Flights to Perth (PER)

When is the best time of year to fly to Perth?

Perth offers plenty of things to do year-round and an enviable climate to do so.

Spring (September to November) is the best time to sightsee, with comfortable average temperatures of 12-19 degrees. A vibrant time of year in Perth, showcasing colourful wildflowers and a full calendar of events and festivals such as Smooth Groove Fridays, Sunday Music at Fremantle Arts Centre, Rooftop Movies and more.

Summertime (December to February) is the best season for beach lovers with its top temperatures. It’s also when the city comes alive with events, markets and music - FRINGE WORLD Festival City, Perth Festival, Moonlight Cinema, Live and Local at the State Buildings, Alice Gin Wonderland at the Flour Factory, Night markets – for starters.

With so much to see and do, you’ll fall in love with Perth in Autumn (March to May), the “goldilocks” time for weather, not too warm, not too cold. It’s also one of the best seasons to experience outdoor adventure with the many walking and cycling trails, motorsports events, and Love the Earth Festival, and the many arts, food and wine experiences.

Winter (June to August) in Perth is pretty stunning, with cooler days, clear skies, and plenty of things to see and do. Attend WA Day Festival (held over WA Day long weekend) and take a tour through Perth to discover the funky cafes, world class museums and galleries, and expansive parklands. To save energy jump on a Segway or discover the golden secrets on a Heart of Gold Discovery Trail.

What are Perth's top attractions?

Perth offers so much to see and do - from historic buildings, art and culture, nature, events and festivals galore – something for everyone.

Western Australian Museum

With seven locations across the State, housing more than eight million objects in the scientific and cultural collection, Western Australian Museum is the state’s premier cultural destination.

The newest addition is WA Museum Boola Bardip, opening in the Perth Cultural Centre. The museum runs education programs, Museum Sundowners (Friday night late openings), permanent and changing eclectic exhibitions, plus in collaboration with Perth Festival, films showcasing the stunning new Museum.

Other museums in the fold are WA Maritime Museum, WA Shipwrecks Museum, Museum of Geraldton, Museum of the Goldfields and Museum of the Great Southern.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

One of the world’s largest inner-city parks (larger than New York’s Central Park!), on the fringe of the CBD, Kings Park offers majestic views of the city skyline, darling ranges to the east, and Swan and Canning Rivers.

Visited by almost six million visitors annually, Kings Park is rich in Aboriginal and European history, contemporary culture, and innovate architecture. With 3,000 species of the State’s unique flora two-thirds is protected as native bushland, a true oasis, renowned for its sustainable approach to conservation, scientific research, horticulture and public education. Discover the bushland trails and picnic-perfect parklands, and for families the children’s play and discovery areas.

The Bell Tower located in vibrant Barrack Square is one of the largest musical instruments on earth, custom-built to house the bells of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Church, the parish church of Buckingham Palace in London town. Must-dos are to take in the stunning views from the observation deck; plus join the interactive Bell Tower Chiming Experience Tours – the only place in the world where you can view bell ringing in action (or even have a go at bell ringing yourself!).

Matagarup Zip and Climb

Put on your brave pants and climb to the top of Perth’s Matagarup Bridge. Perhaps even do a bit of training beforehand as this is a true climb, with 314 steps on a 45-degree angle. Squeeze through tight spaces to climb to SkyView Deck, an open-air viewing platform with a glass bottom platform. Your guide will share interesting stories, and you’ll even receive a (most unusual) FREE souvenir photo of this incredible experience.

Perth City and surrounds

Explore the heart of Perth, by foot, bus or Segway – you’ll find everything from high end and high street shopping; attractions such as The Perth Mint, The Bell Tower, Perth Cultural Centre; events such as Opera in the Park and Twilight Hawker’s Market, and Perth’s flourishing small bar and dining scene.

If you prefer a different mode of transport try the new Perth Waterbike Adventures, for a fun, sustainable, eco-cycling on-water experience. Based in the Matilda Bay Reserve, Nedlands, glide along on your waterbike and take in Perth city and Kings Park a bit differently to most.

Perth also offers a huge range of attractions and activities just outside of the City, including Perth Zoo in South Perth, Lumber Punks Axe Throwing in East Perth, iFly Perth in Rivervale, and for aviation geeks – head after dark to the quirky Air Nightclub in Northbridge where you’ll enjoy in-flight entertainment, skilled cabin crew and state-of-the-art technology. And for those looking to experience the regions best wines, make sure to book a tour to visit one (or more) of the Swan Valley's best wineries.

Perth Cultural Centre

Home to the State’s culture, arts, and heritage spaces – the State Library of Western Australia, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the New Museum for Western Australia, State Theatre Centre (home to Black Swan Theatre, Barking Gecko Theatre Company and contemporary dance company CO3), Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and The Blue Room Theatre.

Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA)

Located in the Perth Culture Centre AGWA, a must-do on your visit to Perth. AGWA features both paid and free exhibitions, events, guided tours, and children’s workshops.

Elevate – opening early 2021 - is the Gallery’s newest architecturally designed rooftop venue featuring an open-air sculpture walk, gallery spaces for exhibitions and events, and two outdoor multi-purpose areas – with the centrepiece a new 34-metre long contemporary Aboriginal art piece by Noongar/ Minang artist.

Where to find the best beaches in Perth?

Perth Beaches

Discover Perth’s 197km stretch of stunning coastline and dazzling beaches – from Lancelin Beach in the north to Preston Beach in the south, covering Northern Beaches, Sunset Coast, Central Beaches, Fremantle, Rockingham and Mandurah.

The recently revitalised Scarborough Beach on the Sunset Coast is one of Perth’s best-known for surfing, a spot of sunbaking, and swimming. A short 20-minute drive from the city to Central Coast and you’ll fall across some of Perth’s best beaches including City Beach, Cottesloe Beach, Floreat Beach and Swanbourne Beach.

Where to eat in Perth?

Perth’s dining scene will literally have your mouth watering. From bars and pubs, wineries and breweries, cafes, restaurants, to food and wine trails – you’ll find everything from fresh seafood, modern European to east-meets-west fusion.

Where to find the best Cafes?

Perth’s coffee culture is buzzing, it’s not hard to find a good grind in a café and hole-in-the-wall coffee spot across the city.

Perth CBD is home to almost 50 cafes alone, from Graffiti, Cheeky Sparrow, Café Vinyl, Bocelli’s Expresso, Frank AGWA, and Henry Little – the list goes on.

Outside of the CBD you’ll find stellar cafes in Northbridge, East Perth, North of the CBD – Mount Hawthorn, North Perth and Mount Lawley, heavily sprawled all across West Perth, and huge pockets of cafes in South Perth – with quirky names like Manic Expresso and Little Matcha Girl.

Where to find the best fine dining?

Dining out has become serious business in Perth, with game-changing fine dining restaurants across the city. Some top picks are Friends Restaurant serving up exquisite Australian fare, C Restaurant – renowned for its extensive a la carte menu and skyline views, Post – for the finest Italian in the land, Wildflower – it’s a little bit trendy, and much more.

Where to find the best food markets?

Whether you’re looking for organic produce or fresh salmon, Perth offers a huge range of weekend food markets.

In Perth City explore Farmers Market on Manning, Kailis Fish Market, Perth City Farm – Farmers Market, Perth Home Grown – to name just a few.

Along Perth Beaches some great weekend markets include Mount Claremont Farmers Market, Poynter Farmers Market in Duncraig, Stirling Farmers Market, Wanneroo Markets in Wangara, and the Summer X Salt Market (fortnightly from November to March) – plus a van-full more of markets to visit in Perth.

If you’re in Perth Hills be sure to drop into Kalamunda Farmers Markets.

Swan Valley is bursting with gourmet food markets, including Bindoon Farmers Market, the popular Malaga Markets, and Midland Farmers Markets.

You’ll also discover delectable food markets in the Mandurah and Peel region, Rockingham, Fremantle, Avon Valley.

You really have reached foodie heaven when you fly to Perth.

Where to find the best cheap eats?

It’s been a long day exploring Perth, and you need a quick value meal pronto.

Some favourite picks are Dosukoi at ‘Freo’ markets for a super cheap bowl of ramen under $9, one of the many cheap dumpling spots including Juicy Bao Bao, Kitsch – the perfect option for a value-friendly date night, and Troublemakers Burgers starting at $6.50, I mean, that’s almost 1970s prices.

Where to shop in Perth?

Didn’t think you’d come to Perth to shop did you.

From fast fashion to unique crafts, high end to street fashion, and vintage, Perth city offers a whirlwind of shopping experiences. You’ll find unique shops in Fremantle and Northbridge and Perth’s city-fringe neighbourhoods - or the plethora of shops in the City centre and laneways, major shopping centres, outlets and markets.

For bargain hunters

Perth has only a smattering of value shopping on offer with both DFO Perth offering over 100 retailers, and Watertown Brand Outlet Centre. The outlets offer everything from fast fashion, homewares, to the likes of Polo Ralph Lauren, all hugely discounted.

For fashionistas

Offering the best of fashion boutiques, you’ll find one of a kind pieces amongst the cool collection. Boutiques to explore include ACO in Cottesloe – a curated selection of Australian and International designers; Staple Store in Fremantle – as their namesake suggests, a collection of wardrobe staples; Ooh La La in North Fremantle – statement pieces from local, national and international designers; and Out with Audrey in West Leederville – offering stylish and affordable wardrobe must-have additions.

For the lovers of vintage!

Perth offers a treasure trove for vintage collectors, with the coolest in vintage stores and stalls at markets.

Head to Bluebird Vintage in Wembley – the vintage haven of your dreams, with 50s and 60s clothing, homewares, bric-a-brac and more; Lucy in Disguise hidden down a walkway in Subiaco – a huge array of clothing and even costumes for event hire; Tiki Queen Vintage – if you’re 40s and 50s obsessed you’ve found your match. Tiki Queen Tiff can be found popping up at markets, or by appointment at her Attadale “Boo-tiki” (her backyard tiki bar); and Beat Happening – Freo’s home to groovy vintage, records and collectibles, think technicolour 70s jackets and 60s suede tasselled boots.

If you’re looking for all things vintage, retro and upcycled look no further than Stirling Square Markets in Guildford, running every third Sunday of the month.

Perth also participates in Garage Sale Trail, with around 900 sales happening in Perth alone, run as a weekend event for the vintage-addict.

For everything in between

Start your shopping adventure in the city centre. Perth's famous Hay Street Mall, Murray Street Mall and Forrest Chase offer a market square feel to your retail fix. These Perth City shopping areas house everything from department stores to winding arcades leading off like little Aladdin's caves. The quaint London Court, which leads down to St Georges Terrace, and the hidden laneways of Trinity Arcade have an 'olde worlde' vibe.

If you fancy shopping in air-conditioned comfort, you’ll find everything under one roof at a major shopping centre. Perth's major shopping centres include Garden City, Westfield Carousel, Karrinyup Shopping Centre, Westfield Whitfords and Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre – all easily accessible by public transport.