The 12 Best Attractions in Perth (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 12 picks

The best attractions in Perth in 2026 are Kings Park for city and river views, a day trip to Rottnest Island to meet the quokkas, Fremantle Prison and Fremantle Markets, a sunset swim at Cottesloe Beach, and the Swan Valley's wineries. Kings Park and the beaches are free.

Perth is spread out along the Swan River between the city centre and the port of Fremantle, about 20 km apart and linked by train and ferry. Most of the big attractions fall into three clusters: the city and Kings Park, Fremantle and the ocean beaches, and Rottnest Island offshore. Summer afternoons bring the cooling sea breeze locals call the Fremantle Doctor, so plan beach time for the morning.

1. Kings Park and Botanic Garden — West Perth

Perth's great park, with the best views of the city and the Swan River.

Best for First-timers · Families · Couples

Kings Park covers about 400 hectares of bushland and gardens on Mount Eliza, right next to the city centre. The Botanic Garden shows off Western Australia's wildflowers, and the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, a glass-and-steel bridge through the treetops, is a highlight.

Start at the State War Memorial lookout for the classic view over the river and skyline, then walk the garden paths. It is lovely at sunset, and in spring the wildflowers are at their best.

Good to know: Visit in September for the Kings Park Festival and the peak of wildflower season.

Fraser Ave, Kings Park WA 6005

Google Maps Website

2. Rottnest Island — Rottnest Island

Car-free island beaches, snorkelling bays and the famous quokkas.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · Couples · First-timers

Rottnest Island, about 20 km offshore, has more than 60 beaches and 20 bays with clear, calm water. There are almost no cars, so visitors get around by bike or on the hop-on hop-off bus, and the small, friendly quokkas live all over the island.

Take an early ferry, hire a bike and ride to the Basin, Little Salmon Bay or Parker Point for a swim and snorkel. Stay overnight to have the island to yourself after the day-trippers leave.

Good to know: Don't feed or touch the quokkas; a selfie from a respectful distance is the done thing.

Rottnest Island WA 6161

Google Maps Website

3. Fremantle Prison — Fremantle

A World Heritage–listed convict prison with excellent guided tours.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for First-timers · Families

Built by convicts in the 1850s and used as a prison until 1991, Fremantle Prison is part of the World Heritage–listed Australian Convict Sites. Guided tours take you through the cell blocks, the gallows and the yards.

The Tunnels Tour goes underground by boat through flooded tunnels below the prison, and evening torchlight tours suit older children and adults who like a scare.

Good to know: Book the Tunnels Tour well ahead; it has small groups and sells out.

1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160

Google Maps Website

4. Fremantle Markets — Fremantle

A Victorian market hall full of food stalls, produce and local makers.

$ BudgetBest for Families · Budget

Fremantle Markets have traded in the same heritage hall since the late 1800s. Inside you'll find fresh produce, food stalls, buskers and stalls selling local crafts, clothing and souvenirs.

Pair it with a walk along South Terrace's cafés and the Fishing Boat Harbour. The markets open Friday to Sunday plus public holiday Mondays.

Good to know: Arrive hungry and graze the food stalls instead of booking lunch.

Cnr South Terrace & Henderson St, Fremantle WA 6160

Google Maps Website

5. Cottesloe Beach — Cottesloe

Perth's best-known beach and the place for an Indian Ocean sunset.

Best for Couples · Families · Budget

Cottesloe is a wide, white-sand beach with calm, clear water in the mornings, a grassy terraced foreshore and the landmark Indiana building. It is patrolled by lifesavers and easy to reach by train.

Swim in the morning before the sea breeze arrives, snorkel near the groyne and stay for the sunset over the Indian Ocean. In March the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition lines the beach.

Good to know: Bring fish and chips to the grass terraces for sunset.

Marine Parade, Cottesloe WA 6011

Google Maps

6. Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower — Perth CBD

The city's riverside hub, with ferries, playgrounds and historic bells.

$ BudgetBest for First-timers · Families

Elizabeth Quay is a waterfront precinct on the Swan River with a footbridge, restaurants and the ferry to South Perth. Next door, the Bell Tower holds the 18th-century bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, and you can try bell ringing yourself.

Take the short ferry across to South Perth for a view back at the skyline and a visit to Perth Zoo.

Good to know: Check the Bell Tower's ringing times; hearing the full peal is the point.

Barrack Square, Riverside Dr, Perth WA 6000

Google Maps Website

7. WA Museum Boola Bardip — Northbridge

Western Australia's big, modern state museum, free to enter.

Best for Families · First-timers

WA Museum Boola Bardip reopened in 2020 in a striking building in the Perth Cultural Centre. Its galleries cover Aboriginal culture, Western Australian history, natural science and a giant blue whale skeleton.

General entry is free, with a fee for touring exhibitions. It is next to the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the State Library, so you can visit all three in one go.

Good to know: Go on a hot afternoon; it is cool, free and big enough for a few hours.

Perth Cultural Centre, James St, Perth WA 6000

Google Maps Website

8. Swan Valley — Swan Valley

Wineries, breweries and chocolate shops 25 minutes from the city.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Couples · Families

The Swan Valley is Western Australia's oldest wine region, about 25 minutes from the CBD. A drive around the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail takes in cellar doors, breweries, distilleries, chocolatiers and farm cafés.

Take a tour or a river cruise from Perth if you plan to taste. Families can add Caversham Wildlife Park, which is close by.

Good to know: Start at the visitor centre in Guildford for a trail map.

Swan Valley Visitor Centre, Cnr Meadow & Swan Sts, Guildford WA 6055

Google Maps Website

9. Caversham Wildlife Park — Whiteman Park

Meet kangaroos and see koalas and wombats up close.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families · First-timers

Caversham Wildlife Park, inside Whiteman Park in the north-east, has one of Western Australia's largest collections of native animals. Visitors can walk among kangaroos, watch the farm show and have a photo with a koala.

It is the easiest place near Perth to see Australian animals properly, and it combines well with a day in the Swan Valley.

Good to know: Arrive for the morning animal presentations, when the animals are most active.

Whiteman Park, Lord St, Whiteman WA 6068

Google Maps Website

10. AQWA, the Aquarium of Western Australia — Hillarys

A walk-through shark tunnel and the marine life of WA's coastline.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

AQWA at Hillarys Boat Harbour shows the sea life of Western Australia's 12,000 km coastline, region by region. The highlight is the underwater tunnel, where sharks, rays and turtles swim overhead.

Experienced visitors can book a snorkel or dive with the sharks. Hillarys Boat Harbour outside has a calm beach, cafés and the ferry to Rottnest.

Good to know: Buy tickets online for a discount on the door price.

91 Southside Dr, Hillarys WA 6025

Google Maps Website

11. Perth Zoo — South Perth

A leafy zoo a short ferry ride across the river from the CBD.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

Perth Zoo is a compact, shady zoo in South Perth with an Australian Bushwalk, an Asian rainforest and an African savannah. It is a conservation zoo that breeds endangered species such as numbats.

Take the ferry from Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street and walk up; it makes a good half-day with small children.

Good to know: The ferry ride is part of the fun, and it costs the same as a bus.

20 Labouchere Rd, South Perth WA 6151

Google Maps Website

12. Art Gallery of Western Australia — Northbridge

Free state gallery with strong Aboriginal art and a rooftop bar.

Best for Couples · Budget

The Art Gallery of Western Australia holds the state collection, with notable Aboriginal art, Australian painting and changing exhibitions. General entry is free.

The rooftop bar and sculpture terrace has views over the city, a good stop after the museum next door.

Good to know: Check the rooftop's opening hours; it keeps different times from the galleries.

Perth Cultural Centre, Roe St, Perth WA 6000

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the number one attraction in Perth?

Kings Park and Botanic Garden, a 400-hectare park on Mount Eliza above the city with views over the Swan River, a treetop walkway and a big native-plant garden. It is free and open every day.

Is Rottnest Island worth a day trip from Perth?

Yes. Ferries run from Barrack Street Jetty in the city, Fremantle and Hillarys, taking about 25 to 90 minutes. Hire a bike on the island, swim in the bays and see the quokkas. Book ferries ahead in summer and school holidays.

What can you do in Fremantle?

Tour Fremantle Prison, browse Fremantle Markets (open Friday to Sunday), walk the cappuccino strip on South Terrace and eat fish and chips at the Fishing Boat Harbour. It is about 30 minutes from Perth by train.

Where can I see kangaroos and koalas in Perth?

Caversham Wildlife Park in Whiteman Park lets you meet kangaroos and see koalas and wombats, and Perth Zoo in South Perth has a big Australian bushwalk. On Rottnest Island you will see wild quokkas.

What are free things to do in Perth?

Kings Park, the city beaches from Cottesloe to Scarborough, Elizabeth Quay, the WA Museum's permanent galleries and the Art Gallery of Western Australia are all free. See also our best beaches in Australia.

1. Kings Park and Botanic Garden — West Perth

2. Rottnest Island — Rottnest Island

3. Fremantle Prison — Fremantle

4. Fremantle Markets — Fremantle

5. Cottesloe Beach — Cottesloe

6. Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower — Perth CBD

7. WA Museum Boola Bardip — Northbridge

8. Swan Valley — Swan Valley

9. Caversham Wildlife Park — Whiteman Park

10. AQWA, the Aquarium of Western Australia — Hillarys

11. Perth Zoo — South Perth

12. Art Gallery of Western Australia — Northbridge

Frequently asked questions

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