Things To Do In Perth – A Locals Guide

This blog post is ideal for you if you are searching for things to do in Perth. In this piece, we'll explore the various areas and recommend some must-see attractions for visitors.

If that wasn't enough, you can also view images of each area on an interactive map. Our goal is to make your time in this city as enjoyable and memorable as possible. Go ahead and keep reading!

In Perth, you can find all sorts of unexpected delights. No matter if you are a tourist or a lifelong resident, you will never have seen everything this city has to offer. To celebrate the good weather, we've compiled a list of some of our favourite places to visit and outdoor pursuits to partake in. Of course, if it's not too hot where you are, these indoor options are great, too!

Perth, the capital city of Australia, is known for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere.

Discover the best of what Perth has to offer with this insider's guide to the best of the city's outdoor activities, laid-back culture, and exciting urban explorations.

The Ultimate Perth Bucket List

If you ask anyone who is familiar with Australia, they will all tell you that the West is the best.

Western Australia has all the nature, charm, culture, food, wine and adventure of the rest of Australia, but none of the crowds that make the east coast—home to world-famous cities like Sydney and Melbourne—so appealing.

Perth is Australia's sunniest capital and a fantastic place to visit any time of year because of the harmonious coexistence of urban and natural environments.

You'll instantly feel at home here, and you won't believe all the exciting things you can do in this part of the country.

Stroll Around Kings Park

The best way to get to know Perth and its environs is from atop Kings Park, the city's most well-known landmark. The 400-hectare park is one of the world's largest urban green spaces, so don't forget to bring your walking shoes.

Visit the Botanic Gardens to learn about the flora and fauna that are native to West Australia. Make sure to check out the massive 750-year-old Boab Tree, which was brought all the way from the Kimberley Region of Australia.

Walk the lush green lawns of the Synergy Parklands and the women's memorial grounds after paying your respects at the war memorials. After getting your bearings from up high on the tree walk, you can learn all about WA's past on the Federation Walk.

Those who still have the energy can hike the 101 stairs to the top of the DNA tower, where they will be rewarded with a 360-degree panorama that includes the Indian Ocean and the Perth Hills. More information about what to do in Kings Park can be found here.

Perth Street Art 

Perth's inner suburbs are undergoing a dramatic transformation as a result of the city's burgeoning and dynamic street art scene. One of the best free things to do in Perth is to check out the city's thriving street art scene, which can be found all over the city's inner neighbourhoods, including Mount Lawley, Claremont, Leederville, and Fremantle.

Some of the world's best-known graffiti artists have left their mark on the streets of Perth, and new street art scenes are constantly emerging in and around the city's cores.

More information on the best locations to view Perth Street Art can be found at the dedicated website.

Try Out a Bunch of Different Stunning Beaches

The beaches in Perth are undeniably one of the best aspects of life there.

Perth is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, where the water is clear and the sand is white. For this reason, it's no surprise that most visitors plan to spend at least one day of their vacation relaxing on the sand.

As you might expect from a city on the west coast, Perth's sunsets are spectacular, so be sure to visit in the late afternoon.

Visiting one of Perth's many beaches is one of the best free things to do. In Perth, locals will tell you that their city has the best beaches in the world, and it's hard to argue.

Some of the most frequented beaches include Cottesloe, Trigg, South Beach, Leighton Beach, City Beach, and Scarborough. All of these are easily reached by public transportation and feature nearby eateries, retail establishments, and welcome respite from the sun.

For those who can't make it to Rottnest Island, the closest thing is Mettam's Pool on the Sunset Strip. The water is clear and calm, making it ideal for families with young children to go swimming. Mullaloo Beach, located a short distance to the north, features a beautiful stretch of sand beach stretching for five kilometres alongside turquoise waters.

But what beaches are worth visiting?

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe Beach, or "Cott" as the locals call it, is one of Australia's most well-known beaches, and it's only 20 minutes away from the heart of Perth on public transportation.

Its easygoing surf culture, crystal clear waters, and abundance of nearby bars and restaurants have made it extremely popular.

It's basically a giant aquatic amusement park in the wild! If you're looking to meet new people and have a drink, you shouldn't miss a Sunday Session at the Ocean Beach Hotel (OBH).

Mullaloo Beach

Many families who travel to Perth bring their children to Mullaloo Beach, even if they are not visiting during the school year. The waves are manageable, making this a good place for people just learning how to swim.

A grassy picnic area with barbeques and covered benches can be found at the beach's upper end. There's a large open area and a playground set up for the kids to use.

Scarborough Beach

A perfect gem and one of our favourite places in Perth, Scarborough (or "Scabs" as we locals call it) is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

The beachfront district was closed for a year of renovation beginning in 2017, during which time an estimated $100 million was spent.

There is now a beach pool, skate bowl, and expansive family-friendly play area at the beach.

City Beach

This beach is ideal for surfers, as it features consistent, powerful waves throughout the year. After a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean, you can choose from a wide variety of eateries, including chic seafood restaurants and outdoor cafes.

Swan River

The Aboriginals of this area credit the rainbow serpent Waugal with the creation of this crooked river. For both Perth residents and visitors, it's the ideal place to spend time in the great outdoors. You can go fishing, sailing, swimming, or kayaking, or just have a picnic in one of the many parks along the river.

Take a cruise down the Swan River, which connects Perth and Fremantle, and you can see some of the upscale homes in the riverfront suburbs. Swan Valley is Western Australia's oldest wine-growing region, so a day trip cruise upriver to its fertile shores is another popular option.

Fresh local produce and delicious artisan foods can be sampled at many of the area's critically acclaimed restaurants. The Barrack Square Jetty is the primary departure point for ferries and river cruises in the world.

Take a Stroll on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway in the Afternoon

Kings Park is home to the Lotterywest Federation Walkway , a beautiful garden. The Swan River and surrounding eucalyptus trees and wildflower gardens make for a breathtaking backdrop for a leisurely afternoon stroll 16 metres above ground.

One of the best things to do in Perth, this combines the chance to learn about Western Australia's indigenous peoples with the chance to see some of the state's beautiful native plants.

Western Australian wildflowers, plants from the Oak Heritage Woodland, Mediterranean Kimberley flora, Climatic Zone, Bushland flora, and more will all be on display.

Enjoy a Bike Ride

If you'd rather pedal than walk, one of the best ways to see Perth is on one of the city's many bike trails that are suitable for the whole family. It's a fun way to get a new perspective on the city, and it's appropriate for the whole family.

And you won't have to look far for a great spot, as they can be found between Burns Beach and Fremantle.

If you're looking for an adventure, you can ride your bike on some of the best trails in the area within two hours of Perth. These adrenaline-inducing trails, which stretch from Kalamunda  to Collie, come in varying degrees of difficulty and are a fantastic way to discover the verdant forest just outside of town.

Play Tourist for a Day

It's easy to become jaded about the sights and sounds of the place you call home, so why not play tourist in your  own city for a day and rediscover the wonders of Perth? Visit the City of Perth information kiosk for free, volunteer-led walking tours, or walk at your own pace with suggested stops and routes.

If you'd rather have a professional show you around, companies such as Two Feet and a Heartbeat and Oh Hey WA offer guided walking tours of Perth and Fremantle.

Spend Some Time on Rotto and Enjoy Island Life

While visiting Rottnest Island may seem like a tourist trap to those outside of Western Australia, there is nothing quite like it for making a local feel proud of their state.

Take an early morning ferry, rent bicycles, and pedal around the island, stopping at the beautiful bays and beaches along the way. After a late lunch, visit a local pub and take a photo with the quokka, the world's happiest animal.

Even though Rotto isn't the cheapest option, from now until the end of January, children under the age of 12 can take advantage of free, same-day round-trip ferry tickets with no island admission fee, and adults can get  $35 round-trip ferry tickets with no admission fees after 2 p.m.

In addition, RAC members can purchase Rottnest Ferry tickets at a reduced rate throughout the year.

Take Part in Indigenous Culture Tours and Activities

Perth, Western Australia-based Go To Cultural Aboriginal Tours  and Experiences is wholly owned and operated by Aboriginal people. It provides authentic Indigenous cultural experiences to schools, schools' community programmes, locals, conference and events delegates, domestic and international visitors to Perth, government agencies, corporate clients,and special interest groups.

Together, Meg and Walter McGuire are members of two Indigenous Australian cultural groups: the Kungarakan of the Northern Territory and the Noongar of the Perth area. They run Go Cultural, an organisation that offers services like Welcomes to Country and Smoking Ceremonies as well as Aboriginal cultural tours, public speaking, cultural consultancy, and cultural awareness programmes, all with the goal of preserving and promoting Aboriginal culture.

Perth’s Wildlife Encounters: A Dip With the Dolphins

Is swimming with wild dolphins on your bucket list?

Join the pioneers and award-winners in Australia's wild dolphin industry today to get the full experience. They have been working with the local dolphins for over 30 years and have developed a close relationship with them, giving tourists a rare opportunity to interact with these amazing animals in their natural habitat.

You could witness mothers caring for their young, learn how they catch their food using stingrays, or observe the males displaying their prowess to attract females. This is the pinnacle of animal experiences!

There will be a three- to six-hour cruise as part of your tour (on-board toilets and hot showers). Snorkelling gear including a full-face mask and fins, as well as instruction, are provided.

Professional guides will use aqua scooters to get you up close and personal with the dolphins.

If you are one of the unlucky 1% who do not get to swim with the dolphins on your cruise, you can rebook for another cruise at no additional cost. This is part of their "wild dolphin guarantee."

Includes a light meal and drinks. Transportation to and from Perth is available for an additional fee. Enjoy free access to high-quality cruise photos on Flickr.

Experience the Beauty of an Indian Ocean Sunset

Sunsets are the best part of living on the west coast, and the best part is that they are free. You can watch the sun go down over the Indian Ocean from countless locations along the coast.

Just like the locals, pack a lunch of fish and chips and head to one of the many picnic areas along the coast, whether it's City Beach, Cottesloe, or anywhere else. If you don't want to pack a picnic, but still want to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the ocean, visit Fremantle's South Beach on a Saturday evening during the summer.

See the Cultural Sights of Perth

Public art in WA is a visual feast, with paintings covering entire buildings, massive sculptures, and outsized digital installations.

The best of  WA’s best public art is conveniently located in Perth, so all you art lovers out there can put on your walking shoes and enjoy a cultural excursion without leaving the city.

Include a trip to a museum if you really want to step up your cultural experience. When it opens in 2020, the new WA Museum will join the ranks of the world-changing structures.

A wonderful place to take in urban life and a visual feast inside and out, it houses some of the State's most prized historical artefacts and decorative pieces.

Paddle Down the Swan River

In Perth, the  Swan River is a great place to spend some time. This aquatic recreation area can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Get out on the water and see the city from a different perspective by renting a catamaran, kayak, or Stand Up Paddleboard.

During the warmer months, you can rent everything from kayaks to catamarans at the Coode Street Jetty in South Perth. Point Fraser's About Bike Hire on Riverside Drive offers SUP and kayak rentals. If you'd rather avoid getting wet, renting a bike and riding it along the city's wonderful cycle paths along the river is a great alternative.

These fantastic picnic boats are also available for self-skippering through GoBoat.

Perth’s Cutest Native Animals Can Be Found at Caversham Wildlife Park

The native animals of Australia can be seen up close at Caversham Wildlife Park .

There are also daily shows and attractions, such as the farm show, where you can see sheep being sheared, a cattle dog herding his flock, a whip being cracked, and a lamb being bottle-fed.

In addition to the interactive farm and daily animal feeding sessions, Caversham also features close encounters with wombats, koalas, and pythons.

Hit the Local Music Scene

One of the best things to do in Perth at night is to see a live music show. Some of the best bands and musicians in Australia have come out of Perth, which has a thriving music scene. Bands like Bon Scott of AC/DC, the Farris Brothers from INXS, Tame Impala, Birds of Tokyo, San Cisco, the John Butler Trio, and San Cisco come to mind.

That just about justifies a trip to one of Perth's legendary concert halls. Among these are the Amplifier Bar in Perth, the Mojos Bar in North Fremantle,the Fly By Musicians Club in Fremantle and the Rosemount Hotel in North Perth.

Enjoy a Leisurely Brunch With a Breathtaking View

Breakfast restaurants are just as popular among locals as dinner ones. It's not all about the ham and eggs. The variety of cafes serving brunch these days is matched only by the variety of brunch options available.

The Hamptons at City Beach or the Odyssea, The Shorehouse at Swanbourne or The Bib and Tucker at Leighton Beach, are all excellent choices for a Sunday brunch with breathtaking ocean views.