Whether you love the beach, want to explore some natural landscapes, dine out on local cuisine or explore shopping outlets, you’ll find there’s something for everyone in Perth.
Explore the great outdoors
Being on the river and near the ocean makes Perth perfect for fishing, windsurfing, sailing or simply relaxing with friends for a picnic at the park or around a barbeque. Here are some of the most popular outdoor spaces in and around Perth.
Kings Park
Just minutes from the city centre with views of Perth and the beautiful Swan River, Kings Park is one of the biggest and most spectacular inner city parks in the world - even bigger than New York's Central Park. With botanic gardens, walking trails, memorials, cafés and a restaurant, a gift shop and even concerts and an outdoor cinema in summer months, you’ll soon see why more than six million people visit every year.
Fremantle
Discover why Fremantle was listed in the top 10 of the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016 Guide as the 7th best city in the world. Fremantle, or “Freo” as the locals call it, is known as a hub of music and arts, with markets, fashion boutiques, quirky gift shops and a wide range of bars, restaurants and cafes.
Rottnest Island
Catch a ferry from Fremantle to Rottnest Island to discover amazing beaches, coral reefs and wrecks. Enjoy some of the best swimming, snorkelling and boating in the Perth area for a day trip or choose from a range of accommodation, including camping, to stay longer. You can also visit the famous bakery for an Aussie meat pie and see WA’s cutest marsupials, quokkas, as they roam freely around the island.
Swan Valley
The Swan Valley wine region is just outside of Perth with vineyards, cycling, horse riding, golf, hiking, art and around 70 restaurants and cafes. Don’t miss Caversham Wildlife Park where you can get up close to some Australian animals including kangaroos, wombats and koalas.
Explore Western Australia
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, a state which takes up approximately one third of the Australian continent. You can enjoy some great weekend breaks or longer stays in other parts of WA. Some world-famous WA destinations include:
- The Margaret River wine region – where you can visit wineries, breweries, restaurants, beaches, caves, galleries and much more. Margaret River is about a three-hour drive from Perth.
- Ningaloo Marine Park – where you can snorkel on a coral reef or even swim with whale sharks. You can reach Exmouth, near Ningaloo Reef, by flight or by driving over several days to enjoy the scenery along the way.
- Broome – a flight from Perth will take you to a tropical paradise in WA, famous for Cable Beach sunsets and the local pearling industry.
Enjoy amazing food
Whether you would like to experience fine dining with city views or eat a casual breakfast overlooking the beach, you’ll find some delicious dining options in Perth. Some of the best produce in Australia comes from globally-recognised regions such as Margaret River, various markets and fresh seafood from local fisheries. In Perth you can find traditional food from all over the world with a range of restaurants, cafes, food trucks, food festivals, farmers markets and events throughout the year.
Shop for bargains or discover designer brands
Perth offers a wide variety of upscale boutiques, global fashion brands including Prada and Louis Vuitton, department stores, discount outlets, handmade markets and Australian souvenir and duty free shops for you to explore.
Outside of Perth city, the suburbs of Subiaco, Claremont, Cottesloe and Fremantle each have distinctive styles. You’ll also find plenty of shopping centres throughout the suburbs. Murdoch University is close to shopping centres in Kardinya, Bull Creek and Booragoon where you can find everything from fashion and gifts to supermarkets and beauty salons.
Stay fit and healthy
With such spectacular weather, it’s not surprising that Perth offers so many health and sporting activities. If you like to jog, walk or cycle you’ll find plenty of trails around Murdoch University and nearby areas. On campus there’s a gym and Sports Centre where you can join the gym for a workout, find a personal trainer, take a yoga class or join a club to play sports including basketball, cricket, beach volleyball, cycling, golf and many more.
