Top places to visit in Perth

• Cottesloe Beach

  Beach · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h

  Perth's most-loved beach — a curve of white sand, calm swimming, Norfolk pines and the landmark Indiana teahouse.

• Elizabeth Quay

  Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h

  A revitalised riverfront precinct on the Swan with the BHP Water Park, dining, art and the pedestrian arch bridge.

• Art Gallery of Western Australia

  Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h

  WA's state art gallery in the Cultural Centre, with a strong collection of Australian and Indigenous art — free entry.

• Kings Park and Botanic Garden

  Nature · about 2 h

  One of the world's largest inner-city parks — bushland, the Western Australian Botanic Garden and sweeping city-and-river views.

• Fremantle Prison

  Heritage · about 1.5 h · entry AUD 22

  A UNESCO-listed former convict prison — tour the cell blocks, tunnels and the chilling Torchlight night experience.

• Fremantle Markets

  Market · about 1.3 h

  A bustling 1897 heritage market hall with fresh produce, crafts, buskers and food stalls — open Fri to Sun.

• Rottnest Island

  Nature · about 6 h

  A car-free island of bays and beaches reached by ferry, famous for its friendly quokkas and cycling loops.

• WA Museum Boola Bardip

  Museum · about 2 h

  Western Australia's revamped state museum in Perth Cultural Centre — natural history, Aboriginal culture and WA stories, free.

• Scarborough Beach

  Beach · about 2 h

  A lively surf beach with a beachfront pool, skate park and buzzing esplanade of bars and eateries.

• The Bell Tower

  Heritage · about 0.8 h · entry AUD 18

  A copper-and-glass campanile on the Swan foreshore housing the historic Swan Bells — ring a bell and climb for river views.

• Perth Mint

  Heritage · about 1.3 h · entry AUD 22

  Australia's oldest operating mint (1899) — watch a live gold pour, see the world's largest gold coin and handle a gold bar.

• Swan Valley

  Cultural · about 4 h

  WA's oldest wine region, a short drive from the city — cellar doors, breweries, chocolate and gourmet food trails.

Things to do

• Rottnest Island Ferry & Bike Day Trip Tour · 8 h · from AUD 130 per person
• Pinnacles Desert Sunset & Stargazing Tour Tour · 11 h · from AUD 195 per person
• Swan Valley Wine Cruise Tour · 8 h · from AUD 155 per person
• Fremantle Prison Torchlight Tour Tour · 1.5 h · from AUD 28 per person
• Kings Park Aboriginal Cultural Walking Tour Tour · 1.5 h · from AUD 45 per person
• Wave Rock Day Tour Tour · 12 h · from AUD 175 per person

Day trips and tours

• Perth, Fremantle & Kings Park Tour 7 h · from AUD 119

Where to stay in Perth

• City Center about AUD 3,000 per night

  Main CBD with hotels and shopping

• Fremantle about AUD 210 per night

  Historic port town with markets, the Prison, craft breweries and cafe strips.

• Northbridge about AUD 200 per night

  Perth's nightlife and cultural quarter with the museum, gallery, bars and eateries.

Hotels

• COMO The Treasury 5-star · AUD 600 to AUD 1,500 per night
• Crown Towers Perth 5-star · AUD 450 to AUD 1,200 per night
• Alex Hotel 4-star · AUD 210 to AUD 380 per night
• The Emperor's Crown Backpackers 2-star · AUD 38 to AUD 140 per night
• Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges 4-star · AUD 190 to AUD 360 per night

Where to eat

• Wildflower Modern Australian · about AUD 220 per person
• Long Chim Thai · about AUD 70 per person
• Bread in Common Modern Australian, Bakery · about AUD 55 per person
• Little Creatures Brewery Pub, Australian · about AUD 45 per person
• Sauma Indian · about AUD 45 per person
• Bathers Beach House Seafood, Australian · about AUD 60 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ferry main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Train main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking

  Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Backpacker job-deposit

  Major tourist zones

  Online "casual work" offer demands $50–200 deposit for "uniform/training"; job doesn't exist.

  How to avoid it: Never pay deposit for a job before starting. Use official jobactive portal.

More in Australia

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Adelaide
• Gold Coast
• Cairns