Perth is Australia's sunniest big city and the starting point for Western Australia: beaches with sunsets over the Indian Ocean, quokkas on Rottnest Island, historic Fremantle and high wages. Here you'll find all 22 checked spots from our map with tips.
From Perth Airport the train takes about 20 minutes into the centre. You pay for trains, buses and ferries with a SmartRider card or contactless. Fremantle is about 30 minutes by train, and the beaches are reached by bus. Perth is a long way from all other big cities — Adelaide is over 2,000 kilometres away.
Perth has a Mediterranean climate with lots of sunshine. Summer from December to March is hot and dry, and in the afternoon the cooling sea breeze, the 'Fremantle Doctor', blows in. Winter is mild and wetter, bringing the most swell for surfers. Wildflowers bloom in September and October.
A colourful hostel on the edge of Northbridge, within walking distance of the station and the city centre. Popular with backpackers who want to dive straight into the nightlife.
You sleep in the cells of a former prison that's now a World Heritage site — one of the most unusual places to stay in Australia. Fremantle Markets and the harbour are within walking distance.
A small hostel in an old fire station in Fremantle, near the market and harbour. Cheap and homely.
Short waves over shifting sandbanks make Scarborough good for learning, with surf schools on site. Go out in the morning, before the sea breeze arrives in the afternoon. On the promenade there's a big pool and bars.
The most reliable surf spot near the city, with lefts and rights for all levels. Most swell arrives in winter from May to September; conditions are best in the morning.
Perth's best-known beach, with clear water, Norfolk pines and sunsets over the Indian Ocean. The water is calmest in the morning; in the afternoon the Fremantle Doctor blows. Patrolled, with cafés and a pub on the promenade.
A wide, patrolled beach with plenty of space and fewer crowds than Cottesloe. There's a café right on the sand for sunset. Swimming from November to April.
A car-free island with clear bays and quokkas, the smiling little marsupials. The ferry from Fremantle takes 25 to 30 minutes. Hire a bike and ride around the bays. Don't touch or feed the quokkas — touching them means a 300 AUD fine.
One of the largest city parks in the world, on a hill overlooking the skyline and the Swan River. Free entry. Most beautiful at sunset; in September and October the wildflowers bloom — one of the best moments of the year.
A blue boathouse on stilts in the Swan River, one of Perth's most photographed motifs. At sunrise there's no wind and hardly anyone around — then the little house is reflected in the water.
A riverside path opposite the city centre where the skyline is reflected in the river — most beautiful at blue hour. The ferry from Elizabeth Quay gets you there in ten minutes.
The prison was built by convicts in the 1850s, operated until 1991 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Paid tours, including one through tunnels 20 metres below the prison.
Australia's oldest working mint, with a guided tour and a gold-pouring demonstration. Paid entry; easy to combine with a detour to Kings Park.
A new waterfront promenade with a bridge and water features in the centre, lit up at night. The ferry to South Perth leaves from here. Free.
The highest point in Bold Park, with views of the city and the ocean at the same time. Short climb from the car park, hardly any tourists. Most beautiful at sunset.
The historic market hall from 1897 has street food, a produce hall and crafts. Open Friday until 8 pm, Saturday and Sunday until 6 pm.
Fremantle's fishing harbour, with fish and chips and breweries right on the water. Perfect for ending a day on Rottnest Island.
The nightlife district north of the centre, packed with Asian eateries, bars and clubs. Cheap food is along William Street; it's busiest at the weekend.
A dense row of cheap Asian eateries in Northbridge — the place for food under 20 dollars.
A brewery in an old shed at Fishing Boat Harbour in Fremantle, with pizza and its own beer. Busy and lively at the weekend.
Western Australia pays high wages. Mining and FIFO jobs usually need certificates and experience; it's easier to get into hospitality, warehouses and construction in the city. In the south there are harvest jobs at vintage time. For bars you need the Western Australian RSA.
The state library in the cultural centre offers free Wi-Fi and workspaces — ideal for job applications.
By ferry from Fremantle in 25 to 30 minutes; there are also ferries from Perth. On the island you hire a bike.
No. Touching or feeding them can mean a 300 AUD fine. Photos from a distance are allowed.
At Scarborough Beach, with surf schools on site, best in the morning before the sea breeze. Trigg Beach is more reliable, with more swell in winter.
All spots on the Perth map. Nearby: Margaret River to the south. The west coast at a glance on the South West Edge road trip, and north via Shark Bay and Exmouth.
Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.