5 days in Perth

Day by day

1. Day 1: Kings Park and Botanic Garden and Fremantle Prison

   Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Fremantle Prison and Cottesloe Beach, then Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kings Park and Botanic Garden

      Watch sunset from the State War Memorial lookout, where the city lights come on across the river. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Fremantle Prison

      Book the Tunnels Tour ahead; it is the most memorable option and runs in small groups. (1.5–2.5 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Western rock lobster

      Seafood restaurants in Fremantle and Hillarys, and seafood markets selling cooked lobster.

   4. Afternoon

      Cottesloe Beach

      Swim in the morning before the afternoon sea breeze — the 'Fremantle Doctor' — roughens the water. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower

      Climb the Bell Tower for river views, then catch the ferry across to South Perth for the skyline from the other side.

2. Day 2: WA Museum Boola Bardip and Art Gallery of Western Australia

   WA Museum Boola Bardip, Art Gallery of Western Australia and Fremantle Markets, then Matagarup Bridge and Optus Stadium in the evening.

   1. Morning

      WA Museum Boola Bardip

      Start in the Ngalang Koort Boodja gallery on First Nations stories before moving to the natural-history halls. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Art Gallery of Western Australia

      Pair it with WA Museum Boola Bardip across the plaza for a rainy or very hot afternoon. (1.5 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Chilli mussels

      Pubs and seafood restaurants around Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour and South Terrace.

   4. Afternoon

      Fremantle Markets

      Combine it with coffee on the Cappuccino Strip next door and a walk to the Fishing Boat Harbour. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Matagarup Bridge and Optus Stadium

      Walk across at sunset, or catch an AFL match at the stadium between March and September.

3. Day 3: WA Maritime Museum and Round House

   WA Maritime Museum, Round House and Perth Zoo, then Northbridge in the evening.

   1. Morning

      WA Maritime Museum

      The nearby WA Shipwrecks Museum displays timbers from the Dutch ship Batavia, wrecked in 1629 — worth adding on the same visit. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Round House

      Visit around 1pm, when the time ball and a cannon are traditionally fired on the hilltop. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish and chips at Fremantle

      Fish-and-chip shops on the Fishing Boat Harbour boardwalk in Fremantle.

   4. Afternoon

      Perth Zoo

      Take the ferry from Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street and walk up; it turns the trip into a mini river cruise. (3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Northbridge

      Clubs, bars and late-night eateries around William Street, James Street and the Perth Cultural Centre.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Rottnest Island

   About 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle each way. Getting there: Ferry from Fremantle, Hillarys or Barrack Street Jetty in Perth.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Rottnest Island

      About 30 minutes by ferry from Fremantle (Ferry from Fremantle, Hillarys or Barrack Street Jetty in Perth); about 20 km.

   2. Day

      Rottnest Island

      Wadjemup, a car-free island with about 60 beaches and bays, is best explored by bike. Best for families, couples, beach and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Perth

      Dinner: try WA dhufish.

5. Day 5: AQWA – Aquarium of Western Australia and Swan Valley

   AQWA – Aquarium of Western Australia, Swan Valley and Caversham Wildlife Park, then Fremantle in the evening.

   1. Morning

      AQWA – Aquarium of Western Australia

      Spend the rest of the afternoon on the calm, protected beach inside Hillarys Boat Harbour. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Swan Valley

      Take a tour or a river-and-wine cruise rather than driving between cellar doors. (Half to full day, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: WA dhufish

      Seafood restaurants in Perth and Fremantle when in season.

   4. Afternoon

      Caversham Wildlife Park

      Combine it with a Swan Valley lunch; the park is a short drive from the wineries. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Fremantle

      Historic pubs, breweries and live-music venues around South Terrace and the harbour.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Fremantle Prison before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Northbridge ($$) suits nightlife, budget, food lovers and solo travellers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 27–34 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.1 hours in June to 14.2 hours in December, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Perth
• 2 days in Perth
• 3 days in Perth

Questions travellers ask