Best Things to Do in and Around Perth, Australia

The number-one activity in Perth will always be visiting the beach. Take your pick from 125km (78mi) of coastline, where white sand and limestone outcrops meet shades of turquoise and blue.

If spending a day lazing on the beach isn’t for you there are still many other ways in which to enjoy the coast. Some of Culture Trip’s favourites include grabbing a coffee or a beer and watching the surfers, walking the coastal path and visiting the seasonal sunset markets.

Perth’s city centre is full of things to see and do and the Central Business District is definitely worth a visit. Firstly, head to St George’s Terrace and London Court to see how the city’s old buildings now rub shoulders with shiny skyscrapers, before heading towards the Narrows Bridge, the blue boathouse and Elizabeth Quay to find street art, sculptures and the parks.

For an alternate way to experience the city, take to the water and explore it by boat, waterbike, SUP, catamaran or even a floating fully licenced pontoon.

South of the city, the 19th-century port city of Fremantle is now a thriving part of Perth, home to heritage buildings, weekend markets, trendy bars and eateries. The famous Little Creatures Brewery is a popular tourist attraction, but still well worth visiting at off-peak times.

Easily reached by public transport or boat down the Swan River, Freo is a laid-back cultural hub, featuring everything from a museum dedicated to shipwrecks, to historic hotels, beach bars and Aboriginal art galleries.

Perth is a great city to use as a base from which to take some great day trips. There is so much to see around the city, including world-class wineries with resident alpacas, waterfalls, wild flowers, quokkas, kangaroos, fairy penguins and sea lions.

If you only have a day or half a day to spare it can be tough to narrow it down, but Culture Trip recommend checking out Swan Valley, Rottnest Island, Perth Hills, Serpentine Falls, Penguin Island, Caversham Wildlife Park or Yanchep National Park.

Perth may not be quite as well known for its food and drink as its eastern counterparts, but it still holds its own, with plenty of inspiring options found everywhere. Choose from farmers markets and food trucks to the restaurants, bars and cafes that line the beaches and streets of Perth and Fremantle.

After dark, Northbridge is the go-to bar district, but there are plenty of great spots all over the city. Visit a rooftop restaurant such as the popular Tiki as FK, enjoy a round of mini-golf at Holey Moley Golf Club or even spend the night throwing axes at trendy venue Lumber Punks.

West Coast sunsets are magical, especially when the clouds light up the sky in a kaleidoscope of colour. Whether you prefer watching your sunsets with a cocktail on a rooftop bar, from the top of a waterfall, on the beach or cuddled up in the back of a ute, it’s well worth making the effort to find a good spot for the nightly show.

While there are plenty of places to choose from, Culture Trip recommends Lesmurdie Falls, Whistlepipe Gully, Hamersley Pool, the not-so-secret Secret Garden, Lake Monger, Heirisson Island and, of course, Cottesloe.