Cervantes. Lancelin, and Swan Valley among other places which are less than two hours by road from Perth.

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