5 Exciting Things to Do in Perth, Australia
Although many people know it by name, Perth is often overlooked on many travellers’ itineraries when they come to Australia. Given how remote it is, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the vast plains of the outback on the other, it’s easy to see why. But anyone who spends a few days there will realise that everyone else has been missing out. There’s a lot more to this charming small city than people seem to think.
This short guide contains a few suggestions of things to do in the city.
- Try the wine
This doesn’t mean that you should spend your visit sitting in the bar of your Perth hotel. Instead, get out and try some of the fresh local stuff. The city of Perth is just a 25-minute drive from Swan Valley, the oldest wine region in Western Australia. The fertile soil there is excellent for growing grapes and many other fruits and foods, and the spectacular landscapes are a feast for the eyes too.
Tours leaving from the city can last anywhere from a few hours to a whole day. There’s ample opportunity to try different wines, as well as to purchase local produce from the roadside stalls and farmers’ markets.
- Fremantle Prison
While Perth is home to one of Australia’s best universities, the University of Western Australia, a more interesting place you can visit to do some learning is Fremantle Prison. This World Heritage-listed building is now a museum where you can learn about the convicts who built it. It is one of the largest and most intact buildings in the country that was built by Australia’s early settler population, which was largely made up of British and Irish convicts.
- Explore the art and culture sector
Fremantle is home to more than just a famous prison – it’s also the city’s arts and culture district. There’s plenty of quirky independent shops and cafes to visit and street art to see, but there’s plenty of history mixed in there too.
One of the most popular attractions in the area is Fremantle Market, where hundreds of stalls selling artisanal products and fresh food come together under one heritage-listed roof along with some excellent street performers.
- Swim at Cottesloe Beach
Australia often gets grouped with the ‘Pacific Islands’ or the Asia-Pacific region, which makes it easy to forget that its West coast actually lies on the Indian Ocean. And like other Indian Ocean coastlines, it has some beautiful white beaches that descend into an idyllic turquoise ocean.
Cottesloe Beach is one of the most popular of these and makes for an ideal swimming, snorkelling, and surfing location.
- Explore the Swan River
The Swan River runs through the centre of the city and its banks have been turned into a 27km loop for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians to enjoy. Cycling it at a moderate speed takes around two hours, and there are plenty of places to rent bikes from along the way.
Conclusion
Perth might be out the way compared to other Australian cities, but it has a lot to offer travellers who make the trip. From amazing beaches to wine, culture, and history, there are plenty of things to do and see.
