Must-see attractions in Perth

  • Kings Park Bridge

    Kings Park & Botanic Garden

    Perth

    The 400-hectare, bush-filled expanse of Kings Park, smack in the city centre and enjoying epic views, is Perth's pride and joy. The Botanic Garden…

  • Australia, Perth, Exterior

    Art Gallery of Western Australia

    Perth

    Founded in 1895, this excellent gallery houses the state's preeminent art collection as well as regular international exhibitions that, increasingly, have…

  • Western Australian Museum

    Western Australian Museum – Perth

    Perth

    The state's museum is a six-headed beast, with branches in Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie as well as two in Fremantle. This main branch in Northbridge…

  • Shark gliding above the viewing tunnel as patrons look on, Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA)

    Aquarium of Western Australia

    Perth

    Dividing WA's vast coastline into five distinct zones (Far North, Coral Coast, Shipwreck Coast, Perth and Great Southern), AQWA features a 98m underwater…

  • Bell Tower at Barrack Street Jetty.

    Bell Tower

    Perth

    This pointy glass spire fronted by copper sails contains the royal bells of London's St Martin-in-the-Fields, the oldest of which dates from 1550. The 12…

  • Young men jumping off the rocks at Cottesloe Beach with Indiana Teahouse in the background.

    Cottesloe Beach

    Perth

    Perth's safest swimming beach, Cottesloe has cafes, pubs, pine trees and fantastic sunsets. From Cottesloe train station (on the Fremantle line) it's 1km…

  • Perth Zoo

    Perth

    Part of the fun is getting to this zoo – take a ferry across the Swan River from Elizabeth Quay Jetty to Mends St Jetty (every half hour) and walk up the…

  • Elizabeth Quay

    Perth

    A vital part of the city's urban redevelopment is Elizabeth Quay, at the bottom of Barrack St. Luxury hotels and apartments – including the Ritz – are…

  • Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts

    Perth

    PICA (pee-kah) may look traditional – it's housed in an elegant 1896 red-brick former school – but inside it's one of Australia's principal platforms for…

  • Mettams Pool

    Perth

    On calm days, it's like a turquoise paddling pool with some of Perth's best snorkelling – think mottled reef with swaying seaweeds and similarly coloured…

  • Hyde Park

    Perth

    One of Perth's most beautiful parks, suburban Hyde Park is a top spot for a picnic or lazy book-reading session on the lawn, as fountains flow. A path…

  • Lake Monger

    Perth

    In spring black swans and their cygnets waddle about the grounds – a meeting place for local birdlife – nonplussed by joggers circling the lake on the…

  • Perth Mint

    Perth

    Dating from 1899, the compelling Mint displays a collection of coins, nuggets and gold bars. You can caress bullion worth over $700,000, mint your own…

  • City Beach

    Perth

    Offers swimming, surfing, lawn and amenities. Following a significant redevelopment, there are two restaurants (we like Odyssea) and a pizzeria, public…

  • Scarborough Beach

    Perth

    This is a popular young surfers' spot, so be sure to swim between the flags, as waves can be powerful. A $100-million revitalisation of the beachfront has…

  • Whipper Snapper Distillery

    Perth

    Look for the vintage aircraft logo on the exterior wall as you visit this combination of urban whisky distillery and sunny coffee shop, in an out-of-the…

  • Swanbourne Beach

    Perth

    Safe swimming, and an unofficial nude and gay beach. From Grant St train station it's a 1.5km walk to the beach (2km from Swanbourne Station). Or catch…

  • Trigg Beach

    Perth

    Good surf, with a hardcore group of locals who come out when the surf's up; dangerous when rough and prone to rips – always swim between the flags. Middle…

  • Floreat Beach

    Perth

    A generally uncrowded beach, but waves can be on the dumpy side. There's decent swimming, surfing, a cafe, playground and a grassy, free BBQ area. Catch…

  • Scitech

    Perth

    Scitech is an excellent rainy-day option for those travelling with children. It has over 160 hands-on, large-scale science and technology exhibits…

  • Crown Perth Casino

    Perth

    This is Perth's only casino and it's the only place in the state where you'll find gaming machines. It's typically glitzy, in that flashing lights and…

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