Text size
Explore
14 min readText size
Updated •
Published
Text size
If you’re looking for a unique or interesting way to spend the day in Perth, look no further.
We've rounded up the best free (and cheap) fun our city has to offer, from classic tourist attractions and landmarks to cultural and foodie destinations.
And of course, we've included our favourite ways to get outdoors and enjoy Perth’s stunning beaches and bushland.
You can easily spend hours perusing the old-timey shops of London Court, snapping the perfect Bell Tower selfie, and enjoying the food, art, and playgrounds at Elizabeth Quay.
As one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, Kings Park also deserves setting aside some time to explore. This state treasure has the best views of Perth’s skyline, dozens of walking trails, and an array of playgrounds to keep the kids entertained. If you’re already out and about in the city, the Blue Cat Bus will take you up to Kings Park for free.
For museum and art lovers, there’s no beating Northbridge. Dive into WA’s natural history at WA Museum Boola Bardip, or peruse local and international art at The Art Gallery of Western Australia. While technically not free, entry to both is cheap and well worth the price.
To appreciate some local art for free, head to the nearby Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA).
There are really only two questions you need to ask yourself on a Perth summer’s day: Which world-class beach should I visit, and what should I throw on the BBQ when I get there? Narrow down your beach of choice by preferred activity—kid-friendly swimming beaches, dog-friendly beaches or beaches where you can snorkel—and the rest will all fall into place.
While the best beach in Perth is a hotly debated topic, Cottesloe Beach, Leighton Beach, City Beach, Mullaloo Beach, and Scarborough Beach remain some of the most popular.
Despite what people may say, there’s never a dull moment in Perth; there’s always a show to catch or a delicious new eatery to try.
Fringe Festival Perth—held annually from late January to early February—brings a buzz of energy to balmy summer nights. There’s a whole swathe of free and ticketed comedy, circus, and music shows, as well as pop-up bars and eateries galore. It’s a one-stop shop for a fantastic night (or nights) out.
For early birds that prefer the kick of caffeine and filling shopping baskets full of wholesome products, Perth’s farmers’ markets don’t disappoint. They’re chock-full of WA’s best fresh produce, as well as plenty of food vans dishing out tasty street food to start your day.
If it’s the latter that excites you, forget the early morning and head out to one of Perth’s best hawker markets as dusk falls instead. Along with an incredible variety of food and live music, some hawker markets—like Scarborough Sunset Markets—also include artisan pop-up shops for a bit of retail therapy.
With seemingly eternal sunshine, a lengthy coastline, and a winding river through the city, it’s no wonder Perth locals love a water sport.
Keen to try your hand at surfing? There are several surf spots for beginners near the city or within a short drive. Calm places to go stand up paddle boarding and kayaking are also within easy access of the city.
If you don’t have a water-sporting friend to lend you some equipment, there are plenty of hire shops that will be happy to help you out.
When the Perth weather turns it on, nothing beats a meal in the sunshine. The hardest choice isn’t which dips to pack or what sausages to throw on the barbecue, but where to go to enjoy them.
Pack up your favourite deli meats and cheeses and head to one of Perth’s best picnic spots with a view. Cottesloe Beach and Kings Park are always winners, but they can often be quite crowded. For a spot that’s a little quieter, try somewhere like Monument Hill in Fremantle or Mardalup Park in East Perth.
For a low-effort, high-reward evening, try one of these sunset fish and chip spots around Perth. It’s a two-for-one deal: a no-fuss dinner with some of the best views you can ask for in the West.
Of course, there are also dozens of great barbecue spots around Perth, too. Claim a spot near one of the barbecues, click the tongs a few times, and settle in for a few hours of cooking and conversation.
One of the go-to day trips from Perth is just a ferry ride away at Wadjemup / Rottnest Island. Its popularity is closely contested by a long list of things to do in the Perth Hills.
But, if you’re keen to try something a little different, there are plenty of unique day trips from Perth to discover. Soak up history in York, snorkel around the Shoalwater Islands, or indulge in a winery lunch in Jarrahdale. The best part? These spots will likely be far less busy than the perennial favourites, Wadjemup or Swan Valley.
Venture away from the CBD and built-up residential areas, and all of a sudden, the skies begin to glitter. With much less light pollution the further you go, these stargazing spots near Perth really shine.
While there is a small fee for tours, the Perth Observatory in the hills is a great destination if you’re keen to expand your knowledge of the cosmos. Otherwise, take to one of the free stargazing spots and make an evening of it by packing a picnic to dine under the stars.
Escaping into nature is always a good idea. Luckily, Perth locals are spoiled for natural choice with the coast, bush, valleys, forests and hills right on the city's doorstep.
Looking for an effortless outing? Grab the car keys and head off on a scenic drive near Perth, or visit one of the city’s many scenic lookouts.
When the winter rains appear, so do Perth’s waterfalls. Many of these locations also have picnic facilities, so you can turn your waterfall-chasing excursion into a full day out.
Come spring, some 12,000 wildflower species transform the state into a colourful natural canvas. You can easily spend a day or two hopping between all the wildflower hotspots near Perth.
There’s hiking, and then there’s hiking—the kind you need all the kit and kaboodle for. In Perth, we’re lucky enough to have the whole gamut, with trails catering to all abilities.
There are more challenging hikes near Perth, as well as more gentle national park hikes and walks with a range of trails to suit most abilities, and accessible walking trails that cater to those in wheelchairs or with prams. If you’ve got a four-legged friend, there are even a bunch of dog-friendly walking trails you can head out on.
The true beauty of outdoor exercise in Perth lies in its scenery. From coastal trails to bush hikes, there’s always a magnificent landscape to enjoy while you work up a sweat.
While many hikes and walks in and near the city are free, there’s a small entry fee when visiting national parks.
If ocean swell is not your style, Perth has dozens of swimming holes where you can go for relaxed outdoor swimming.
Serpentine Falls in Serpentine National Park is a crowd favourite. There’s a waterfall, plenty of surrounding bush walks, and picnic facilities in the area. For a more intense workout, head to Rocky Pool in Kalamunda. The challenging hike out there is rewarded with a dip in the freshwater pool.
For the best experience, don’t leave your dips until the peak of summer; the swimming holes are at their best after there’s been some decent rain. Time your visit for post-winter, when the pools are replenished, and the waterfalls are in action.
There’s no shortage of great cycling trails for enthusiasts to follow in the city and its surrounds.
Families can take one of the many family-friendly bike trails in Perth, with local favourites including the Windan Bridge Loop and Herdsman Lake.
Adrenaline junkies can hit the mountain bike trails, which are a great way to explore Perth’s bushland and forests, just a short drive (or longer cycle) from the city.
Brimming with scenic walking trails, hidden swimming holes, seasonal wildflowers, and ample wildlife-spotting opportunities, heading out to one of the national parks near Perth is the perfect way to reconnect with nature.
Each of these parks is within a two-hour drive of the city, and while accessing them isn’t quite ‘free’, entry is cheap and goes towards maintaining these beautiful parts of Perth and the surrounds.
Making a day of visiting some of Perth’s most haunted places isn’t for the faint-hearted.
Of course, the usual suspects—like Fremantle Prison and The Roundhouse—have a well-documented ‘spook-factor’, but some of the lesser-known spots like the Alkimos Wreck, Kalamunda Hotel, and Mount Claremont’s Montgomery Hall, are also worth checking out (and they’re free to visit, too).
From towering painted walls and oversized sculptures to larger-than-life digital installations, WA is home to a veritable feast of public art.
And the good news for the people of Perth is that the majority of WA’s best public art happens to be right here in the city. So, grab your walking shoes and head on an art-appreciation adventure.
