Perth
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Western Australia's capital city Perth is famous for its blue skies, stunning natural setting and friendly spirited people. It is built on the banks of the Swan River and flanked by the Kings Park and Botanical Gardens. You can go yachting or parasailing over the sparkling Swan River, visit the uncrowded beaches, stroll through Kings Park Botanical Gardens and revel in the performances from all areas of the artistic spectrum.
Combine the splendour of nature with the sophistication of fine wines, alfresco dining, a sublime climate and free public transport in the city centre, you have the perfect place for a holiday.
See the best places to stay in Perth
Perth Sections - click to expand
Kings Park
Western Australia?s wildflowers and colourful birds are just a few minutes from the city in Kings Park. Hire a bike to explore the 400 hectares of parklands and natural bush at the top of Mount Eliza. This is a great spot to admire Perth?s skyline. Have a bite to eat at the new Botanical Café or visit the Aboriginal Art & Craft Gallery.
Perth Mint
Dreaming of making your own money? You can mint a coin of your own at the Perth Mint. Choose from either gold-plated, pure silver or pure gold coins and print a personal 100-character message on the coin. The Perth Mint is one of the world's oldest mints housed in elegant late-19th century heritage buildings.
Aquarium of Western Australia
Delicate sea dragons, jellyfish, sharks, fish and turtles are some of the thousands of marine creatures at the Aquarium of Western Australia only 25 minutes drive north of Perth. Take a dive with a shark if you dare.
Visit the Aquarium of Western Australia Website
Swan Bells
Hear the world?s largest musical instrument on the foreshore of the Swan River at the Barrack Street Jetty. Twelve of the 18 “change ringing” bells were presented to Western Australia from St Martins in the Fields Church, London, as an Australian Bicentennial project in 1988. Six new bells were cast and added to the collection, which can be heard each day.
Beaches
Splash into the Indian Ocean or find a romantic spot to watch the sun set at one of Perth?s 19 metropolitan beaches. Each has its own special atmosphere. Try Cottesloe, Scarborough, Trigg and Port beaches.
Fremantle
To the south of Perth is the port city of Fremantle. At weekends, this colourful port city is alive with street performers, markets and alfresco cafes. To enjoy the Italian flavour of this community, get on board a Swan River cruise, or catch a train from Perth.
Fremantle Markets
The aroma of fragrant spices and international foods wafts tantalisingly from South Terrace and Parry Streets. The Fremantle Markets hum every weekend with colourful exhibits, crafts, antiques, and the freshest food and produce.
Visit the Fremantle Markets Website
Western Australian Maritime Museum
Our sporting and adventure heritage is on show at the Western Australian Maritime Museum, Victoria Quay. See the America?s Cup-winning yacht, Australia II and more.
Visit the Western Australia Maritime Museum Website
Fishing Boat Harbour
Anyone can feel like a salty sea captain among the 500-strong fleet of fishing boats at the Harbour. Stroll along the boardwalk and wash down Fremantle?s renowned fish „n? chips with a locally brewed beer from the Little Creatures Brewery.
Visit the Fishing Boat Harbour Website
Fremantle Prison
Convicts built this vast prison from limestone rock. A maximum-security jail from 1855 until 1991, this is an award winning tourist spot. You can tour the Prison any day.
Visit Fremantle Prison Website
South Terrace
South Terrace is commonly known as the „cappuccino strip? where cafes and restaurants spill out onto the footpath. Enjoy a relaxing coffee and indulge in some people watching.
Rottnest Island
When Western Australians talk of holidaying “overseas”, we mean we are off to Rottnest Island. Its crystal-clear bays and beaches are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing, skin-diving, sunbathing, surfing, boating and fishing. There are no cars here. Rottnest wouldn?t be Rottnest without the quokkas, the small marsupials that inhabit the island and were the inspiration for the island?s name. Ferry services leave daily from Perth, Fremantle and Hillary?s Boat Harbour in Sorrento.
Swan Valley
Lazy summer afternoons on the veranda of a gourmet cafe, cellar-door tastings, sampling the local olives, cheeses or chocolates to find the perfect accompaniment to a bottle of the valley?s best wine. This is life in the Swan Valley, just a short ferry ride up the Swan River. Local microbreweries will keep beer lovers happy.
The Pinnacles
Limestone spires, up to five metres high, rise from the sand. The early morning light creates an eerie moonscape scene at the Pinnacles. This natural phenomenon is part of the Nambung National Park, which has beautiful beaches and coastal dune systems. Make beautiful memories when the park bursts into flower from August to October.
The Peel Region
Stretching from the white sands and crystal waters of the coast to the rugged terrain of the Darling scarp, the Peel Region has an activity for every season. With less than an hour between our doorstep and the city of Perth, the region is close enough to be the perfect weekend break away. Picnic among the tall jarrah trees of Dwellingup or play a round of golf right on the Indian Ocean. For the adventurous, try whitewater rafting, swimming with the dolphins or hiking the Bibbulmun track. Mandurah is the focal point of the Peel region. Characterised by the popular Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary this city is dominated by waterways and known for its good fishing, crabbing and prawning.
King Street
At the west end of the city is historic King Street, where Louis Vuitton meets Aboriginal art in a stylish amalgam of art galleries, cafes and boutiques. It has a reputation as one of Perth's up-market shopping streets, and renovated buildings and cobbled walkways give it a yesteryear feel.
Subiaco
Along Hay Street and Rokeby Road in Subiaco, only five minutes drive from the city, there is a great selection of Australian fashion, home ware and book stores. The Colonnade has established its reputation as a centre for style and fashion in Perth, with a collection of designer labels. The Subiaco markets on Station Street are also worth a visit.
Claremont
Like its Subiaco counterpart, Claremont is known for its designer fashion boutiques and smart and up-market shopping experiences. It is a great stop between Perth and Cottesloe Beach for a few hours of dedicated shopping along Bayview Terrace and St Quentin Avenue.
Fremantle
Cosmopolitan Fremantle has some excellent shopping strips, especially if you are looking for something a little bit quirky or unusual. Along South Terrace and the end of High Street (near The Round House) there are many small fashion and home-ware stores that stock local, Australian and international labels. Contemporary art galleries of Aboriginal and Australian art are definitely worth a look. Some good bargains can be found at the Fremantle Markets.
Subiaco
This area buzzes on weeknights and weekends alike. Rokeby Road and Hay Street are where you?ll find the most action. While Subiaco is perhaps best known for its quality restaurants, there are a range of eateries to suit all budgets and tastes, from fine dining to takeaway meals, from Italian to Asian cuisine.
Northbridge
This is Perth?s nightlife central. The area bordered by William, James, Aberdeen and Parker streets has restaurants offering every cuisine imaginable, as well as pubs, bars and clubs. At weekends, the streets fill with people enjoying the multicultural and party atmosphere.
Fremantle
The city is well known for its array of Italian and seafood restaurants, thanks mostly to its cultural heritage as a fishing port. Pasta, pizza and fish „n? chips are the local fare, but you can also find quality seafood eateries at Fishing Boat Harbour and along South Terrace. Cafes and pubs are everywhere. Try some locally brewed beer, or grab a coffee and spend time people watching.
Mt Lawley
This stretch of Beaufort Street is fast gaining a reputation as a hip dining precinct, with some of Perth?s best new restaurants. There is also a good mix of noodle and pizza bars, as well as pubs with live music that serve great pub fare.
Leederville
Oxford Street is always busy in the evenings – full of after-work professionals, families and students. The crowd is as diverse as the entertainment and dining options. Many eateries are cafe style, serving Mediterranean food, but there are also Asian and fish restaurants, pizza parlours and kebab takeaways, plus great coffee houses and pubs.
Claremont
Bayview Terrace and St Quentin Avenue in Claremont are favourites for people seeking good coffee, cafes and a mix of cuisines at quality restaurants. Located 15 minutes west of the city, near the coast, Claremont is one of the more affluent suburbs of Perth.
Cottesloe
At weekends, Marine Parade in Cottesloe is busy with locals and visitors enjoying the fresh air and sun of this beachside location. While there are traditional fish and chips on the menu at beachside cafes, there are also fine-dining options, with views of the Indian Ocean. If you have a spare hour, there is nothing better than sitting at one of Cottesloe?s ocean-front pubs and enjoying a beer or glass of wine as the sun goes down over the water.
On the River
Perth?s Swan River is beautiful by day and night. On the city side, dine at one of the cafes or restaurants at the Barrack Street Jetty, the Old Swan Brewery site or Matilda Bay in Nedlands. Alternatively, catch a ferry across the river from Barrack Street Jetty to South Perth. Enjoy wonderful food at one of the restaurants here and admire the spectacular view of the city, which is especially good at night.
or after World Youth Day why not take in a game of Aussie Rules Football (AFL) at Subiaco Oval. Not for the fainthearted, The Avon Descent, 2-3 August, is a gruelling event where participants take on both the Avon and Swan Rivers in a variety of watercraft covering a 133 kilometre course.
Another uniquely Australian event is the Australian Safari – a nine day international off road endurance race through WA?s outback – Kununurra to Perth from 24 August – 1 September. Later in the year, line the banks of the Swan River on the South Perth foreshore to witness the world?s best pilots peform breath-taking manoeuvres as they race against the clock in the Red Bull Air Race. This free international event thrills thousands of spectators each year in early November.
February and March are usually the hottest months. While the mercury can sometimes rise to 40ºC during this time, the heat is dry and the “Fremantle Doctor”– a refreshing south-westerly ocean breeze – can be relied upon to bring relief by mid-afternoon.
Transperth provides bus, train and ferry services in Perth and its surrounding areas.
All bus trips within the Central Business District are free and so is the CAT bus inner city service.
The luxury Indian Pacific train runs between Sydney and Perth twice a week. The journey takes three days and three nights.