Itineraries for Your Trip to Perth
2 Days in Perth for First Timers
Affectionately known as the City of Light, Perth is visible from space, and the sprawling lights of the city at night brought comfort to astronaut John Glenn from far away in 1962. Fortunately, for visitors and locals (like me), it’s even better up close—with plenty of epic attractions that are also good enough to put the Western Australian capital on the map.
For most first-time visitors, two days in Perth is a good amount of time. You can squeeze in those inner city sights and have space left for some of the city’s other highlights, too, from an Indian Ocean sunset—and sundowner—at Fremantle to a trip out to the Swan Valley’s historic vineyards and cellar doors.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a trip to the beach—Perth’s beaches are a prime reason for the saying "West is best."
On average, Perth has more sunny days than any other city in Australia, but autumn and winter can still be chilly.
Visitors often overlook Perth’s city center. With so much to see and do—and attractions spread far and wide—it’s understandable. Still, a city walking tour is a great way to learn more about the history of Boorloo, along with its emerging cultural scene, where statues and street art meet shiny skyscrapers. You’ll also visit some of the city’s must-see spots, including Elizabeth Quay, London Court, the Bell Tower, and Perth Mint.
After checking out the best spots in the city center, it’s time to head a little further afield. While you could jump on a Swan River sightseeing cruise from Perth to Fremantle, traveling by road means you can squeeze in a few more sights along the way—including Kings Park, Cottesloe Beach, the Round House, and the Fremantle Markets (open Friday-Sunday).
Perth is a city that sparkles at sunset—especially from the ocean. While you can go simple and soak up the view from one of the city’s many beachside bars, if you feel like pushing the boat out (literally), you can’t get much better than a sunset catamaran cruise or relaxing a dinner-and-drinks trip on the Swan River. If you want to keep the party going after dark, follow it up with a visit to Northbridge, the city’s premier entertainment precinct.
One of the main reasons visitors come to Perth is to see the furry quokkas on Rottnest Island. While there’s plenty more to do around the city, if you have the time, it’s well worth heading over to the island known for its history, beautiful beaches, and friendly fur seals. Although you can rent bikes, a hop-on hop-off bus means you can maximize your time with the island’s cutest critters—and squeeze in all the other sights, too.
Although it’s easy to while away a whole day on Rottnest Island—or Penguin Island, if you prefer—if you can drag yourself away early enough, you might squeeze in an afternoon jaunt out to the Swan Valley. A little out of the city, the Swan Valley is known for its rolling vineyards, craft breweries, and gourmet foods, including deluxe cheese tastings and chocolate factories.
One of the longest cities in the world, Perth locals are used to driving pretty far to get where they want to go—and even more so when it comes to seeing the night skies. While it is a bit of a trek, the lunar-like landscape of the Pinnacles—roughly two hours north of Perth—is hands-down the best spot for stargazing near the city. Tours out to the site usually include all your transport, dinner, drinks, a guided stargazing experience, and a stop-off at Lancelin Sand Dunes on the way.
