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Destinations / Australia

Perth

Sunny, remote city of beaches and quokkas

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Plan your trip to PerthSee the top 10
2,300,000Population
2.3 millionMetro area
EnglishLanguage
AUDCurrency
5 daysIdeal stay
$180-280Typical day

Perth is Western Australia's capital, one of the world's most isolated big cities. It has white beaches, Kings Park and the river. Rottnest Island's quokkas and Fremantle's history are top trips. It is sunny much of the year.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. One of the world's largest inner city parks, with bushland, war memorials and city views. The botanic garden shows Western Australian plants.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    The park is free; some guided tours and the tree top walk have costs.

    Tip. Go in spring for wildflowers and bring water.
    See on the map

  2. A waterfront precinct on the Swan River with bridges and restaurants. Ferries leave from here.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    The quay is free; the Bell Tower has a charge.

    Tip. Visit at dusk when the buildings are lit.
    See on the map

  3. Perth's best known swimming beach, with a historic pavilion. Sunsets over the Indian Ocean are popular.

    Half dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Beach is free.

    Tip. Watch the sunset from the grass bank.
    See on the map

  4. A port city with markets, colonial buildings and cafes. It is 30 minutes by train.

    Half dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Walking is free; the prison tours and museums are paid.

    Tip. Train about 30 minutes.
    See on the map

  5. A car free island where quokkas live, with clear bays and cycling. Ferries take 30 to 90 minutes.

    Full dayTime needed
    recommendedBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Ferry about 30 to 90 minutes.
    Official siteSee on the map

  6. A World Heritage listed convict built prison, used until 1991. Tours include tunnels below.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Take the train from Perth, about 30 minutes. Visit the market on weekends.
    Official siteSee on the map

  7. A wine and food region on the edge of the city. Breweries and chocolate shops add variety.

    Half dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Tastings are often paid.

    Tip. Take a tour or hire a driver; it is about 30 to 40 minutes from the city.
    See on the map

  8. The state art gallery, with strong collections of Aboriginal and Western Australian art. It is part of the Perth Cultural Centre near the train station.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead
    Official siteSee on the map

  9. A historic mint from 1899 with gold exhibits and a pouring demonstration. Tickets are needed.

    1 hourTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Official siteSee on the map

  10. Thousands of limestone pillars rising from yellow sand in Nambung National Park. It is about 2.5 hours north.

    Full dayTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Price not verified for 2026; check the official site before you go.

    Tip. Car about 2.5 hours.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Perth in three days

Day one city, day two Rottnest, day three Swan Valley.

  1. Kings Park and Botanic Garden2 hours · Free
  2. Elizabeth Quay1 hour · Free
  3. Cottesloe BeachHalf day · Free
  4. FremantleHalf day · Free
  5. Rottnest IslandFull day
  6. Fremantle Prison1.5 hours
  7. Swan ValleyHalf day · Free
  8. Art Gallery of Western Australia1.5 hours · Free
  9. Perth Mint1 hour
  10. Pinnacles DesertFull day
Beyond the city

Day trips

Margaret River

Wine and surf.

168 mi · Car, about 3 hours

Wave Rock

Rock formation.

211 mi · Car, about 4 hours

Penguin Island

Small island with little penguins and clear water.

31 mi · Drive and ferry, about 1 hour

Lancelin Sand Dunes

White sand dunes for sandboarding.

81 mi · Drive, about 1.5 hours each way

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: September to November and March to May. Warm, not too hot.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.5JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

79°F
Typical daily high
Average73°F
Rain0.7 in
About2 rainy days
Sun strength8.2 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Feb

Perth Festival

February (5 to 28 February in 2027)

Major arts festival of theater, music and film.

Jan

Fringe World

January to February

A big arts festival with shows across the city.

Aug

Wildflower season

August to October

Bushland and parks bloom with native flowers.

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Know before you go

At a glance

5/5
Safety

Australia is at US State Department Level 1 (exercise normal precautions); crime is low; sun and rips are main risks.

3/5
Walkability

CBD walkable; city spreads out.

4/5
Public transport

Transperth trains, buses and ferries.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
12345

1. CBD

$$$

Best for: first-timers

Central.

2. Northbridge

$$

Best for: nightlife

Bars.

3. Cottesloe

$$$

Best for: beaches

Beach.

4. Fremantle

$$

Best for: couples

Historic port.

5. Perth CBD

$$$

Best for: first-timers, business

Central with easy transport.

Getting there and around

Main airportPerth Airport (PER), 7 mi from the center
To the centerAirport Line train to the city in about 18 minutes, or taxi 20 to 30 minutes.
Around townTrains and buses; car for regions.
Ride appsUber, DiDi
Taste it

What to eat

Rock lobster

Western rock lobster.

Margaret River wine

Regional wine.

Swan Valley wine

Local vineyards run cellar doors near the city.

Fish and chips

Best by the water in Fremantle.

Good to know

PlugsType I, 230 V
Tap waterSafe to drink
TippingTipping is optional; round up for good service.
PaymentsCards and tap payments are used almost everywhere.
EtiquetteAustralians are informal; queue patiently.
  • Western Australia has no daylight saving.
  • Perth is three hours behind the east coast in standard time, with no daylight saving.
  • Check fire danger ratings in summer.
  • Book Rottnest ferries in advance on weekends and holidays.
  • Sun is very strong, so use sunscreen.

A short history

The Whadjuk Noongar people have lived around the Swan River for tens of thousands of years. British colonists founded the Swan River Colony in 1829. Convicts arrived from 1850 and built roads and public buildings. The 1890s gold rush multiplied the population, and later mining booms made Perth wealthy. It is one of the most isolated big cities in the world.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Perth