Perth: Australia’s Most Underrated Big City

Updated: 12/2/18 | December 2nd, 2018

The city of Perth was founded on June 12, 1829 by Captain James Stirling as the center for the Swan River Colony. Despite a slow start and skirmishes with the native Aborigines, the city prospered and grew. In 1850, an influx of convicts boosted the size of the colony, and their labor helped build the city.

The discovery of gold in the 1890s triggered a mineral boom that has still not subsided. This boom has been the key to Perth’s growth, as well as the growth of the whole of Western Australia.

Over the last few years, the rise of commodity prices and the subsequent mining and oil drilling boom has ballooned Perth’s population. The city is now a hub of activity and growth. (It grows 10% per year.) But, despite all that growth, the city still remains a wonderful place to visit. It’s clean, the people are friendly, it’s easy to get around, and it sits right on the ocean. It has more a small town feel than that of the biggest city of Western Australia! (Though it does have big city prices!)

To me, Perth embodies everything that Australia is about — rugged yet refined, modern but still rustic, relaxed but still moving.

As a young and modern city, there are a few “attractions” here. You won’t find many historic buildings or quaint little shop-lined alleys. There are no cute little neighborhoods. The city is spread out on wide streets. Yes, there’s stuff to do: The Perth Cultural Center; King’s Park; Swan River, which also provides great views of the city, or a quick train trip Fremantle. If the heat (and it gets really hot) gets to you, head to Perth’s famous beaches.

But it’s the people that really trap me here. It’s knowing you are miles from anything but never feeling that way. On Sundays, Cottesloe fills with young adults engaging in one of Australia’s most time-honored traditions — the Sunday Session. At night, the action heads down to Northbridge. There, the natives unwind with a good beer and socialize until the early morning hours.

And the locals love meeting strangers because, with the city being so far away, not many come! Normally, you go out to the bars, and people are stand-offish when you try to strike up a conversation. But in Perth, everyone talks. The city is a great place to meet people — I found the locals to be very friendly. Northbridge may get crowded and sometimes a little rowdy, but everyone’s always willing to talk.

Here are some things to see and do in Perth:

Things to See and Do in Perth

1. Check out King’s Park and Botanic Garden
Kings Park is home to 990 acres of landscaped gardens and bushland, making it a great place to go to see an impressive view of the city. Stroll through the eucalyptus tree canopy, take in the rich bird life, and get a sense of the native habitat. The park also hosts regular music and theater events, so be sure to look out for what’s going on during your visit. The park is open daily and admission is free.

2. Climb the DNA Tower
From this spiraling staircase (located in Kings Park) you can actually get panoramic views of the city skyline, as well as the Indian Ocean. It is the highest point in Kings Park, requiring you to walk up 101 stairs before you can take in the view. But it’s definitely worth it!

3. Visit the Quokkas at Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is the perfect spot for a day trip. Not only will you get to see the cute native Quokkas (a small marsupial) but you’ll be able to go snorkeling, rent bikes, or spend a couple nights camping. Just make sure to avoid “schoolies week” in late November and early December when the island becomes a drinking festival for 18-year-old Aussies!

4. See the Art Gallery of Western Australia
This gallery was founded in 1895 and houses the state’s most distinguished art collection. It includes post-WWII works, as well as Indigenous pieces. There are also rotating exhibitions, so be sure to check the website for the most up-to-date information.

Perth Cultural Centre, +61 8 9492 6600, artgallery.wa.gov.au. It’s open Wednesday-Monday from 10am-5pm. Admission is free but donations are accepted.

5. Enjoy One of the Many Beaches
Perth has a number of amazing beaches. Some of my favorites are:

• Cottesloe Beach – This is a long, white-sand beach that’s great for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. It’s one of the most popular.
• Swanbourne Beach – This is a clothing-optional beach so it won’t be for everyone, but if you’re up to it it’s a great beach!
• City Beach – This is another popular beach. It’s great for surfing as it has strong waves and there are lots of cafes around to grab a bite to eat.
• Scarborough Beach – Another white-sand beach that’s great for year-round surfing.
• Trigg Beach – This is a great beach for pretty much anything! There is good surfing, snorkeling, and swimming and there is free parking nearby.

No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a beach for it. They can get a bit busy on the weekends in the summer though, so be sure to arrive early to get a good spot.

6. Hike the Bibbulmun Track
The trail stretches over 950km and is one of the best hikes in the country, if not the world. The trail will take you through karri and tingle forests, down into misty valleys, and along the coast. You can just do sections of it for single day hikes or spend days or weeks walking it in its entirety. Cabins are offered along the entire way for pit stops and rest breaks, making this an epic journey if you’re looking to really stretch your legs!

7. Take a Day Trip to Fremantle
Located about 30 minutes from Perth, Fremantle is a 19th-century port city that makes for a great day trip. There are lots of great places to eat, you can stroll along the coast, and there is a lively and eclectic art scene. There are plenty of buskers, live music venues, and micro breweries to keep you entertained, and you can also tour the Fremantle Prison (which housed convicts back when Australia was a prison colony).

8. Visit Adventure World
If you’re traveling with kids (or just want to embrace your inner child), head to Adventure World. This theme park boasts rides, water slides, go-karts, and also activities for smaller children. If you’re looking for a fun, touristy activity to give you a little adrenaline rush then this might just be it! The park is located around 20 minutes out of the city.

351 Progress Dr (Bibra Lake), +61 8 9417 9666, adventureworld.net.au. Open daily from 10am-5pm. Admission is 59.50 AUD for adults and 49.50 for children 3-14 (children under 3 enter free). Discounts are available for seniors and families.

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To many Australians, Perth is a world away. The majority of the country’s population lives on the east coast and rarely venture off it. To them, Perth might as well be another country. Perth always seems to be the end of the world — far removed from the rest of the country.

But any visit to Australia that doesn’t include this city leaves out a truly Australian experience.

How to Get There

Perth is a 5-hour flight from Sydney, with tickets costing between 185-400 AUD per person. Going by car, train, or bus will take over 40 hours if you go direct and will cost at least 500 AUD, making flying the most budget-friendly option. Of course, if you have a car or campervan then the drive is definitely worth it, as there is a lot to see along the way. If you’re coming from Europe, Qantas now offers direct flights from London to Perth with round-trip tickets costing around 1,000 AUD.

Book Your Trip to Perth: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. My favorite place to stay in Perth is:

• The Witch’s Hat – This hostel has an amazing staff as well as spacious dorms, AC, and free pasta and rice!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Perth?
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Perth with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

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