Perth

Adventure World

This fun park features five waterslides, various rides for the adventurous, and a special 'Kids Cove' for children. Picnicking is encouraged or you can buy food on site (no alcohol is permitted). Contains only 1 little kiddy coaster, so it is definitely not for the serious thrillseeker. Best of all, unlimited rides are included in Adventure World's entry fee. Over summer, Adventure World also hosts several "Adults Only Pool Parties," which are held on either a Friday or Saturday night. The park is closed to children, and becomes a fully licensed venue, serving alcohol as well as hosting bands after dark. The easiest mode of transport is the car. You can also arrive via a short bus ride (#520 from either Cockburn Central train/bus station or Fremantle train station - frequencies range from half-hourly weekdays, hourly Saturdays and two-hourly on Sundays and public holidays - zone 3 fare).

Alfred's Kitchen

Since 1946 this place has been serving burgers to hungry insomniacs at the small counter with a log fire burning in front. The food is good and not just because everything else is shut at 1AM.

Mon-Thu 5PM-midnight, Fri 5PM-2AM, Sat noon-2AM, Sun noon-midnight

All Saints Anglican Church

Western Australia's oldest church, set on reasonably large grounds with a historic cemetery attached. Part of the Parish of Swan, church services are still held each week. The Swan River can be accessed on foot from the church. Entry is free but donations are requested.

Ambar

This unpretentious bar/club serves some very tasty cocktails to complement its uber-cool music policy. The crowd has a friendly and "up for it" attitude.

Fri or Sat night

Amplifier Bar/Capitol Nightclub

Head here late on a Saturday night for some indie dance hits and an eclectic crowd.

Art Gallery of Western Australia

Rotating exhibitions of contemporary Australian, International and Indigenous art and design drawn from the state collection. Exhibitions can be a bit heavy on Indigenous art (though there are some fantastic Indigenous works represented) but you could easily fill a few hours here surveying 150 years of Australian Art.

Wed-Mon 10AM-5PM, closed Tue·Free (except special exhibits)

Ascot Racecourse

A premier horse racing venue. Its flagship race is the Perth Cup, and it also plays host to other top-tier handicap races such as the Kingston Town Classic, Railway Stakes and Winterbottom Stakes.

B Shed Café

A great place to get a coffee while waiting for the ferry to Rottnest, but also a very atmospheric place to be when there is not a ferry expected (as it can get quite crowded) and watch the activity in the harbour. There are interpretive signs and photos around the walls explaining the history of the building and its role in immigration to Western Australia. The cafe is next to the Rottnest ferry operators' ticket counters.

Barracks Arch

Equally loved and loathed by residents this arch is all that remains of the 1866 Tudor style accommodations for soldiers of the Enrolled Pensioner Guard. The two wings were demolished in 1966 to make way for the Mitchel Freeway but public protests held back the wrecking ball from dispatching this part of Perth's history.

Free

Beerpourium

This craft beer and pizza place is above the Dôme cafe on the Cappuccino Strip. It has a good selection of local craft beers, a great veranda, and wood fired pizza.

Wed Thu 4–10PM; Fri Sat 11AM–midnight; Sun 11AM-10PM·~$12 for a 425ml beer

Belgian Beer Cafe Westende

Has an impressive selection of imported and local beers on tap, with specialised glassware to match.

Daily 11AM-10PM, later on weekends

Bib & Tucker

Modern Australian fare with a rotisserie and wood-fired oven centre stage, driving the direction of the menu.

Wed-Sun 8AM-10PM

C Restaurant Lounge

Has amazing views of the entire city including Kings Park. The food is good but the view is most definitely the defining feature.

Cantonment Hill

A terrific view of Fremantle Harbour and beyond. The Signal Station at the top is now home to the Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue (the building is not open to the public). The Army Museum is at the foot of the hill as well and is easily visited at the same time.

free

Chalkys

Nice cafe in the old tram barn at the end of High Street, right near the Roundhouse. Inside and outside tables. Interesting murals inside.

Chinatown

Perth's little Chinatown, with its own Chinese gate, is a good spot for picking up Asian groceries and also the best place for late night dining in Perth. Most venues are BYO. Chinese businesses in Northbridge are not confined to Chinatown but can be found throughout Northbridge, and most visibly along William St.

Claisebrook Cove

A major urban redevelopment area on the Swan River, on the fringe of the city centre. Spend an hour or so wandering about the brightly coloured, modern and strikingly unusual architecture before you wind down with a meal and a hot or cold bevy. Views of the city centre from the footbridge that runs above the cove are particularly stunning at night. (Take the yellow CAT to the Haig Park Circle stop during daylight hours or take the Midland, Armadale or Thornlie line to Claisebrook transfer station which is located within the Free Transit Zone).

Connections

Claims to be the oldest gay night club in Australia and possibly the world.

Wed 8PM-4AM, Thu 8PM-3AM, Fri 8PM-5AM, Sat 8PM-5AM, Sun-Tue closed

Cottesloe Beach

One of Perth's most famous beaches, and a favourite among locals and tourists alike. A quiet beach with a pleasant footpath along Marine Parade with panoramic views over the Indian Ocean. Watch the sunset whilst sitting on one of many benches and the scores of surfers who are still there in winter months trying to catch waves. There is a shady grassed area as well as sand, and the beach is patrolled. From Fremantle, head about 10 minutes north by car via the Stirling Highway. Or take the train to Cottesloe and catch the "Cott Cat" free shuttle bus, running every 15 minutes each weekend and public holiday throughout summer. The Cott Cat runs in a loop between Cottesloe Train Station and Cottesloe Beach, stopping at North Cottesloe (outside the Ocean Beach Hotel) and Cottesloe Beach (outside Il Lido Cafe). From Cottesloe station, you can head west down Forrest Street for about ten minutes to reach the beach. Another option is to take bus 102 from Williams street or Esplanade station and it has a stop right by Cottesloe beach.

Crown Perth Complex

Crown Perth Casino

An all-in-one entertainment precinct. The casino offers all games, the theatre provides a venue for some of the best touring productions, while the Dome is a 20,000 capacity arena that regularly hosts tennis tournaments and international concerts. Also included within the complex are a number of bars and pubs, including Paddy Hannan's (named after the first person to strike gold in West Australia) and the infamous nightclub The Eve. Take the Thornlie line (platform 4) from the central station, McIver or Claisebrook (platform 2).

Culley's Tea Rooms

This famous cafe has been around since the 1920s and is notable for its selection of pies and pasties, as well as an old-style milk bar. Try the caramel slice while you're there. Be aware that it does get crowded around lunch time. If you cannot find a seat inside, take one of the outdoor tables (place your order at the counter inside and pick it up at the window, if need be). The air conditioning is always on.

Dome Rottnest

Alfresco seating overlooking Thomson Bay, serving fine coffees and a diverse food menu.

Fremantle Arts Centre

A museum for Contemporary Arts with a shop and a cafe. In summer free Sunday music sessions in the courtyard.

Free entry

Fremantle Prison

The convicts that were transported to Australia from the UK built it in 1851 to house themselves. Following the end of convict transportation in 1868, Fremantle Prison served as Western Australia's main maximum security prison until its closure in 1991. Today it remains as a UNESCO World Heritage Site building as part of the Australian Convict Sites and is used for several purposes including as an art gallery, museum and conference center. Basic tours run throughout the day, and a 'Torchlight tour' runs on Wednesday and Friday nights, which explores the history of prison hauntings. For the adventurous, the tunnels tour will take you through the tunnel network underneath the prison.

Open every day of the year except Good Fri and Christmas day·$18.50 (basic), $59 (tunnel tour), less for students and children

Geordie's

Offering 5 Senses coffee, fresh made juices, smoothies, cakes and salads as well as an extensive dine in and takeaway menu. They will also have local and Rottnest themed artworks on display and for sale.

Daily 7AM-9PM in the summer season

Gino's

Gino's Cafe and Trattoria

One of the first cafes in Fremantle and the epicentre of the Cappuccino Strip, Gino's opened on 29 November 1983 when Gino Saccone (1937–2001) decided to turn his tailoring business on the corner of South Terrace and Market Street into a cafe. The coffee has been surpassed by other cafes in Fremantle, but the history cannot be. Offers a mean breakfast and a lunch and dinner menu. Hard-pressed to find a seat, if you do get one, you would be in for a treat with the selection of cakes and strong coffee on brew. Mostly al-fresco dining, it is the place to have a Sunday get together with friends and family. You order at the bar, and for coffees (not food) should stand and wait and carry it to your table yourself (no other cafes around here do it this way).

6:30AM–late

Governor’s Sports Bar

Sports bar with TAB, Fox Sports and big screen TVs throughout the bar. Great pub style food and a great place to kick back and relax.

Guildford

Perched on the banks of both the Swan and Helena Rivers it is described as the gateway to the Swan Valley. Guildford is one of Western Australia's oldest settlements. While it has been absorbed into the Perth metropolitan area, it still retains its distinctiveness with many historical buildings and excellent pubs, restaurants and cafes. The whole of Guildford is now a designated heritage locality, with the quaint James St shopping strip being a good example of the streetscape of the older Guildford.

Heirisson Island

Five to six wild kangaroos roam around this island in the Swan River. They are usually hiding in the bushes, but can come out so have your cameras ready. You can even get close and pet them! Take Red Cat bus to Queen's Gardens and walk to the Causeway bridge. Cross the bridge, then turn right for the kangaroos.

Free.

Hillarys Boat Harbour

A marina area with restaurants, shopping, live entertainment, and a sheltered beach area when you can swim in the ocean (be warned that the water is full of seaweed).