Travel tips · Perth · Australia
Perth travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
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 is relaxed, outdoorsy and far from Australia's other big cities, which gives it a self-contained, easy-going character. Life revolves around the river, the beaches and sport. The city stands on Whadjuk Noongar country, and the Noongar calendar of six seasons — Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang — is increasingly used to describe the year.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- AUD
- Plugs
- Type I sockets (angled two-pin), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 000 (police, fire and ambulance); 112 from mobiles
Things to know
- Swim between the red-and-yellow flags at patrolled beaches.
- Stay on paths and do not pick wildflowers in Kings Park or national parks.
- Never touch or feed quokkas on Rottnest Island; it is illegal and harmful to them.
- Australians are informal: first names and 'G'day' are normal.
- Take your turn buying a round of drinks at the pub.
- Book Fremantle Prison ahead: Tunnels and night tours are limited and often sell out; reserve online.
- Use the free CAT buses and the Free Transit Zone in the CBD and Fremantle.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Australia. Leaving about 10% for good table service is appreciated but optional.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Freo | Fremantle |
| Rotto | Rottnest Island |
| The Fremantle Doctor | The cooling afternoon sea breeze |
| Arvo | Afternoon |
| Sundowner | Drink at sunset |
What to wear
Casual and sun-smart: a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen year-round, with a warm layer for winter evenings.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type I sockets (angled two-pin), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 000 (police, fire and ambulance); 112 from mobiles
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in the metro area but patchy on long drives to the Pinnacles and in remote national parks.
- Time zone
- Australia/Perth
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Australia's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Perth?
Tipping is not expected in Australia. Leaving about 10% for good table service is appreciated but optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Perth?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Perth?
Type I sockets (angled two-pin), 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Perth?
English.