We’ve curated a list of absolute must-do’s for your next WA vacay.
While you’re in Perth, you’re of course going to enjoy some of the city’s best beaches, but what you may not know is there is more to Perth than just its pristine white sand and glistening turquoise water. From world-class wineries to hopping over to Rottnest, here are 22 things you need to do when visiting Perth.
1. Hire a car
Best for: Anyone with a driver’s licence.
If you really want to maximise your time in sunny Perth, the first thing you should do is hire a car. Being a smaller city than its eastern counterparts means Perth’s public transport – while decent – isn’t as well-connected as the likes of Sydney or Melbourne. Plus, Perth is really sprawling-ly long. Fun (but really inconvenient) fact – from top to bottom, Perth is longer than the entire country of Ireland. So if you’d rather spend your holiday enjoying the sunshine rather than sitting on a bus or waiting for an Uber, do yourself a favour and hire a car.
Hire a car to maximise your time in sunny Perth. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
2. Hit the wineries in the Swan Valley
Best for: Wine lovers
Speaking of cars, the oldest winemaking region in WA is only a 30-minute drive from the city (just make sure you have a designated driver.) The Swan Valley has some of the best wineries near Perth, including Mandoon, Lancaster and Nikola Estate.
Enjoy wine tastings at Mandoon Estate. (Image: Tourism Australia)
3. Go camping
Best for: Nature-lovers
Thanks to Perth being the most isolated capital city in the world, it’s filled with some of the country’s most bountiful landscapes – many of which are accessible a short drive from the city centre.
Go off-grid this weekend. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
There are many free and low-cost camping spots near Perth to unwind, unplug and get amongst the great outdoors.
Pitch a tent in the forest. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
4. Spend a day (or three) in Fremantle
Best for: Couples, families and solo travellers
The vibrant city of Fremantle is a truly unique WA destination, where cosmopolitan bars, pubs, restaurants, and cafes meet laid-back vibes and salty beach culture. Add to that the colourful tapestry of colonial, convict and Indigenous history, heritage buildings and vibrant street art, and you’ve easily filled a few days.
The Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison was once a convict barracks. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Check out our guide on all the things to do in Fremantle including everything you need to know about visiting the fascinating Fremantle Prison.
The prison’s unique architecture and rich heritage make it a significant cultural landmark in Western Australia. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
5. Get a coffee (that you won’t find anywhere else in Australia)
Best for: Coffee-drinkers
Head to one of Perth’s best cafes and order a ‘long mac topped up’. For reasons unbeknown to anyone, this has become a unique coffee style evidently found only in Perth.
Get your caffeine fix at one of Perth’s cute cafes. (Image: Helm Media)
Essentially, it’s a traditional long mac served in a 6oz cup – but instead of just ‘staining’ the coffee with the milk, the barista just keeps pouring it to the rim, giving you a coffee-to-milk ratio of about 1:4.
Order your Community Coffee to go. (Image: Helm Media)
Does that really just make it an extra strong latte? Yes. Could we just say extra strong latte? Yes. Do we just like saying ‘long mac topped up’? Maybe.
Sip your coffee out in the sun. (Image: Helm Media)
6. Get the ferry to Rottnest
Best for: Snorkelling and bay-hopping
Those quokkas aren’t going to take selfies of themselves, are they? The Rottnest Ferry conveniently leaves from the heart of Perth at the Barrack Street Jetty in Elizabeth Quay.
Plan a weekend trip to Rottnest Island from Perth. (Image: Rottnest Island Authority)
It’s a 90-minute ferry ride (but if you’re prone to seasickness, consider leaving from Fremantle which is only a 30-minute trip.) Spend the night at one of the luxe accommodation options or just do a day trip.
Snap an ethical selfie with a quokka. (Image: (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
7. Explore Elizabeth Quay
Best for: Families and city-based exploring
Elizabeth Quay is Perth city’s glistening waterfront precinct, home to beautiful bars, restaurants and even a brewery perched on an island.
Elizabeth Quay is Perth’s sparkling precinct. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
Take a stroll around the pedestrian-friendly zone, cross the Elizabeth Quay footbridge for a great view back over the city and admire the various sculptures and public art scattered across the quay.
Sign up for water-based activities at the quay. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@aeroture_au)
8. Visit Kings Park
Best for: Families and wildflower-enthusiasts
Perth’s iconic Kings Park is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, spanning over 400 hectares (for context, New York’s Central Park is 340.)
Take an easy stroll to Perth’s iconic Kings Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
It offers stunning views of the Swan River and Perth skyline, and has many bush walking trails, nature playgrounds for kids, cafes and restaurants and one of the biggest collections of wildflowers in the country.
The pristine park is teeming with nature and unrivalled views. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
9. Head for the hills
Best for: Nature-lovers and wine-enthusiasts
Perth Hills is an often overlooked area, but it’s home to some stunning natural scenery, beautiful trails and some of the best wineries near Perth – Myattsfield and Mandoon Estate are stand-outs. Go for a morning hike and then unwind with a winery lunch.
Head to Perth Hills for a winery experience like no other. (Image: Tourism Australia)
10. Get sunset fish and chips
Best for: Seafood and sunset lovers
You simply cannot visit Perth and not enjoy the spectacle of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean. Anywhere along the coast will give you a great view, but a particularly nice way to do it is to get fish and chips down at Cottesloe Beach and park up on the grassy foreshore – it’s terraced, so nobody can obstruct your view.
The iconic Indiana Teahouse is perched on pristine white sand. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
11. Get cultured at Perth Cultural Centre
Best for: Art lovers and culture vultures
Perth Cultural Centre lies in the heart of vibrant Northbridge, and features the State Library of WA, The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (and its adjoining bar, PICA bar) The State Theatre, Blue Room Theatre, and the Art Gallery of Western Australia – which is also home to one of Perth’s best rooftop bars, AGWA Rooftop.
AGWA Rooftop is one of Perth’s best rooftop bars for a tipple. (Image: Rift Photography)
12. Visit WA Museum Boola Bardip
Best for: Families and culture vultures
The recently rebuilt WA Museum Boola Bardip is also within the Perth Cultural Centre, but deserves its own special mention. The $400-million state-of-the-art museum seamlessly integrates heritage buildings with contemporary structures, and showcases the rich history, culture, and biodiversity of Western Australia.
Immerse in WA’s rich history, culture and biodiversity at Boola Bardip. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@aeroture_au)
The name “Boola Bardip” means “many stories” in the local Noongar language, reflecting the museum’s mission to tell the diverse stories of the region. It has a mix of permanent exhibitions as well as special exhibits, plus interactive displays, educational programs, events and talks.
Gain insight into First Nations stories through art. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
13. Catch a game at Optus Stadium
Best for: Sports fans
Optus Stadium has been recognised as Australia’s best stadium multiple times, and has been named the Most Beautiful Sports Facility in the World and was 2022’s International Venue of the Year.
Optus Stadium glistens from above. (Image: Tourism Western Australia/@a_rich_visual)
The state-of-the-art stadium was built with a ‘fans first’ approach – as such, every seat has an exceptional view and there are more than 1,000 TV screens throughout the venue ensuring you never miss any of the action – including two of the largest super screens in Australia, each measuring 340 square metres.
Catch a football or cricket game. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
14. Watch an outdoor movie
Best for: Families and couples
When you’re in one of the sunniest spots in the country, it makes sense to watch films outside. Perth is home to several great outdoor cinemas, but the best ones are the Northbridge Rooftop Movies, Somerville Auditorium on the lush University of WA grounds, and the Telethon Community Cinemas in Burswood.
Recline in a deck chair under the stars.
15. Visit Chinatown
Best for: Asian food lovers
In the heart of Northbridge is Perth’s small but vibrant Chinatown, an iconic precinct for locals looking for a good feed at a great price. Look for the red and green pagoda archway on Roe Street with the lion statues on either side.
Walk under a canopy of red lanterns. (Image: City of Perth)
Red plastic lanterns dangle from above and the laneways are littered with plastic chairs and tables filled with locals enjoying ramen, stir fries and bao. Highlights are Billy Lees, Uncle Billy’s and Izakaya Grill.
This hipster’s paradise is bustling from morning to night. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
16. Do a foodie walking tour
Best for: Energetic explorers
Walking tours are a great way to acquaint yourself with a city, and walking tours featuring food and drinks are even better. There are plenty of options in Perth, including Foodloose Tours, Two Feet and a Heartbeat and Eat the Street.
Take a food tour in Perth with Two Feet and a Heartbeat. (Image: Tourism Australia)
17. Explore the city in a rickshaw
Best for: Tired travellers
If you’re not a walker, Peddle Perth offers a unique and fun way to explore the city from the comfort of the back of a rickshaw.
Peddle Perth puts you in the heart of the action. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Your ‘driver’ will take you through Perth’s hidden gems and landmarks, all while giving you a lively and informed description. It’s a fantastic way to see the city.
Wind your way through Perth from the comfort of a rickshaw. (Image: Tourism Australia)
18. Stand-up-paddle-board in Matilda Bay
Best for: Water-lovers
Any visit to a Perth waterway would make you think every West Australian owns a SUP board, and a great place to give it a whirl is Matilda Bay. The picturesque spot along the Swan River is known for its serene waters and stunning views of the city skyline. SUP Central offer hire boards and lessons. And when you’re done, reward yourself with a picnic on the grassy foreshore or lunch at Bayside Kitchen.
Lounge on a grassy area overlooking Matilda Bay. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)
19. Ride the bridges
Best for: Fitness enthusiasts
‘The bridges’ route in Perth is a 10km pedestrian and cycle-friendly loop that runs between the Narrows Bridge and the Causeway Bridge, offering beautiful views of the Swan River, city and lush South Perth.
Pass through Narrows Bridge on two wheels. (Image: Getty/ZambeziShark)
If you’re in the CBD, jump on the ferry and cross the river to South Perth, hire a bike from South Perth Cycles, and get peddling.
Or you can cross the river to South Perth. (Image: lkonya)
20. Get amazing Asian eats in Vic Park
Best for: Foodies
The inner city suburb of Victoria Park has a vibrant immigrant community, resulting in sensational cuisine. The strip of Albany Highway that runs through the suburb is jam-packed with so many incredible Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese and Lebanese restaurants, that you’ll think you’ve been teleported to a different continent. KUZU Japanese, Qin’s Lanzhou Beef Noodle and The Prophet Lebanese are stand-outs.
21. Make a day trip to Guildford
Best for: History buffs
Guildford is one of WA’s oldest towns, established in 1829. It boasts beautifully preserved 19th and 20th-century architecture. The James Street strip is lined with antique shops, boutiques and galleries, as well as a handful of historic pubs like the Rose & Crown and the newly renovated Guildford Hotel.
Pop into the 19th-century Guildford Hotel. (Image: Getty/ZambeziShark)
The quaint suburb is also home to Alfred’s Kitchen – a beloved local institution – known for serving the best burgers in Perth since way back in 1946.
The Rose & Crown Hotel is WA’s oldest operating hotel. (Image: Getty/chameleonseye)
22. Take yourself on a bar crawl
Best for: Drink-enthusiasts
There’s nothing like some warm weather to make you keen for a bar crawl, and luckily Perth has plenty to choose from.
Sip cocktails from the al fresco bar. (Image: Emma Pegrum)
From rooftop terraces, martini bars and whiskey saloons, to cocktail basements and sophisticated wine and cheese bistros, you won’t struggle to find a bevy of great Perth bars.
Pick up a bottle of your choice at Wines of While. (Image: Emma Pegrum)
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The post The ultimate hit list of things to do in Perth appeared first on Australian Traveller.
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