Best Places to visit in Perth

Highlights

• Thomson Bay: This is the main settlement area of the Island where you can find historic buildings, shops and cafes making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy evenings in the laid-back atmosphere and try some local cuisine.
• Beaches: The place has a number of beaches and bays which are fun to play with soft sand and enjoy the pristine waters. One can find opportunities to dive deep to explore the rich marine life at Basin beach or the pink beach known for swimming activities and relaxing.
• Historical sites: The island incorporates many places of historical significance, from lighthouses to museums such as the Bathurst Lighthouse and Wadjemup Lighthouse providing some stunning views of the entire island. Apart from this guided tours to Oliver hill battery housing the World War II tunnels and barracks and Rottnest Island museums provide insights into the Island’s rich history.

Your To Dos:

• Cycling and walking
• Snorkeling and diving
• Swimming
• Kayaking and paddleboarding
• Fishing

Transportation

• Catch a ferry from Perth Barrack street Jetty which takes
• approximately 90 minutes to reach Rottnest Island.
• Alternatively, a train can also take almost 2 hours costing $29 – $31.

Things to see:

• The Pinnacles: These limestone pillars that rise from the yellow sand dunes are the main attraction of the place, varying in shapes and sizes and create an outworldly aura of landscape. These provide excellent views during sunset and sunrise fit for a photography session.
• Visitor Center: This Pinnacles Desert Discovery center offers visitors a deep understanding of the geology and history of the place through interactive displays and exhibits explaining the unique environment.

Things to do

• Desert drive
• Nature walks
• Wildlife spotting
• Star Gazing
• Picnicking

Nearby attractions

• Hangover Bay
• Lake Thetis
• Jurien Bay

Getting There

• Take a bus from Perth which takes about 3 hours and 21 minutes costing $65 – $90
• The fastest way to get to Pinnacles Desert is to drive which takes around 2 hours costing almost $30 – $40

Highlights:

• Swan River: Enjoy the lush scenery alongside the river banks of this river and have a lifetime experience in its pristine waters by engaging in Kayaking, swimming, and going on river cruises.
• Whiteman Park: Plan a picnic at this beautiful park that offers spacious walking and cycling trails and playgrounds for kids to enjoy. Experience a fun heritage train ride on Brook Railway.
• Caversham Wildlife Park: Visit this place for an interactive and close session with the native wildlife of Australia including kangaroos, koalas, wombats and many more.
• Mandoon Estate: This is a well known spot popular for its fine dining restaurants, an exquisite microbrewery and a cellar door offering some wine tasting.

Activities

• Picnicking
• Swimming
• Hiking and Walking
• Wine tasting
• Cycling

Culinary Delights

• Swan Valley Platter
• Chenin Blanc poached pear
• Verjuice Chicken
• Wild mushroom pasta
• Lamb shank
• Nougat Desserts

Transportation

• Swan Valley can be reached by car through Northern Highway taking only 25 minutes from Perth.
• Alternatively a train can be taken from Perth station to get to Swan valley.
• Bus routes 310,311,312 and 313 also take you from Midland station to Swan Valley.

Highlights:

• Heritage Building: This architectural gem constructed in the late 19th century reflects the grandeur of the Victorian Era. This building has a marvelous and well preserved interior and exterior including a Melting house and Assay office.
• Treasury Room This place houses a spectacular collection of impressive products made of precious metals like Gold Bullions, collectible coins, gold bars and many other souvenirs.
• Gift Shop: This shop is made available in the premises to sell limited edition Perth Mint Branded merchandise which includes, gold bars and coins, silver and gold jewelry and many other items perfect for making a souvenir.

Activities:

• Look out for the traditional Gold Pour Demonstrations that occur several times a day, where we witness molten gold poured into molds to create gold bars and other items.
• Immerse yourselves into an experience of the history of gold in western Australia with a display of historical gold nuggets and bars including the famous One-Tonne Australian Kangaroo coinat the Gold Exhibition.
• Visitors are also provided with a chance of minting their own customized coins from a variety of designs with their names engraved in special Coin Minting and Customisation Programmes.

Tips:

• Check the establishment’s official website to confirm opening hours and tour schedules.
• Take a guided tour offered at the Mint to learn about the place and its items better.
• Make sure to follow guidelines, especially for photography and eating.
• Consider booking your tours and tickets well in advance.

Key Features:

• Botanic Garden: This spectacular space amidst the garden showcases almost 30,000 species of unique flowers with segregation according to themes. Walk around the marvelous flowers taking in the beauty and views.
• Fraser Lookout: This point offers some of the most panoramic views of Perth skyline including the Swan River and Darling Range making it a perfect spot for photography and relaxation.
• Synergy Parkland: This is a magnificent dinosaur themed play-ground area for kids with water features and large grassed areas to enjoy picnic time along with barbeque facilities.
• DNA Tower: Climb the 101 steps of this 15 meter high double helix staircase tower for an amazing view over the entire park and the surrounding areas.

Activities:

• Leisurely walks
• Picnicking and barbeque
• Bird Watching
• Souvenir shopping

Transportation:

• The Grand Canyon can be reached by a car ride of about 3 hours from Uluru.
• Apart from this several tour operators have transport inclusions that can get you to the destination.

Tips:

• A blue cat bus can be taken from Perth station to reach Kings park offered by King’s Park hop-on hop-off tour service.
• A direct train service also operates from Central Station arriving at Marayong station that departs every 20 minutes daily.
• Alternatively a private taxi or car can also be booked.

Highlights:

• The Rock Formation:It is a granite cliff rising about 15 meters above the ground and stretching as wide as 110 meters. Its wave-like structure is a result of years of erosion and weathering. This spot offers an opportunity to engage in aesthetic photography.
• The Wave Rock Walk Circuit: This walking trail of about 1.5 kilometers takes you to the base of rock and back to the top with signs on the way containing information about the area’s geology, flora and fauna. This trail provides mesmerizing views of the surrounding countryside.
• Wave Rock Wildlife Park: This is a small wildlife establishment developed in the vicinity of the Rock displaying some species native to the area including Kangaroos, Koalas and emus.

Nearby Attractions

• The Hippo’s Yawn.
• Mulka’s Cave.
• Lake Magic.
• The Humps.

Getting There

• The cheapest way to travel to Wave rock is by a bus from Perth which costs about $30 to $40 and takes approximately 5 hours.
• The fastest way to get to Wave Rock is by driving that takes 3 hours costing $35 – $55.
• There is no train service available to get to this location.

Key Features:

• Animal Encounters: Stroll through the area and hand-feed the red and gray kangaroos, have an experience like no other with clicking yourselves with cute koalas and friendly wombats.
• Molly’s Farm:Take the kids to this family friendly area to interact with domestic farm animals like sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs. Pet and feed the animals and watch traditional rearing techniques, milking goats and other stockman activities.
• Presentations and talks: The knowledgeable staff host educational presentations to give insights about the natural habitat of species and the conservation efforts in practice.

Tips:

• The park opens daily from 9.00 AM to 5.30 PM, with it being closed on holidays.
• Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance itself.
• Family passes often carry discounts.
• Park has a perfect picnic area along with restrooms and cafes.

Highlights:

• Lighthouse tour:Take a tour exploring every nook and cranny of this 39- meter high structure with 176 steps and enjoy the scenic views it provides along with the fascinating facts about maritime history of the place.
• Interpretive Center: These are the old lighthouse keepers’ cottages that have been developed into museums exhibiting instruments like shipwrecks and other items to interpret the history and environment of the place.
• Cape Leeuwin Water Wheel: This old water wheel was used to supply water to the lighthouse premises which is now encrusted with calcified lime creating a unique and photogenic structure.

Your To Dos:

• Coastal walks.
• Whale Watching.
• Photography.

Transportation:

• Take a bus from Perth which takes 5 hours to get you to Lighthouse costing $29 – $40.

Key Features:

• Stalactites and Stalagmites: The cave houses an impressive collection of limestone stalactites hanging from the feelings and stalagmites rising above the ground forming spectacular Karri Forest and Frozen waterfall.
• The Mammoth Chamber: This vast chamber is one of the most impressive parts of the cave with high ceilings and formations where your voice can echo off the walls.
• Lake Cave: The cave features this underground lake with its still waters reflecting the formations of the cave from above which creates a mesmerizing effect worthy of photography.

Your To Dos:

• Visit the interpretive center or information hub before or after the tour.
• Take a guided tour to explore the cave thoroughly.
• Take nature walks in the surrounding areas.
• Enjoy the view of well-lit pathways creating a magical atmosphere.

Highlights:

• Toodyay: This is a charming town famous for its heritage buildings, shops and vibrant arts scene.The most highlighted of all include Connor’s mill and the Newcastle Gaol Museum.
• Northam:Being the largest town in the valley, this town features some notable structures of Victorian style with the famous suspension bridge and Bilya Koort Boodja Center.
• York: Regarded as Australia’s oldest inland town, it is known for colonial buildings including York Motor Museum offering glimpses into town’s legal history.

Activities:

• Hot Air Ballooning.
• Hiking and walking.
• Kayaking and Canoeing.
• Visiting Wineries.
• Shopping at farmers market.

Culinary Delights:

• Steak and Guinness Pie.
• Chicken Parmigiana.
• Grilled Lamb.
• Gingerbread.