Perth, Australia: travel guide
Indian Ocean beaches and wine country on the far west coast
The Isolated Jewel — a sunny, spacious city with pristine beaches, wine regions, and aboriginal culture on the Indian Ocean.
About Perth
Perth is one of the most remote major cities anywhere, facing the Indian Ocean on Australia's west coast, and it makes the most of its space and sunshine. The Swan River, wide beaches and a large inner-city park give it an easy, open feel.
Things to do in Perth include a morning in Kings Park above the river, a walk or swim at Cottesloe, and a ferry across to Fremantle for its markets, old port buildings and cafes. Wine regions such as the Swan Valley and Margaret River can be reached on day trips, and Rottnest Island is a short ferry ride away.
Perth suits travellers who like beaches, wine and wide skies. The best time to visit Perth is the warm, dry stretch from spring to early autumn.
- Country
- Australia
- Currency
- AUD
- Time zone
- Australia/Perth
- Nearest airport
- PER
Last updated
Top places to visit in Perth
Cottesloe Beach
beach · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Perth's most-loved beach — a curve of white sand, calm swimming, Norfolk pines and the landmark Indiana teahouse.
Elizabeth Quay
waterfront-precinct · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A revitalised riverfront precinct on the Swan with the BHP Water Park, dining, art and the pedestrian arch bridge.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
art-gallery · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
WA's state art gallery in the Cultural Centre, with a strong collection of Australian and Indigenous art — free entry.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
park · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the world's largest inner-city parks — bushland, the Western Australian Botanic Garden and sweeping city-and-river views.
Fremantle Prison
historic-site · about 1.5 h · entry $22 (≈ ₹1,460)
A UNESCO-listed former convict prison — tour the cell blocks, tunnels and the chilling Torchlight night experience.
Fremantle Markets
market · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A bustling 1897 heritage market hall with fresh produce, crafts, buskers and food stalls — open Fri to Sun.
Rottnest Island
island · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
A car-free island of bays and beaches reached by ferry, famous for its friendly quokkas and cycling loops.
WA Museum Boola Bardip
museum · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Western Australia's revamped state museum in Perth Cultural Centre — natural history, Aboriginal culture and WA stories, free.
Scarborough Beach
beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A lively surf beach with a beachfront pool, skate park and buzzing esplanade of bars and eateries.
The Bell Tower
landmark · about 0.8 h · entry $18 (≈ ₹1,200)
A copper-and-glass campanile on the Swan foreshore housing the historic Swan Bells — ring a bell and climb for river views.
Perth Mint
historic-site · about 1.3 h · entry $22 (≈ ₹1,460)
Australia's oldest operating mint (1899) — watch a live gold pour, see the world's largest gold coin and handle a gold bar.
Swan Valley
wine-region · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
WA's oldest wine region, a short drive from the city — cellar doors, breweries, chocolate and gourmet food trails.
Things to do
- Rottnest Island Ferry & Bike Day Trip Tour · 8 h · from AUD 130 per person
- Pinnacles Desert Sunset & Stargazing Tour Tour · 11 h · from AUD 195 per person
- Swan Valley Wine Cruise Tour · 8 h · from AUD 155 per person
- Fremantle Prison Torchlight Tour Tour · 1.5 h · from AUD 28 per person
- Kings Park Aboriginal Cultural Walking Tour Tour · 1.5 h · from AUD 45 per person
- Wave Rock Day Tour Tour · 12 h · from AUD 175 per person
Day trips and tours
- Perth, Fremantle & Kings Park Tour 7 h · from AUD 119
Where to stay in Perth
- City Center about AUD 3,000 per night
Main CBD with hotels and shopping
- Fremantle about AUD 210 per night
Historic port town with markets, the Prison, craft breweries and cafe strips.
- Northbridge about AUD 200 per night
Perth's nightlife and cultural quarter with the museum, gallery, bars and eateries.
Hotels
- COMO The Treasury 5-star · AUD 600 to AUD 1,500 per night
- Crown Towers Perth 5-star · AUD 450 to AUD 1,200 per night
- Alex Hotel 4-star · AUD 210 to AUD 380 per night
- The Emperor's Crown Backpackers 2-star · AUD 38 to AUD 140 per night
- Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges 4-star · AUD 190 to AUD 360 per night
Where to eat
- Wildflower Modern Australian · about AUD 220 per person
- Long Chim Thai · about AUD 70 per person
- Bread in Common Modern Australian, Bakery · about AUD 55 per person
- Little Creatures Brewery Pub, Australian · about AUD 45 per person
- Sauma Indian · about AUD 45 per person
- Bathers Beach House Seafood, Australian · about AUD 60 per person
Getting to Perth
Airport: Perth (PER)
How visitors arrive in Perth
- Flights to Perth Airport By air · common
Perth Airport handles all scheduled international and domestic flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Indian Pacific train By train from Adelaide / Sydney · possible
The Indian Pacific arrives from Sydney and Adelaide at East Perth. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Long drive across the Nullarbor By road from Adelaide · possible
Driving from Adelaide or Darwin is possible but very long; no regular coach crosses the Nullarbor. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Cruise ship to Fremantle By ferry from Fremantle · possible
Cruise ships call regularly at Fremantle. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport line train from Terminals 1 and 2 unconfirmed
Airport Central station serves Terminals 1 and 2. From Terminals 3 and 4, take bus 292 to Redcliffe Station and join the train there. Source: pointhacks.com.au
- Taxi, Uber or DiDi
Taxis and rental cars operate at the airport, and Uber and DiDi work in Perth. The guide recommends booking taxis for airport trips. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus useful for some trips
Transperth runs an extensive bus network across greater Perth, and many routes connect with the train stations.
- Ferry useful for some trips
A ferry runs between Elizabeth Quay in the city and Mends Street Jetty in South Perth, a short walk from Perth Zoo.
- Train useful for some trips
Transperth trains run on several lines from Perth Station, including the Fremantle Line and the Airport Line to Perth Airport.
- Walking
Paying
- Contactless cards work on the train. Always tag on and tag off to avoid a default fare. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Safety and scams to avoid
Backpacker job-deposit
Major tourist zones
Online "casual work" offer demands $50–200 deposit for "uniform/training"; job doesn't exist.
How to avoid it: Never pay deposit for a job before starting. Use official jobactive portal.
Best time to visit Perth
- Jan 31°C
- Feb 32°C
- Mar 30°C
- Apr 26°C
- May 22°C
- Jun 20°C
- Jul 19°C
- Aug 19°C
- Sep 21°C
- Oct 24°C
- Nov 27°C
- Dec 30°C
More in Australia
Frequently asked questions about Perth
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Perth?
- The highest-rated places in our Perth guide are Cottesloe Beach, Elizabeth Quay, Art Gallery of Western Australia.
- Where should I stay in Perth?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Perth: City Center, Fremantle, Northbridge.
- How do I get around Perth?
- Ways to get around Perth covered in our guide: City bus, Ferry, Train, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Perth?
- Scams reported to us for Perth include Backpacker job-deposit. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Perth?
- Average daytime highs in Perth run from 19°C in Jul to 32°C in Feb.
- Which airport is nearest to Perth?
- The nearest airport to Perth has the code PER.