Perth is the sunniest city in the world. Basking in an average of eight hours of sunshine each day, year-round, the capital city of Western Australia is also blessed with 19 beaches, all within easy reach of the CBD. Its heady mix of laidback surf culture and cosmopolitan living is a winning formula.
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You can spend an entire day swimming, sunning, snorkelling or surfing in Perth before retreating to a lively cafe to tuck into a dish of the local delicacy, marron, and watch the glorious sun set over the horizon to the west.
Cottesloe Beach, about a 30-minute drive from the city, is the most popular swimming and picnicking spot. It’s surrounded by Norfolk pines, undulating grassy embankments and a stunning picturesque beach pavilion.
With more than one kilometre of pure white sand and unbelievably clear waters, generations of West Australians have spent their summer days diving into the ocean from the distinctive floating pylon. Cottesloe was also home to John Curtin, Australia’s 14th prime minister.
Further south, about a five-minute drive away, there’s the quieter Leighton Beach, popular among dog-owners and kitesurfers. You can also snorkel offshore to check out the platform reef teeming with colourful fish, octopuses and starfish.
North of Cottesloe, Swanbourne Beach’s 12 kilometres of sand terminates at Trigg Island, which is popular for birdwatching.
If you can tear yourself away from the beaches, spend some time discovering the city on a heritage walking trail run by volunteer guides from Perth City Visitor Kiosk. Walk along the city’s streets, arcades and laneways, and you will see a proliferation of street art. Admire Perth Town Hall – built between 1867 and 1870, and designed in a medieval style, it is Australia’s only town hall built by convicts.
You can also go on a free city tour on a CAT (Central Area Transit) bus, and hop off at the Perth Cultural Centre and the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
If you are interested in seeing the country’s biggest collection of gold nuggets, stop by Perth Mint with its secured vaults and the 1899 melting house to watch a live gold pour – it’s fascinating.
Dig deeper into the city’s landmarks, such as the Swan Bells, Supreme Court and Hay Street Mall. Then head to Elizabeth Quay to check out the waterpark and designer labels along King and Queen streets. Stop for coffee at one of the buzzy cafes.
In the afternoon, visit Kings Park – one of the most beautiful inner-city parks with natural bush trails, open parklands, and a gorgeous botanic garden – and you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Swan River and Perth city. Fun-lovers will enjoy the Segway tour.
Families should make a point to visit the Aquarium of Western Australia to view spectacular marine life on an underwater journey from the icy-cold waters of the Southern Ocean to the tropical coral reefs in the far north. The country’s largest aquarium is in Perth’s picturesque Hillarys Boat Harbour, and you can take a plunge and snorkel with sharks or take a glass-bottom boat ride.
The next day, cruise down the Swan River to the charming port of Fremantle, a foodie’s delight full of funky restaurants, historic pubs and cool cafes. Check out Little Creatures brewery by the port and taste the nachos, pizza, craft beer and ciders – you won’t be disappointed.
If you fancy the best fish and chips, make a beeline to Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Afterwards, go on a tour of Fremantle Prison, the city’s answer to Alcatraz – but it is not for the faint-hearted as you will be told haunting tales of executions. The convict-built prison gives insight into the grim life behind bars for prisoners from 1855 till it closed in 1991.
For a change in pace, visit the Shipwrecks Museum which showcases relics from the Dutch ship Batavia which was wrecked back in 1629. You can also view a skeleton retrieved from one of the shipwrecks.
Families can entertain the kids with a visit to Esplanade Park where an enormous playground with slides, climbing areas and a standout rope climb will keep the kids entertained for a long time.
There is also a Ferris wheel with astounding views of Fremantle and the ocean. Pack a picnic basket and blanket and sit by the grass under the hundred-year-old pines.
Most visitors to Perth will take a ferry ride to Rottnest Island with 63 beaches, 20 bays and no cars to spoil the tranquillity. It is home to the island’s cutest native marsupial, the quokka, which has become something of an Instagram star – thanks to actress Margot Robbie, tennis star Roger Federer and singer Shawn Mendes (they all took selfies with the quokka and shared them with millions of their fans). You can hire a bike or take a 90-minute discovery tour which circumnavigates the island giving you lots of information on its wildlife.
If you are keen on shipwrecks, go for a snorkel off Rottnest at Parker Point or Fish Hook Bay, which are rich in coral reefs and shipwreck sites. You can also go birdwatching for osprey, kingfishers, singing honeyeaters and sandpipers, and watch the sunset from Wadjemup Lighthouse.
If you happen to visit between the months of September to November, go whale-watching and spot hundreds of humpback whales on the so-called “humpback highway” between Fremantle and Rottnest Island. It is an amazing experience. Check out Rottnest Island Bayseeker Island Tour.
For a change of pace and a taste of excellent local wines, take a tour to Swan Valley, home to more than 40 world-class wineries, 10 boutique breweries and five distilleries. It is about a 25-minute drive from the city. You can also take a Swan River boat cruise from the city to the valley.
Stretching from the historic town of Guildford to the undulating hills of Chittering, the Swan Valley is the ideal place to slow down. It is also known as a food and wine connoisseur’s delight. You can go on a heritage walk or cycle trail and sample free tastings of local preserves, chocolates and nuts. For a different experience, go on a horse-drawn wagon tour to explore the bushland and parks.
The valley also has the oldest vines in the state with many of the vintage vineyards still family owned and run by generations with winemaking in their blood. You have a choice of some excellent vineyards from Mandoon Estate, Oakover Grounds winery, Black Swan Winery, Sandalford Wines, Mash Brewing, Pinelli Estate Wines, Funk Cider and Jarrah Ridge Wines. Many of the vineyards have excellent restaurants. Go for a leisurely food and wine trail tour.
You can also visit the House of Honey & Meadery and see how raw, pure, unpasteurised honeys and honey wines are made. There’s also a live bee display and stop by the Sticky Spoon Cafe for a taste of the German bee-sting cake and cream tea served with homemade honey scones, cream, jam and… honey.
For special treats, visit the Margaret River Chocolate Co, Maison Saint-Honore, Oggies Ice Cream Cafe and Whistler’s Chocolate Co & Cafe.
Take me there
Fly: Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin fly daily to Perth from the Australian east coast.
Stay: 5 nights at Travelodge, Perth, from $399 per person, or 3 nights at Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, from $269 per person.
Tours: Book a Rottnest Island Bayseeker Island Tour or a Kings Park & Botanic Gardens Segway Tour with Viva Holidays.
