Great ways to spend a day in Perth and surrounds
With so many great ways to spend a day in Perth and surrounds, we’ve put together our 15 favourites to help you discover the natural beauty and fantastic experiences Perth has on offer.
- Perth City
- The Fabulous Swan River
- Fremantle
- Rottnest Island
- The Sunset Coast
- Gingin Coast to Country
- Rockingham
- Mandurah
- The Peel Region
- The Swan Valley
- Perth Hills
- Armadale
- Chittering Valley and Gingin
- New Norcia
- Avon Valley
Perth City
Start your day with a visit to Kings Park and marvel at Perth's awesome City and River views. Spend time in the Botanic Gardens, stroll above the trees on the Federation Walkway and relax in the cafe. Find out more about Perth by joining a fascinating guided tour. Head to Barrack Square for some lunch, dine in one of Perth's trendy riverside cafes and then visit the fascinating Swan Bells Belltower, one of the world's largest musical instruments! Spend the afternoon shopping and taking in Perth Cities great attractions, galleries and museums. Download a city map (pdf 1.23MB), jump on the free CAT bus and head to the East Perth river precinct for ambient alfresco dining at sun set. Continue late into the night at one of the many pubs, clubs and bars in Northbridge, Subiaco, Mt Lawley, Leederville or Claremont.
The fabulous Swan River
Cruise down stream from Perth on the majestic Swan River to the port of Fremantle passing Perth’s elite suburbs and the multi-million dollar mansions of the rich, famous and notorious. Float upstream to the Swan Valley and taste local wines and sumptuous gourmet delights. Hire a catamaran and let the reliable sea breezes carry you past the dramatic Perth city skyline or join a thrilling jet boat ride. Set off on one of Perth's many walkways and cycleways around the Swan River. End the day with a relaxing dinner cruise, sip champagne on the deck and watch the Perth city lights reflect off the glassy Swan River's surface.
Fremantle
Catch a train, join a cruise or drive from Perth to the vibrant port city of Fremantle. On the weekend the streets come to life as performers fill the air with song, music and magic! Browse the shops, grab a coffee and bask in the atmosphere of Fremantle's Cappuccino Strip. The nearby markets, open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, showcase the diversity of arts, crafts and produce available in Fremantle. Feast on delicious local seafood at the Fremantle Fishing Boat harbour. After lunch tour through some of the historic and unique buildings that make Fremantle so special. In the evening be sure to check out the great micro breweries and cafes.
Rottnest Island
Famous for its tranquil waters, secluded bays and relaxed lifestyle Rotto, as the locals call it, is a perfect day out. Catch a ferry from Perth, Fremantle or Hillarys. When you arrive hire a bike and explore the island at your leisure or join the island coach tour to find out more about Rotto’s colourful history. There are great cafes and restaurants for lunch, most offering spectacular ocean views. Spend the afternoon soaking up the salt, sand and sea on the beach or go snorkelling or diving and explore the underwater world. Throughout your day keep a watch for the friendly marsupials that inhabit Rottnest Island, the Quokka’s.
The Sunset Coast
Start your day on the Sunset Coast with a delicious breakfast at Cottesloe Beach and watch the early morning joggers and swimmers enjoying the suns first rays. Head north to City Beach and sunbake on the fine white sand or try your luck at body boarding. Further north Scarborough and Trigg have great restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy lunch by the beach. Spend the afternoon at the Hillarys Boat Harbour - visit AQWA and the nearby Naturaliste Marine Discovery Centre to learn more about our underwater environment and explore the network of boardwalks filled with shops and restaurants. Or head further north to Mindarie Marina and enjoy a cold beer or meal at the micro-brewery or one of the restaurants and bars. End your day watching the sky transform with colour as the sun sinks slowly into the Indian Ocean.
Gingin coast to country
Start your day in the Gingin Coast to Country area with a fresh mug of coffee at the Mindarie Marina, overlooking the picturesque harbour filled with million dollar boats and townhouses. Journey north to Yanchep National Park and spend time exploring the natural limestone caves, bush walking and meeting the friendly local koalas. Further north you will find the Moore River, excellent for canoeing and fishing. There are some great little cafes in the area for a light lunch by the beach. End your day in the Lancelin area tackling the mighty sand dunes on a board or giant 4WD bus.
Rockingham
Travel 45 minutes south of Perth by train, bus or car to the beachside region of Rockingham. Start your day at the beautiful Shoalwater Marine Park, famous for its marine life. Catch the ferry to Penguin Island and see the little penguins being fed at the Discovery Centre. Join a cruise past Seal Island to see the fascinating Australian Sea Lions. You can even swim with the wild dolphins here! The nearby Rockingham foreshore offers a beautiful setting for a BBQ lunch. Visit one of the waterfront cafes for a mid afternoon coffee and cake. Spend the afternoon snorkelling, swimming and enjoying the relaxed coastal lifestyle that Perth is famous for.
Mandurah
Journey by car, catch the train or join a tour to Mandurah, one of the fastest growing cities in the world and only one hour from Perth. Start the day with a cruise, pass through the award winning canals lined with opulent houses, the new marina filled with million dollar boats and the picturesque estuary, home to many migratory birds and friendly Bottlenose Dolphins. There are some great cafes along the foreshore for lunch. End your day in the Mandurah Ocean Marina, great for market style shopping, ice cream and a late afternoon drink.
The Peel Region
Travel one hour south of Perth and wind your way through the Peel region, passing gorgeous country towns like Pinjarra, spectacular dams and magnificent Jarrah forests. Spend the morning winding through the Darling Range Escarpment on a historic railway system and stream train. Then join one of the walking trails through the forest and really get back to nature. For lunch stop off at one of the picturesque wineries in the area that offer tastings and delicious country style home cooking. Spend a lazy afternoon canoeing or boating along the tranquil waters of The Peel Inlet and adjoining river systems.
The Swan Valley
Head inland from Perth on a short drive to the Swan Valley and let your tastes buds indulge in a day of gourmet delight. With 32kms of food and wine trails there are many places to stop and savour the local produce. Spend the morning satisfying your sweeter side with the locally made chocolates, nougat, honey and desert wines. There are endless choices for lunch, with some wineries offering a delectable array of beautifully presented food. After lunch enjoy more wine tasting and visit some of the local micro breweries. End the day with a relaxing stroll through the main street of Guildford, well known for its antiques.
Perth Hills
Head 45 minutes inland to discover Perth's best kept secret , the Perth Hills. Start at the Mundaring Visitors Centre to get maps of the region and then set off towards the Weir, the start of the famous Perth to Kalgoorlie pipe line. There are some beautiful national parks in the area filled with walking trails, in spring the forest floor comes to life with an array of vivid and unique wildflowers. Stop at one of the local wineries for lunch and then head to nearby Kalamunda to spend a few hours pottering around the shops. Return to Perth via the Zigzag road which offers spectacular views of the city.
Armadale
40 minutes south east of Perth City is Armadale. Your first stop should be the Visitors Centre to get maps of the area, while you are here visit the Bert Tyler Vintage Machinery Museum, great for history enthusiasts and lovers of antiques. Nearby is the gorgeous Araluen Botanic Park, famous for its spring tulip display and a perfect setting for Devonshire tea. There are some great walks in the area and the lovely winding roads make for pleasant driving. Stop off at one of the cosy country style cottages for lunch and then spend the afternoon discovering the unique art galleries tucked off the beaten track.
Chittering Valley and Gingin
Spend your day exploring the 76km Chittering Valley Wine Trail, which meanders from Chittering to Gingin through idyllic rural countryside, past seven stunning wineries and by a number of vibrant and unusual displays of public art. The journey is lovely in winter when the landscape transforms into a palette of brilliant greens or in spring when wildflowers erupt into dazzling displays of colour. Head west and discover the green rolling hills of the Gingin hinterland, a rich tapestry of fresh produce, heritage charms and beautiful scenery. Stop for lunch and indulge the tastebuds with locally produced olives, honey, beef, citrus fruits and lobster.
New Norcia
Located on the Great Northern Highway, 132 kilometres North of Perth you'll find the serene setting of New Norcia - Australia’s only monastic town. This Benedictine monk community was established in 1846 and continues today to exude an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquillity. You can soak up New Norcia’s glorious atmosphere by taking a two-hour guided tour through some of the unique character buildings. Enjoy lunch at the New Norcia Hotel and then spend the afternoon visiting the museum and art gallery where you’ll find paintings by Spanish and Italian masters and contemporary Australian artists.
Avon Valley
East of Perth, the beautiful Avon Valley is a patchwork of green, rolling hills, babbling brooks, historic villages and country charm. It is perfect for a self drive day out exploring quaint village streets, pottering through craft shops and museums, picnicking on the banks of the Avon River, or setting out on bush walks. The countryside is scattered with colonial homesteads set among undulating farmland offering home style cooking for lunch or afternoon tea. The Avon Valley National Park is particularly stunning in spring when wildflowers erupt in a dazzling explosion of colour.