The Top Things to do in Perth

Perth is Australia's "Western capital", and it has the good fortune to be situated in an area of great natural beauty, along with being in close proximity to some of the most impressive and striking natural geographic features on the entire Australian continent. Both within and outside the city, you'll be presented with a myriad of things to do, places to go, foods to taste and sights to see. We've broken down some of the essential highlights that our customers have raved about over the years - if you're visiting Western Australia, don't miss out on the following destinations!

Top Perth Day Tours and Tour Locations

The Pinnacles Desert: One of the most unique landscapes in Australia, the Pinnacles near Perth consists of thousands of huge limestone pillars dotted throughout a barren desert surface, giving a distinct, "moonlike" atmosphere to the area. While the pillars themselves vary in size, some of them reach up to 4 metres in height as they tower over the surrounding richly-coloured sand dunes. 4WD tours are available that will take you over the roughly 3-hour journey from Perth to this arid, vast yet seemingly lifeless region, and many of these tours also include the chance to visit the nearby fishing village of Cervantes after trying your hand at the fun experience of "sandboarding" down some of the Pinnacle's desert hills.

Wave Rock: There are few other natural formations in Australia that are similar to the distinctive "Wave Rock". As you might guess from the name, the stone formation resembles the shape of a surf wave - however, the sheer size and scale of its sloping walls along with the multi-coloured granite that it consists of have to be seen to be believed! The ancient formation is believed to be over 2,700 million years old, and is around 14 metres high at its tallest section while stretching approximately 110 metres in length. Tours to Wave Rock are available which last a full day and typically include a picnic lunch, admission to the rock itself, and payment for a fully-guided tour in which the history of the region will be explained in detail.

The Valley of the Giants: With some of the tallest trees in the country, the aptly-named "Valley of the Giants" makes for an impressive location to both visit and walk through. This "walk", however, comes with a twist - rather than simply strolling through the forest floor, the popular Tree-top walk lets you experience the excitement and great views of walking 40 metres above the ground through the forest's canopy. A 600-metre boardwalk has been set up in order to allow visitors to explore the intrigue and grandeur of these age-old trees. The walk consists of a gentle gradient meaning that it is suitable for children and adults of all ages, including those who require the use of wheelchairs or strollers.

The Swan Valley: Australia's oldest wine region is always a hot spot marked on the itineraries of tourists visiting Perth, and rightly so - it has definitely done its part to earn its reputation as Perth's "Valley of Taste". A rich fusion of wines, food, art, scenery and nature is what the Swan region has become known for - combine these with the spectacular scenery you can expect to see on a visit there, and there is little wonder the delights of the valley entice so many visitors each and every year!

Margaret River: The perfect Mediterranean-esque climate of the Margaret River wine region near Perth lends itself to being an area great for relaxation and unwinding. Tours are available which will take you to this destination where you'll be surrounded by nature, beautiful vineyards, glorious coastline, and of course, the gorgeous waters of the Margaret River itself. Enjoy the wineries that are open for sampling, visit the town and experience its marvellous surf breaks, and escape from the hustle and bustle of modern-day urban stress.

Top Perth Activities and Attractions

Perth Zoo: With one of Australia's best collections of both native and exotic animals, a visit to Perth Zoo will let you see spectacular reptiles, wander among Australia's unique and rare marsupials, or experience an African savannah firsthand - without having to fly thousands of miles away! The option also exists to reach the zoo via a cruise down the scenic Swan River, taking in its sights on the way to the port of Fremantle, along with transfers between both Perth city and South Perth. The zoo not only has a huge selection of weird and wonderful creatures, but also is very active in conservation efforts which is reflected throughout the park as a whole.

Jet Boating in Perth: The Swan River is not just a beautifully scenic waterway for relaxing cruises - it also provides an ideal venue for the thrills and excitement of an adrenaline-pumping jet boat ride! The jet boat operators will take you out of the River's speed-restricted zone and then kick in the powerful engines to shoot across the waters at nearly 80 kilometres per hour and perform fun stunts such as 360 degree spins, wild fishtails and incredible power-brake stops. Definitely a recommended day out for those who like a bit of adventure in their holidays!

Paintball Perth: Always a great day out for a group, Paintballing in Perth is fun for all skill levels of player, from the first-timer to the seasoned competitor. Paintball provides an awesome experience that gives you a combination of both a rush and yet tense atmosphere as you stalk your enemies, and is often labelled as "one of the most addictive days out" available - it's rare that someone will ever only go once! World Series Paintball operates all over Australia and has facilities near Perth, so it's easy to simply grab some friends and head out to the bush for a day of fun, teamwork and strategy.

Swim with the Dolphins: Many people out there have "Swim with the Dolphins" as an entry on their bucket list, and it isn't hard to see why - interacting with these fascinating and intelligent creatures in their natural environment is often said to be the ultimate wildlife encounter. Perth's numerous waterways and proximity to the Indian Ocean mean that the area surrounding the city has built up a large community of local dolphins that are both playful and social. You'll have time to marvel at their cheeky antics and see mothers nursing calves and even - if you're lucky - how they use stingrays to help catch their dinner!

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to outlining what to do in Perth - for even more ideas, be sure to check out our Perth region section here!