SPOTLIGHT ON PERTH

Can’t pick an adventure? Just pick a direction instead!

With weather as welcoming as its friendly locals, Australia’s sunniest capital city of Perth | Boorloo offers adventures for everyone. Framed by the Swan River | Derbal Yerrigan, the city boasts 19 pristine beaches, each blessed with dreamy Indian Ocean sunsets, and is home to one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, Kings Park & Botanic Garden | Kaaarta Komba.

Perth is home to the Swan Valley, the only wine region within an Australian capital city — just one of the effortless day trips to enjoy within 30 minutes of the city. You can also explore Perth’s historic and bohemian port city of Fremantle | Walyalup, swim with playful wild dolphins in Rockingham, or cruise to Rottnest Island | Wadjemup to meet plenty of quokkas, the world’s happiest animal.

Add a thriving metropolis of curated cultural experiences, luxury hotels, shopping precincts, rooftop bars and waterfront dining at Elizabeth Quay on the beautiful Swan River | Derbal Yerrigan, and it’s easy to see why Perth is such a relaxed and naturally adventurous capital city.

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Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia

BATHERS BEACH, FREMANTLE

An eclectic port city with spirit and soul

Fremantle | Walyalup, or ‘Freo’ as it is affectionately known, is Perth’s | Boorloo’s port city, situated where the Swan River meets the Indian Ocean. Just a 30-minute drive or train from Perth city, it’s bursting with vibrancy, colour and quirky culture.

It’s not just art galleries, pubs and cafés that are sprinkled throughout this bohemian town — the bustling Fremantle Markets (still going strong after 100 years) and one of Australia’s first micro-breweries are there too. Savour fresh seafood harbourside, fine fare in historic buildings or sip a refreshing drink on the beach as you watch an Indian Ocean sunset.

Get to know Freo intimately on a walking tour with a local guide, passing buskers, performers and street art. For history buffs, no trip here would be complete without a visit to the WA Maritime Museum and the convict-built, World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison. And just outside the city centre, you’ll find gorgeous beaches, plus walking and cycling trails that meander along the river’s edge.

Fremantle is like nowhere else in Australia: an eclectic collision of character, creativity, culture and cuisine.

ROTTNEST ISLAND

Perth’s | Boorloo’s relaxed island playground

Rottnest Island | Wadjemup — or ‘Rotto’ as it’s affectionately known — is a little pocket of paradise, jam-packed with adventure and a favourite local getaway. Getting to this car-free, protected nature reserve is easy: take a short ferry ride from the mainland or arrive in style by helicopter or airplane.

You’ll be greeted by 63 stunning beaches, 20 beautiful bays, an abundance of spectacular marine life, and the world’s happiest animal, the adorable quokka. Discover Rottnest Island’s cultural significance and history on an Aboriginal guided tour, then enjoy an ocean boat cruise dining on sumptuous local seafood. Explore the island by scenic flight, segway, bus, boat, waterbike, or even a glass-bottom kayak. One of the best ways to see the island is by bicycle — pedal from bay to bay at your own pace or take a guided bike tour to discover lighthouses, world war relics, pink salt lakes, caves and coves. Just make sure you stop at the legendary Rottnest Island Bakery for a delicious treat.

Hike through nature or join a guided snorkelling tour of the island’s underwater wonders. Jump on an adventure boat to watch whales, dolphins and seals. Savour dinner and a refreshing drink while the sun sets over Thompson Bay, and then retire in luxury, eco or glamping accommodation.

And whether you choose to live the ‘Rotto life’ for a day or a week, one thing’s for sure: this is definitely the island getaway you’ve dreamt about.

Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia

SANDALFORD WINES, SWAN VALLEY

WA’s oldest wine region

Perth’s Swan Valley region is a patchwork of grapevines and galleries, cellar doors, breweries and produce stalls, all within easy reach of Perth. Taste more than 180 years of winemaking and choose from over 150 different attractions.

Just a 30-minute drive from Perth CBD / Boorloo, there are many tours will take you there and back. You can do guided tasting tours via river cruise, kayak, limousine, private car, bus and even horse-drawn wagon – or go on a self-led adventure.

The region is home to a variety of artisanal makers, including coffee roasters, gin distillers, restaurant owners and winemakers – many that are family owned and run. In recent times, a host of boutique breweries, cider houses and distilleries have made the Valley home. There are also art galleries to browse, plus honey, nougat and chocolate factories.

Being a diverse place for all-ages, there’s also koala holding and kangaroo feeding at Caversham Wildlife Park, found inside Whiteman Park, where there are vintage train rides and playgrounds.

Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL TOURS OF KINGS PARK, NYUNGAR TOURS

One of the world’s largest inner-city parks

Kings Park and Botanic Garden | Kaarta Koomb is the green heart of the city, covering over 400 hectares and overlooking Perth’s CBD and the sparkling Swan River | Derbal Yerrigan. With its remarkable expanses of unique bushland, tranquil parkland and botanic garden, the Park is the most popular visitor destination in WA. 

Showcasing an outstanding collection of WA native flora, it is a popular place for picnics, pleasant walks, and events, offering spectacular views over Perth city. Nearly two thirds of the Park is natural bushland containing 319 species of native plants and around 80 bird species, with superbly cultivated gardens, walkways and open recreational areas for visitors to enjoy. There are picnic and barbecue facilities, cafes and a restaurant, a gift shop showcasing Australia’s finest arts, craft and design, plus several playgrounds for families to enjoy.