The sunshine capital of Australia welcomes you with beaches, islands, deserts, riverine valleys, vineyards, chocolates, and cheese. Join us on this eclectic 10-day Perth itinerary as we journey through Western Australia and the land of the Whadjuk Noongar people, exploring diverse landscapes, bustling cities, and wine regions. Plan a trip to the City of Light as we take you on a roller coaster ride around the capital of Western Australia, a little remote from the rest of the country, yet quintessentially Australian in flavour.
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Best time to visit Perth
Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere and the best time to visit Perth is in spring from September to November when the myriad of colourful windflowers paint the landscape. Summer is the festive season from December to January and locals and tourists throng the beaches as the wine season begins. The tourist season continues until autumn from March to May while the wet winter from June to August is the low tourist season, promising deals galore.
10-day Perth itinerary to explore the Sunshine Capital of Australia
Day 1 – Museums, mints and monuments of the cultural precinct
Start day 1 of your Perth itinerary exploring the cultural precinct, which includes the Perth Cultural Centre, Western Australia Museum, Art Gallery of Western Australia and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. Next, climb the towering Bell Tower, home to the 18 Swan Bells, and if you are here at midday on a Thursday or Sunday, you get to experience the unique Sound of Perth as the bells chime. Your next stop is The Perth Mint, one of the city’s iconic treasures and you can even buy a “Kangaroo” silver coin as a souvenir. Walk around St George’s Terrace and take selfies with statues of kangaroos and then head to Elizabeth Quay and enjoy a dinner cruise on the Swan River.
Itinerary day 2 – Exploring the natural wonders of Perth
Dedicate your day 2 in Perth to nature. Surround yourself with verdant greenery at one of the largest parks in the world. Spread over 990 acres, King’s Park is home to over 3,000 endemic species of flora in the Western Australian Botanic Garden, with the wildflowers adding a dash of colour to the greenery in spring. Head to Perth Zoo and spend an afternoon interacting with the animals. After a quick lunch, head to the picturesque Cottlescoe Beach for some sun and sand and lose yourself in the golden hues of the sunset.
Perth itinerary day 3 – To the port city of Freemantle
Take a ferry to the port town of Freemantle and spend day 3 listening to stories of convicts at the Freemantle Prison, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the spooky underground Tunnel Tour where you can meet the ghosts of the past. The Western Australia Maritime Museum and the WA Shipwreck Museum are recommended destinations. Next, soak in the vibe of the century-old Freemantle Market with its 150 stalls and immerse yourself in colourful street art and murals. Get high on beer and pizza at the quaint Little Creature’s Brewery. In the evening, head to Bather’s Beach, have fish and chips at the Fishing Boat Harbour and soak in the vibes.
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Days 4-5 – Swan Valley and Caversham Wildlife Park
Start day 4 early with a drive to the lush riverine Swan Valley, a 200-year-old wine region with 40 wineries, featuring everything from crispy whites like Chenin Blanc to sparkling and fortified varieties. Some must-visit wineries include Ugly Duckling, Lancaster Wines, Edgecombe Brothers Winery, Tyler’s Vineyard, Sandaford Wines and Olive Farm Wines. Besides wine tasting, you can head to the craft beer and gin distilleries, preview some nougat-making at the Mondo Noughat workshops and devour delicious chocolates and cheese. If you are here during the vintage in the last week of January, you can also stomp around and participate in the harvest festival. Drive around national parks, cruise away on the river, soak in the beauty of the landscape and spend the night here.
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On your way back to Perth on day 5, stop by Caversham Wildlife Park, a family-run wildlife park with a strong focus on rescue and conservation. There are over 200 species of native Australian mammals and marsupials, birds and reptiles located in Whiteman Park, a natural bushland reserve. Don’t miss the farm show, especially at Molly’s Farm, where the animals will pose with you, say hello to the wombats, meet the koalas, and feed the kangaroos and penguins. You can also take a longer tour around Whiteman Park and visit the charming village en route with its lolly shop, art galleries and other boutique outlets besides restaurants, cafes and other attractions.
Perth itinerary day 6 – Rottnest Island
On day 6, head to B Shed Terminal in Freemantle, the picturesque Hillary’s Boat Harbour or the Barrack Street Jetty in Perth and take a ferry to Rotto or the Rottnest Island, a nature reserve with over 60 beaches and 20 bays surrounded by rugged limestone reefs. Go on a cultural and historic walking tour by the Noongar Aboriginal People or trek around the coastal Wadjemup Bidi Trail, split into smaller hikes and visit the Rottnest Museum. However, it’s the spectacular bays that make Rottnest special. There are several hotspots for diving and snorkelling like The Basin, Pinky Beach, Parakeet Bat, Little Salmon Bay, Parker Point, and Fay’s Bay, among others. A visit to Rotto is, however, not complete if you don’t take a selfie with the adorable endemic quokka, the marsupial who has made the island its home.
Day 7 – The Pinnacles at Namburg National Park
Just imagine being in a desert lunarscape, surrounded by hundreds of earth pillars or limestone rocks called Pinnacles, formed millions of years ago, soaring to over 3.5 metres or 11 feet. Go on a day trip to the Namburg National Park near Cervantes, a couple of hours’ drive from Perth City. Combine it with a visit to the bushlands of Yanchep National Park, looking out for kangaroos or the coastal region of Lancelin, where you can snorkel on the beaches and go sandboarding on sheet white sands. There are several guided tours and day excursions to these destinations and you can join any of them if you are not keen on driving around on your own.
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Perth itinerary days 8-10 – Busselton Jetty, Yallingup and Margaret River
Start from Perth early on day 8 for your journey to the scenic Margaret River, a three-hour drive by car or coach. While the region is synonymous with exquisite wines, it is surrounded by pristine beaches, ancient forests, dark caves and towering lighthouses. The charming towns are known for indigenous art, traditions, heritage and culture.
However, your first stop should be at the 150-year-old heritage-listed Busselton Jetty, extending about 2 km over the waters of Geographe Bay. You can take a train ride over this jetty and dive deep into the Underwater Observatories, among the world’s only six. Go scuba diving or snorkel and learn more about marine life at the Interpretative Centre.
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Continue your journey to the picturesque town of Yallingup where you will find epic surf breaks, national parks and a warren of ancient limestone caves. Surrounded by the Leeuwin-Nationalists National Park and the Indian Ocean, this is also the starting point of the 135 km Cape to Cape Coastal Track and Walking Trail. Spend the evening at Yallingup Beach or Smith’s Beach, enjoy a quiet dinner with wine and chocolates, and stay in one of the beach hotels.
Wake up to a golden sunrise and have a full day 9 of your Perth itinerary with beaches, caves, hikes and trails. See the spectacular seascape at Canal Rocks and hit the surfing breaks (natural spas) like Three Bears and Injidup Breaks. Explore Ngilgi Cave, a natural wonder with a guided Aboriginal tour, and do not miss the mesmerising performance of the didgeridoo artists as the sound vibrates from the walls of the caves. Climb the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse for stunning sunset views before heading towards Margaret River. If you are lucky, you might even see some whales during the season.
Wine, cheese and chocolates headline your day 10 experiences at Margaret River, producing wine for 50 years. With 200 wineries and 90 cellar doors, the crowning jewels of this wine region are cabernet sauvignon, which was planted first in Vasse Felix and premium chardonnay. There are several wine tours but if you are planning to knock on a few cellar doors, then don’t miss the artsy Leeuwin Estate and the organic Cullen Wines, among the early planters. Taste straight from the barrel at Voyager Estate and enjoy a six-course meal here. If you have more time, go wine tasting at Howard Park, Victory Point, Aravina Estate and Fraser Gallop Estate before heading back to Perth.
Best restaurants
Perth is a gourmet destination and at some coveted Japanese restaurants here, like Marumo, the waiting period could be over three months. However, numerous cuisines, indigenous recipes, fine dining restaurants, boutiques, laid-back cafes and bustling bars are open to tourists. Book a table at Wildflower, Heritage, Balthazar Fleur, Lu Lu Delizia, La Lune, Uma Restaurant, Gibney Yiamas and Madalena’s Bar, among others.
For coffee and brunch, head to some of the best cafes in Perth starting with Satchmo, Community Coffee Co, Hemingway, Hylin and the vegan Flora and Fauna. Nightlife is bustling in the most isolated city of Australia, boasting vibrant cocktail bars and bistros with a great selection of wines. Let your hair down at Foxtrot Unicorn, Mechanics Institute, Madalena’s Bar, Bar Amelie, Bertie Wine Bar, Volare and Republic of Freemantle, among others.
Luxury hotels in Perth
There are several luxurious heritage properties and boutique retreats in Perth. Some of the best luxury hotels in Perth include Como The Treasury, The Melbourne Hotel, Ritz Carlton, InterContinental Perth City Centre, The Crown Towers, The Westin Perth, QT Perth, and Hyatt Regency, among others.
Book your stay at COMO The Treasury via Booking.com
Book your stay at COMO The Treasury via Agoda.com
Things to know before travelling to Perth
Visa: You need an Australian tourist visa before visiting Perth, which can also be obtained online. You need to submit a valid passport with your duly filled visa form, photos, finance documents, and a cover letter with dates and details of travel and other documents to apply for your visa.
Local commute: Transperth is a public transport system that runs buses, trains and ferries. You can buy a SmartRider Card at the Airport or Transperth Information Centres for free access through the city. There are three stations within the city centre, a free transit zone (FTZ) within Perth city, and free Central Area Transit (CAT) buses that take you around the city.
How to Reach: Perth Airport has two international terminals and four domestic terminals. While Terminals 1 and 2 are located in one precinct, Terminals 3 and 4 are about a ten-minute drive away in another precinct connected by a transfer bus.
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(Feature Image Credit: Mark, CC0 1.0 UNIVERSAL Deed, via Wikimedia Commons)
Related: The Best Things To Do In Perth
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
It is recommended to plan a 10-day itinerary to cover Perth and its nearby destinations in Western Australia like Rottnest Island, Swan Valley and Margaret River Region.
You can visit Rottnest Island, Pinnacles and Namburg National Park as day trips from Perth.
If you are travelling in summer, it's recommended to carry sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, light cotton clothes, swimwear and a good pair of walking shoes. As temperature drops carry light rain and a winter jacket as well.
You can get a Transperth Smart Rider Card and travel in any of the buses, trains and ferries operated by Transperth in and around the city.
You need a valid Australian tourist visa to visit Perth and Western Australia.
You can visit Perth Zoo, the Caversham Wildlife Park, the Pinnacles, and Rottnest Island in and around Perth. Besides wildlife interactions, you can also swim, surf, and snorkel in the beaches around Perth and Rottnest Island and Margaret River.
There are several fine dining restaurants and bustling bars that open their doors to tourists. Book a table at Wildflower, Heritage, Balthazar Fleur, Lu Lu Delizia, La Lune, Uma Restaurant, Gibney Yiamas and Madalena’s Bar among others.
You can go cave exploring, whale watching, wine tasting, go on balloon rides and also have interactions with animals in the zoos and national parks as well.
Written By
Lakshmi Sharath
Lakshmi is passionate about everything that is local — from cultural traditions to art and architecture ..Read More
