What to do & Places to Visit in Perth City

Welcome to Perth City - the Capital of Western Australia.

Perth's superb position on the banks of the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan) and nearby hectares of natural bushland in Kings Park make for a city centred on the great outdoors and perfect for sightseeing.

Kaya. This is Wadjuk Country, where the sun always shines, and our nightlight is on to welcome you.

The spirit of the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) is at the heart of everything we love. Ferries and sailboats start and end their journeys at stunning quays and jetties with restaurants and alfresco dining set against its iconic backdrop.

A pretty city with an infectious personality. A beacon of youth and vitality. With edgy street murals, lively laneways, bridge climbs and rooftop bars, museums and galleries, and a melting-pot metropolis of food, music and culture, you won’t be short on things to do.

Home to the world’s most beautiful stadium, Australia’s longest running arts festival and a sprawling inner-city park, alive with wildflowers across Perth’s six seasons. Open green spaces and manicured parks nuzzle comfortably between shiny office towers and inviting shopping malls and arcades.

Making sightseeing a breeze by exploring this city by bike or foot, by Segway, by boat, by bus or plane. Discover its hidden treasures, its heartbeat, its effervescence. Perth is the opening chapter to a captivating story, the tasting plate of a decadent feast, the gateway to a state so rich and diverse, you'll want to taste every dish.

However, there's more to the west coast capital than great sunshine and a sparkling river. A new cosmopolitan perspective and economic growth has given Perth a cultural confidence which is making its mark on the city skyline and on other aspects of urban life.

Places to Visit in Perth

Whether you’re a nature lover, serious foodie or a history and culture buff, there are plenty of places to visit to discover the beauty of Perth.

• Get back to nature at Kings Park - home to the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
• Visit Barrack Square where you can see The Bell Tower.
• Explore the river on a Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan) cruise or tour.
• Indulge in some city arts and culture at a theatre, museum or art gallery.
• Watch a gold pour demonstration and browse the gold shop at The Perth Mint.
• Dine out at one of the many small bars, restaurants and cafes.
• Explore the city and river by bike, kayak or Segway.
• Catch the city sights and attractions on a day tour.
• Take a free guided walking tour of the city with the i-City Volunteers or join a walking tour.
• Go shopping and explore boutique stores and international brands.
• Visit Heirisson Island - the home of a colony of Western Grey Kangaroos.
• Explore Perth City's Inner Neighbourhoods.

Skyscrapers are home to the state's movers and shakers while city laneways have given way to an explosive new dining and small bar scene. The city is lined with pedestrian malls jam-packed with a wide variety of shops from inventive boutiques to national and global flagship stores. Stock up on stylish fashions, buy some Aboriginal art or simply sit at a café with a coffee and watch the parades of people passing by.

There are plenty of places to visit with Perth. Bold design projects and redevelopments such as RAC Arena, Barrack St Jetty, Elizabeth Quay, Optus Stadium and the WA Museum Boola Bardip have are dramatically changed the face of Perth. 

Elizabeth Quay features ultra-trendy new cafes, bars and restaurants for those looking to get the most out of their dining experience and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Perth means you can now stay in the heart of the Quay. There's also a host of activities on offer, including cruises, gondola rides and sea plane rides.

Yagan Square is a place to have fun, meet, play, eat and shop. It is a hub of activity both during the day and at night with cafes, restaurants, a children's play space, public art and more, providing plenty of things to see and do.

Sightseeing Around Perth

There are many attractions to visit throughout Perth's City centre, including The Bell Tower, The Perth Mint, Perth Zoo, Scitech, Perth Cultural Centre and Kings Park and Botanic Garden where you'll find 400 hectares of stunning natural bushland and grand lookouts - a popular place for taking photos.

All buses in the Perth CBD are free too; the CAT bus services are especially popular with visitors looking for a hassle-free way to travel around. There are 4 routes visiting major attractions and dining strips. Plus, you can stay connected with “the free Perth WiFi" while you’re exploring all that the city has to offer.

Arts, Entertainment and Dining

Wondering where to go in Perth for entertainment and dining? Perth City is alive with an annual program of music, theatre, dance and visual art. It is particularly rich during the Perth International Arts Festival which is held every February and March. During this time the city welcomes local and international artists to participate in a riot of shows across the region.

Northbridge is home to the Perth Cultural Centre which houses the Western Australian Museum - Perth, Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, the Blue Room Theatre, the State Theatre of Western Australia and The Nostalgia Box - Australia's first interactive video game console museum!

Be sure to catch a performance of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra - the state's largest performing arts company and West Australian Opera - WA's only full-time, professional opera company. Theatres too are plentiful from grand stages like the 103-year-old His Majesty's Theatre and Perth Concert Hall to intimate, out-of-the-way stages offering alternative and avant-garde shows. Or check out what's on at the RAC Arena - Western Australia's landmark home of live entertainment, music and sports, which attracts some of the world's top touring artists.

Whether it's dining in an elegant restaurant overlooking the river or exploring our new small bar and coffee scene Perth boasts an extensive buffet from which to delight your taste buds.

Click here to download a map of Perth City. Copies of this Hello Perth map can be collected at Perth Airport stands at T1 and T3, the East Perth Rail Terminal, all Visitor Centres in the metropolitan area, all Hello Perth stands, plus from over 150 locations such as attractions, hotels and car hire companies.