Perth is the most isolated major city in the world. The nearest comparable city is Adelaide, 2,700km away. You'd think that would make it feel like the end of the earth and instead it makes it feel like the beginning of something. Because what's around Perth is extraordinary in basically every direction and the city itself has spent the last decade becoming genuinely good in its own right.
The beaches alone would justify the trip. Cottesloe, City Beach, Scarborough, Leighton. Perth's suburban beaches are better than most cities' headline beaches and the water in the Indian Ocean turns a shade of blue-green that the east coast doesn't get. The food scene in Fremantle and Northbridge has been excellent for years. The weather averages 8 hours of sunshine a day and roughly 3,000 sunshine hours per year, which is more than almost anywhere in Australia. And then there's what's an hour outside the city, which is where things really get going.
Things to Do in Perth City
Fremantle is 30 minutes south of Perth by train and is a different city in terms of energy. The Fremantle Markets have been running since 1897. The cappuccino strip on South Terrace is the coffee culture that predates Melbourne's by several decades (Freo's Italian community established it in the 1950s). The maritime history, the prison (Fremantle Prison is UNESCO World Heritage listed), the fishing boats still coming in off the harbour. It's worth half a day at minimum and many people end up spending more.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden sits on a hill overlooking the city and the Swan River and is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world at 400 hectares. The wildflower season from August to October is internationally renowned. The views of the city skyline and the river from the park are the best in Perth. It's free, it's always good, and the DNA Tower walk through the treetops is worth doing.
The Swan Valley is 25 minutes from the CBD and is Perth's local wine and food region. Smaller and less famous than Margaret River but good for a half day with cellar doors, chocolate factories, craft beer, and cheese producers all within a short drive of each other. Good option if you want the wine region experience without a full day's travel.
Day Trips from Perth Worth Doing
Rottnest Island is the easiest and most popular day trip and earns it. Twenty-five minutes by ferry from Fremantle, no cars on the island, quokkas everywhere, turquoise water, and some of the best snorkelling near Perth. It's the kind of day trip that people do and immediately want to do again.
The Pinnacles Desert is 2.5 hours north and a genuinely unique landscape. Limestone formations in the sand, sandboarding at Lancelin, and some of the best sunset light you'll see on a day trip from any Australian city. Worth combining into a single day if you're heading north.
The South West and Margaret River is a longer day trip or better as 3-4 nights. Wineries, karri forests, surf beaches, sea caves. The full South West experience rewards more time but even a day in Margaret River is a very good day.
Going Further: The Big West Coast Trips
Perth is the launchpad for the longer West Coast adventures. The Perth to Exmouth run takes you to Ningaloo Reef and whale shark country. Perth to Broome adds Cable Beach and the gateway to the Kimberley. The full Perth to Darwin overland is one of the great trips in the country. All of it starts here. The West Coast Australia hub has the full breakdown.
Check the Australia deals page for current offers on Perth and West Coast tours, or talk to the team at Backpackers World Travel to build the trip that makes sense for your time and budget.
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