Perth, Australia

Things to do in Perth – 3 days

Day 1: Perth City

The following attractions can all be reached on foot, except perhaps the Botanical Gardens.

• The Perth Cultural Centre houses art galleries, the theatre ballet and opera, and the Western Australia Museum.
• The Art Gallery of Western Australia has works by famous Australians such as Arthur Boyd, Grace Cossington-Smith, Albert Tucker and Russell Drysdale.
• PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Art) houses installations, sculptures, performance art as well as more traditional mediums.
• The Bell Tower on Barracks Square is a stunning piece of architecture with a viewing platform from which to get a bird’s eye view of Perth.
• Murray, King and Hay streets are packed with bars and restaurants. They are also lined with boutiques making the area a shoppers paradise.
• Sci-tech Perth is an interactive museum where you’ll learn about science and have fun at the same time. It has a planetarium with themed shows and exhibits.
• Kings Park and the Botanical Gardens on Mt. Eliza is a great place to take in sweeping views of Perth and enjoy a picnic at sunset.
• The photogenic Blue Boat House is on the Swan River near the Kings Park and Botanical Gardens and is accessed via Mounts Bay Road.

Day 2: Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island is reached via Ferry from Fremantle. A good way to explore the island is to rent a bike and cycle around it, stopping at deserted beaches along the way. The cute little creatures you’ll encounter here are called quokkas and they always seem to have a smile on their faces. Free guided tours are on offer by the yellow-shirted volunteers.

A friendly Quokka on Rottnest ISland. Photo: inkawagner via IG

Crystal clear waters of Rottnest Island. Photo: ninanhaia via IG

They are just too darn cute! Photo: ma.le.wa via IG

Day 3: Fremantle  and Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe Beach is the safest swimming beach with life guards, parkland, tall Norfolk pines and 'sculptures by the sea'. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from should you be in need of refreshments.

Fremantle (Shortened to ‘Freo’ by locals) is 8 km to the south of Cottesloe. It is a port city with an artsy vibe. Highlights include:

• An historic jail called The Roundhouse, 
• WA Maritime Museum, 
• WA Shipwrecks Museum, 
• Sky Ride Ferris Wheel, 
• The Fremantle Arts Centre 
• And lots of restaurants, bars and quirky boutiques set against a backdrop of port streetscapes of Georgian and Victorian era architecture.

If you have more time

• Perth Hills is 40 minutes drive from the middle of Perth but has a completely different atmosphere. Lesmurdie Falls, wineries, a camel farm, the Zig Zag Cultural Centre and the Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary are key attractions. 
• Swan Valley is a green rural appendage 30 minutes drive from Perth City where you can taste wine at the small family run wineries.

Perth Caravan Parks

These caravan parks are within 20 km, or a 25 minute drive of the Botanic Gardens in Perth. Some (Central and Karinyup) are just 10 minutes from the centre of Perth.

• Karinyup Waters Resort - From $43/night for 2 people. WiFi (not free), laundry, dump point, pool, playground, jumping pillow, camp kitchen.
• Central Caravan Park - From $48/night for 2 people. Additional adults $15. Free WiFi, pool, camp kitchen, BBQs, laundry.
• Fremantle Village - From $42 (off season) to $52 (peak) for 2 people. Additional adults $12. WiFi, camp kitchen, BBQs, laundry, dump point, 400 m to beach.
• Discovery Parks Coogee Beach - From $35 for 2. Additional adults $10. BBQ, laundry, playground, restaurant, on the beach.
• Discovery Parks Woodman Point - From $35 for 2 people. Additional adults $10. WiFi, BBQ, laundry, playground, pool, dump point, camp kitchen, store.
• Discovery Parks Perth Airport - $35 for 2 people. Additional adults $15. WiFi, BBQ, camp kitchen, playground, pool, store, laundry, activity room.
• Crystal Brook Caravan Park - $35 for 2 people. Additional adults $12. Laundry, pool, store, lunch bar.