Why Perth shouldn’t be overlooked when you visit Australia
While Perth may not have the iconic Opera House or the Great Barrier Reef, it’s home to one of the most laid-back and beautiful lifestyles in Australia. If laid back beach side charm, clear blue skies and over 3000 hours of sunshine a year is your kinda vibe, then Perth needs to be on your bucket list.
This 3, 5 or 7 day Perth itinerary will give you the perfect mix of adventure, nature and beach relaxation.
Table of Contents
Best time to visit
There is no right or wrong time to visit Perth as each season has its perks. Continue reading to learn the perks of each season in Perth.
Summer in Perth (December – February)
If warm weather, picturesque white sandy beaches, vibrant festivals and outdoor lifestyle is what you’re seeking, then the ideal time to visit would be during summer months.
Perth truly comes to life during these months and there are plenty of outdoor activities and events to consider such as beach hopping, snorkeling, sunset markets and outdoor cinemas.
Autumn in Perth (March – May)
Autumn still offers plenty of clear and sunny days with temperatures ranging between 13 – 26°C, so there are still plenty of opportunities to get outside and explore Perth.
Autumn is a great time to visit for surfing or wine tastings and is also during Blue Whale season.
Spring in Perth (September – November)
While it may not be the best time for beach weather, spring in Perth has many other perks that are worth considering.
There are still plenty of warm and sunny days and it’s not during peak season so you will avoid the crowds when you go exploring. If spring is more your vibe, we would recommend going between September-November.
Winter in Perth (June – August)
Winter is considered the worst time to visit Perth as the temperatures can drop and it can get quite chilly! It is also considered the wet season and the rainfall in Perth can be quite heavy, so you will need to be prepared to be flexible with your plans and include some indoor activities.
That being said, there are still some advantages that make a winter trip to Perth worth considering. Is the best time to visit for surfing, exploring different waterfalls in the Perth Hills and the cost of accommodation would be lower in the off-season.
If a trip to Western Australia’s Coral Coast is on your bucket list, winter is the best time to do that and you could take a direct flight from Perth.
Where to stay
Where you choose to stay will depend on your travel style and whether you prefer to be closer to the coast or closer to nightlife.
Here is a list of the best suburbs to stay in depending on your style:
- Best for short stays and most variety: Perth CBD
- Best for nightlife: Northbridge
- Best for culture, history and markets: Fremantle
- Best for beachy vibes: Scarborough or Cottesloe
- Best for concerts, events and good access to public transport: East Perth and Burswood
How many days
A stay of 5-7 days would be ideal to fully explore Perth and its surrounds but if you’re short on time then 3 days will allow you to cover the basics.
If you have more than 7 days to spend in Western Australia, we would highly recommend spending a few days down in Margaret River, which is known for its amazing wines, caves and beautiful coastline. Check out our 3 and 5 day Margaret River Itinerary here.
How to get around
The public transport system in Perth (Transperth) connects Perth CBD with the airport and surrounding suburbs (even down to Fremantle and Mandurah) and costs about $2-$5 each way depending on how many zones you are travelling.
However, if renting a car is within your budget, we would highly recommend doing it as the city is definitely made for driving and the distance between locations can be hard to cover with public transport only.
This itinerary is doable without renting a car so it is not an essential but it would definitely make your time in Perth a lot easier!
3, 5 and 7 Days Itinerary Overview
3-Day Perth Itinerary
Day 1: Perth CBD, Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park.
Day 2: Day trip to Rottnest
Day 3: Fremantle
5-Day Perth Itinerary
Day 1-3: As above
Day 4: Lancelin and The Pinnacles
Day 5: Beach day (North and South)
7-Day Perth Itinerary
Day 1-5: As above
Day 6: Swan Valley
Day 7: Perth Hills
Day 1: Perth CBD, Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park
First up on the Perth itinerary is to explore Perth CBD, Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park.
It is possible to explore all these places by walking but you can also opt for a hop-on-hop-off bus that will take you around to all the main tourist attractions.
Start by walking around Elizabeth Quay and enjoy the views of the Perth City Skyline.
Make sure to check out Spanda, a piece of public art that links the Swan River, land and sky.
From there you can either walk around and across the Elizabeth Quay Bridge, passing The Island, or you can head straight to the Bell Tower.
You can head up into the Bell Tower and enjoy 360 degree views from an observation deck, or you can start heading towards London Court.
Spend some time checking out the small shops and take in these old English vibes right in the middle of Perth CBD.
If shopping is your thing, you can spend some time at Hay Street and Murray Street.
Otherwise, you have a few fun activities to choose from around the city. You can visit Flight Club on Murray Street or play a round of mini golf at Holey Moley in Northbridge.
Alternatively, you can head out to East Perth and walk across Matagarup Bridge to visit Optus Stadium.
Make your way to Kings Park Botanic Garden, an iconic spot in Perth and one of the largest and most beautiful inner city parks in the world.
There is a lot to see and do in Kings Park so you could consider doing a segway tour if you want to save some energy.
Spots to consider visiting in Kings Park:
- Fraser Avenue
- Jacobs Ladder
- State War Memorial
- Giant Boab Tree
- Lotterywest Federation Walkway
- Blue Boat House
A great place to watch the sunset is close to the State War Memorial and Fraser Avenue.
Tours to consider:
- City walking tour.
- Hop-on-hop-off bus.
- Optus Stadium Tour.
Day 2: Day Trip to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)
One of the best day trips from Perth is Rottnest Island and it is an absolute must-do.
You will need to catch a ferry across from one of three locations, Fremantle (cheapest option), Perth or Hillary’s.
It’s a good idea to book in advance if you are visiting during peak season or school holidays as the tickets do sell out.
The 3 main ferry operators are: Rottnest Express, Rottnest Fast Ferries or SeaLink Rottnest.
We recommend getting one of the first ferries across to the island so you can spend as much time there as possible.
There are no cars on the island besides the buses and service vehicles, so the best way to get around is to either hop on a bus, rent a bike or walk if you don’t plan on going too far from the settlement.
You can book your bike in advance when you buy your ferry tickets and pick them up once you get off the ferry.
If you don’t have any snorkel gear, we would recommend hiring that as well.
If you choose to hire a bike you can spend the morning riding around the island checking out some of the 63 beaches located on the island. Some of our favourites are The Basin (for snorkelling), Pinkies Beach, Little Salmon Bay and Little Parakeet Bay but there are many others to explore.
Make sure to keep an eye out for the Quokkas so you can snap the iconic Quokka selfie although they are very easy to find around the settlement.
Just make sure to keep your distance, don’t touch and don’t feed them.
When you need a break from cycling around the island, you can spend some time relaxing and snorkelling at one of the stunning beaches.
If you’re interested in history and learning more about the island, you can check out Wadjemup Museum.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous you can also book a tandem skydive tour!
Grab some lunch and a drink at Hotel Rottnest and a scoop of ice cream from Kuld Creamery before catching the last ferry back.
Tours to consider:
- Ferry and bus tour
- Guided snorkel boat experience
- Tandem skydive
Day 3: Visit Fremantle (Last day of the 3-day Perth itinerary)
Spend day 3 exploring Fremantle or Freo as the locals call it, a major port for Western Australia.
Fremantle is renowned for its interesting history, unique and trendy vibe, local markets and great cafes, bars and art-culture.
You can wander along the Cappuccino Strip until you reach the Fremantle Markets.
It is always a little busy but worth a visit.
The markets are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 9 am and 4 pm and there are lots of stalls to visit selling crafts and arts, fresh produce and food.
If you are interested in history we recommend visiting Fremantle Prison, one of Western Australia’s most fascinating and cultural attractions. It is also the only World Heritage listed building in Western Australia.
If history is not your thing, you can spend some time wandering around the streets of Fremantle as there are many cute cafes, bookstores and other shops around to check out.
Alternatively, you can walk down to the Esplanade Park, relax on the grassed area and take a ride on the Ferris wheel.
Bar hopping around Fremantle is always a fun time and there are lots of breweries and bars around to explore. Some of our favourites are Little Creatures Brewery and Gage Roads Brewery.
If history and bar hopping aren’t your style and you still have time to spend in Fremantle, they run whale watching tours seasonally between from September to November.
Tours to consider:
- Fremantle Prison tour
- Swan River Cruise tour between Freo and Perth
- Whale watching tour
Day 4: Lancelin and the Pinnacles
The first 3 days of the Perth itinerary have covered the basics around Perth but day 4 will prove that there is so much more to Western Australia.
About 90 minutes north of Perth you’ll find a small coastal gem called Lancelin, which is home to pristine beaches, turquoise water and epic sand dunes.
Go for an adventure and try out sandboarding in the dunes or try out a dune buggy.
Head further up to Cervantes and stop for lunch at the Lobster Shack and try out their famous lobster roll.
Finish the day before heading back to Perth by driving through the Pinnacles Desert which is located within Nambung National Park.
The Pinnacles Desert is famous for its thousands of limestone structures that rise from the golden sand creating a surreal landscape.
You can choose to drive the 4 km loop around or explore the trail by foot.
The Pinnacles are especially stunning at sunset so if you feel up for it, you could get some great photos out of it.
If the driving is too much for you, you could consider joining an organised tour, that will also include some time in Lancelin at the sand dunes.
Some tours even include visits to the Pinnacles at night so you can enjoy stargazing in the desert.
Tours to consider:
- Day trip to Lancelin and the Pinnacles
Day 5: Beach Day (Last day of the 5-day Perth itinerary)
After an adventure-filled day in Lancelin and the Pinnacles yesterday we think a day spent beach hopping is non-negotiable.
Perth is home to some world class beaches so it would be rude not to explore some of them!
We will list some of our favourites to check out:
Cottesloe Beach (South of Perth CBD)
This is undoubtedly Perth’s most iconic beach and is perfect swimming and relaxing.
Spend some time enjoying the sun and sand and take a walk along the picturesque coastline.
You can visit Indigo Oscar and enjoy a lunch or dinner here with amazing views over the ocean.
Scarborough Beach (North of Perth CBD)
A favourite amongst many locals and is great for surfing and swimming. If you feel up for it you could take a surf lesson from one of the local surf schools.
If surfing isn’t for you then you can spend time relaxing by the beach, go for a swim or check out one of the many cafes or bars overlooking the ocean.
One of our favourite things about Scarborough is the Scarborough Sunset Markets which is held on Thursday nights during summer.
Trigg and Mettams Pool (North of Perth CBD)
Trigg Beach is another popular choice and is great for relaxing in one of the coves and offers a very laid-back atmosphere.
If you feel a little more adventurous and want to see some marine life, we recommend heading a little further north to Mettams Pool.
It is a natural rock pool protected by a surrounding reef and is great for snorkelling and swimming.
Coogee Beach and Omeo Wreck (South of Perth CBD)
Coogee Beach is a great choice to spend some time relaxing in the sun, swimming or jumping off the jetty.
With almost 4 km of stunning turquoise water and white sandy beaches, you can’t really go wrong here.
If you enjoy snorkelling you can also check out Omeo Wreck, a shipwreck from 1905 that was washed ashore during a storm and is now located just 25 meters from the shore of Coogee Beach.
Day 6: Day Trip in the Swan Valley
Day 6 of the Perth itinerary is a day for your taste buds as this area is best known for its wineries, breweries and delicious food.
If you have a car you can choose to do a self-drive tour but remember to drink responsibly if you choose to do any wine tastings.
Alternatively, there are plenty of organised tours to choose from as well.
Some of our favourite wineries to visit:
- Olive Farm Wines
- Mandoon Estate
- Sandalford
- Lancaster
- Nikola Estate
Some of our favourite breweries:
- Bailey Brewing
- Homestead Brewery
- Collector of Souls
We also recommend stopping by at Margaret River Chocolate Factory and Yahava KoffeeWorks because who doesn’t love chocolate and coffee?
If you have more time and energy you could also plan a visit to Caversham Wildlife Park showcasing many of Australia’s native animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, possums, koalas, Tasmanian devils and wombats.
You can get your photos taken with the kangaroos and koalas that will make a great memory!
Tours to consider:
- Swan Valley day trips
- Caversham Wildlife Park
Day 7: Day Trip to the Perth Hills (Last day of the 7-day Perth itinerary)
Finish off the 7 day Perth itinerary strong by visiting this underrated region in Perth that is home to some great local wineries and cideries, serene hikes, botanical gardens and waterfalls if visiting in the winter.
There are plenty of hikes to choose from in the hills, check out our favourite hikes here.
If you prefer something on wheels, the hills are also a great place to go mountain bike riding and you can rent a bike here.
If getting dirty on hikes and mountain biking is not your thing, you can spend some time at Araluen Botanic Garden, which is particularly beautiful during spring when their annual tulip festival is on.
We also recommend going for a drive at Zig Zag Scenic Drive and watching the sunset from here.
Final Words
This wraps up our Ultimate Perth Itinerary and we hope you are ready to explore some of Perth’s best spots and activities!
If you have more time to explore Western Australia, here are some of our other posts to check out:
- Margaret River
- Perth day trips