From the silken wonders of the Swan River and the vast Indian Ocean, to the dense vegetation and forest reserves sandwiching the bustling metropolis of the city’s CBD – indeed, Perth has the best of both worlds to offer.
If you’re a travel enthusiast looking for either a soak underwater, a challenging trail adventure, or an exciting night out, Perth has everything for you.
In this list, we’re sharing the city’s top tourist attractions and destinations that you should never miss when you find yourself exploring Perth.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
At 990 acres, Kings Park is the world’s largest inner-city park, rich in historical pages and teeming in biodiversity. With over 6M visitors each year, the park is dubbed the jewel in the city’s crown.
Overlooking the panoramic city lights and stunning blue waters of the Swan River below, the botanic garden really lives to its name as a place for relaxation, inspiration, and wonder.
From walk trails available to visits in the historical spots to climbing the spectacular double-helix DNA tower, there’s so much to do while in the park.
There are scenic picnic and BBQ facilities for family-friendly visits and cafes all around the park for meet-ups and get-togethers. Getting lucky, you can also find yourself audience to the park’s summer events and festivities. In Springtime, you can enjoy the crowds celebrating the annual Kings Park Festival.
Cottesloe Beach
An art gallery by the beach? That’s the annual Sculptures by the Sea outdoor exhibition displaying different sculptures and pieces along Cottesloe Beach, one of the most popular beaches perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and surfing.
The beach, making it in Perth’s top white sand beaches, is also a romantic location for your dinner date while watching the sun sets down the Indian Ocean.
Rottnest Island
Docking your boat at Rottnest Island would mean entering a marine paradise boasting white sand beaches, stunning bays, treasured wreck sites, and teeming marine life underwater.
Just 19 kilometers off Perth’s coast, the island has almost everything to offer for an all-in island adventure – from island tours, diving, snorkeling, swimming, and even boating. On land, you’ll also get tons of biking, and exploring around the historical sites on the island including the underground tunnels, the lighthouse, Oliver Hill, and Bickley Battery. After a day of exploring, you’d better reward yourself with an ice-cold bev at the Rotto Pub or the island’s newest resort, Samphire Rottnest.
Historical Fremantle
Fremantle, best known as Freo, radiates a colonial-era vibe south of Perth with its well-preserved architectural heritages spreading all over the town. One of the most popular historical sites here is the famous Fremantle Prison, filled with terrifying and haunting stories about escapees and former prisoners who once walked its corridors. Not for the faint-hearted, there are tunnel and torchlight tours for you to visit the prison at night and get amongst the spooky stories.
Swan Valley
The beauty of Swan Valley is directly sown to its grounds — grapes.
Apart from being popular for gourmet artisan goods and handcrafted wares, Swan Valley is also noted for its world-class wineries and distilleries with 180 years of history in the winemaking industry. The valley holds the oldest vineyard in Western Australia and is true to the saying, “Fine Wine gets better with age.” It’s just that for them, this means generations-old grapes fruiting with the passing seasons.
Swan Valley also hosts outdoor concerts, summer markets, masterclasses, and feel-good festivals.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
If you’re an art enthusiast, you should never end your tour around the city without visiting the Art Gallery of Western Australia, an art, cultural, and educational institution taking abode at Perth Cultural Centre.
Aside from showcasing Indigenous arts and exhibitions in its gallery, AGWA also has a rooftop deck bringing together art and entertainment in 2021. After gracing the corridors below to see Western Australia now and before, head straight to the deck to witness yet another masterpiece, the city’s skyline.
The Bell Tower
If you’re traveling with bae, the famous Love Locks at the Bell Tower is a must-try for a promise of forever and a lifetime together. If single or traveling with family, there are also private and corporate functions available inside the tower.
Curious about its name? Aside from the shape, inside the tower is Australia’s largest swinging bell, Anzac Bell, and you can actually ring the bell too.
Hillarys Boat Harbour
Hillarys Boat Harbour is Perth’s premier destination for a waterfront and boating destination in the north. With plenty of activities to do, starting with dining at the westside restaurants to paddling across the water and boating in the harbor, Hillarys offers a nitty getaway with the Harbours Resort and Hotel closeby if you’re looking for a staycay getaway.
