PerthTravel Guide

Perth City is the densest area of the city and offers incredible accommodation options – some of the best places to stay in Perth are found here. Staying in this area will put you right in the heart of the CBD, close to hundreds of amenities, landmarks, galleries, shops, and transport. If you're planning to immerse yourself in Perth's booming cultural spaces, Perth City is the perfect place to base yourself.

One of Perth's oldest suburbs and home to one of Western Australia's AFL teams, Fremantle is a beautiful port city set at the mouth of the Swan River. While it functions as Perth's major sea port, it maintains an identity all of its own. If you're interested in Perth's rich maritime history, staying in Fremantle is a must.

If you're excited to spend time in Perth's great outdoors, Cottesloe Beach is the smart place to start. Filled with beautiful accommodation both new and old, staying in Cottesloe Beach puts you close to the water and all of the activities that go along with it. This is the perfect place to stay in summer as you'll catch the cool breeze sweeping in from the west.

Located halfway between Fremantle and the city, Cottesloe Beach is one of the most enduring Perth tourist attractions. Founded over 100 years ago and largely unchanged since, Cottesloe Beach is known for its 1km stretch of pure white sand, crystal clear water, and often perfect conditions for swimming and surfing. This is a true Perth institution – not to be missed.

Another long-standing West Australian icon, the Perth Zoo has been a fixture in the city since 1898. Home to hundreds of animals from all over the world and wholly dedicated to its ongoing efforts to conserve and protect endangered species, a tour of Perth Zoo should be at the top of your list of places to visit in Perth.

The Bell Tower of Perth is a must for any history buff's sightseeing tour of the city. Twelve of the tower's bells come from St-Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square and are recorded as having existed since the 14th Century. They are the bells that declared Britain's victory over Spain, welcomed James Cook home, and celebrated the end of World War II.

Placing a strong emphasis on Australian artists and particularly those from the Indian Ocean Rim, the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is one of the oldest and most respected galleries in the city. Its collection is sprawling and new exhibits arrive every few months. The gallery is closed Tuesdays, so plan your visit accordingly.

A long-time proponent of scientific endeavour in Western Australia, Scitech is Perth's home of curiosity and wonder. An exciting day out for kids of any age, the centre also runs plenty of adult oriented programs every year. Located in the City West centre off Railway Street, Scitech is a must-visit for anyone who can't resist a good experiment.

Elizabeth Quay ranks among the busiest Perth sightseeing destinations. Spend a lazy afternoon by the water at one of the many cafes, bars and restaurants, or head onto the water with a tour of Carnac Island. Make sure you see the full-scale replica of the Duyfken, the Dutch barge that became the first ship ever to make landfall on Australian soil.

The last of three colonial arms of the United Kingdom Royal Mint, Perth Mint was originally constructed during the gold rush era and was for many years used as a refinery for creating gold sovereigns and half sovereigns for the Empire. It's still in use to this day as a refinery for Australian legal tender created with precious metals.

Home to the gorgeous and curious quokka, perhaps Australia's happiest-looking critter, Rottnest Island is yet another of Perth's many idyllic natural wonders. Named Rottnest (or Rat Nest in 17th Century Dutch) after explorers mistook the quokkas for giant rats, the island also boasts a long military history that's fascinating to learn about.

The home of modern, multidisciplinary art in Western Australia, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is found in the James Street Mall within the iconic Perth Central School building. PICA maintains a rotating roster of new exhibits and additions to its collection year-round. The institute is closed on Mondays so bear this in mind when planning a visit.

Some of the best museums in Perth focus on much more specific subjects or time periods. The WA Shipwrecks Museum is an incredible guided tour of the region's maritime history. The Nostalgia Box is a living time capsule of video game history both local and worldwide. Harvey House and the Western Medical Museum paint a clear picture of life in the days of the city's founding. Truly, Perth's cultural scene has something for everyone.

Ask a local where their favourite Perth restaurant precincts are and they'll likely take you to the Riverside district. This inner-city spot by the water is filled with the city's best restaurants and cafes. Try any one of these incredible restaurants for yourself, and you'll understand immediately why they're the kind of fine-dining Perth has been patiently waiting for.

Perth's nightlife is as cosmopolitan as its restaurant selection. The CBD and surrounds are filled with bars that cater to every taste, from simple outdoor beer gardens to cocktail bars. The focus of most of Perth's bars and nightlife is on atmosphere. Many of the city's nightspots boast a laidback vibe that makes it easy to enjoy some live music and good conversation.

Perth food markets are some of the best in the country, filled with fresh food directly from local growers. If you're staying in or near the CBD, there are numerous options like the Mt Claremont Farmers' Market and the Kyilla Community Farmers' Market in the city's north and north-western suburbs. If you're looking further south, try the Angelo Street Markets.

No visit to the west coast would be complete without asking where to find good coffee in Perth. Reports on who makes the best coffee in Perth vary, but the Riverside district is home to many great cafes. Perth cafes, like its many bars, are built for atmosphere and are perfect for spending time in with your brew.

If you love maintaining a healthy diet, finding a bargain, supporting local businesses or all of the above, the many Perth markets will make life easy. From farmers' markets selling fresh, locally grown produce to street markets offering handmade bric-a-brac by area artists, there's something for everyone. Best of all, no matter where you're staying, there'll be one near you.

Some of the best Perth shopping precincts are part of larger shopping centres like Garden City in Booragoon. However, for those staying in the city, London Court, Watertown and the Belmont Forum are still going to be your best bets. Make sure you check your hotel for a Perth shopping guide that will show you exactly where they are.

Perth shopping centres range from simple malls to full-scale outlet shopping like Watertown and Westfield Innaloo, which means that anything you need during your stay – from groceries to extra clothes – is always close at hand. Visiting in summer? Partake in the grand tradition of visiting shopping centres purely for the free air-conditioning.

There are many taxi companies operating in Perth, from the familiar white Swan Taxis to the venerable Black and White Cabs. Perth taxis are still among the best way to take in the city's streets, suburbs and architecture while spotting activities to check out later. More often than not, hailing a taxi is also the most direct way to travel to your destination.

With all its fabulous parks and public squares, walking Perth is one of the most rewarding ways to travel the city. Walking allows you to slow your pace, take in the city and its atmosphere, and stumble upon its many wonderful secrets. Perth has hundreds of walking trails just waiting for you to find and explore them.

Perth's bus network is wide-ranging indeed and is one of the most reliable ways to get around town. Stops are clearly marked and will tell you exactly which routes are passing through. What's more, buses will frequently warn passengers when approaching certain stops in case they need to change buses at any point. These reliable vehicles are the backbone of Perth's public transport system.

Ranked among the largest inner-city parks in the world, Kings Park is filled with both Aboriginal and European history. It's also home to the gorgeous Western Australian Botanic Gardens. There are bushwalking trails and gorgeous views of both the Swan and Canning rivers. Kings Park runs free public events year-round during the day and in the evening.

If you're the sort of person who likes to maintain their fitness regimen while on vacation, Lake Monger is somewhere to keep in mind. Home to plenty of local flora, Lake Monger is filled with trails for walking, running, and other exercises. This is the perfect place for an early morning jog or a mid-afternoon stroll on your way to your next destination.

Another simple inner-city oasis, named for West Australian Prime Minister Lord John Russell, Russell Square Perth is a long-standing pillar of the local Italian community. Located in the Little Italy district, it remains a popular meeting spot for locals and saw a major upgrade in 1994 to add more modern lighting, seating, and equipment for visitors of every stripe.

Every city in the world seems to have a Hyde Park! What sets Hyde Park in Perth apart is that it's an inner-city oasis – a place of calm among the bustle of the city. The perfect spot for a break on your walking tour of the city, Hyde Park offers a moment of respite in a busy day. It's simple, beautiful, and perfect.

Bursting with activities from yacht clubs to camping, Perth's Matilda Bay Reserve is the perfect destination if you're looking to take advantage of the great outdoors without going too far from the city. There's no shortage of things to do on site, and it lays only a stone's throw from a number of shops and restaurants should you require any supplies.