Our must-do guide to Perth: Australia’s sunshine capital

It may be tricky to tear yourself away from Perth / Boorloo’s state-of-the-art HBF Park during the HSBC SVNS Australia Day weekend (January 24-26, 2025) – particularly if you’re in the party stand. 

But after watching the world’s finest rugby sevens players, you’ll definitely want to explore more of this extraordinary city, and maybe even head a little further afield for some West Australian adventure. 

Here is our lowdown on what not to miss.

Life’s a beach

Twelve months ago, both the Australian men’s and women’s teams pulled up agonisingly short of victory on home soil, but you could be forgiven for quickly forgetting the pain of finals-day defeat after a day at the beach.

With 19 city beaches all lapped by the Indian Ocean, the choice may seem overwhelming, but City Beach is an obvious place to start. Conveniently located, blessed by safe swimming spots for all the family and stuffed with eating and drinking options, it has got you covered. 

No Perth resident will let you leave their city, however, without a trip to Cottesloe Beach, affectionately known as ‘Cott’. Take a bus or a train out of the city and be floating 15 minutes later. 

For those feeling a touch more adventurous, Coogee (45 minutes by car) has to be on the list. 

Voted one of Australia’s top-15 beaches in 2022, it boasts 4km of white sand, and great snorkelling options, with the Omeo shipwreck just metres from the shore. 

To wind up a Perth-ect day, what could be more dreamlike than watching the sun dip directly into the Indian Ocean, transforming the sky and water to vibrant pastels? Western Australia’s sunsets are an experience you simply can’t miss.

A city for all tastes

Once you have suitably cooled down from the heat of the sun, and the HSBC SVNS competition, waste no more time and head into Perth itself.   

Whether sipping local craft beer at the State Building’s Beer Corner, cosmopolitan cocktails at Bar Love, or the epic wine list at Margot’s, Perth city is on the rise for great foodie delights. 

Speaking of rise, Perth’s rooftop bar scene is on fire with Songbird, 18 Knots, Hello Rooftop, Terrarium and Lil’s – the latest new addition to the city’s offerings, opening just in time for HSBC SVNS 2025. 

A quick ice cream stop at local favourite Kuld Creamery in Northbridge may then be needed for some, before discovering Yagan Square’s diverse culinary offerings across five spacious storeys – Stories – for a full feed.

With energy levels restored, perhaps it is time for a burst of culture. The WA Museum, Boola Bordip, is a highlight. At just four years old Boola Bardip (which means “many stories” in the indigenous Noongar language) mixes traditional and innovative installations to shine a light on this fascinating, multi-layered state.  

In addition to HSBC SVNS, Perth’s annual FRINGE World Festival is on until February 16, 2025. With more than 200 events to surprise and delight all ages, Perth city will be entertained with all things eye-catching and eccentric.

Kings treat

Perth is a city built on nature. Australia’s sunniest capital is home to 19 pristine beaches; the world’s most beautiful stadium, framed by the Swan River / Derbarl Yerrigan; and one of the world’s largest inner-city parks that becomes a blanket of colour during wildflower season.

Kings Park was named Australia’s top attraction in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, beating other well-known attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and it’s no wonder why.

Right in the heart of the city, Kings Park and Botanic Garden / Kaarta Koomba is 400-plus hectares of natural bushland, ornamental gardens, native birds, playgrounds, an open-air cinema, café and restaurant and, of course, plenty of barbecue areas. 

A walking tour led by a Traditional Owner offers a unique opportunity to understand the land through the eyes of one of the world’s oldest living cultures. 

Smile like a quokka

Rottnest Island / Wadjemup is a must on any Perth itinerary. The Island has a checklist of many of Australia’s most famous characteristics: cute, photo-friendly marsupials – in this case quokkas – dolphins in abundance, turquoise waters, white sand, surf and great food. 

A 30-minute ferry ride from Perth’s port city of Fremantle / Walyalup, you can spend days getting idyllically lost among the 63 beaches and 20 bays. You’ll need some energy, though – ‘Rotto’, a car-free zone, is best explored on foot or bicycle. 

Pedal from bay to bay at your own pace, or take a guided bike tour to discover lighthouses, world war relics, pink salt lakes, caves and coves. Stop at the legendary Rottnest Island Bakery for a delicious treat or enjoy a beverage at one of Rotto’s many beachside bars and cafes.

Or why not discover Rottnest Island’s cultural significance and history on an Aboriginal guided tour, then enjoy an ocean boat cruise dining on sumptuous local seafood?

Can’t pick an adventure? Pick a direction

There’s a bevy of experiences within an hour of Perth’s CBD, that can be found in every direction.

Fremantle is Perth’s Old Town. Located 30 minutes south of the CBD, it’s a maritime city with spirit and soul, full of vibrancy, colour and culture. Chart a course through a coalescence of festivals, museums, UNESCO World Heritage, century-old markets and a soundtrack of sails and rigging in the sea breeze. Check out the Fremantle Markets, a cluster of 100s of tiny independent stalls, refuelling with fish and chips in the harbour; visit the Prison’s famous subterranean tunnels, or wander round the WA Shipwreck and WA Maritime museums. 

Get your aquatic adventure on in Rockingham – 45 minutes south of the city, where you can swim with wild dolphins and playful sea lions. Dial up your adventure with skydiving, jet packing, scuba diving and sup-boards or throw in a line for the catch of the day.  

Where there is a river, there is life, and the fertile plains of the Swan Valley (40 mins north east of Perth) is a symphony for the taste buds and soul. 

Home to world-class wineries, breweries and distilleries, the Swan Valley is bursting with music and flavour. Lay a picnic blanket under a shady tree or dine at one of the many stylish venues along the riverside. Add a side dish of art, historical architecture and the oldest pub in Perth, and it is a day of rustic sophistication in WA’s oldest wine region.

With so much going on in and around Perth, why not make a stay of it and sample some of the best that Western Australia has to offer? Discover more here.