There's no better way to discover a city than on foot. Although you may recognise streets, buildings, and large murals throughout the Perth CBD, what are the stories behind them? Is there more to an unassuming shopfront or laneway? Or did you stroll past a venue you had no idea existed?
Deepen your knowledge and see a different side to Perth by hitting the pavement on a walking tour. There's a variety of tours available by passionate, Perth-proud guides who have done the groundwork to showcase our city in another light. From experiences catering to cheese lovers, spook fanatics, art aficionados, and American barbeque fans, there's something to suit all moods and appetites. So, ready to put in the legwork?
Two Feet and a HeartBeat
Perth's OG walking tour company Two Feet and a Heartbeat has led tours around the city since 2007. Besides their popular Eat Drink Walk Perth tour that leads patrons to hidden spots and local favourites, they have added more tours to their schedule.
Learn of the city's notorious past on a Crimes of Perth tour. Weave Fremantle's chequered past with its colourful present-day charms on a Convicts, Culture and Street Art tour. Another tour that may give you the downright creeps is the East Perth Cemeteries tour. The walk through the lesser-known landmark will take you back in time to when Perth was first colonised in the 1830s, with part of the tour's proceeds going back to conserving the historic cemetery.
But if you're after something less grave and, let's say, cheesier, hop along the Fromage Walking tour. The three-hour tour is perfect for cheese lovers, visiting four venues to appreciate the decadent crowd-pleaser.
Find out more: Two Feet and a Heartbeat
Hidden DeTours
Let the fun times be-gin! Merriment makers Hidden DeTours has expanded its tour range to include more than just fun times with gin, whisky, wine, and cider, adding star power to its line-up.
Join Perth-nality Famous Sharron on a Celebrity tour around Perth. The red-headed Google map will also be your personal ''disco deva'' leading you on a silent disco adventure around Perth. Just BYO dancing shoes.
Keep up with the city's thriving small bar scene on the new Perth Hidden Bar tour. The tour visits three bars from basements, rooftops, and cleverly disguised entrances, with intriguing titbits of Perth's past revealed along the way.
Venture further afield to quench your thirst on the new Fremantle Hidden Bar tour, discovering the port city's eclectic history in between bar hops.
Find out more: Hidden DeTours
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Up Close and Local Tours
Experience Perth's neighbourhoods like a true local with Up Close and Local Tours. The boutique tour operator offers half-day food walking tours serving the best of Perth on a plate – our favourite way to live a balanced life!
The limited-edition Asian Street Food tour goes on a culinary adventure around the inner-city neighbourhood Victoria Park. Foodies will travel by the forkful, visiting roughly five venues to sample the best of this multicultural precinct.
Find out more: Up Close and Local Tours
Dark Stry
Take discovering Perth into your own hands with Dark Stry. The self-guided app offers punters a range of tours to experience the city differently on their own schedule. Each tour purchase includes a personalised tour guide, map pack, restaurant guide and immersive experience.
Toast the town on a historical pub crawl and discover the untold stories of Perth's much-loved hospitality venues. Uncover the city's gritter side on a Perth Murder and Macabre tour. Discover the Enterprising Women who helped shape Perth into the thriving city it is today.
Go beyond the CBD and stretch the self-guided fun further with a Perth to the Pinnacles driving tour, making new discoveries along the Turquoise Coast.
Find out more: Dark Stry
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Oh Hey WA
Let long-time Perth advocates and multi-award-winning tour operator Oh Hey WA guide you on a fun adventure around Perth. Weave learning about the city's culture and heritage with discovering colourful street art and laneway finds on the Ultimate Perth tour.
See the city as an urban canvas on a Perth Street Art tour. Receive an in-depth curation of Perth's streets, hidden lanes, and public spaces filled with larger-than-life murals, sculptures and graffiti while discovering the artists and the stories behind the artworks.
Combine history and art with bar hops on a Perth Small Bar and Street Art tour. Visit quirky bars and meet with some of Perth's top bartenders with public art and history teachings in between each drink. It's a fun way to toast the city and make new friends too!
Find out more: Oh Hey WA
Article by Julia D’Orazio
Julia D'Orazio is a travel writer based in Perth. Besides happily earring her way in over 70 countries, she counts Eurovision and scuba diving as her two greatest loves. Julia has been featured in publications worldwide, including New York Post, SBS, Sydney Morning Herald, News.com.au, Virgin Australia, Rough Guides, and more.
