Perth Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Perth

Perth, the capital Western Australia (situated in the SW corner of the continent), is strung out along the Sunset Coast on the Indian Ocean. It is surrounded by desert, which encroaches upon a number of its suburbs and is backed by the Darling Range and bisected by the Swan River.

Perth is just about as remote as capital city can possibly be. While Perth used to be characterised as rather dull, a resources boom has seen Perth blossom like Western Australia’s wildflowers in spring. Today it is a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city with huge variety of bars, restaurants and cultural activities. But the best bit is that when you want to chill out, Perth’s pristine parkland and beaches allow the population to spread out and enjoy what’s on offer.

The city features numerous waterways, green parks and a compact central business district. There is plenty to do in Perth, from touring the city by bus or tram, enjoying watersports on the Swan River or just sipping a glass of the famous local wine in a riverside or beachside restaurant. Not too far afield is Western Australia's oldest wine-growing region, the Swan Valley, which welcomes tourists to experience the many award-winning family-owned wineries, which offer alfresco and restaurant meals and cellar tasting opportunities. Perth is also host to the world's oldest operational mint, and features a variety of museums and art galleries, historic buildings, a casino and a good variety of shopping opportunities. Within easy access to Perth's centre are more than 50 miles (80km) of white sandy beaches with Cottesloe and Scarborough proving most popular.

Perth is suitable more for couples than families. Aside from the zoo and beaches, there are few attractions for young children. The accommodation here is mostly 4- and 5-star skyscraper hotels with smattering of smaller concerns in the beach areas.

Located at the top of St Georges Terrace, Barracks Arch is all that remains of the huge Pensioner's Barracks which once comprised 120 rooms. The Arch is nothing more than a hint of the grandeur which once characterised this chequered building which was designed by the architect, Richard Roach Jewell.

Kings Park, otherwise known as Mount Eliza, offers a superb view of Perth and the graceful Swan River. It has been a source of pleasure to Perth residents since it was set aside as parkland in 1831 by the colony's first Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe. It was named Perth Park in 1872 and subsequently renamed Kings Park in 1901 to honour Edward VII's accession to the throne. Shortly afterwards the park was visited by the King's son, the Duke of Cornwall and York.

The Old Courthouse is the oldest building in central Perth. It was designed by Henry Reveley, the colony's first Civil Engineer, and completed in 1837. It is hidden away in a corner of Stirling Gardens beside the larger and more imposing Supreme Court Building.

Located on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street, Stirling Gardens are a wonder to behold in springtime when the blooms and the exquisitely maintained lawns offer a dramatic contrast to the canyons of iron and concrete which surround it. The Gardens were first set aside in 1829 and opened in 1845. They are the state's first Botanical Gardens.

Northbridge features every kind of eating experience, from pricey fish restaurants to covered food halls where you pick and mix international cuisine from a variety of stalls and then eat at tables in the centre. Choose from Thai, Korean, Malaysian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Cantonese, French, Italian or Lebanese. Most hotels have their own restaurants.

During the daytime visit the zoo, beach, Museum and Art Gallery of Western Australia, and Perth Mint. There are many heritage trails through Fremantle for the nature lover and hiker. The nightlife here offers the Perth Entertainment Centre which hosts ballet, comedy and lots of other functions, there are cinemas, ahuge casino, and a restored Edwardian theatre.

Suggest a change to the Perth Things to do section (click to dropdown)

Population: 20.090.400
Languages: English 79%, native and other languages
Currency: Australian dollar
Currency code: AUD
Local Times:
Australia - Australian Capital Territory - Canberra

Australia - New South Wales - Sydney

Australia - Tasmania - Hobart

Australia - Western Australia - Perth

Country Dialling Code: +61
Voltage: 240V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
Flat prongs, inverted 'V' positioned with earth connector

Flat prongs, inverted 'V' positioned with earth connector

The moment Captain James Cook arrived in Botany Bay in 1770, it was clear that Australia was never going to be kept much of a secret for future generations. The country has ever since been a magnet for explorers and backpacking adventurers and has a great deal to offer tourists and holidaymakers looking for something a little more organised. Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the continental mainland (the smallest of the World's continents).

The continent of Australia, with the island state of Tasmania, is approximately equal in area to the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Mountain ranges run from north to south along the east coast, reaching their highest point in Mount Kosciusko (7,308 ft; 2,228 m). The western half of the continent is occupied by a desert plateau that rises into barren, rolling hills near the west coast. The Great Barrier Reef, extending about 1,245 mi (2,000 km), lies along the northeast coast. The island of Tasmania (26,178 sq mi; 67,800 sq km) is off the southeast coast. It may be one of the world's most ancient lands with its mystical red centre and brooding rock formations, but Australia is also characterised by its youthful energy, its freshness and its 'no worries' philosophy.

Most of the population lives within a few miles of the beach and with the working day beginning and ending early, it's not uncommon to see city slickers out of their suits and into the surf come 4.30pm.

In high summer many families will enjoy a simple backyard barbecue several times a week.

The 22-hour journey means most European people visit for at least a couple of weeks, allowing time for all that the country has to offer, including its chic cities, terracotta desert, lush bush and magical ocean reefs.

But the sheer size of Australia means that one visit is unlikely to be enough.

The most popular attractions are undoubtedly Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Great Barrier Reef and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, but there are now more subtle incentives for a visit.

The wonderful fusion cuisine, the café society, the burgeoning art, culture and fashion scene, and the very real possibility of being the only person for miles around all conspire to make it a wholly alluring experience.

From the dazzling kaleidoscope of colours and marine life of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral islands, the intridue of the outback, the bustling cosmopolitan cities, the sun and surf at some of the best beaches on the planet, and the tropical rainforests of Western Australia really set up the scene for any tourist to find a myriad of fantastic experiences. With more than 2,000 national parks, 14 World Heritage-listed areas, 7000 beaches and a wealth of man made attractions, Australia is certainly a destination for anybody.

Australia is full of culture and character too, with diverse cultures and traditions. For more than 50,000 years the Aboriginal people lived and thrived in the continent's unique environment and nowadays consciuos government efforts and initiatives are placing ever greater importance on them retaining their heritage and culture. Any tourist to Australia will no doubt experience the new world and maybe a glimpse of the aboriginal old Australia too.

	Day	Night
Fri	N/A	Cloudy
Sat	Mostly Cloudy	Partly Cloudy
Sun	Mostly Cloudy	Clouds Early / Clearing Late
Mon	Sunny	Clear
Tue	Sunny	Clear

Perth Travel Guide

Perth Suitability Profile