Boating, boarding and swimming on the Swan River

With over 145 days of sunshine each year, Perth is the sunniest capital city in Australia. Plus, with some of the country’s best beaches and plenty of nature, parks and wildlife right on its doorstep, it’s no wonder locals and tourists alike spend most of their time here in the great outdoors.
Whether you enjoy surfing, snorkelling, sunbathing or drinking cocktails and eating fish and chips as the sun sets over the ocean, Perth’s coastline has something for everyone. Our favourite spots include snorkelling the Omeo shipwreck at Coogee, surfing in Trigg, fishing at Hillarys Boat Harbour and swimming at Cottesloe. During the winter months, you can also take a whale-watching cruise and be on the lookout for dolphins and seals.
There are a fair few perks to being one of the world’s most isolated cities, but one is the magical night skies – and the fact that you don’t have to go too far out of the city to see them in all their glory. Take it up a notch with a sunset walk in the Hills followed by a trip out to Perth Observatory in Bickley, where you can marvel at the solar system through super high-tech telescopes.