Board a tram at Fremantle Town Hall and enjoy a narrated tour of Perth’s major attractions. You can stay on board for the entire tour, or leave at certain points and join a later tram. Complimentary CAT (Central Area Transport) buses are another way to see the main parts of Perth (see Resources below).
Rent a bike from kiosks on the Perth Esplanade and enjoy cycling on a path along the river’s edge. See a variety of wildlife plus gorgeous vistas as you ride along. Other cycle paths around Perth are flat and easy to ride.
Visit Kings Park and the Botanic Gardens where you’ll find over 80 species of birds and hundreds of native plants in the bushland area. Complimentary guided walks are featured in the park twice daily. The State War Memorial and statues are here and in the summer there are concerts and other events held at the park. Don’t miss the Kings Park Wildflower Festival if you’re there in the spring (see Resources below).
Spend a few hours at the Perth Zoo which is only minutes from the city center. Their Australian Walkabout Exhibit features Koala Bears, kangaroos, dingoes and wallabies as well as rain forest animals. Barbecue or enjoy a picnic lunch, or have a snack at the Zoo Café.
Check out The Swan Bell Tower with its green glass spire housing the 18 bells given to the city to commemorate the Australian Bicentennial. This is one of the biggest bell-ringing instruments in the world and a “behind the scenes” tour often allows guests to ring one of the famed bells. Enjoy spectacular views of the city and its bustling river scene from the tower staircase. The Bell Tower is located at Barrack Square.
Take a scenic river cruise. A variety of cruises includes lunch or dinner cruises, cruises with wine-tasting, or a package including a bicycle tour on nearby Rottnest Island. There are also packages combining a city tour with a cruise. Some dinner cruises offer dancing and/or live entertainment and there are special event cruises and holiday cruises as well.
Shop for local items made of sheepskin–Ugg boots and similar products can be found at very affordable prices. Look for Australian opals, gold nuggets and other jewelry and check to see what can be purchased duty free for international visitors. Murray and Hay streets allow only pedestrian traffic and feature department stores, interesting boutiques and cafes.
