Perth
Australia
Backpacking Perth
Information on Perth, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Perth has stunning white sandy beaches, awesome weather, a cosmopolitan lifestyle and is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Perth is the fourth largest city in Australia and the capital of the State of Western Australia. The wide, meandering Swan River runs right through Perth all the way to the coast at Fremantle, the city's port. The city center sits on the northern banks of the river and is quite compact and easy to get around. There are a variety of things to do in the city center including, great shopping, visiting the Perth Cultural Centre, or head to the WACA sports ground where you can see one of the many cricket matches. Perth generally has awesome weather, with endless warm days, blue skies and heaps of sunshine. Because of this, there is a fantastic outdoor lifestyle, which means you will find plenty of outdoor eateries, bars and pubs to visit, or you could undertake some of the many outdoor activities available. The beach and water are also a big part of the lifestyle here and you will find kilometers of stunning white sandy beaches and beautiful rivers and waterways all around Perth. This makes this city a water sports haven and is a great place for activities such as swimming, surfing, sailing, boating, fishing, kite surfing, scuba diving, canoeing and kayaking. You can even go swimming with dolphins. On land there is also plenty to do. You could explore some of the beautiful parks nearby, which are great for bushwalking (hiking) and other outdoor activities. You could check out some of the local wildlife at Perth Zoo or one of the several wildlife parks. Perth has a fun nightlife, with plenty of great nightclubs, bars and pubs; some even offering dedicated nights and specials for backpackers. There is also no shortage of good places to grab a decent meal and sample some of the fine local cuisine. Perth is a great base to explore many of the amazing surrounding regions. There is the beautiful south coast area, which has great beaches, wineries, national parks and many interesting towns. To the north are also more stunning beaches, national parks and rugged beautiful scenery and just off the coast of Perth is Rottnest Island, which is an excellent place to spend a day and enjoy the beautiful beaches.
Must See
Kings Park - Kings Park boasts a mix of European and Aboriginal heritage throughout the gardens and is well known in the fields of horticulture for its conservation efforts and scientific research. Kings Park is largely famous due to the fact that it houses the Western Australian Botanic Garden and has over 400 acres of protected bushland right next to the city. One of the garden’s highlights is definitely the DNA Tower. It was inspired by a staircase in a Chateau at Blois in France, that also happened to resemble the DNA molecule.
Rottnest Island - A short ferry ride away from Perth is the beautiful Rottnest Island, which is an amazing day trip from Perth. Jump on a boat from the city and spend the day cycling around the island, snorkeling in the stunning bays, eating in some of the restaurants or just kicking back on a beach. But what has made Rottnest Island really famous in the last few years is its native population of Quokkas. These cute creatures wander the island and are extremely friendly. So much so that it’s possible to get right up to one and take a selfie with it!
Must Do
Hang at the Beaches - Backed up to the Indian Ocean, Perth is home to crystal clear water and glistening white sand. Being on the west coast, the sunsets are of course sensational, so make sure you come down in the afternoons to enjoy one of the best things to do in Perth.
Cottesloe Beach - Cottesloe Beach, or as the locals refer to it ‘Cott’, is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, and it’s only 20 minutes away from Perth city by public transport! It is wildly popular due to its laid-back surf culture and clear aqua waters, and nearby pubs and restaurants to grab a bite or beer.
Scarborough Beach - Scarborough is a perfect gem, and one of the best beaches to visit in Perth. The reconstruction of the beach strip began in 2017 with a $100 million investment and was just recently reopened. The new additions to the beach include a beach pool and a skate bowl.
City Beach - It’s a fantastic beach for surfers with constant strong waves year round. There are plenty of open-air cafes and upscale seafood restaurants overlooking the Indian Ocean, perfect for an after-swim nibble
Nightlife
Proudly claiming the title of Australia’s sunniest city, Perth does outdoor nightlife like no other. So if you’re after rooftop drinks or a few brews at a pop-up street bar, this is the place for you. Bars and pubs fill in waves: there are the after-work rush, the after-dinner peak and then the pre-midnight last hurrah. Locals like to hop from place to place, enjoying creatively composed cocktails, homegrown beers, and regional wines, with venues, ever sharpening their offerings, and usually offering snappy sharing eats to match. Meanwhile, a few small bars will kick on to the early hours of the morning, if revelers feel like a party. But expect most of the action to have quietened down by 3 am.
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