With the vast outback to the east and the great expanse of the Indian Ocean to the west, Perth is the capital of Western Australia, and one of the most isolated cities in the world! This is what makes Perth an amazing place to travel to! So today I’m sharing a little Perth itinerary with all the top things to do here.
More like a world city than the only urban hub for miles on end, Perth has nearby beaches, wineries, and outback excursions, not to mention a rich history and a great food scene.
I’ve put together a list of some of the best things to do here to fill up your Perth itinerary and get your imagination fired for an awesome time in the city!
Perth Itinerary: Top Things to do in Perth
Caversham Wildlife Park
Caversham Wildlife Park should definitely be on your list of things to do in Perth. A 20-minute drive from the city center (road trip!), this wildlife park is where you can go to spot some classic Australian animals.
That’s right; here, you’ll be able to see animals like kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, possums, and Tasmanian devils. All in all, there are about 200 different species here.
If you’re into nature, the super short road trip it takes to get here is most certainly worth it. The rangers are informative and enthusiastic too and will tell you all there is to know about the critters at the park.
There’s a whole lot going on here. You can meet koalas, feed kangaroos, see shows—plus there’s also an interactive farmyard where you can meet farmyard animals, which is great if you’ve got kids with you.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is a good way to get away from it all. Just off the coast, it’s about an hour and a half boat ride from Perth city.
It’s a protected nature reserve that’s known for its turquoise water and white sand beaches—sounds pretty good, right?
If you really want a break, you could actually choose to stay here a few nights, spending your time paddleboarding, barbecuing some good food, and snorkeling. Otherwise, a visit to Rottnest is definitely one of the best things to do in Perth.
A free guided walking tour of the island will tell you about the island’s furry marsupial inhabitants called quokkas, which can be seen running around everywhere.
Swan Valley
Foodies, take note!
Just 25 minutes from the center of Perth upstream on the Swan River, the Swan Valley is as famous for its chilled riverside settings as it is for its wineries and great restaurants.
Not just famous for its wine nowadays, there are a whole lot of good microbreweries going on in Swan Valley, so it’s a good idea if you are into not just wine, but beer too!
There’s a real rustic countryside feel here— it’s the sort of place where you can wander pathways, cycle around quiet streets, and pick up fresh produce from roadside stalls.
Kinda like the Australian Napa Valley, right?
Elizabeth Quay
Right in the heart of the city, Elizabeth Quay is a hub of entertainment, art, and culture situated in the city’s CBD on the Swan River.
This is the place to come for a load of different stuff, including checking out an art gallery, tucking into food in one of the many restaurants, strolling along boardwalks, and soaking up city views.
Elizabeth Quay has a few famous sights up its sleeve as well, including the Bell Tower, or “Swan Bells,” as it’s also known. There’s history to this iconic tower, too: it boasts bells from London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields Church.
If you only have one day, Perth is best seen via time spent in the area around Elizabeth Quay. It even comes complete with city skyline views!
Kings Park
Kings Park is a huge, almost 1,000-acre parkland overlooking Perth Water. This place really is big; in fact, it is one of the largest inner-city parks in the entire world!
So yeah, it is definitely a place to head to if you need some space—and it’s not just all parkland, either.
The Western Australian Botanic Garden is situated here. It’s a great place to glimpse native as well as international plantlife and greenery—and the perfect place to get Insta snaps of your favorite plants ever. Get ready for green!
There’s even an art gallery dedicated to aboriginal art, a tower to climb to get some good views, and a ton of trails to walk around and find a spot for a picnic or afternoon nap.
The official site calls it the “jewel in the city’s crown,” and that just about sums it up.
Fremantle
For a chilled-out beachy vibe not far from Perth city center, Fremantle offers up all the coastal chill and relaxation you could wish for.
There’s a whole mix of things going on in this town, from its Victorian architecture to its beachside bars and restaurants, there’s a cool creative flair in Perth that makes it an interesting place to explore for the day.
If you’re looking for history, there’s Fremantle Prison.
First opened in 1855, this is where you can learn about the history of Australia as a British penal colony. It is a culturally significant place to visit. So much so that even UNESCO has deemed it to be a World Heritage Site.
For more history that’s been converted into a modern place to shop (and eat), head to the Victorian-era Fremantle Markets—you’ll find everything from craft stalls to fashion boutiques. It’s THE place to pick up some cute souvenirs!
Margaret River
A small town just of Perth, Margaret River is a cool place to visit, and easily one of the best day trips from Perth.
A great road trip—since it takes three hours to drive there—I’d also recommend finding somewhere cool to stay for the night because there’s a lot to do here!
With the microbrewery and winery scene that you’d find in the Swan Valley, but with all the nature and turquoise seas of a beachside getaway, Margaret River just about has it all.
There are also limestone caves and sea cliffs in the nearby Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
If you’re into surfing, whale watching, eating, and drinking—or all of the above—then a trip to Margaret River should definitely be on your Perth itinerary.
Those were some of my favorite things to do for a perfect Perth itinerary—all worthy of a place on your travel plans when you choose to visit, for sure!
And when you do eventually make your way to Perth, don’t forget to tag me (@wtfab) in your Insta pics and stories—I wanna see what cool stuff you choose to do here!
Traveling to Australia? Be sure to check out my other Australia content here.
Melbourne Travel Guide
Best Restaurants in Melbourne
Sydney Travel Guide
Best Restaurants in Sydney
Great Barrier Reef Travel Guide
Great Barrier Reef Travel Video
FAQs
It is recommended to travel to Perth from September through November since the weather will be at its best.
You should plan to spend at least 3 days in Perth but 5 days would be ideal to take your time and explore the city.
Yes, Perth is definitely worth visiting! There are gorgeous beaches and incredible places to explore you will not regret it!
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
