Perth is abuzz with incredible arts and cultural experiences.

After all, we’re home to the world’s oldest living culture, and an incredible melting pot of cultures from all over the world call our beautiful city home.

You’ll find world-class galleries and museums, fantastic festivals, performance art and public art, and much more - including expert in-the-know guided tours that will breathe new life and rich meaning into Perth’s everyday spaces. They say that arts and culture are the soul of a city, and we’re sure you’ll have a blast experiencing the rich tapestry that makes our city so unique!

Perth also puts on an exciting program of arts and cultural events and festivals throughout the year - from international film festivals to major arts exhibitions. To see what's coming up check out the Perth Events Calendar and search 'Arts and Culture' in the category field.

Art Galleries and Museums

We’re lucky to have some truly amazing local and international exhibitions right at our doorstep!

Head to the Perth Cultural Centre to see the range of fascinating permanent exhibits at the WA Museum Boola Bardip as well as the newly reopened Art Gallery of Western Australia. 

There’s also many lesser-known hidden arts and cultural gems in Perth. We love the Maalinup Gallery, an Aboriginal owned and operated enterprise in the Swan Valley offering cultural activities, talks, performances and bush tucker, as well as beautiful artwork and hand painted objects by local Aboriginal artists (including exquisitely hand painted glassware, woodware and ceramics). Wander the bushfood garden, commune with emus, purchase a plant for your own garden - and taste a world of amazing bush tucker flavours!

Nestled in the Perth Hills, is the Mundaring Arts Centre - the premier outlet for high quality arts and crafts in the eastern region. The Centre presents regular contemporary exhibitions alongside a shop showcasing art forms from exceptional local artists and craftspeople. 

The Fremantle Arts Centre, one of Western Australia's major arts organisations, offers a rich program of exhibitions, residencies, courses, music and events. 

The Wadjemup Museum on Rottnest Island, is a place for visitors to explore and learn about Rottnest Island’s rich history including stories of imprisonment, natural history, arts and culture. Walk around the newly renovated museum and discover a range of exhibits including 40,000-year-old artefacts, vintage postcards, contemporary artworks, and incredible outdoor sculptures.

In the scenic Avon Valley town of Toodyay, you’ll find two fascinating museums: Connor’s Mill Museum, and Newcastle Gaol Museum. Connor’s Mill was the third stem powered mill built in Toodyay and has since also been used as a power house, private residence, visitor centre and now a museum. The Mill is three floors high with agricultural history and working displays, including a Brotherhood steam engine and milling machinery. Other exhibits include a Ballardong Noongar connection to Country and displays on apiaries, timber, viticulture and pastoralism. 

Built in 1865 by convicts, the Newcastle Gaol Museum has been used as a gaol, residence and now a museum. The history of Toodyay is displayed within the former prison cells with permanent exhibits on Moondyne Joe, the Dorizzi brothers, law & order, growing up in Toodyay and the “Native Cell”. It’s a great spot to learn about Toodyay’s colourful past and local characters.

There’s plenty more museum and gallery-hopping to be had in and around Perth; check out our directory of art galleries and museums for more.

Indigenous Cultural Tours

Discover Perth's fascinating Aboriginal culture and history with a cultural tour! Be immersed in the world's oldest living culture with authentic, personal experiences to deepen your understanding of this land, and the very special connections that the local Noongar people have with their boodja (land). Learn about traditions and stories, and experience the places and spaces of Perth in a whole new and deeply meaningful light.

Join Djurandi Dreaming to explore Perth City and Rockingham through a lens of Aboriginal art and culture, experiencing great activities, secluded locations and visual surprises that make you stop, take a breath and appreciate this beautiful country we belong to. 

Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences offers fascinating tours of Perth City, Kings Park and Rottnest Island, including a 90-min walking tour of Elizabeth Quay; learn about Noongar people’s spiritual connection to their traditional lands and how the six seasons influenced the movements and habits of Perth’s First People.

In the Swan Valley, Dale Tilbrook’s Aboriginal Experiences will take you on a cultural journey that will ignite all the senses. In a relaxed setting, taste a variety of wild bush foods, such as quandong, native limes, sandalwood nuts and local coastal greens. Learn about and "sniff touch taste" native Australian herbs, spices, nuts, fruits and peppers, and discover the uses of bushtucker plants, their medicinal properties and surprising health benefits they offer.

Public Art Trails and Tours

Perth has a vibrant public art scene, and you can enjoy some seriously awesome artworks on the Perth Art Trails, where you’ll find mesmerising statues and sculptures celebrating our history, heritage and future; urban street art and murals by some of the world's best; and much more! Check out some of Perth’s street art murals, the Perth City art trails and Fremantle public art. Or join Two Feet and a Heartbeat for their tours including public art - Perth Arcades and Laneways, Fremantle – Convicts, Culture & Street Art, and the Coffee, Culture & Art Tour Of Perth.

History and Heritage Trails and Tours

Perth is full of fascinating history and stories you’ll love to learn about! You can explore the rich and interesting history and heritage of Perth on foot on a self-guided  walking tour, or join one of the many free guided walking tours offered by various community groups, local councils and volunteers. Check out Perth Heritage Trails to find out more. Or join the award-winning Two Feet and a Heartbeat on an eye-opening dark history tour, including Crimes of Perth Walking Tour, Crimes of Fremantle Walking Tour, or Horrible Histories of Fremantle.

We hope we’ve sparked your arts and cultural muse! With so many incredible arts and cultural experiences to enjoy in Perth, there’s really something for everyone. For more ideas on how to live your best Perth life, check out our Best of Perth blog.