Everything you need to make the most of the most isolated capital in the world: what to see in depth (Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, the Swan River), the best beaches on the Indian Ocean, historic Fremantle and its World Heritage prison, how to get to Rottnest Island and take the famous quokka selfie (with real 2026 ferry prices), the must-do day trips (the Pinnacles, Swan Valley, the dolphins of Rockingham, Margaret River), when to go to catch the wildflowers, a 5-7 day itinerary ready to copy and — first of all — which visa you need depending on your passport.
Perth is Australia's great unknown and, precisely for that reason, one of its most rewarding cities. Capital of Western Australia and one of the most isolated cities on the planet, it offers a spectacular river (the Swan), one of the largest inner-city parks in the world (Kings Park), white-sand beaches lapped by the Indian Ocean and blazing sunsets, a storybook port town (Fremantle) and, a ferry ride away, the island that is home to the happiest animal in the world: the quokka. All around lies a south-west of wine, surf and wild nature. In this guide — updated for 2026 with real prices and tips — we tell you what to see, how to get around, which day trips not to miss and when to go, with an itinerary ready to copy. We start with the thing that saves the most headaches: the visa.
Nobody enters Australia without a travel authorisation arranged before flying, not even for a layover. Which one applies to you depends on your passport. Choose it here and apply with us to get it right the first time (almost all refusals come from inconsistent data or poorly presented documents):
Travelling on a US passport (or from Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia...)? You need the ETA (subclass 601). Our course shows you how to get it right the first time, in minutes. Approval is always up to the Australian Government; we are not the government.
🎓 Get the ETA 601 course (PDF + slides) →What is the ETA 601? Full guide → · British passport? You need the free eVisitor 651 →
These are the places you can't miss in the city, with what's really worth doing at each one, how much it costs and a few tips so you don't waste time or money.
One of the largest inner-city parks in the world (bigger than Central Park), sitting on a hill with the best views of Perth, the skyline and the Swan River. It's free and huge: a botanic garden with native Western Australian flora, walking trails, picnic areas and the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, an elevated bridge 16 m up among giant eucalypts with vertigo-inducing views.
Perth's pedestrian waterfront, reinvented as a lively promenade: public art, restaurants with terraces over the water, the spiral pedestrian bridge and a free water playground (BHP Water Park) where kids cool off. From here the ferries to Rottnest depart, along with cruises along the river and to Fremantle.
Perth's most iconic beach: a wide stretch of pale sand lined with Norfolk pines, lawns and a historic pavilion. Calm Indian Ocean waters for swimming, lifeguards, seafront cafes and one of the best sunsets in Australia (the sun drops straight into the ocean). In March it hosts Sculpture by the Sea, an open-air sculpture exhibition on the beach itself.
Livelier and more surf-focused than Cottesloe, Scarborough has a revamped esplanade with an outdoor pool, an amphitheatre, a skate park and restaurants. It's the trendy beach for surfing, sunset-watching and a night out. Next door, City Beach and Trigg round out an urban coastline of kilometres of sand.
The centre is compact and very walkable, and on top of that the city bus is free (the CAT network). In Northbridge you'll find the Perth Cultural Centre, with the revamped WA Museum Boola Bardip (free general entry to the permanent galleries), the Art Gallery of WA and libraries. Don't miss the hidden laneways of the centre (like the bar and street-art alleys) or the food market at Yagan Square.
Just 30 minutes by train from the centre, "Freo" is an almost compulsory escape and deserves half a day at minimum. A 19th-century sandstone port city, bohemian atmosphere, craft beer and the best port for catching the ferry to Rottnest.
Fremantle Prison is a World Heritage Site: a 19th-century convict jail with tours that walk you through its history (the Convict Prison, the True Crime Tour and even a torchlight night tour, around 25-45 AUD depending on which one). On weekends, the Fremantle Markets (running since 1897) fill the centre with fresh produce, crafts, street food and musicians. And at the Fishing Boat Harbour you'll eat the best fish & chips right by the water.
The star of the trip. Rottnest Island ("Rotto" to the locals) is an island with barely any cars, with 63 beaches and 20 bays of turquoise water, and home to around 10,000 quokkas: small, curious, photogenic marsupials famous for their "smile" that come right up to you. It's a must-do full-day excursion.
You get there only by ferry (three operators: Rottnest Express, SeaLink and Rottnest Fast Ferries). The crossing takes ~30 min from Fremantle and ~90 min from central Perth. Same-day return prices in 2026: from Fremantle around 64 AUD + 21 AUD island access fee (~85 AUD, ≈US$78); from Perth (Barrack Street) around 108 AUD + 21 AUD (~129 AUD, ≈US$118). The island has no cars for tourists: you explore it by bike (hire from ~36 AUD a day) or on the hop-on hop-off bus (Island Explorer).
Perth is the perfect base for spectacular day trips. These are the ones most worth the effort, either on your own with a rental car or on an organised tour.
A surreal desert of thousands of limestone pillars rising from the golden sand, like a landscape from another planet. It's about 2 hours (200 km) north of Perth, near Cervantes. You explore it on foot or by car along a signposted loop. Many tours combine it with sandboarding on the Lancelin dunes and a lobster stop at the Lobster Shack.
Just 25 minutes from the centre, the Swan Valley is the oldest wine region in Western Australia, with more than 40 wineries, craft breweries, distilleries, chocolate shops and local produce stalls strung together along the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail. Ideal for a relaxed day of tastings without driving too far.
35-40 minutes south, the sheltered waters of Rockingham are home to more than 200 wild bottlenose dolphins. You can take a spotting cruise or, for the more adventurous, swim with wild dolphins (an experience with years behind it). Across the water, Penguin Island hosts WA's largest colony of little penguins, plus cruises to see Australian sea lions and birds of prey.
If you have 2-3 nights, don't miss Margaret River, about 3 hours south of Perth. It's one of Australia's best destinations and combines everything: first-class wine (more than 200 wineries, cradles of cabernet and chardonnay), world-class surf, stalactite caves (Lake Cave, Jewel Cave, Mammoth Cave), giant karri forests and crystal-clear beaches like those at Yallingup and Gnarabup.
A perfect weekend: a tasting at wineries like Leeuwin Estate or Vasse Felix, gourmet food, a swim at Meelup or Bunker Bay, an illuminated cave, the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet) and, in season (Jun-Dec), whale watching along the coast. In spring, the area fills with wildflowers.
Want to chain Perth with more destinations in Australia? Check out the pillar guide what to see in Australia and our guide to the best cities in Australia.
Perth has a Mediterranean climate: dry, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters. The best time for most is spring (Sep-Nov): pleasant weather, little rain and — best of all — the wildflower season. Summer (Dec-Feb) is for the beach and sunsets, very dry and hot (sometimes above 35 C). Autumn (Mar-May) is still warm and pleasant. Winter (Jun-Aug) is the wettest time, with highs of 17-20 C, but keeps plenty of sunny days and is the cheapest.
To plan the weather and the season for the whole country, check out when to travel to Australia.
Perth has an international airport with direct connections to Asia (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Doha) and to the main Australian cities. From the airport to the centre you can use the Airport Line train (about 20-25 min to the centre, at the public-transport fare, far cheaper than a taxi), a taxi or Uber.
Combining city, island and day trips, this is how you make the most of Perth and its surroundings:
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 · Perth city | Morning at Kings Park and the Federation Walkway · centre and the WA Museum using the free CAT buses · sunset at Elizabeth Quay and dinner in Northbridge. |
| Day 2 · Rottnest Island | First ferry from Fremantle · bike around the island · quokka selfie at Thomson Bay · swim at The Basin and Pinky Beach · fur seals at Cathedral Rocks · return at sunset. |
| Day 3 · Fremantle and beaches | Morning in Freo: prison, markets (if it's the weekend) and fish & chips at the harbour · afternoon and sunset at Cottesloe or Scarborough. |
| Day 4 · Pinnacles + Swan Valley | Day trip north to the Pinnacles (Nambung) with sandboarding at Lancelin, or swap it: Swan Valley wineries on a Swan River cruise. |
| Day 5 · Rockingham | Dolphins and Penguin Island at Rockingham (dolphin swim or cruise) · free afternoon at the beach or markets. |
| +2 extra days | A 2-3 night getaway to Margaret River: wineries, caves, surf, Cape Leeuwin and (in season) whales. |
Before you enjoy Perth and Rottnest, lock in the right visa (ETA 601, eVisitor 651 or Visa 600) and apply correctly the first time. We guide you step by step.
🎓 Get the ETA 601 courseApproval of any visa depends solely on the Department of Home Affairs.
With 3 days you cover the city, Fremantle and Rottnest. The sweet spot is 5-7 days to add day trips (Pinnacles, Swan Valley, Rockingham) or a getaway to Margaret River.
From Fremantle, ~64 AUD + 21 access fee (~85 AUD return). From central Perth, ~108 AUD + 21 (~129 AUD). Leave from Freo to pay less. Bikes from ~36 AUD.
Yes, they come up on their own, especially at Thomson Bay. Crouch down to their level and use the front camera. Never touch them or feed them: it's illegal, harms them and carries fines.
Spring (Sep-Nov): mild weather and wildflower season (Aug-Nov). Summer for the beach (dry and hot). Winter is rainy but cheap and with plenty of sunny days.
Very much so. 30 min by train: a World Heritage prison, weekend markets, fish & chips at the harbour and the best place to catch the ferry to Rottnest.
Yes, always. US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia: ETA 601. UK passports use the free eVisitor 651. Other nationalities: Visa 600. Get the ETA 601 course.
