What to do in Perth
View of Perth at sunset
Perth (or by its Indigenous name: Boorloo) is the capital of the vast state known as Western Australia. It is very much an up and coming city – from trendy new restaurants to exciting tourism activities.
The city is your gateway to this large state and it’s well worth spending a day or two here. Realistically, if you’re planning to visit Western Australia then you should set aside a good few weeks because this one state is quite literally a third of the entire country. According to the state DMO, Western Australia is the size of Western Europe. So, plan accordingly.
Expert-guided exploration
Perth has some rich Indigenous history and each part of the state is home to varying Indigenous groups. Basically, what we call “Australia” is actually a land mass made up of various “Countries” on which different Indigenous Australian nations live. Perth is on Whadjuk Noongar country (hence the Indigenous name Boorloo). The Noongar nation is a large language group and the Whadjuk people are a part of that nation.
While in Perth you should absolutely sign up for an Indigenous tour of the city. One of the leading tour guides to do this is Walter McGuire of Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences. He is a Traditional Owner and highly knowledgeable about the land and its history. If you’d like to head further out you should check out the Swan Valley with leading tour operator and bush food specialist Dale Tilbrook. She is incredibly well-respected and a true pioneer (besides being knowledgeable about her lands, history, and bush food). She, too, is a Traditional Owner.
From when you land at Perth Airport (where I took this photo) you are reminded of the Indigenous history and the land you are on.
It is also good to learn about and experience a Welcome to Country. This is where the Indigenous people (or a Traditional owner) welcomes you to their land (known as Country). It can be quite moving and it is a necessity since you are on someone’s traditional and/or ancestral home.
Self-guided exploration
Now that you’ve learnt about the land and have been welcomed by the right custodians, time to venture out on your own. My recommendation is to start the day at a top local brunch spot. I’m not a coffee drinker but I hear a flat white in Australia is a must. Then head out to Cottesloe beach. It’s about 30 minutes away from Perth city centre and a top swimming, surfing, and snorkelling spot. In March they host an outdoor art exhibition called Sculptures by the Sea (see gallery below from the 2024 exhibition) where you can interact with the work of local artists.
Spend the day catching some sun and enjoying the Indian Ocean. You can pause for lunch or dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants. There are a ton to choose from but Il Lido (an Italian restaurant) is one of the top picks… which is why you’ll need a booking to get in. The Verandah Bar is also fab and has a great vibe in the evenings. Good food with a trendy and beachside atmosphere.
While sundowners by the beach are a must, I would also recommend you head to Elizabeth Quay for sundowners at the Reveley rooftop bar on one of your days in Perth. The sunset views here are gorgeous and you’ll get some images of the iconic Matagarup Bridge. You can head downstairs to the middle-level Dining Room restaurant (Low Kee) for a divine meal. I don’t know if it can be called fine dining (I’m not an expert here) but it was a pretty fancy, quite delicious meal to me. They have great variety and fantastic local produce. Actually, that’s something Australia (and especially Western Australia) does so well – offering meals consisting of local WA produce.
A visit to Perth is not complete without heading over to Rottnest Island. Tourism WA calls it a “Quokka selfie” and it’s basically you taking a photo with the small inhabitant of that island. There’s not much shade on the island so take plenty of sunscreen and a big, beachy hat. You can enjoy a walking tour, have a bite, enjoy the sea, and even cycle the island.
