We know Perth is a beautiful place to explore, but seeing it from the water is something else.
From floating past rolling vineyards, an ever-changing skyline, and a bustling port city to venturing further afield to see sarongs of blues, Perth has many scenic cruises to suit all appetites for adventure.
Leave the car behind and bid adios to the mainland by exploring Perth's waterways with these three epic day trips.
Rottnest Island Day Trip
Leave the passport at home and head 'overseas' to the land of the ‘world's happiest animal on Earth’, Rottnest Island. Perth's favourite island getaway is a perfect escape for a day trip or a staycation.
Although the island affectionately called 'Rotto' may be small, covering only 19 km2, it packs a punch with all kinds of activities within easy reach. It appeals to soft and hardcore outdoor enthusiasts with cycling, snorkelling, golf, hiking, Segway rides, scuba diving, or for the big-time thrill seekers, skydiving, all favourite pastimes. Or test your endurance – well, kind of – beach hopping via bike with 63 beaches and 20 bays with bone-white sands to choose from to relax your leg muscles. Bus services are also available on the island for those seeking to enjoy the island at a relaxed pace with minimal sweat.
SeaLink Rottnest Island offers multiple ferry services departing from Perth and Fremantle daily so that you can voyage the Indian Ocean on your own watch. Make exploring the island easier by pre-booking bike hire (helmet and lock included) so you don't have to worry about bringing anything else to the island other than a day or overnight bag and your adventurous spirit!
The only memento to take home with you? A quokka selfie, of course! As cute as they are, quokkas are still wild animals, so please give these smiling marsupials space and avoid touching them when posing for your #quokkaselfie.
The details:
SeaLink offers multiple ferry departures ex B Shed Victoria Quay, Fremantle daily. Perth has one daily departure.
Duration: Fremantle – 30 min, Perth – 90min
Price: From $79 per adult ex Fremantle
Book here: SeaLink Rottnest Island
Swan Valley Day Trip
Indulge on the finer things in life cruising to the Swan Valley. The state's oldest wine region and Australia's second oldest is a patchwork of places to indulge and imbibe. And no, we are not just talking about wine here. Wedged between over 40 wineries are ten breweries, five distilleries, three cideries, one meadery, casual and fine dining restaurants, to name a few.
Overwhelmed with where to begin your decadent discovery of the Swan Valley? Sample the best of this merrymaker locale both on land and by boat by joining a Swan Valley Tours Indulgence Cruise Tour. The local tour operator offers full-day culinary experiences from Perth, starting with a two-hour morning cruise onboard Captain Cook Cruises' River Lady vessel along the Swan River. While journeying upstream, mix morning tea with wine and cheese tastings. After all, who said the perfect (and naughty!) pairing is for afternoon/evening hours only?
After seeing the valley from the water, hop off and enjoy lunch at Homestead Brewery. Post lunch, explore two wineries (one with a cheeseboard), then let the thirst-quenching adventures continue with a visit to a microbrewery before ending the day on a sugar high, visiting Whistler's Chocolate Company. The renowned chocolate factory has perfected its chocolate recipe for over 50 years. Comfortably nurse a full stomach on a coach ride back to Perth. A day out in the Swan Valley is too hard to resist!
Swan Valley Tours also offers an Indulgence Coach Tour to delve deeper into the region's epicurean offerings and rich heritage.
The details:
The cruise departs from Perth at 9:45am and returns at 5:00pm
Duration: 7 hours 15 mins
Departures: November to March – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
April to October - Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Price: $199 per adult
Book here: Swan Valley Tours
Fremantle Day Trip
City hop minus traffic stops by hopping onboard a remarkable and tantalising trip along the Swan River. Departing Barrack Street Jetty, Captain Cook Cruises' Fremantle Lunch Cruise lets guests appreciate Perth's changing cityscape from a new angle while feasting on a WA-themed buffet championing local produce and producers with one complimentary beer, wine, or soft drink included.
If thirsty for more, indulgent cruisers can treat themselves to more bevvies from the full bar enroute downstream to the eclectic port city of Fremantle. Take your pick of sugary treats from the dessert buffet as you journey back to Perth.
Besides being well-replenished, guests can enjoy commentary on both cities, making it an entertaining lunch outing.
The details:
The cruise departs from Perth at 11:15am and returns at 2:00pm
Duration: 2 hours 45 mins
Departures: November to March - Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
April to October - Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
From $110 per adult
Book here: Captain Cook Cruises
Read more: Captain Cook Cruises WA
