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Sunrise

Sunrise at Swan Bells

Beat the heat and the crowds by catching the first light over the Swan River. This short route starts with the view, then moves to a nearby spot for coffee once the morning is fully awake.

Best time: sunriseAbout 45 min

Timeline

  1. 04:55

    The Swan Bells

    Arrive at The Swan Bells before the sun breaks. The tower sits at the foot of Barrack Street, in front of the ferry wharf. Walk around the outside to find a clear line of sight toward the WSW, where the sun will rise. The modern bell tower frames the river and city perfectly.

  2. 05:25

    The Swan Bells

    Watch the sunrise. The light hits the water and the city skyline as the sun emerges from the west-southwest. If you are visiting on 15 January, the golden light starts about 25 minutes after sunrise.

  3. 05:55

    Lucky Shag Bar

    Walk one minute to Lucky Shag Bar for breakfast or coffee. This bar and restaurant is located right on the river with great views. It opens at 11 AM on weekdays and 7:30 AM on weekends. If you are visiting on a weekday before 11 AM, check the route to another open breakfast spot.

Local tip

The Swan Bells are a gift from London and are somewhat controversially regarded by locals, but the view from the outside is universally appreciated. Lucky Shag Bar serves breakfast from early morning on weekends, making it a convenient stop after the sunrise.

Check before you go

  • Lucky Shag Bar opens at 11 AM Monday to Thursday, 11 AM to 10:30 PM Tuesday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM Saturday, and 7:30 AM to 9 PM Sunday.
  • Sunrise times vary by season. On 15 January, sunrise is at 05:25. On 15 April, it is 06:36. On 15 July, it is 07:15. On 15 October, it is 05:37.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Perth (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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