Skip to main content Skip to main navigation

What on earth can you do in Perth?

Quite a lot actually. The weather helps. Sure, we have a winter, but even that season won't dampen your exploratory spirits. There's so much to see and do here.

Aerial view of Perth city and Kings Park Aerial view of Perth city and Kings Park.

So where do we start?

Let's go on a free guided walk in Kings Park, one of the world's largest inner-city parks, with spectacular city and river views.

Kings Park has an enormous collection of Australian native plants and trees. And food. And an art gallery.

From Kings Park you can look across the Swan River to the South Perth foreshore, a perfect place to get on your bicycle and ride around the 9km river loop from bridge-to-bridge.

While you're on the Southside, you can also walk to the wonderful Perth Zoo with its African Savannah and other animal friendly open-air facilities.

From South Perth you can jump on a river ferry and cross to Elizabeth Quay, one of Perth's newest eating, accommodation and people-watching hubs.

It's also a place where you can catch another ferry to our little patch of paradise called Rottnest Island.

When you get to Rottnest, you'll want to get on your bike again and explore bays and beaches that are out of the way and out of this world.

Oh, and be sure to take a selfie with one of our unique little marsupials called a quokka. The 'quokka selfie' was made famous by Roger Federer, one of the greatest ever tennis players.

When you finally drag yourself away from Rottnest Island (it won't be easy), come back to the city and visit Boola Bardip, the fabulous Western Australian Museum.

Here you can immerse yourself in the many stories of Western Australia's people, places and culture.

Young girl with small marsupial called a quokka
Young visitor to Rottnest Island takes a selfie with one of its famous inhabitants, a quokka.

Entertain yourself

We're all about open-air entertainment in Perth, so in the warmer months – effectively half the year – you can go to outdoor movies in places like Kings Park or Rooftop Movies in the city.

Even the university campus at ECU Joondalup has an outdoor cinema!

Summer is the time to cram your brain with culture at one – or both – of Perth's annual international arts festivals – Fringe World Festival and Perth Festival.

And for sporty types, you can attend major events for rugby, cricket, football or 'Aussie rules' at our award-winning Optus Stadium, voted 'Venue of the Year 2022' at the World Stadium Business Awards (pictured below).

Or go to a concert or a sports event at RAC Arena, voted Australia's Best Indoor Stadium in 2018.

Large sports stadium in Perth city
Award-winning Optus stadium on the Swan river in Perth city.

Excited yet?

There's plenty to explore and do in and around our beautiful city. In fact, this is only a tiny taste.

You might also want to watch this short video from Tourism WA about spending a day in Perth.

Destination Perth: get to know GoGo Active Tours (1 min).

Images and video content in this article are provided courtesy of Tourism WA.