Narrowing down the most beautiful places in Perth isn’t easy. In short, the city manages to seamlessly blend the vibrancy of urban life with the simple beauty of mother nature.
From world renowned beaches, boasting sea life from dolphins to penguins, to the gorgeous national parks, we are simply spoilt for choice.
But we managed to take all the beauty in Perth city and bundle them into 12 must-see places to visit. So whether you’re a Perthite wanting to explore your home turf, or travelling to Perth city for the first time, this list will give you so many days of fun and stunning sights to set your eyes on.
Whether you’re looking for the best places to stay in Perth, or the ultimate areas to wander, Soho has got you covered.
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1. Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Perth. With a shoreline almost a kilometre long, the clear waters, and soft, white sand are a delight for every beach lover.
This beach is arguably Perth’s most famous. While it gets quieter in the winter months, it draws people throughout the year for swimming, surfing and snorkelling.
But if you want to keep your feet dry, you can simply enjoy the views from the shore, or one of the great restaurants or cafes speckling the coastline.
Location: 20 minute drive from Perth CBD
When to go: avoid the winter months but otherwise, year round!
2. Margaret River
You can’t go to Perth and not experience the beauty of Margaret River. Sure, it’s not exactly in Perth city, being about a three-hour drive away, but this place is synonymous with the city and is one of the most beautiful places in Perth.
Margaret River is known the world over for its wines. So a few days spent on a wine tour, visiting local wineries and sampling brews is well spent! But if you want to add to that or skip the wines completely, there is plenty to do.
You’ll find stunning beaches that form a pristine coast. There are forest abundant in giant timber trees and even ancient caves underground. There’s something for everyone.
Location: 3 hours outside Perth
When to go: Best is December through February. September to November and March to May are also ok but avoid the winter if you want to hit the beach.
3. Swan Valley
Set your eyes on the gorgeous natural landscape in Swan Valley. Just 25 minutes from Perth city is Western Australia’s oldest wine region. If you’re looking for a wine tour, you can follow the Swan Valley food and wine trail, tasting delicious local wines along the way.
But even if wine tasting doesn’t tempt you, Swan Valley has many activities for a day trip or even a week-long journey. Visit the national park and hike or cycle. Sample the fresh local produce from stalls.
Head to Old Young’s Distillery known for its delicious artisanal brews like gin and vodka. Psst, they also have a restaurant called Old Young’s Kitchen where you can enjoy yummy Australian fare alongside their signature cocktails.
Location: 25 minutes from Perth
When to go: September and October invite winter rains but offer beautiful flowers. October to February means more sunshine and opportunities for outdoor activities.
4. Kings Park And Botanic Garden
Stretched across 990 acres of gorgeous land, the iconic Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the major attractions in Perth city and one of the largest inner city parks. So large in fact, that it beats New York’s Central Park and London’s Hyde Park in size!
Choose a temperate afternoon, grab some sunscreen and wander through this spectacular city garden, admiring war memorials and rare Australian bird varieties along the way.
With an unsurpassed reputation in horticulture conservation and scientific research, you’ll find many beautiful species of flora here. When you’re not admiring them all, you can have a picnic lunch in front of sweeping views of the Perth city skyline, Darling Ranges and Swan River.
Then stroll towards the Lottery West Federation Walkway, learning about Aboriginal culture and European history along the way.
Location: Perth CBD
When to go: all year round
5. Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is definitely one of Perth’s most popular spots and an absolute must visit for nature lovers. The island, sitting about 19 kilometres from the Perth’s shores, is world famous for its unparalleled soft sands, lovely weather and simply gorgeous scenery.
Many believe that sea level changes are what created this island. You’ll discover a number of salt lakes, including Lake Negri, Pink Lake and the two Pearse Lakes which, in the summer, dry out and become salt flats. Truly picturesque!
Hop on a bike and tour the island, or go whale watching, fishing or snorkelling, all the while looking out for the iconic little quokkas popping up here and there.
Location: 25-minute ferry from Fremantle
When to go: Autumn or spring
6. John Forrest National Park
John Forrest was recognised in 1990 as Western Australia’s first national park. It is loved today as a treasure of local Australian flora and fauna.
The best way to experience the natural beauty of the park is on foot. A day hike will offer the opportunity to see western grey kangaroos, bandicoots, possums and tons of different bird species. Not to mention some beautiful exotic flora.
Don’t miss the waterfalls like Hovea Fall which indicate the intricacy of the lands. Just make sure to have a look at the hiking trails before you embark—many of them vary in duration and difficulty.
And as with many of the sites on this list, packing a picnic would be an absolute advantage. Another great way to take in the sights at one of the most beautiful places in Perth.
Location: 45 minutes from the CBD
When to go: Spring
7. Scarborough Beach
Here’s another one of Perth city’s awesome beaches! This is a popular one, especially during school holidays. Fine white sand and a strong breeze make this a top choice for windsurfers and kite surfers.
When you need a break from the waves, verdant grassy knolls offer a relaxing spot for sitting and snacking. Staying past sunset? Check out some of the cool pubs studding the coastline to get a taste of Perth’s energetic nightlife.
Location: 20 minutes from the CBD
When to go: November to April
8. City Beach
If you’re looking for a quieter beach, you might like City Beach, which has all the best parts of Perth city beaches without the crowds. This coast’s particularity is its backdrop of Perth’s modern luxury residences which make for a Miami-style landscape.
Families will love the big playground for children and the volleyball areas in the summer months. A short walk to the next bay is where you’ll find a dog-friendly beach with tons of the furry ones running across the shores.
Looking to unwind with a cocktail in hand? Get a table at one of the stylish beach restaurants of Hamptons or Odyssea.
You can also find accommodation along the many lovely hotels in City Beach or Airbnb options with Cozycozy.
Location: City Beach is a suburb 10 kilometres from the Perth CBD
When to go: September to June
9. Araluen Botanic Park
Here’s another charming park that you can spend the whole day strolling through! Araluen Botanical Park is nested in the lush, verdant Darling Range valley.
Serene, peaceful and manicured, the botanical park has multiple streams, grass patches and terraced gardens to enjoy throughout the year. It’s the reason why so many couples choose to get married here.
Grab your camera, or your best smartphone, and get ready to snap away at the truly picturesque settings. If hunger calls, ready a picnic basket or some delicious meals to throw onto the barbecue.
Location: 1 hour from Perth CBD
When to go: September to November
10. Mullaloo Beach
The last beach, but certainly not the least, is the dazzling Mullaloo Beach. Not unlike the other beaches on this list, it boasts the same alluring coastal features as with the rest of Perth’s coastline, like sugary sand, bright blue waters and clean shores.
The waters here are particularly calm, so if you’re bringing young children you’ll feel safer here. When they want to get dry, let them play at the playground while you admire the sun setting over the Indian Ocean.
This is one of the best places to visit in Perth to get a taste of the gorgeous natural beauty it offers.
Location: 40 minutes from Perth CBD
When to go: November to April
11. Yanchep National Park
Yanchep National Park in Perth is one of the best places in the city. Located in the Pinnacles desert, here’s where you can take a break from the city and truly immerse yourself in nature.
The park is abundant in different trees and plants, and amongst them usually hiding are wild animals like koala, kangaroos, quenda and countless bird species.
If you want a taste of Australia, there is where you’ll find it. Head into Crystal Cave, one of their many underground limestone grottoes for an otherworldly experience amongst the stalactites. You can even hire a tour guide to clue you in on the history of these cool sites.
Location: About 1.5 hours outside Perth city
When to go: All year but summer is best for spotting animals.
12. Penguin Island
Known the world over for their adorable wildlife, Penguin Island is loved for… you guessed it—penguins! Get up and close to little penguins, the smallest species of penguin, after which the island is named.
But there are tons of other sea animals like wild dolphins and rare Australian sea lions. One way of getting closer to them is by renting a kayak and heading out into the water.
Crossed that off your list? You can also snorkel, swim or go on a hike around the island. Tons of opportunities to explore one of the most beautiful places in Perth.
Location: 45 minutes south of Perth and a 5-minute ferry ride
When to go: The island is open September to June
What is the coldest month in Perth?
The coldest month in Perth is July. This is the middle of winter for Australia, and the temperatures average at a low of 7.9°C. The winter is also when the city experiences the most rainfall—77% of the year falls between May and September.
What is the best month to visit Perth?
Spring is a universally loved time to travel. In Perth, spring is between September and November.
It’s when the temperature is most ambient and the flowers are in bloom after winter. This is no different in Perth. Spring invites many travellers as there is less rain and the skies are clear without the intense heat of the summer sun.
What can you do in Perth for free?
There are tons of cool things to do in Perth and for free. In fact, these are sites are also some of the most beautiful places in Perth! Here are some of the Perth attractions that won’t cost you anything:
- Go to the beach – one of the brilliant parts about having a home in Perth is being in walking distance to the beach where we can stroll, swim or snorkel for free! Besides the beaches on this list you can also check out Coogee beach, Rockingham beach
- Stargaze – whether at the observatory or besides one of the lakes (like Mandurah), minimal pollution means brighter night skies.
- Explore local art – check out some of the local art galleries or see the outdoor art installations along the Public Art Walk, just next to the Bell Tower.
- Go biking – There are lots of great biking trails for every type of rider, novice to advanced.
- Do a picnic – head up to Perth Hills to picnic in front of the gorgeous city skyline.
- See the native animals – From any wildlife park to the Rottie (Rottnest Island), there are plenty of adorable animals to go around.
- Learn about the city – check out one of the Perth city tours run by volunteers or check out the Bell Tower where you can listen to the bells go off at different times of day.
Things to do in Perth when it’s raining
While Perth city is the sunniest capital city in the world, some days it does rain. If you’re looking to stay indoors for the day, here are some of the bigger tourist attractions:
- Visit one of the many museums or an art gallery – The Art Gallery of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip, Western Australia Maritime Museum, Aviation Heritage Museum
- Learn about Aussie history – The Perth Mint, Fremantle Prison, Scitech
- Get into Aussie culture – visit one of the local breweries
- Check out local fare – taste local artisanal produce at the Fremantle Markets
Which are the best places to visit in Perth at night?
Yes, Perth’s beaches and nature are a joy to explore in the day, but when the sun goes down, the Perth nightlife really kicks off! Here are some good things to keep you awake:
- Hop on the Swan River cruise to see Perth from the water
- Listen to some live music at Perth Concert Hall or the West Australian Symphony Orchestra
- Do a tour of Perth’s small bars around the Perth CBD, Northbridge and Victoria Park
- Stargaze in the Pinnacle Desert
- Check out what’s on at His Majesty’s Theatre
- Get a seat on a helicopter and experience the Perth skyline from above and see sights like Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park
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