Loading...

Perth travel guide

Australia’s west coast capital has a character all its own, thanks to its generous helping of sunshine, beaches, excellent local produce and the nearby vineyards of Margaret River. Then there’s the festival scene, live music, beautiful Swan River and more. No matter what you get up to in Perth, you’ll never go hungry, with top-notch fare to be found from the earliest laid back breakfast to the latest 5-star eats. Planning a visit? Explore our Perth travel guide and discover how to make the most of your time in Australia’s most remote capital. We have all sorts of suggestions for things to do, the best time to travel, where to stay in Perth and getting around. We also have a guide to Perth Airport (guessing you probably won’t drive across the Nullarbor Plain, but hey – if you do, let us know how it goes).

Where to stay

There’s no shortage of options if you're trying to decide where to stay in Perth. The city is filled with amazing places and areas to call your temporary home. Ranging from beautiful Fremantle to Northbridge and even Scarborough Beach, the best neighbourhoods stand out because they possess an atmosphere of their own. Need a little help? Speak to one of our Travel Experts about where to stay in Perth. Whether you’re visiting for a single night or booking an amazing package, your Perth accommodation can be one of the highlights of your visit.

Things to do

There’s no shortage of things to do in Perth. From a sightseeing trip through the Perth Mint to setting out on a Margaret River wine tour, you have an impressive list to choose from. Our most westerly city is filled with exciting activities and sights to satisfy even the most seasoned of travellers.

Getting Around

From trains to ferries, Perth transport makes it easy to get around the city no matter where you’re staying.  If you’re in Perth for a while, make sure you pick up a SmartRider card from your nearest convenience store and enjoy access to every Transperth bus, train and ferry in the city and surrounding suburbs. Top it up as you need to, and use it as often or as little as you like.  Below is a bit of background on the many different transport options in Perth to help you make the most of your stay in the west and always arrive on time.

Where to eat

Perth’s cultural renaissance has led to sweeping changes in the city’s already exemplary dining scene. You’ll be spoiled for choice when dining out, as the question of where to eat in Perth is really about choosing which high-quality restaurant you want to try next.  Of course, it’s not all about the food. Perth has also been busy setting itself apart with great cafes, diverse and affordable food markets, and exciting nightlife for quite some time. No matter what you’re looking to eat or drink, chances are you’ll find it – and love it – in Perth.

Shopping

There’s shopping, and then there’s Perth shopping. With the city’s emergence as a fledgling cultural hub, its shopping districts have flourished as local designers, boutiques and outlets creating uniquely Perth fashion have begun to open their doors all over the city.  The array of shopping precincts, large shopping centres and characterful markets peppered throughout the city is so wide that even the most seasoned bargain hunters might need a little help knowing where to start. Not to worry! This overview of where and what to buy in Perth will guide the way.

Best time to travel

Perth is home to weather patterns that are all its own. Neither as tropical as Brisbane nor as chilly as Hobart, the weather in Perth stays reasonably warm year-round. This is great news for you because it means there’s no wrong answer when you’re wondering when the best time to visit Perth is. Outside of the cooler months, Perth isn’t especially prone to rain, which also means you can safely plan any outdoor activities well in advance. With the exception of certain public holidays, all of Perth’s major attractions are open year-round too.

Parks

Perth is a city that loves the outdoors. Its maritime history means that getting out and about is in the city’s DNA. As such, Perth parks and squares are among the most beautiful in the entire country and well worth a visit for nature lovers.  Spend an afternoon by the waterfront with your companions, hike the Scarborough-Trigg Heritage Trail, or take a stroll around Herdmans Lake in Churchlands. Below you’ll find a few parks and squares that we feel are unmissable. If your perfect holiday includes relaxing in the great outdoors, make sure you don’t miss these picturesque parks.