Perth is a very isolated city, and is the capital of Western Australia. Because of its isolation, it is packed to the brim with so many different things to do and see. This means you’ll have plenty of options when deciding what to do in Perth. The best and cheapest way to explore Perth is to rent a travel van. You’ll be able to stop where you want and stay where you like. There are free campgrounds in and around Perth, perfect for making this trip even more affordable.
The blog covers some of the ways you can have fun in Perth and some of the best places to just relax. There are outdoor activities on offer, nightlife suggestions, wildlife encounters, architectural wonders and so much more. Read ahead to find out 25 fun and free things to do in Perth.
1. Check out street art
A consistency in the great city of Perth is the street art. Wherever you walk, you’re likely to come across a colourful mural coated on a building wall. The street art has gained international acclaim over the years, with some of the world’s greatest street artists contributing to the ever changing painted landscapes. Some of the top spots to find some street art are in Chinatown and Murray Street. Both areas are just off of Wellington Street.
2. Walk trails in the Yanchep National Park
Close to Perth but away from the hustle and bustle, is the Yanchep National Park. Yanchep National Park is home to dozens of fun activities such as picnicking, flying foxes, golf, hikes, caving and helicopter rides. Take your campervan along and camp in the Henry White Oval for an overnight experience in nature. The national park is a 46-minute drive north from Perth, making it accessible while still giving it a wild aura.
3. Relax at Cottesloe Beach
Hitting the beach is one of the top things to do in Perth. Cottesloe Beach is the birthplace of surfing and surf lifesaving in Western Australia. The beach is perfect for snorkelling, swimming and surfing as well as ideal for a late afternoon picnic on the large grassed area above the water. It is a safe beach, with lifeguards patrolling the northern side of the beach for the summer months. Be sure to head down and soak in the sunset while eating from one of the many eateries nearby. Amberjacks or Gelato Bar Cottesloe are great picks.
4. Take a walking tour
There is so much to see in the city of Perth, so the best way to see it is on a guided tour by a volunteering local. Run by the Perth Information Kiosk, you can take the orientation tour. A tour is an excellent way to get to grips with the city and see some of its landmarks. It’ll also make navigation a lot easier for you in the future. You can start the tour with no bookings needed at the iCity Information Kiosk, located in the Murray Street Mall.
5. Get inspired at the Perth Cultural Centre
The Perth Cultural Centre is the hub of all things creative in Perth. It is made up of the Art Gallery of WA, WA Museum Boola Bardip, State Library of WA, The Blue Room, PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts) and the State Theatre Centre of WA. The Perth Cultural Centre is bordered by the Perth City Train Station and the entertaining spot of Northbridge, making it accessible and easy to find.
6. Check out the Fremantle Markets
Since 1897, the Fremantle Markets have been a staple for both locals and visitors to Perth. Located at the Fremantle Market Hall, the building is one of just two buildings from old Australia that is still used for its original purpose. Head into the markets for a look at up to 150 stalls. On offer is fresh produce, clothing, fabrics, natural body care products, and so much more. The markets are on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.
7. Look around Elizabeth Quay
The new waterside development of Elizabeth Quay has become a very popular tourist attraction, due to its venues, eateries and bars. Aside from the luxurious riverside hospitality scene, you could check out Perth’s Bell Tower. This structure is one of the largest instruments in the world or take the kids down to the water playground or carousel. Elizabeth Quay is a great place to keep you and your family busy for the entire day. Easy to find, Elizabeth Quay is located in the centre of Perth, along the banks of the Swan River.
8. Go looking for wildflowers
There are 12,000 different species of wildflower in Western Australia, making it home to the largest collection in the world. From September to November every year, the flowers are in full force, colouring Perth and its bordering towns like a rainbow. Some of the best spots to check them out are Kings Park, Rottnest Island and Avon Valley.
9. See what Piazza has on
Just an eight-minute walk from the Perth Train Station is the Northbridge Piazza. The Piazza is known for putting on outdoor films, hosting festivals and pleasant Sunday sessions to park up and chill to. Its permanent LED screens always have an array of sports, music or art on display, keeping it bright and alive through all hours of the year.
10. Walk from Fremantle Harbour to South Beach
A good walk to do while in Perth is from Fremantle Train Station to South Beach. It is a 4.1-kilometre walk one-way, and 8.2-kilometre walk on a round trip. The best way to get to the starting point is via train, as you arrive right on target. Soak in the views as you walk and pop in for a coffee at the South Beach Cafe, the turnaround point.
11. Learn something at a free lecture
The University of Western Australia is known to hold free lectures for those wishing to learn something new. Topics in the past have covered contemporary music, current events, politics, history, and so much more. It’s a great opportunity to pick up a new skill while enjoying your trip away.
12. Take a dip at Scarborough Beach
Scarborough Beach is a beautiful spot, just 20 minutes from Perth’s City Centre. Because of its close proximity, it is a very popular beach for surfing, sunbathing and swimming. If you’re a bit over the sand and swimming, head into one of the local cafes or bars overlooking the beach (such as Straits Cafe) for a cooling refreshment.
13. Visit the Bell Tower
The Bell Tower overlooking the Swan River is one of Perth’s most famous architectural sights. The tower chimes to the Twelve Bells of St. Martin in the Fields, recorded as being around back in the 14th century. The tower is found in central Perth, right next to Elizabeth Quay. So, if you’re caught wondering what to do while in Perth, be sure to check out the Bell Tower.
14. Look for dolphins on the Swan River
Throughout central Perth, along the banks of the Swan River are footpaths and countless grassy spots to have a scenic picnic. The Swan Riverside area is also home to some of Perth’s most upmarket eateries, cafes and bars, offering a lovely spot to soak in the scenery of Perth’s skyline. Swan River also hosts jetties from where ferries take tourists from Perth to places like Rottnest Island, Fremantle and Swan Valley.
15. Workout at Cottesloe
As relaxing as your campervan holiday might be in Perth, you may feel the need to stretch out and get some exercise in. There’s no better place in Perth than Cottesloe Beach. The beach has the Fitness Corner, an area with free workout equipment and a view.. With pull-up bars, workout desks and abs benches, you’re sure to have a good workout with a stunning view.
16. Go dancing at nightclubs
Perth is well regarded for its nightlife, and some of the free nightclubs are to be thanked for that. Nightclubs are scattered through Perth, but it is in Northbridge where it really moves at night. Close to the train station, Northbridge is the perfect spot to find a club and dance the night away. Rocket Room and Paramount are two free nightclubs in the Northbridge area, well known for hosting unforgettable nights.
17. Walk along Point Walter’s sandbank
Going for a walk along Point Walter’s sandbank is a cool thing to do in the suburb of Bicton, sitting on the shores of the Swan River. It’s a serene place for a walk and picnic in a shady spot while watching the Swan River and wildlife go by. To access the sandbank, just head to the suburb of Bicton and walk out onto the sand bar.
18. Take a picture at the Crawley Edge Boatshed
The Crawley Edge Boatshed is situated on the banks of the Swan River and is one of the most iconic spots in Perth to snap a photo. The vibrant blue boat house was built in the 1930s and famously juts out onto the Swan River. It’s attracts visitors as an idyllic place to grab a picture. It is found downriver from Elizabeth Quay and central Perth, just after Kings Park and Botanical Gardens.
19. Get a sweat on the Lotterywest Federation Walkway
The Lotterywest Federation Walkway is one of the best walks in Perth. Through the Western Australian Botanic Garden and over an arched bridge among the eucalyptus treetops, it’s truly a walk to remember. While up top, visitors can enjoy views of the Swan and Canning Rivers, the diverse Western Australian flora, Aboriginal art, the Water Garden and Marri woodland forest. You can find the Lotterywest Federation Walkway in Kings Park and Botanic Garden, near Elizabeth Quay.
20. See incredible architecture
Perth has both historic, monumental buildings and contemporary, unique buildings to excite visitors as they tour through the city. Government House and the Perth Town Hall are two examples of Perth’s historic buildings. These locations have been frequently visited by tourists, both built in the mid 1800’s. The Council House and the consistently mentioned Bell Tower are examples of some of Perth’s magnificent modern architecture. All of these locations are found in Central Perth, so they are easy to find and hard to miss.
21. Look for kangaroos on Heirisson Island
Heirisson Island is planted between the suburbs of East Perth and Victoria Park, in the middle of the Swan River. The island is famous for its resident western grey kangaroos who ponder around all day. To get there, just jump on to The Causeway and get off at the exit onto the island.
22. Plane watch
Another free attraction in Perth is plane watching from the Perth Airport Viewing Platform. The viewing area is near the end of the main runway, giving viewers an epic view of the planes landing and taking off from the airport. It’s easy enough to get to the viewing spot, via the Dunreath Drive exit from Tonkin Highway.
23. Explore the Kings Park Botanic Gardens
Kings Park Botanic Gardens are one of Perth’s most magnificent natural sights, and the best part about them is how central they are. Just down from Elizabeth Quay, the 400-hectare location is home to over 3,000 different species of Western Australia’s unique flora. Along with the flora are some amazing views of the city skyline and the Swan River.
24. Test your fitness at DNA Tower
The DNA Tower, found in the Kings Park Botanic Gardens, is shaped as a double-helix like DNA is. The 15-metre high tower is the highest viewing platform in Kings Park, with amazing views. On a clear day you can see the Indian Ocean. The DNA Tower is located at the Forrest Drive end of the Broadwalk Vista. It is an easy 1.5-km walk from May Drive Parkland and the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
25. Take a selfie with the big cactus
The Big Cactus is a piece of abstract art found at Forrest Place in Central Perth. The sculpture is a popular place for tourists to grab a picture, due to its odd shape and colour that makes it stick out in the CBD.
Keen to explore Perth on a budget?
Perth is a fantastic place to visit for an affordable getaway, full of sights to see, places to visit and activities to get involved in. Whether you want to get out and enjoy a walk to South Beach, or a walk through nature in Kings Park Botanic Gardens, Perth has the options for your road trip itinerary. The beaches in the area are fantastic, the markets are fulfilling, and the architecture is amazing. There are so many different ways to spend your day, and even wrap it up with a boogie at one of the many nightclubs in Northbridge. Having a campervan allows you to take your home with you as you explore the outer regions of the city. Be sure to book your Mighty campervan online and pick it up from your nearest branch.
