Welcome to Perth, a city located on Australia’s western coast, where nature and urban life are in harmony. With its soft-sand beaches or scenic parks, there are also many fun things to do in Perth such as visiting Kings Park or wandering around Fremantle Markets. Tourists exploring the city will find themselves immersed in the history of Australia, particularly Aboriginal culture.
Situated in the heart of Perth, the 400-hectare Kings Park and Botanic Garden is considered one of the largest parks in the world. The park is one of Perth’s popular tourist spots, and offers tourists a mix of manicured botanical gardens, bushland trails, grassed parklands, and panoramic views of the Swan River. It also includes the State War Memorial in honor of Australians who have sacrificed for the country. After a comforting walk through the park, you can stop by the many little cafes.
When it comes to Australian wine, Swan Valley is at the top of the list. Home to about 40 vineyards, most of which offer wine tasting experiences, you can enjoy a wonderful day of driving or cycling through the warm climate of this area. Spend time visiting popular restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries. Besides the wine, you can also visit the Caversham Wildlife Park and the Maalinup Aboriginal Museum where visitors can encounter koalas and kangaroos, as well as learn about the fascinating native art and culture.
Standing at 82.5-meters is Perth’s Bell Tower, located beside the Swan river. With its pointed glass spire and copper sails, the Bell Tower houses a total of 18 bells, 12 of which are historic bells from the St. Martin-in-the-fields Church in London, while the six were donated by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. Read more about the tower’s history and information when you visit the attraction. Buy tickets to access the observation deck and maybe go for a guided bell-ringing experience while you’re there.
The Fremantle Prison dominates this section of Perth with its 5-metre-high walls, occupying a 6-hectare area. This former jail and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site used to hold convicts from Britain and later locally convicted inmates in Australia. Take an informative guided tour of this valuable attraction that will give you an insight into prison life in the past, and take you to see cell blocks, solitary confinement cells, cottages, and tunnels.
The Perth Zoo is one of the top tourist spots in Perth. Located just across Swan River, the zoo has over 1200 animals of different species and an extensive botanical collection. Get a chance to see Australian animals up close like kangaroos and koalas. See different galleries like the Reptile Encounter and the Australian Wetlands. Make sure to take the dinosaur adventure which is a big hit for the kids to learn more about the ancient creatures that used to walk the earth.
Just across the stunning Shoalwater Bay is Penguin Island. This nature reserve is home to western Australia’s, and the world’s, smallest penguins. It only takes a fast 5-minute ferry ride to visit these cute creatures and get up close to them. Other than penguins, you'll also see dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, pelicans, and other wildlife in the marine park. Visitors may also enjoy other activities, such as swimming, snorkeling or having a family picnic.
One of the best ways to learn about Australia’s abundant marine life is by visiting the Western Australia Aquarium in Perth. Meet majestic underwater creatures like sharks and perhaps admire some school of fish and sea turtles. You can even interact with a few of them in the touch pool. Experience walking underwater as you go through the amazing underwater tunnel, and appreciate the stunning coral reefs in the coral garden. There are more than enough exhibits to be appreciated for all ages.
With over 150 shops of all kinds, the historic Fremantle Market is a popular destination for both tourists and locals alike. Established in 1897, this century-old building has undergone several renovations and functions over the years, but its main purpose remains the same. Open only on weekends and public holidays, the market is mostly crowded with customers looking at a myriad of small wholesale and retail stores, food stalls, souvenir shops and cafes.
Gather the family and head to Adventure World, Perth's iconic theme park. With more than 25 attractions to enjoy, you and your family will have a lot of fun experiencing a range of exciting rides, such as the world-class Goliath, the Abyss, the thrill roller coaster, or even the Kraken, the longest, highest, and steepest water slide. However, for more age-appropriate rides, your children can also head to the enchanting Dragon Kingdom or Kahuna Falls. Opt to get the season pass to great value of your money!
Completed in 1831, the Round House is Perth's oldest building still standing. The Round House has a fair share of fascinating history. Until 1886, it was the site of the colonial and Aboriginal prisoners until they were taken to their final fate. Later it became a police lock-up station, and then living quarters for the chief constable. Today, with a small donation, you can freely explore this attraction and learn more about its interesting past.
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, and it’s mostly known for being the most isolated city in the world with the Australian outback on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. It’s also known for its exquisite vineyards and expansive wildlife conservation.
The best time to visit Perth is from September to November when temperatures are just right and sunny days are uninterrupted by rain. The summer and hottest months in Perth are from December to February.
Since much of Perth’s most popular attractions are found within close proximity from each other, the best locations for tourists to stay are in the central business district.