10 Best Things to Do in Perth, Australia
Perth is the sunniest big city in Australia, a laid back capital on the Swan River with the Indian Ocean on its western edge. I came expecting beaches and stayed long enough to find a river, a forest in the city, and some of the friendliest locals I met anywhere. Here is my list of the best things to do in Perth, from the park above the river to the island full of smiling marsupials.
1. Spend an afternoon in Kings Park
Kings Park is a huge riverside park right above the city, and the view from the war memorial across the water to the skyline is the classic Perth photo. I walked the treetop bridge where the canopy walkway floats above a forest of cinnamon banksia and tuart trees, then hunted for wildflowers along the bush paths. On Sunday mornings the road near the park becomes a busy market, and the whole place is perfect for a lazy picnic.
2. Meet the quokkas on Rottnest Island
Rottnest is a short ferry ride from Fremantle and famous for its quokkas, small smiling marsupials that hop right up to you. I rented a bike, which is the best way to cover the island, and found the quokkas dozing in the shade everywhere from the beaches to the bakery steps. No one needs to tell you to take the photo, but a tip is to go in the early morning when the crowds are gone. The island has some of the clearest water I have swum in.
3. Watch the sunset at Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe is Perth’s classic beach, a sweep of white sand with a stone groyne and shade in the trees along the grass. I went down at golden hour when the sand turned pink and the ocean went glassy, and the light show as the sun dropped was unreal. The boardwalk has a couple of honest beach pubs and fish and chip shops, and swimming in the protected bays is calm and safe. It is the perfect end to a city day.
4. Paddle the Swan River on a kayak
The river winds right through the middle of the city, and renting a kayak is the best way to see it. I launched near the Matagarup bridge and paddled along the banks past swans, oystercatchers, and the sandstone houses of South Perth. On calm mornings the skyline reflects perfectly in the water. There are hire spots at a few points along the river, and even an hour is enough to feel like you have really seen Perth.
5. Stroll the old port of Fremantle
Fremantle is twenty minutes from the city and has a completely different mood, full of convict era stone buildings, laneway cafes, and a proper working harbour. I spent a day wandering the old markets, where the fruit stalls and crafts take over the historic hall, then walked down to the Fremantle Prison museum. The sailing boats bob in the marina and the brewery near the station is a good place to end the day with a cold one.
6. Climb up to the lookout at the Bell Tower
The Bell Tower sits on the water’s edge near Elizabeth Quay and you can ride up to the balcony for a full view over the river and city. I went up in the late afternoon and watched the ferries dart back and forth below. The bells themselves date back centuries and were carried here from back east. It is a quick stop but earns its place for the vantage point.
7. Take a day trip across to Rottnest’s far beaches
Beyond the quokkas, Rottnest is ringed with some of the best swimming beaches in the country, and most visitors never leave the main bays. I rode my bike around to the south coast, where the surf crashes into quiet coves and the water turns a vivid blue. Basin Beach and the reef flats are stunning, and the sunset from the western tip is a reward I will not forget. Give the island a full day and you will thank yourself.
8. Explore the museum of the Perth Mint
Perth sits on one of the richest goldfields in the world, and the mint downtown still makes gold coins that travel everywhere. I joined a tour that ended with molten gold being poured right in front of me. The experience rooms hold nuggets and historic coins, and they will gladly advance you a real gold bar just to hold for a photo. It sounds touristy, but watching the metal pour is genuinely dramatic.
9. Hike the coastal path to City Beach
Perth has a long coastal walkway that strings the beach suburbs together, and the stretch from Cottesloe north to City Beach is my pick. I walked it on a spring morning with the ocean on one side and the dunes on the other, stopping at lookout points and a few empty coves. The cafes along the route make it easy to turn a walk into a whole day out. The Indian Ocean here is warmer than the east coast, so the swimming is easy.
10. Browse the laneways and bars of Northbridge
When the sun goes down, the action shifts to Northbridge just north of the centre, a district of laneway bars, food halls, and live music. I hopped between a hidden rooftop and a basement bar, trying the local craft beers and the strong coffee the city is proud of. The old arcades get busy on weekend nights and the mix of cultures shows up in the food. It is the liveliest corner of a city that otherwise moves at a slower pace.
Perth surprised me with its variety. In one day you can swim in the ocean, paddle a river, stroll a forest park, and be back in the city for dinner. Go with sunscreen and comfortable shoes, and let the long summer evenings do the rest.
