10 Best Things to Do
Perth pairs a riverfront city with a coast that rarely feels far away. Elizabeth Quay puts the Swan River at the centre of the picture, while Kings Park opens up views across the city and water. Fremantle brings port history, old streets and a character of its own; the Swan Valley adds wineries and long lunches. Stay centrally for city dining and galleries, or choose Fremantle if you prefer to spend more time around the harbour.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Kings Park, Australia
Kings Park gives Perth an unusually generous green heart, with native planting, protected bushland and broad views across the city and river. The Western Australian Botanic Garden makes the region’s distinctive flora the main attraction, while quieter paths reward visitors who venture beyond the best-known viewpoints. Join a volunteer-guided walk for botanical context, or leave time for an unhurried circuit and a pause beneath the trees. It is an excellent first introduction to the city’s landscape.
Native flora and city views
Go Cultural Goomup Walking Tour
Elizabeth Quay, Australia
Elizabeth Quay acquires a deeper meaning on Go Cultural’s Goomup walking tour. Noongar guides connect the waterfront with stories of Country, the six seasons and the city’s Aboriginal history, making familiar views part of a much longer cultural landscape. The current DevelopmentWA-supported programme includes a smoking ceremony and an interactive introduction to traditional artefacts. Choose this for thoughtful local interpretation and conversation, with an easy waterfront route that places the emphasis on listening rather than distance.
Whadjuk Noongar culture
Wadjemup / Rottnest Island
Offshore day trip from Perth or Fremantle, Australia
A day on Wadjemup pairs coastal freedom with a landscape that deserves time and respect. Hire a bicycle to move between sheltered bays, choose a manageable route and leave room for a swim when conditions suit. Quokkas are part of the island’s appeal, but its Aboriginal history is equally important; the Wadjemup Museum adds valuable context. Ferries make this a practical excursion from the mainland, while an early start allows a less hurried encounter with the island.
Island cycling and clear-water bays
Fremantle Prison Behind Bars Tour
Fremantle, Australia
Fremantle Prison’s limestone walls hold a difficult and revealing chapter of Western Australian history. The Behind Bars tour follows the institution’s life as a maximum-security gaol, leading through the main cell block and exercise yards while explaining daily routines and imprisonment. A knowledgeable guide turns imposing architecture into a human story, making this one of Fremantle’s most substantial cultural visits. Allow space afterwards to reflect, then continue exploring the port city at a gentler pace.
Australian social history
WA Museum Boola Bardip
Perth Cultural Centre, Australia
Boola Bardip brings Western Australia’s many stories into an ambitious museum building that connects contemporary architecture with historic neighbours. Its permanent galleries explore people, place and the natural world, offering a rewarding introduction to the state before a wider journey. Aboriginal perspectives and the region’s remarkable biodiversity give the visit particular depth. Build in time for more than one gallery, and check the changing exhibition programme if you want to shape an afternoon around a specific subject.
Western Australian stories
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Perth Cultural Centre, Australia
The Art Gallery of Western Australia rewards a leisurely visit to Perth’s Cultural Centre. Its State Art Collection provides the foundation for an evolving programme, with Aboriginal art an important part of the experience. The gallery’s modernist spaces and neighbouring heritage fabric make the setting engaging even before you begin looking closely at individual works. Choose a few rooms to explore properly, check the current exhibitions and leave time for a second look at the works that stay with you.
Australian and Aboriginal art
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe, Australia
Cottesloe distils Perth’s coastal appeal into white sand, Norfolk Island pines and an inviting sweep of Indian Ocean. Spend time on the beach when conditions suit, then retreat to the grassy terraces for a picnic or a long look at the water. Cafés and restaurants along the foreshore make it easy to extend the outing into the evening. For a simple but memorable city experience, arrive with enough time to watch the light soften towards sunset.
Indian Ocean sunsets
Mandoon Estate Wine Immersion
Caversham, Swan Valley, Australia
Mandoon’s Wine Immersion offers a more considered Swan Valley visit than a quick tasting stop. The experience follows wine from the historic vineyard into the winery, with a member of the winemaking team introducing the estate’s approach and a taste drawn from barrel. A guided tasting with cheese then brings the lesson back to the glass. It suits curious drinkers who value explanation and access, and provides a focused centrepiece for a relaxed day in the valley.
Wine education beyond the cellar door
Gondolas on the Swan
Elizabeth Quay, Australia
A privately booked gondola offers an intimate way to enjoy Perth from the Swan River. Built in Western Australia with Venetian inspiration, the wooden boat shifts the focus from busy waterfront paths to the skyline and open water. The operator offers shorter outings and hour-long cruises, with romantic packages available for couples and space for a small family or group. Choose a late-day departure for the changing light, and let this be the quieter interval in a full city itinerary.
A private river interlude
Merse Wellness Osborne Park
Osborne Park, Australia
Merse’s Osborne Park bathhouse offers a deliberate pause between city exploring and the coast. Magnesium spas, cold plunge pools and a choice of saunas let guests move through the space at their own pace, with steam and monsoon showers adding variety. The setting is designed around relaxation rather than sightseeing, making it a good choice for a quieter morning or an indulgent afternoon. Check the session options and choose any additional facilities according to the experience you want.
A contemporary bathhouse break