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).

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.

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.

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

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).

Royal Show

Held in the spring school holidays (last week of Sept or the first week of Oct), this showcase of WA agricultural produce, farm equipment and displays of equestrian events, sheep dog trials, wood chopping and prize farm animals has been going for more than 100 years.

Entry fee

Scarborough Beach

An easy beach to get to by public transport. Catch the Joondalup Line from Platform 1 at either Perth Underground or Elizabeth Quay stations and get off at Glendalough Station, then catch the 990 bus. Alternatively, you can catch the 990 from the Perth Busport, outside Perth Station - look on the screens to find the bus.

South Beach

including Wilson Park with lots of shade. Besides the kiosk for food and drinks, it also has a basketball court, changing facilities and showers and large grassy picnic area with BBQ's. Try out the traditional sauna operating adjacent to the park if you need some warming up during the colder days.

Swanbourne Beach

The only beach in Perth that permits nude bathing. At other beaches, topless females will not usually get a police fine but will get stared at. The atmosphere at Swanbourne Clothing Optional Beach (about 500 m north of Swanbourne Beach) is friendly and relaxing. It is more of a sunbathing beach than a swimming beach, with a steep sandy descent into water which gets deep quickly. There are no lifeguards or red-and-yellow flags at this beach, and so it is essential to keep a close eye on children near the water. The nude beach is frequented by a variety of sun-seekers of all ages; couples, families, and groups. The easiest way to get there is by car, however there is a train station about 1km away. Alternatively, you can catch the bus 102, which is heading to Cottesloe. The bus will go through some residential areas before reaching Cottesloe coast. As soon as you can see the ocean, get off the bus and Swanbourne beach is right cross the road. Heading north down the beach, you can reach the nude beach.

The Great Escape

A small water park next to Hillarys Boat Harbour. Includes three water slides, mini golf and trampolines. Also has a cafe and seating area.

The Moores Building

Part of Fremantle Arts Centre, a contemporary art gallery. The Moores has six individual exhibition spaces and a cafe.

Free entry

Cycle

Perth has excellent bike paths and fantastic weather almost all year round which makes it perfect for cycling. The paths that follow the Swan River are very scenic and mostly flat. You can take your own bike or hire a bicycle from one of the bike hire providers located near the Swan River.

Fringe World Festival

A month-long annual festival held from late January to late February, Fringe World is Perth's fringe festival. It offers diverse shows from Australia and overseas performing across dozens of venues in Perth. Many performances are free, and those that are ticketed are affordably priced.

Get out

For a day in Fremantle; great for a walk around without a specific goal in mind or for some light shopping or why not enjoy a meal or coffee and cake whilst soaking in the atmosphere? Don't miss Fremantle Markets. Fremantle Prison, the Maritime Museum, the Round House and the statue of AC/DC's Bon Scott are popular attractions.

Go wine tasting

Wine tour transport services

Well renowned among locals and tourists alike, the Swan Valley in the hills boasts some of the country's best wineries and micro-breweries. Although the wine is perhaps not as highly regarded by seasoned wine buffs as that produced in regions such as Margaret River, the Swan Valley features the advantage of being close to the city.

Metropolis Fremantle

A club located on Marine Parade. It is one of the biggest and busiest in Fremantle. Metros is divided into different sections, offering RnB, bands belting out 1980/90s hits, house and electronic music on different nights. On the plus side, it is loud, busy, and the place to be seen. On the downside, there is a $10 cover charge before midnight and a $15 charge after. Get there early or expect a long line to get in.

Mountain bike

The Perth hills offer a vast range of trails, often maintained by local mountain bike groups. Check out Goat Farm Mountain Bike Park, the Lake Leschenaultia Mountain Bike Trail Network or the Kalamunda Mountain Bike Park to name a few. If you are in for an even bigger challenge, prepare to tackle the Munda Biddi Trail. Starting in Mundaring, it's a 1000 km—trail taking you via the state's South West to Albany on the east coast of Western Australia.

Newport

Famed for its 'backpacker and student' Wednesdays, it plays hosts to a range of bands, international DJs and other music genres in "The Bandroom". Continuing onto the weekend, Newport offers those interested the chance to catch their favorite sport in "The Atrium". Or if pool is the better option then the "Front Bar" is also available. No entry charge.

Perth International Arts Festival

A month-long annual festival held around February is Perth's biggest arts event, offering local and international acts of every artful stripe. Most performances are ticketed but a number of free exhibits or street performances may be worth catching.

Raves and Festivals

If dance music is your thing, many top DJ and electronic music artists will make the trip out to Perth between October and March. Perth is known as the Drum 'n' Bass capital of the southern hemisphere. There is generally a big name artist (or at least a big name local artist) to perform at least once a week.

Scarborough Sunset Markets

Every Thursday evening in the summer season, and on Saturday afternoons during winter, head to Scarborough and enjoy a stroll through the markets where local producers have their goods on display. DJs provide the music, food trucks are bringing bites from all over the world and there's a licensed area to buy a drink if you didn't bring your own.

Surf

While the Perth metropolitan area of the Western Australia coast doesn't get the same swells as the famed South West or lesser known North, surfing is still a popular pastime. From late autumn to early spring the ocean comes to life and you should be able to find a wave on Trigg Beach, in Cottesloe or even on Leighton Beach. Keep an eye on the swell maps and when the wind is easterly, go for it! For beginners, summertime waves are the go, and best hit in the morning as the afternoon onshore winds quickly make surfing impossible in summer.

Swan River Boat Charters

The Magellan Boat Charters

A fun activity to enjoy with the family or group of friends, exploring the Swan River waterways. The water is crystal clean and the views are majestic. Popular activities include drinks at dusk for a night cruise to check out the city skyline, and day trips to Rottnest Island.

Take a day trip

As in any place with as low a density as Perth, you will spend a lot of time travelling between the sights. One of the best day trips in Perth is to visit Rottnest Island, a nature reserve off the coast of Fremantle. There is a huge variety of wildlife to see (including the famous Quokka) and opportunities to see whales, dolphins and fur seals off the coast, but this will always depend on the season. Another (closer, cheaper but smaller) option is to visit Penguin Island, home of the "Little Penguins" or "Fairy Penguins", located five minutes off the coast of Rockingham, a 45-minute drive south of Perth.

The William Street Collective

An association of people involved in Northbridge's cultural and creative industries. The website has current news and events: there's always something happening!

Visit Weekend Markets

Sample local produce at Perth's weekend markets. Many weekend markets have appeared driven by demand by local Perth residents for quality goods. The markets normally consist of 20 to 50 individual stalls run by owners/producers/farmers and often specialise as farmers markets (fresh produce), Hawkers markets (street food), general markets (handcrafted wares, clothes, music, gifts etc.), or combinations of these. As opening hours and locations vary regularly, it is best to search online.

Watch a movie

In addition to the multiplexes showing Hollywood blockbusters at most major shopping centres, there are also some independent or European cinemas, including Paradiso in Northbridge and The Luna cinemas in either Leederville or Fremantle. These cinemas showcase a range of local, Bollywood, French and Italian productions, international film festivals and documentaries throughout the year. If you visit in summer, check out one of the many open air cinemas, located in Kings Park, Movies by Burswood, Luna Leederville, and Mundaring. There's even a rooftop cinema in Northbridge on top of a multi-storey carpark! Perth has one remaining drive-in, located in Kingsley.

Avon Valley National Park