Perth has a medley of modern marvels and natural beauty. It is an ideal place to come if you are seeking to enjoy some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This Perth tourism guide will help you explore Australia’s sunniest capital as it has some of the most beautiful beaches where you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or water sports like snorkelling and surfing. The sunset at the beach is always a magnificent sight. With this Perth travel guide, you can also explore the wildlife. You will have a grand time as Perth is home to koalas, possums, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, and wombats. Book flights to Perth and start your adventure today.
How to reach Perth?
- By air: Perth has two airports, Perth Airport (PER) and Jandakot Airport (JAD). While Perth Airport is located only 5 km from the city centre, Jandakot Airport is located just 17 km south of Perth’s Central Business District (CBD).
- By train: You can choose to take a train that runs from Sydney to Perth, and vice versa, via Kalgoorlie, Adelaide and Broken Hill.
- By water: Cruise ships operate to and from the city. If you are travelling from places nearby, taking a ferry or cruise will offer great scenic views.
- Getting around/transport in Perth: The transperth bus services connect most suburbs in Perth to the nearest train station. When you catch their bus in the same zone as the train station, you will not be charged any cost. TransitZone is available for travelling in trains in the area between Quay, CityWest, and Claisebrook stations. The best way to explore the city is on foot. You can also use free CAT(Central Area Transit) bus services that run on four circular routes around the city.
Places to visit
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Elizabeth Quay
Elizabeth Quay is a vibrant waterfront precinct offering dining, entertainment, art, and stunning views of the city skyline.
Exploration time: 1-2 hours
Kings Park
Exploration time: 1 - 2 hours
Rottnest Island
Exploration time: 1-2 hours
Perth Zoo
Exploration time: 1-2 hours
Bell Tower
Exploration time: 1 hour
Penguin Island
Exploration time: 1 - 2 hours
Western Australian Museum
Exploration time: 1 - 2 hours
London Court
Exploration time: 1 - 2 hours
Sterling Gardens
Exploration time: 1 - 2 hours
Aquarium of Western Australia
Exploration time: 1 - 2 hoursView All 10 places
Places to eat
Perth is a culinary haven with a vibrant food scene that caters to a variety of tastes and preferences. From indoor fine dining to outdoor dining, there is a long list of Perth’s best eateries. We have compiled a list of the best restaurants that are suitable for every mood.
Wildflower
Located at COMO The Treasury, this fine dining restaurant gives you a modern interpretation of indigenous Australian cuisine. It focuses on using seasonal and local ingredients.
Popular dishes: Roasted kangaroo dish, wagin duck breast, western Australian marron dish
Long Chim
If you are in the mood for some Thai food, visit Long Chi, located at the State buildings. It offers authentic and flavourful dishes in a bustling setting.
Popular dishes: Pad see ew, massaman curry, pad thai
Subiaco Continental
This is a new restaurant which provides a breezy, bright, and enjoyable space in the heart of downtown Subi. Although it is European-inspired, it will reflect the west Australian lifestyle.
Popular dishes: Australian barramundi curry, kangaroo steak, fremantle octopus dish
Mary Street Bakery
If you want a laid-back brunch experience, you should head to Mary Street bakery that is popular for its breads, artisanal pastries, and excellent coffee. It is popular with both visitors and locals.
Popular dishes: Variety of donuts, croissants, sourdough bread, coffee
Whisk Creamery
Indulge your sweet tooth at Whisk Creamery, popular for its artisanal gelato and unique ice cream creations that feature gelato scoops atop fluffy Japanese-style soufflé pancakes or within handcrafted choux pastries.
Popular dishes: Gelato, waffles, milkshakes, crepes
The Reveley
If you are visiting the Elizabeth Quay, make sure to visit this waterfront venue. You get a panoramic view of the city skyline from the rooftop. Some of the standout elements of their cuisine are fresh seafood, grilled barramundi, Western Australian lobster and prawn linguine, and steaks.
Popular dishes: Australian seafood platter, wood-fired pizzas, Perth hills cider
Nobu Perth
Located within the luxurious Crow Perth complex, the restaurant is co-founded by celebrity chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa and actor Robert de Niro. They offer a unique and memorable dining experience that seamlessly fuses Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions.
Popular dishes: Black cod miso, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, Nobu-style sushi rolls
Lulu La Delizia
Located in Subiaco, this restaurant is popular for its house-made pasta and authentic Italian flavours. They emphasise strongly on using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Popular dishes: Gnocchi, pappardelle, casoncelli, burrata
Garum
Located in the Westin Perth, Garum gives you contemporary Roman cuisine in a stylish setting. It features Roman-inspired dishes like porchetta and baccala, a salted cod dish.
Popular dishes: Emu meat curry, barramundi curry, wattleseed muffins
Matilda Bay restaurant
Located on the banks of the River Swan, this offers an iconic waterside dining experience in Perth. With stunning river views, a picturesque setting and a reputation for exceptional cuisine, the restaurant has been a cherished destination for locals and visitors.
Popular dishes: Grilled western Australian lobster, pan-seared barramundi, sticky date pudding
Things To Do
There are many things to do in Perth and most of which includes the following:
Nature walks
Architectural tours
Historical sites
Shopping trips
Vibrant nightlife
Museum exploration
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Perth is between the months of September to November. This time of the year, the weather is ideal for exploring nearby places and attractions.
Most commonly spoken languages
English is predominant, followed by Mandarin, Hindi, and Vietnamese, reflecting Perth’s multiculturalism and diverse immigrant communities.
Shopping
Perth boasts diverse shopping destinations, from bustling malls like Westfield Carousel to eclectic boutiques in Fremantle, offering something for every shopper.
- King Street: You can explore exclusive boutiques and flagship stores of renowned luxury brands. Shoppers can explore the latest collections from international fashion powerhouses like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, and more. The place also boasts boutiques of iconic brands like Patek Philippe, Role, Tiffany & Co., and many others.
- Westfield Whitford City Shopping Centre: Located in Whitfords Avenue, Hillary, it is a premier shopping destination in Perth. Shoppers can explore a variety of designer clothing accessories and beauty products from renowned labels. The shopping centre has many stores where you can explore the latest collections from international and Australian designers.
- Hay Street Mall: Located at the centre of Perth, it has several department stores, making it easy to access shopping arcades as well as speciality stores.
- Brookfield Place: Brookfield has many stores, cafes, and restaurants. It is known for its blend of luxury retail and high-end fashion. Visitors can explore upscale fashion brands, designer accessories, fine jewellery, and more.
- Murray Street: Murray Street is a recommended shopping destination in Perth. This open-air shopping mall has over 900 shops.
- Twilight hawkers market: This market is open only once in a week, usually on Fridays. It is known for bringing the taste of the entire world under one roof.
- North Bridge: It has a strong Asian influence in Asian supermarkets and specialty stores offering a wide range of Asian spices, groceries, snacks and ingredients. You can browse through shoe shops, clothing boutiques, and accessory stores that feature the work of emerging designers.
Festivals
Perth's festivals celebrate diverse cultures, arts, music, and culinary delights, offering vibrant experiences that showcase the city's rich cultural tapestry.
Perth Royal Show
Held annually in September, this agricultural show celebrates Western Australia's rural heritage with livestock exhibits, agricultural displays, carnival rides, live entertainment, and food stalls, offering fun for the whole family and showcasing the region's agricultural and farming traditions.
Fringe World Festival
This month-long festival held during summer transforms Perth into a vibrant hub of creativity, featuring a diverse program of performing arts, street performances, comedy shows, music concerts, and visual arts exhibitions, attracting artists and audiences from around the world to celebrate artistic expression and innovation.
Perth International Arts Festival
Established in 1953, this multi-disciplinary arts festival held from February to March showcases a wide range of performances including theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and film, both from Australia and internationally, celebrating creativity, cultural diversity, and artistic excellence in a variety of venues across the city.
Australia Day Skyworks
On January 26th, Australia Day celebrations culminate in Perth with the Australia Day Skyworks, a spectacular fireworks display over the Swan River accompanied by live music performances, food stalls, family-friendly activities, and community events, bringing together residents and visitors to celebrate Australian identity and heritage.
More reasons to visit
Some of the top most reasons to visit Perth are listed below:
- Attend outdoor events: Perth hosts numerous outdoor festivals and events throughout the year, such as the fringe World Festival and Perth Festival.
- Enjoy water sports: Perth’s rivers and beaches give you enough opportunities to try water-based activities like paddleboarding, windsurfing, surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, and jet skiing. Also, the consistent winds along Perth's coast make it a perfect destination for kitesurfing.
- Whale and dolphin watching tours: Join tours to watch southern right whales as they pass along the coast and have fun spotting playful dolphins in the waters off Peth’s coast.
- Fishing: Fishing is a popular pastime in Perth. It is a great way to bond with people you are visiting. You may try your hand at rock fishing, beach fishing, or river and estuary fishing.
Visa and Immigration
