Tours & Attractions

Check out some of Perth's most famous tourist attractions, the places you won't want to miss out on and ideas for how to make the most of your stay.

 

A short stroll away from the Comfort Inn & Suites Goodearth Perth is the magnificent Swan River, Barrack Street Jetty and Bell Tower. From here you can take a cruise on the Swan River to the Perth Zoo, Rottnest Island, the harbour port city of Fremantle, or a winery lunch cruise to the Swan Valley.

 

If you want to see Perth on - and off - the tourist track, try a guided walking tour with Two Feet & a Heartbeat. Along the way, hear stories about the history, heritage, culture and architecture of the city. Or experience an authentic Urban Indigenous Tour with a passionate and informative guide, learning about Aboriginal history and culture with didgeridoo lessons, art classes, bush tucker lunches, traditional dance performances and more.

 

The Perth Mint is located on nearby Hay Street, where you can view a gold pouring demonstration and exhibitions of gold bars, coins and natural gold nuggets. See the Guinness World Record breaking largest coin ever made, weighing one tonne of pure gold and valued at more than $50 million.

 

Don't miss a visit to Kings Park & Botanic Garden, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. Discover over 400 hectares of natural beauty and native trees, plants and wildflowers, perched on a hill with panoramic views overlooking the Swan River and Perth City. There are play areas for the kids, or take a picnic and enjoy some tranquil relaxation. You can even learn about Aboriginal history and culture with an Indigenous Heritage Tour operating twice daily Monday-Friday in Kings Park.

 

Head west to the coast on a short 20 minute drive to enjoy one of the many stunning white sand beaches Western Australia is renowned for and swim, surf, snorkel, dive, jetski, parasail or go fishing. Try a favourite tradition of Perth locals and watch a spectacular sunset over the ocean whilst feasting on fish and chips wrapped in paper. Or enjoy another popular local tradition at a beachside pub or bar - the "Sunday Session", a perfect end to the weekend with a catch up with friends over drinks on Sunday afternoons, especially during the summer months.

 

For a day excursion, go to historic Fremantle and visit the famous Fremantle Markets, Fishing Boat Harbour, Cappuccino Strip, world-heritage-listed Fremantle Prison, WA Maritime Museum, colourful, quirky boutiques, buskers and micro breweries. Fremantle is located about 30 minutes south-west of Perth and you can self-drive by hire car or take a train, bus or ferry. 25 minutes away east of Perth lies the Swan Valley, WA's oldest wine growing region. Here you can travel the 32km food and wine trail, explore wineries, breweries and distilleries, try wine tasting and gourmet treats, or shop the art and craft galleries. Take a 90 minute ferry trip to peaceful Rottnest Island, departing daily from the Barrack Street Jetty in Perth, and hire a bike to discover Rottnest's many secluded beaches and crystal blue bays, the famous quokka marsupials, or join an eco-tour for whale watching in season (September-November). See native plants and unique Australian wildlife including kangaroos, koalas and wombats at Whiteman Park and Caversham Wildlife Park, 25 minutes north-east of Perth. Swim with wild dolphins and see penguins, seals and sea lions with Rockingham Wild Encounters, 45 minutes south of Perth. Or take a tour to the world-famous Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park with its thousands of limestone pillars rising from the shifting yellow sands. Nambung National Park is a 3 hour drive north of Perth and is also home to one of the most diverse wildflower areas in the world, where you'll see a burst of colour just before and during Spring (August-October) for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

READ: One Perfect Day: Perth http://travelinsider.qantas.com.au/one_perfect_day_perth_things_to_do.htm

 

READ: Catching Perth's Wave in Western Australia http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/travel/catching-perths-wave-in-western-australia.html?_r=0

 

Kings Park
A short stroll from the City Centre, you’ll find 400 hectares of towering trees, stunning bushland, mirror-like lakes, grand lookouts, sculpted gardens and picnic areas. Magnificent views of the Swan River and cityscape make the parklands a popular place for photos.
http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park

 

Swan River
On the city’s doorstep lies this natural beauty – creating a stunning contrast against the city high-rises. You can walk or ride a circuit around the crossing at the Narrows Bridge and the Causeway. Take in breathtaking views on a Captain Cook Cruise over the tranquil waters of the Swan.
http://www.captaincookcruises.com.au/

 

The Bell Tower at Barrack Square
The Bell Tower houses the twelve bells of the Saint Martin Fields church, the parish church of the Buckingham Palace. It is open daily from 10am. The jetties at Barrack Square are the departure point for the river, winery and Rottnest Island cruises, as well as ferries to South Perth and Perth Zoo. The vibrant riverside location features public art, cafes, restaurants and a lovely bar.
http://www.thebelltower.com.au/

 

Perth Mint
Since the gold rush of the late 1880’s, Australia’s gold has been refined by the Perth Mint and made into legal tender coins, tradable bars and superb jewellery. Located at the corner of Hay and Hill Streets in East Perth, the Perth Mint is open 9am to 4pm weekdays and 9am – 1pm on the weekends.
http://www.perthmint.com.au/

 

Perth Cultural Centre
On a walk through Perth’s Cultural Centre in Northbridge, you will find the Art Gallery of WA, the WA Museum and the State Library. The Cultural Centre is also home to innovative arts venues Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Blue Room Theatre.
http://www.artgallery.wa.gov.au/
http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/

 

Entertainment, Bars & Dining
Perth City has an abundance of restaurants and cafes servicing the freshest produce at reasonable prices, with dining experiences to suit every palate and wallet. City food halls offer a variety of cuisines including Chinese, Japanese, health food and English roasts. Many world-class restaurants are located throughout Perth, in stunning locations overlooking the city and the river. East and West Perth also offer elegant restaurants to suit all tastes. Al fresco dining is available almost everywhere and is a popular choice in the long summer months.

 

Northbridge
Northbridge has by far the greatest concentration of clubs, pubs and lounge bars drawing crowds particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. Music styles including house, funk, jazz, hip-hop and the blues draw a mix of patrons to the precinct, creating an energetic night-time atmosphere.

 

The City’s West End
The “West End” of the City, around the King Street end of Murray Street, has grown swiftly in popularity in recent years to become the fashionable choice for post-work socializing that extends late into the night. Boutique breweries and glistening, modern bars lure thirsty city workers and shoppers. The compact area makes the West End ideal for bar-hopping. Further towards West Perth, you’ll find even more stylish venues, where upmarket champagne and cocktails feature on the menu.

 

The CBD
A host of tucked-away bars, some underground, some in arcades and malls, some in laneways and other located within the many hotels along St Georges Terrace, provide more social options. Venues down at Barrack Square provide sublime riverside location for a balmy summer’s evening.