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Perth

Perth travel guide

Capital city of Western Australia

Things to do35 experiences
Best time to visitApril and November
Nearest airportPER · 6 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+8
Population2,141,834

About Perth

Perth is the capital and largest city of the state of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most-populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.2 million in the city and 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. The world's most isolated city by certain criteria, Perth is part of the South West Land Division of Western Australia, with most of Perth's metropolitan area on the Swan Coastal Plain between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Scarp. The city has expanded outward from the original British settlements on the Swan River, upon which its central business district and port of Fremantle are situated.

Places to visit in Perth

  1. Kings Park

    Kings Park

    Park · 2 mi from centre

    One of the largest inner-city parks in the world, with native bushland, a botanic garden, and wide views of the city and Swan River. Walk the treetop walkway in the spring wildflower season.

  2. Rottnest Island

    Rottnest Island

    Nature · 21 mi from centre

    A car-free island off the coast known for beaches, snorkeling, and the friendly quokka. Rent a bike on arrival, and do not feed or touch the quokkas, as it is illegal.

  3. Fremantle Prison

    Fremantle Prison

    Historic · 9 mi from centre

    A convict-built prison used for more than a century, now open for guided tours that cover daily life behind bars. Try the tunnels tour if you don't mind tight spaces.

  4. Cottesloe Beach

    Cottesloe Beach

    Beach · 7 mi from centre

    Perth's best-known beach, with clear water, a grassy foreshore, and famous sunsets over the Indian Ocean. Swim between the flags and stay for sunset with fish and chips.

  5. Elizabeth Quay

    Elizabeth Quay

    Neighborhood

    A waterfront precinct on the Swan River with walkways, public art, and a pedestrian bridge. Catch the ferry from here across to South Perth for great skyline views.

  6. Western Australian Museum

    Western Australian Museum

    Museum

    The state's main museum in the Perth Cultural Centre, covering natural history, Aboriginal culture, and the history of Western Australia. Entry to the main galleries is free.

  7. Swan Valley

    Nature · 12 mi from centre

    Western Australia's oldest wine region, just outside the city, with wineries, breweries, and chocolate makers. Book a tour or take a river cruise so nobody has to drive.

  8. Perth Zoo

    Perth Zoo

    Zoo · 1 mi from centre

    A long-running zoo in South Perth with native wildlife and animals from around the world. Arrive by ferry from Elizabeth Quay, a short walk from the zoo entrance.

Things to do in Perth by type

35 tours, tickets and experiences across 6 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 1-3 hours 9
  • Over 6 hours 5
  • Up to 1 hour 3
  • Flexible 2
  • 3-6 hours 1
Ways to go
  • Private 2
  • Small group 2
Browse all things to do in Perth

Top experiences in Perth

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 35 available.

See all things to do in Perth

Where to stay in Perth

Popular hotels in Perth, out of 242 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Perth

Best time to visit Perth

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Perth is April and November, when average daytime highs are around 77–80°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 68° – 88° 1
Feb 68° – 89° 2
Mar 65° – 86° 3
Apr 61° – 80° 5
May 57° – 75° 9
Jun 52° – 66° 14
Jul 49° – 63° 18
Aug 52° – 64° 19
Sep 52° – 68° 8
Oct 55° – 71° 10
Nov 59° – 77° 6
Dec 65° – 85° 2

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Perth weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 71° 57° 75%
  • Thu 22 Oct 66° 58° 83%
  • Fri 23 Oct 61° 50° 73%
  • Sat 24 Oct 62° 47° 18%
  • Sun 25 Oct 62° 45° 21%
  • Mon 26 Oct 67° 52° 19%

Know before you go

Currency
Australian dollar (AUD)1 US dollar ≈ $1.43
Language
English
Calling code
+61
Driving
On the left
Time zone
Australia/PerthUTC+8
Capital
Canberra

Upcoming public holidays in Australia

  • Christmas Day
  • St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Australia Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Perth

These are the airports closest to central Perth. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • PER Perth Airport6 mi (10 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Perth

Getting around Perth

Perth has a fairly reliable and inexpensive public transport system operated by Transperth. The website and app can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Apple Maps and Google Maps provide a similar experience.

Fares

A $2.40 "2 Sections" fare applies to any journey under 3.2 kilometres, excluding transfers. A $3.50 "Go Anywhere" fare applies to any journey under three hours, including transfers.

Trains

The suburban rail network is great for quickly getting to outlying suburban areas. All services stop at Perth station in the City on their way to or from the suburbs. The network consists of the following eight lines:

Buses

A reasonably reliable network of public buses serves the city centre, suburbs and outlying townships, with good interconnections between routes and with metro rail services. Most routes run hourly in the off-peak and every 20 to 30 minutes during peak hours, although the exact frequency varies by route. Some routes only run on weekdays, and some only have a limited number of services each day. High frequency routes run every 15 minutes, and some of these routes can be even more frequent.

Perth travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Perth?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Perth is April and November, when average daytime highs are around 77–80°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.

What is the weather like in Perth?

February is usually the warmest month in Perth, with average highs of 89°F (32°C). July is the coolest, with average lows of 49°F (10°C). The wettest month is typically August, with about 196 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Perth?

Perth Airport (PER) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (10 km) from the centre of Perth.

What currency is used in Perth?

Perth uses the Australian dollar (AUD). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $1.43.

What time zone is Perth in?

Perth uses the Australia/Perth time zone (currently UTC+8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Perth?

Perth has a fairly reliable and inexpensive public transport system operated by Transperth. The website and app can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Apple Maps and Google Maps provide a similar experience.

What are the best places to visit in Perth?

Top sights in Perth include Kings Park, Rottnest Island, Fremantle Prison and Cottesloe Beach. One of the largest inner-city parks in the world, with native bushland, a botanic garden, and wide views of the city and Swan River. Walk the treetop walkway in the spring wildflower season.

What are the top things to do in Perth?

Popular experiences you can book in Perth include Pinnacles Sunset Stargazing Tour, Pinnacles, Lobster & Lavender - Full-Day Tour and Perth Private Walking Tour with a Local: Highlights and Hidden Gems. Destina Holidays offers 35 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Perth?

The most popular types of experiences in Perth are art & culture (12), gastronomy & nightlife (7), day trips & excursions (6) and city tours (4). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Perth?

Popular areas for hotels in Perth include Perth CBD and Scarborough. Well-reviewed options include Oaks Perth Hotel and Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough.

How many hotels can I book in Perth?

Destina Holidays currently lists 242 properties in and around Perth, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.