Kings Park & Botanic Garden
Kings Park and Botanic Garden is visited by nearly six
million people each year. With its remarkable expanses of unique bushland,
tranquil parkland and botanic garden, the Park is the most popular visitor
destination in Western Australia. It is free to enter.
Exciting events are held throughout the year and a range of gardens, cafes, playgrounds, bushwalks and other services and facilities are offered to ensure you enjoy your visit. A must visit time is September, when the whole Park is blooming with wildflowers and activities to engage the senses. The month long Kings Park Festival runs throughout September each year.
Perth's fabulous beaches
Cottesloe, Scarborough and City Beach are some of the best options if you are staying near central Perth and it's free to spread out a towel on the fine, white sand. If visiting Cottesloe, catch a wave, swim with the locals, watch the lifesavers in summer, have lunch at one of the seafront cafes, or for something less formal, grab a cold beer and a pub meal at the Ocean Beach Hotel (or the OBH as the locals call it). If it's a Sunday, partake in the Sunday session at the OBH but be warned - if it's a sunny day, the pub will be packed!
Scitech
Scitech is an educational and engaging science centre
conveniently located in the heart of Perth. As Western Australia's leading
science education institution, this unique centre offers interactive science
experiences for people of all ages to enjoy.
Hillarys Boat Harbour and Sorrento Quay Marina
20 kilometres north of Perth at the end of Hepburn
Avenue. While you are there: look at boats and luxury launches, sit and enjoy
the restaurants, cafes and bars, browse in 60+ shops along the boardwalks, book
ferries and fishing trips, ride a water slide, fish from the jetty, swim or
walk along the beaches, catch a wave or enjoy a barbecue at nearby Sorrento
Beach.
Fremantle historic city
30 minutes south of Perth city - While you are there:
dine on fish and chips overlooking the harbour (Cicerello's is a Fremantle
institution on the waterfront), visit the Maritime and Army Museums, the
historic old Fremantle Prison, The Roundhouse, wander in the Fremantle Weekend
Markets, enjoy alfresco coffee or a meal while you people-watch, try the
world-famous Little Creatures beer at the boutique brewery on the waterfront,
and enjoy shopping at some one-off boutiques down High Street (like Love in
Tokyo & Hustle). At night time, check out some world music at Kulcha or the
Fly By Night Club.
30 minutes east of
Perth city - While you are there: taste some of Perth's premium wines at a
winery, visit a boutique brewery, visit a chocolate factory, enjoy original
gourmet food creations at restaurants and cafes, enjoy the walking, cycling and
driving trails through the valley. On the way to Swan Valley, you can stop at
historic Guidlford to wander around the collectibles shops.
Rottnest Island
approx 20 kilometres west of Fremantle. This idyllic and
under developed little island is just a short ferry trip away from the city.
Ferries depart from Barrack Street Jetty, Fremantle and Hillarys (in summer)
and take between 30 minutes to an hour depending on your departure point. The
fare from Fremantle is least expensive. Rottnest offers lots of intimate
beaches, coves, bays, great snorkelling or scuba diving on reefs and wrecks,
and crystal clear water. Join historic tours of wartime fortifications.
Thompson's Bay is packed with watercraft in summer on weekends. The common
modes of transport around the island are bike (available for hire or bring your
own) or bus and you will get to meet the cute little quokkas that are native to
this island. The recently renovated pub serves cold beer and lovely meals but
there are other food options on the island including Dome cafe and a great
bakery.