Travel guide · Australia
Perth travel guide
Sunny Indian Ocean city of sunset beaches, Kings Park and Rottnest's quokkas
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: File:Perth CBD skyline from State War Memorial Lookout, 2023, 04.jpg : Kgbo derivative wor, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Perth, Boorloo to the Whadjuk Noongar people, sits on the broad Swan River a few kilometres from the Indian Ocean, and is one of the sunniest state capitals in Australia. The CBD and Elizabeth Quay face the river, Kings Park's bushland and botanic garden look down on them, and the bars of Northbridge are a short walk north. Fremantle's convict-era port, the sunset beaches of Cottesloe and Scarborough, and Rottnest Island with its quokkas are all within an hour. Further afield, the Swan Valley, the Pinnacles and Margaret River make good excursions. Plan 5 days for a first visit; the best months are March–April and September–November.
Key facts
- Country
- Australia
- Best time to visit
- March–April and September–November
- Ideal stay
- 5 days
- Main airports
- PER
- Mid-range daily budget
- $150–$270 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Kings Park, Rottnest Island and quokkas, Cottesloe Beach and Fremantle
Why visit Perth
- Kings Park, one of the world's largest inner-city parks, has a treetop walkway and wildflower displays above the Swan River.
- Rottnest Island, about 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle, has car-free cycling, turquoise bays and the island's famous quokkas.
- West-facing beaches such as Cottesloe and Scarborough watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean.
- Fremantle combines a UNESCO-listed convict prison, a covered market dating from 1897 and the WA Maritime Museum's America's Cup-winning yacht.
- The Swan Valley wine region is about 30 minutes from the city, and Margaret River and the Pinnacles are within reach for longer trips.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 16 things to do.
Park · Kings Park
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
About 400 hectares of bushland, lawns and botanic garden on Mount Eliza overlook the CBD and the Swan River.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Historic site · Fremantle
Fremantle Prison
Built by convicts in the 1850s and used as a prison until 1991, this is part of the UNESCO-listed Australian Convict Sites.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Beach · Cottesloe
Cottesloe Beach
Perth's signature beach has clear, usually calm water in the summer mornings, snorkelling around the reef near Peter's Pool and the groyne, Norfolk Island pines on grassy terraces and the white Indiana pavilion.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Perth CBD
Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower
The riverfront precinct opened in 2016 links the CBD to the Swan River with a footbridge, waterfront restaurants, the Spanda sculpture and the copper-and-glass Bell Tower, which houses the Swan Bells, including twelve historic bells from London's St Martin-in-the-Fields.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Views
- Kids
Museum · Northbridge
WA Museum Boola Bardip
Western Australia's state museum reopened in 2020 in a building that joins heritage structures with a dramatic modern wing.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Gallery · Northbridge
Art Gallery of Western Australia
The state gallery in the Perth Cultural Centre holds Australian, Aboriginal and international art, with a strong focus on Western Australian artists.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Rainy day
Where to stay
Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and solo travellers
Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay
Riverside business district of hotels, the Bell Tower and Elizabeth Quay's ferries
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget, food lovers and solo travellers
Northbridge
Bars, small restaurants and the Perth Cultural Centre just north of the railway
$$$ · Best for culture, food lovers, couples, nightlife and first-timers
Fremantle
Port city of Victorian streetscapes, markets, breweries and the convict-built prison
$$$$ · Best for beach, couples, families and luxury
Cottesloe
Upmarket beach suburb of Norfolk pines, the Indiana pavilion and Indian Ocean sunsets
What to eat
- Western rock lobster — Caught along the WA coast and often called crayfish locally, the western rock lobster is served grilled with garlic butter, in rolls or on seafood platters.
- Chilli mussels — A Fremantle classic: local mussels cooked in a spicy tomato and chilli sauce and eaten with crusty bread.
- Fish and chips at Fremantle — Battered snapper, dhufish or barramundi with chips, eaten on the boardwalk at the Fishing Boat Harbour while seagulls hover.
- WA dhufish — A prized local reef fish with firm, sweet white flesh, regarded by Western Australians as their finest table fish.
- Marron — A large freshwater crayfish native to the southwest of Western Australia, with sweet flesh similar to lobster, served grilled or poached.
- Margaret River and Swan Valley wine — Margaret River is known for cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, while the warmer Swan Valley, closer to Perth, produces fortified wines, chenin blanc and verdelho.
When to go
The best time to visit Perth is March to April and September to November, when days are warm and sunny without the extreme summer heat; September and October add the spring wildflowers. December to February is hot, dry beach season, while June to August is mild but wet.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | December–February | Hot, dry and sunny with sea-breeze afternoons and occasional 40°C heatwaves; festivals, beaches and busy school holidays. |
| Autumn | March–May | Warm, settled weather and calmer winds — excellent for Rottnest, beaches and wine touring. |
| Winter | June–August | Mild and wet, with rain fronts between sunny days; truffle season and the quietest, lowest-priced months. |
| Spring | September–November | Wildflowers in Kings Park and across the state, warming days and the Perth Royal Show. |
Getting there and around
Perth Airport is about 12 km east of the CBD. Airport line trains from Airport Central station, beside Terminals 1 and 2, reach Perth station in about 20 minutes. Taxis and ride-hails take about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
Perth is spread out, but Transperth trains, buses and ferries link the CBD, Fremantle, Cottesloe and the airport on one fare system. Within the CBD, free CAT buses and the Free Transit Zone make short hops free.
Plan your days
Three days covers the city and Kings Park, a day in Fremantle and a day on Rottnest Island. Five days adds the Swan Valley, a beach afternoon at Cottesloe and a trip to the Pinnacles or Penguin Island; Margaret River deserves its own overnight stay.
Practical information
- Currency
- AUD
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type I sockets (angled two-pin), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 000 (police, fire and ambulance); 112 from mobiles
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in Australia.
Perth is generally safe for visitors. The main hazards are extreme summer heat, strong UV, rips at surf beaches and sharks; swim at patrolled beaches and check SharkSmart alerts. Northbridge can be rowdy late on weekend nights.
Flights to Perth
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Perth?
Three days covers the city and Kings Park, a day in Fremantle and a day on Rottnest Island. Five days adds the Swan Valley, a beach afternoon at Cottesloe and a trip to the Pinnacles or Penguin Island; Margaret River deserves its own overnight stay. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Perth?
The best time to visit Perth is March to April and September to November, when days are warm and sunny without the extreme summer heat; September and October add the spring wildflowers. December to February is hot, dry beach season, while June to August is mild but wet.
+What is Perth known for?
Kings Park, Rottnest Island and quokkas, Cottesloe Beach, Fremantle, Sunshine, Swan River and Western Australian wildflowers. Kings Park, one of the world's largest inner-city parks, has a treetop walkway and wildflower displays above the Swan River.
+Is Perth expensive?
Perth is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $150–$270 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Perth?
Not for the city, Fremantle and Cottesloe, which trains reach easily. Rent a car for the Swan Valley, Yanchep, the Pinnacles or a Margaret River trip, or book tours.