Best Things to Do in Perth, Australia

Caversham Wildlife Park, nestled within Whiteman Park just 30 minutes from Perth's city centre, is one of Australia's most beloved wildlife encounters. Home to over 200 native species, it gives visitors rare hands-on time with koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, and an impressive array of reptiles. Unlike many wildlife parks, Caversham encourages direct interaction — guests can hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies in open paddocks, making it a favourite for families with young children. Twice-daily sheep-shearing demonstrations and farmyard shows add a distinctly Australian rural flavour to the experience, while keeper talks throughout the day provide fascinating insights into animal behaviour and conservation. The park also houses rare albino animals and a dedicated bird walk where colourful parrots, kookaburras, and cockatoos roam freely overhead. Well-shaded paths and spacious enclosures make for a comfortable visit even on warm Perth days. Caversham is widely regarded as one of the best wildlife parks in the country for genuine, ethically managed animal encounters, and a visit here is an ideal introduction to Australia's extraordinary fauna for first-time visitors and seasoned travellers alike.

City Beach is one of Perth's most accessible and beloved coastal escapes, a generous sweep of white sand facing the open Indian Ocean just 12 kilometres from the CBD. The beach is known for its consistent surf breaks, making it a year-round favourite with the city's substantial surfing community, while its patrolled swimming zones offer safe conditions for families and casual swimmers. Dramatic limestone headlands frame the beach at both ends, providing natural windbreaks and scenic vantage points. The foreshore reserve behind the beach is beautifully landscaped with native plantings, barbecue facilities, and grassed picnic areas shaded by large trees — rare luxuries on what would otherwise be an exposed coastal strip. The City Beach café and restaurant precinct elevated the area significantly in recent years, bringing quality dining options with uninterrupted ocean views to a previously underserviced stretch of coastline. Sunsets here are spectacular, particularly in the cooler months when the sky turns violet and gold above the flat horizon. City Beach sits on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, and interpretive signage throughout the reserve acknowledges this deep connection to Country. It is an essential stop on any exploration of Perth's magnificent coastal corridor.

Cottesloe Beach is Perth's most iconic stretch of sand, a kilometre-long crescent of powder-white beach framed by turquoise Indian Ocean water and backed by Norfolk Island pine trees that have shaded picnickers for over a century. Located just 11 kilometres from the city centre, Cottesloe attracts everyone from dawn swimmers and professional surfers to families building sandcastles and couples watching one of the world's great sunsets. The beach is patrolled year-round and offers calm, crystal-clear water ideal for snorkelling along the rocky reef at its northern end, where colourful fish and small rays are frequently spotted. The Indiana Tea House, a heritage-listed Edwardian building perched on the sand, remains one of Perth's most beloved dining institutions. Every March, Cottesloe transforms into an open-air gallery during Sculpture by the Sea, when dozens of large-scale artworks are installed along the foreshore for three weeks, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. The grassy promenade above the beach is dotted with barbecue areas, and the surf lifesaving club has been a community institution since 1895. Cottesloe is more than a beach — it is a deeply woven part of Perth's identity and daily life.

Crown Perth is the entertainment capital of Western Australia, a sprawling integrated resort complex set beside the Swan River in Burswood that encompasses a world-class casino, luxury hotels, award-winning restaurants, and a packed calendar of live events. The resort's three hotels — Crown Towers, Crown Metropol, and Crown Promenade — together offer over 1,500 rooms, from sleek business suites to opulent penthouses overlooking the river and city skyline. The casino floor is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring hundreds of gaming tables and thousands of electronic machines operating around the clock. Beyond gambling, Crown Perth is home to more than 30 restaurants and bars, ranging from casual food courts to fine-dining flagships helmed by celebrated chefs. Crown Theatre hosts Broadway musicals, major concerts, and international touring productions, cementing the complex's role as Perth's premier entertainment hub. Adjacent Optus Stadium — one of the world's most beautiful sporting venues — is a short walk across the Matagarup Bridge, and the surrounding riverside precinct has become a destination in its own right. Whether you are visiting for a high-stakes evening or a leisurely Sunday brunch, Crown Perth offers an undeniable sense of occasion.

Elizabeth Quay is Perth's vibrant waterfront precinct, a sweeping inlet development on the southern bank of the Swan River that has transformed the city's relationship with its most iconic natural feature. Opened in 2016 after years of ambitious urban renewal, the quay combines contemporary architecture, public art, restaurants, bars, and lush open spaces into a lively hub that buzzes from morning coffee to late-night dining. A pedestrian footbridge curves gracefully over the inlet, offering postcard-worthy views of the city skyline reflected in still water. The Spanda sculpture — a soaring 22-metre stainless steel figure — anchors the western end and has quickly become one of Perth's defining landmarks. Ferry services connecting Elizabeth Quay to Fremantle and the Swan Valley depart from the jetty, making it both a destination and a gateway to the broader region. Weekend markets, outdoor cinema screenings, and seasonal events draw large crowds throughout the year. Children delight in the interactive water play area, while architecture enthusiasts admire the striking mix of heritage buildings and bold new towers surrounding the precinct. Elizabeth Quay exemplifies modern Perth — confident, cosmopolitan, and beautifully tied to its river.

Fremantle Arts Centre is one of Australia's most unusual cultural institutions — a thriving contemporary arts hub operating from within a striking Gothic Revival building that was originally constructed in the 1860s as a lunatic asylum. The building's dramatic bluestone architecture, shaded courtyards, and lush garden grounds create an extraordinary backdrop for the exhibitions, concerts, and workshops held here year-round. Admission to the galleries is free, and the centre presents an ambitious program of contemporary art with a strong commitment to emerging and experimental Western Australian artists. The Sunday Concerts series, held outdoors in the grounds during summer, has been a beloved Fremantle tradition for decades, attracting thousands of music lovers to enjoy live performances in one of the city's most atmospheric settings. Artist studios within the building support a rotating group of practising artists, and visitors are often able to observe creative work in progress. The on-site shop specialises in handcrafted jewellery, ceramics, textiles, and prints by local makers. The centre also runs arts education programs for adults and children throughout the year. Few places in Western Australia combine architectural drama, natural beauty, and living creativity as successfully as Fremantle Arts Centre.

Fremantle Markets have been a cornerstone of the port city's character since 1897, when the elegant heritage building on the corner of South Terrace and Henderson Street first opened its doors. Today, the markets operate every Friday through Sunday, drawing thousands of visitors with an eclectic mix of over 150 stalls offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, vintage clothing, artisan jewellery, and international street food. The ornate National Heritage-listed building itself is as much of a draw as its contents — high ceilings, original timber floors, and warm golden light create an atmosphere that effortlessly blends the historic with the contemporary. Live musicians perform regularly in the central hall, filling the market with an irresistible energy that spills out onto the surrounding streets. Fremantle's famous 'cappuccino strip' nearby provides the perfect companion to a morning market browse. Regulars come for the organic fruit and vegetables; tourists linger over handpainted Aboriginal art, locally made candles, and freshly ground coffee. Vendors range from established artisans to first-time stallholders, ensuring a constantly evolving selection. Few places in Western Australia capture the creative, bohemian spirit of Fremantle as vividly as its beloved markets.

The Fremantle Passenger Terminal at 50 Peter Hughes Drive serves as Perth's primary cruise port, handling the significant volume of vessels that call at Western Australia's most characterful port city each season. Fremantle itself is one of Australia's best-preserved Victorian-era port cities, its 1890s gold-rush boom streetscapes remarkably intact along the cappuccino strip of South Terrace and the atmospheric West End heritage precinct. Cruise passengers disembarking here are immediately adjacent to the Fremantle Markets, the Western Australian Maritime Museum, the notorious Fremantle Prison — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and some of Perth's finest independent restaurants and craft breweries. The terminal is roughly 19 kilometres from central Perth and connected by a frequent train service, making urban exploration straightforward. Offshore, Rottnest Island — home of the famously photogenic quokka — is accessible by fast ferry directly from the adjacent Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. For cruise passengers seeking authentic Australian character rather than a polished resort experience, Fremantle delivers warmth, history, and genuine personality in satisfying abundance.

Fremantle Prison is one of Australia's most significant and haunting heritage sites, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict establishment that operated continuously from 1855 to 1991. Built by convict labour from locally quarried limestone, the imposing complex dominates the heart of Fremantle and tells a gripping story of colonial justice, punishment, and survival. Daytime tours explore the cell blocks, punishment areas, and the gallows yard where executions were carried out well into the 20th century. Tunnel tours descend into the vast network of underground passages hand-carved by prisoners during World War II, an extraordinary feat of labour that once channelled fresh water across the site. After dark, the prison takes on an entirely different character — torchlight and ghost tours are among the most popular after-hours experiences in Western Australia, drawing thousands of visitors each year who report unexplained sounds and sightings in the dimly lit corridors. The site also hosts art exhibitions and cultural events, breathing new life into its storied walls. A visit to Fremantle Prison is equal parts history lesson, architectural wonder, and spine-tingling adventure.

Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth's northern suburbs is a lively marina precinct that functions as the city's primary gateway for recreational boating, whale-watching cruises, and the beloved Rottnest Island fast-ferry service. Situated 20 kilometres north of central Perth at 86 Southside Drive, Hillarys is anchored by AQWA — the Aquarium of Western Australia — one of the southern hemisphere's premier marine aquariums, where a 98-metre underwater tunnel passes through a tank replicating the Ningaloo Reef ecosystem, bringing visitors face-to-face with sand tiger sharks, green sea turtles, and manta rays. The surrounding Sorrento Quay boardwalk is lined with seafood restaurants, boutique shops, and ice-cream parlours popular with Perth families year-round. Charter fishing boats depart from the harbour for offshore pelagic fishing, and whale-watching cruises operating between September and December track humpback and southern right whale migrations moving along the Western Australian coast. The harbour's protected beach on its southern arm provides sheltered swimming for children. Hillarys combines practical ferry infrastructure with genuine leisure appeal in a format that rewards both purposeful visitors and those simply seeking a pleasant day by the Indian Ocean.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden stands as one of the world's largest inner-city parks, covering 400 hectares of elevated bushland overlooking Perth's gleaming skyline and the broad Swan River below. Established in 1895, it is a treasured green lung that blends manicured botanic gardens with tracts of natural Western Australian bushland, home to over 3,000 plant species including ancient, gnarled grass trees found nowhere else on Earth. The State War Memorial at the park's heart is a deeply moving tribute to Western Australians lost in conflict, surrounded by an avenue of honour lemon-scented gums. Each September, the Kings Park Festival transforms the grounds into a showcase of native wildflowers, attracting visitors from across the globe. Treetop walkways thread through the bush canopy, offering eye-level encounters with cockatoos and honeyeaters, while the DNA Tower spiral lookout delivers 360-degree panoramas across the city and river. Free guided walks depart daily, led by knowledgeable volunteer guides. Whether you come for a family picnic, a solo morning jog, or a deep dive into botanical science, Kings Park consistently ranks among Perth's most rewarding free experiences.

The Lancelin Sand Dunes rise dramatically from the coastal scrubland north of Perth, forming one of Western Australia's most distinctive and accessible natural playgrounds approximately 130 kilometres up the Indian Ocean coast. These enormous white quartz-sand dunes — some reaching heights of over 40 metres — were shaped by the powerful Fremantle Doctor sea breeze that funnels along the coast and pushes sand inland in constantly shifting formations. The result is a pale, wind-sculpted landscape that feels genuinely alien against the blue backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Sandboarding down the steep dune faces is the signature activity, with hire boards available in the nearby fishing town of Lancelin, and quad-biking tours operate across the broader dune system for those seeking motorised thrills. The town itself is a working lobster-fishing village with a relaxed beachside character and excellent snorkelling in the sheltered lagoon protected by offshore reef. Lancelin's combination of dramatic natural scenery, wind sports — it is a major kitesurfing destination — and uncrowded beaches makes it an underrated gem within easy day-trip range of Perth.

London Court is one of Perth's most charming and unexpected surprises — a meticulously detailed mock-Tudor arcade threading through the heart of the CBD between Hay Street Mall and St Georges Terrace. Built in 1937 by mining magnate Claude de Bernales, the laneway is modelled on a 16th-century English streetscape, complete with half-timbered facades, ornate heraldic shields, leaded glass windows, and a pair of elaborate mechanical clock towers at each end. Every quarter hour, knights on horseback joust above one clock face while St George slays his dragon above the other — a spectacle that delights children and adults alike. The arcade houses independent jewellers, souvenir shops, and specialty retailers in spaces that feel genuinely historic, even if the history is delightfully theatrical. Narrow, cobblestone-effect paving and warm timber details create an atmosphere worlds removed from the modern city just metres away. London Court appears on nearly every Perth photography bucket list, particularly during the golden hour when light filters through its glass roof and turns the stonework amber. Entry is free and the arcade is open daily, making it an effortless detour for any city stroller curious about Perth's quirky, nostalgic side.

Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery, located in the Swan Valley at Henley Brook, is one of Western Australia's finest destinations for authentic Aboriginal art, culture, and education. Operated by the Noongar people, the gallery showcases an extensive collection of original artworks spanning traditional and contemporary styles — from dot paintings and bark works to sculptures, didgeridoos, and intricately crafted jewellery. Unlike commercial souvenir shops, every piece sold here is directly sourced from Aboriginal artists, ensuring that purchases create genuine economic benefit for Indigenous communities. Cultural experiences offered at the gallery include traditional smoking ceremonies, guided explanations of Dreaming stories depicted in the artworks, and demonstrations of traditional crafts by visiting elders and artists. The gallery's bush tucker garden introduces visitors to native plants traditionally used for food and medicine, adding a living, sensory dimension to the cultural experience. Knowledgeable and welcoming staff take time to explain the deep significance of each artwork, transforming what might otherwise be a retail visit into a meaningful cultural encounter. Maalinup is located just 30 minutes from Perth's city centre and pairs naturally with a broader Swan Valley wine and food touring day. It is essential visiting for anyone seeking an honest, respectful engagement with Western Australia's First Nations heritage.

Margaret River in Western Australia's South West region is internationally celebrated as one of Australia's premier wine-producing areas, generating an estimated 3% of national wine production but accounting for around 20% of premium wine exports — a statistic that signals extraordinary quality concentrated into a compact growing region. The town of Margaret River serves as the hub for over 200 wineries scattered across the rolling hills between the Indian Ocean and the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, where a Mediterranean climate of warm dry summers and cool wet winters produces outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. Beyond wine, the region is equally famous for world-class surf breaks at Surfer's Point and Rivermouth that attract professional competition, extraordinary coastal caves including Mammoth and Jewel Cave, and ancient karri and marri forests. Artisan food producers — olive growers, cheese-makers, chocolatiers, and craft brewers — have established the Margaret River table as one of Australia's richest regional food experiences. The town itself retains a relaxed, arts-friendly character that makes extended stays genuinely pleasurable rather than merely functional between winery visits.

Nambung National Park is one of Western Australia's most otherworldly destinations, famous for the Pinnacles Desert — a vast limestone landscape studded with thousands of ancient pillars rising eerily from golden sand. Located roughly 245 kilometres north of Perth, these formations were created over millions of years as rainwater dissolved shells buried beneath coastal dunes, leaving behind calcite-hardened columns up to 3.5 metres tall. The best time to visit is spring, when wildflowers carpet the surrounding scrubland in vivid colour, or at dusk when the low sun casts long amber shadows across the spires. A sealed loop road winds through the heart of the pinnacles field, making it easily accessible by car, while walking trails invite closer exploration. Kangaroos, emus, and western grey wallabies roam freely throughout the park, and the nearby Thirsty Point lookout delivers sweeping views of Jurien Bay. The visitor centre offers interpretive displays on the park's geology and Aboriginal cultural significance. Whether you arrive at sunrise for photographer-perfect light or under a star-filled sky for night tours offered in season, Nambung rewards every traveller seeking Australia's wild, ancient beauty.

Northbridge is Perth's most dynamic inner-city neighbourhood, a compact precinct immediately north of the CBD that pulses with energy from midday through the early hours. The area has long been the cultural heart of the city, home to the Perth Cultural Centre, the State Library, the Western Australian Museum, and a dense concentration of art galleries, independent cinemas, and performance spaces. By night, Northbridge transforms into Perth's premier entertainment district, with William and James Streets lined with craft beer bars, rooftop cocktail lounges, izakayas, Ethiopian restaurants, Vietnamese noodle houses, and late-night live music venues representing dozens of cuisines and cultures. The neighbourhood's rich diversity is reflected in its food scene, which is widely regarded as the most exciting in Western Australia. Street art adorns laneways and building facades throughout the precinct, with murals by local and international artists turning the urban landscape into an open-air gallery. Weekend nights bring crowds of all ages onto the streets, while daytime sees café culture, vintage boutiques, and boutique record shops drawing a more relaxed crowd. Northbridge rewards aimless exploration — turn down any laneway and something interesting is almost guaranteed to appear.

Nostalgia Box in West Perth is an utterly charming museum dedicated to the history of video games, tracing the evolution of interactive entertainment from the earliest home consoles of the 1970s through to the iconic machines of the 1990s. More than 100 fully playable consoles and arcade cabinets are displayed chronologically, spanning systems from the Atari 2600 and Commodore 64 through the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive, Super Nintendo, and PlayStation — with every machine switched on and ready to play. The museum is as much a hands-on experience as a historical one; visitors are actively encouraged to pick up controllers and revisit childhood classics or discover gaming history for the first time. Original packaging, cartridges, and promotional materials are displayed alongside the consoles, providing rich context for each era of gaming culture. The collection has been assembled over many years by passionate collectors and represents one of the most comprehensive exhibits of its kind in Australia. Nostalgia Box appeals equally to parents introducing their children to the games they grew up with and to younger visitors discovering 8-bit and 16-bit worlds for the first time. It is one of Perth's most delightfully unexpected museum experiences.

Old Mill in South Perth is a treasured historical landmark that stands as a quiet testament to Western Australia's early colonial ambitions. Built in 1835 beside the Narrows on the south bank of the Swan River, the restored stone windmill is the oldest surviving industrial building in the state, constructed by the Millar family to grind flour for the fledgling Swan River Colony. The mill operated for only a few years before the unpredictable Perth winds proved too variable for reliable grinding, and it was repurposed as a cottage. The restored interior now houses a small but evocative museum displaying colonial-era farming implements, domestic items, and interpretive displays that bring early settler life vividly to life. The surrounding grounds offer picturesque views across the river to Perth's city skyline — one of the most photographed perspectives in the metropolitan area. Entry is free, and the site is managed by volunteers from the Restored Mill Trust who bring genuine enthusiasm to the storytelling. A riverside walk connects the mill to the South Perth foreshore, making it easy to combine a historical visit with a leisurely stroll. Old Mill is a small gem that rewards the curious traveller.

Penguin Island in Shoalwater Bay, 47 kilometres south of Perth, is home to the largest colony of little penguins — Eudyptula minor — in Western Australia, with approximately 1,200 birds nesting among the island's limestone dunes and coastal heath. The island is part of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, a protected area that also shelters Australian sea lions, bottlenose dolphins, and four species of seabird including the Caspian tern. A short ferry crossing from Mersey Point brings visitors to an island where paved paths wind respectfully around active nesting zones, and the Discovery Centre houses a resident colony of injured penguins undergoing rehabilitation alongside interpretive displays about local marine ecology. Snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the marine park reveals seagrass meadows, blue-ringed octopus habitat, and the occasional curious sea lion drifting alongside swimmers. The island is closed to visitors overnight to protect nesting birds, which adds to the sense that wildlife genuinely comes first here. Penguin Island's combination of accessible wildlife encounters, clear water, and protected island atmosphere makes it one of Perth's most memorable family-friendly natural attractions.

Perth Bell Tower is one of the most distinctive landmarks on the Swan River foreshore, a copper and glass spire rising 82 metres above Barrack Square that houses the largest set of travelling bells in the world. The tower holds 18 bells, including a priceless set of 12 medieval bells donated by the City of London — some cast as far back as 1258 — making Perth the permanent home of one of England's oldest musical instruments. Visitors can explore interactive displays tracing the 700-year history of the bells, their journey from London to Perth, and the complex art of change ringing. On scheduled ringing days, the bells fill the riverside air with rich, resonant peals that carry across the city. Guided tours to the upper levels reward visitors with sweeping views across Elizabeth Quay, the Swan River, and the Perth skyline. The tower's unusual architecture — described as resembling a grass tree or a ship's mast — was designed to evoke Western Australia's natural and maritime heritage. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a music lover, or simply curious, the Bell Tower offers a surprisingly rich and memorable experience at the heart of Perth's waterfront.