See the highlights of Perth on a Segway tour along the city’s booming and beautiful riverfront. With a knowledgeable guide, cruise along the Swan River, and check out attractions like Kings Park, Claisebrook Cove or the river foreshore, depending on the option selected when booking. By allowing you to cover more ground than a walking tour but still be outside in the fresh air, a Segway is the ideal. See the highlights of Perth on a Segway tour along the city’s booming and beautiful riverfront. With a knowledgeable guide, cruise along the Swan River, and check out attractions like Kings Park, Claisebrook Cove or the river foreshore, depending on the option selected when booking.

These days Perth is a far cry from the sleepy town it sometimes gets confused for. On any given day there’s a new bar, restaurant, cafe or experience launching onto the scene—to the point where deciding what to do can become all-consuming.

Held in the impressive Grand Ballroom at Crown, enjoy a night to remember themed with glittering Christmas style. Having been a highlight of Perth’s Christmas calendar for over fifteen years, it’s a highly anticipated event attended by many small and large businesses from across the city. With a fully licensed bar, a curated food menu and the widest activities range in Australia including bowling, laser tag, arcade games and pool tables, Kingpin is the perfect spot for your next outing.

As per usual, that’s where we come in. We’ve already covered off the best free things to do and the best things you didn’t know you could do here, but when you just want a solid day out, here are 15 of the best things to do in Perth.

#1 Spend A Day In Fremantle

The laid-back vibes of Fremantle can’t be beaten, so spending a day meandering through the heritage streets is a must. Hit up the markets on the weekend for delicious local produce, the best egg sandwiches and quirky handmade goods, then cross the road to The Old Synagogue for a long and lazy lunch. Walk it off along the Cappucino Strip (South Terrace) and through Esplanade Park before a beer and some frites at Little Creatures or an all-out feast at The Sunshine Harvester Works. Once the sun has gone down you can cap off the day’s adventures with a gig at Freo.Social.

#2 Soak Up The Sun At Cottesloe

While Perth is home to some incredible beaches, Cottesloe is hands down the most iconic of the bunch. She’s got grass, she’s got shade, she’s got sand, she’s got surf and she’s got some killer restaurants and cafes right across the road. Walk all the way to Swanbourne along Marine Parade, take a dip among the rolling waves and grab a coffee at Il Lido. Nothing beats some paper-wrapped fish and chips on the grassy hill overlooking the water as you watch the sun go down, though.

#3 Hop On A Ferry Bound For Rottnest

You’ll definitely want to avoid it during school holidays, but any other time Rottnest is an island paradise, and it’s only a 25-minute ferry ride off the coast of Fremantle (90 minutes from Perth). Unless you’re super short on time, a day trip won’t quite cut the mustard in our books. A weekend spent among its sandy shores will see you returning to the mainland relaxed and ready to take on whatever life throws at you. There are loads of things to do, our top picks include staying in an eco tent at Discovery, snorkelling the bays, trying to nail the quokka selfie and relaxing at Karma Spa.

#4 Eat, Eat, Eat

Over the last decade, Perth has gone through a restaurant revolution. From speccy degustations at Wildflower to incredible homemade pasta at Lulu La Delizia, there’s no shortage of incredible eats to uncover. Add to that the plethora of new openings shaking things up on the regular and you’re never too far from your next feast.

#5 Pretend You’re A Kid For A Day

There’s no denying it, Perth has a penchant for kidulting. From 3D glow in the dark mini golf and spooky escape rooms to bouldering and even a drive-in cinema, you can get your nostalgia on every day of the week. One of the best ways to embrace your inner kid is at Strike Carousel. With bowling, Holey Moley mini golf, karaoke and escape rooms all under one roof, with some killer burgers, fries and boozy libations it’s like a grown-up version of your favourite childhood birthday party.

#6 Explore The Beautiful Swan Valley

Packed with vineyards, orchards and providores, the Swan Valley is Perth’s answer to Margaret River, only it’s 30 minutes out of the city. Hop your way around the best Swan Valley wineries or set out on a trail that takes your fancy. Easily one of the best things to do in Perth, you can’t miss a visit to Mason Saint-Honoré when you’re in this neck of the woods. Get the macaron ice cream sandwich, trust us.

#7 Go Bar Hopping In The City

Along with the Perth restaurant revolution came some incredible bars, and now the CBD is swarming with them, be they hidden, on a rooftop or exceedingly beautiful. Kick things off in the west end with poolside drinks at Hyde Perth Kitchen + Cocktails, then hit The Flour Factory, Fleur and Foxtrot Unicorn in that order. If you’re looking for a little more character on your bar hop, stroll through Yagan Square to Northbridge and you’ll uncover plenty more gems (we’re looking at you Mechanics Institute, Panama Social, Henry Summer and Frisk. Small Bar).

#8 Uncover Kings Park’s Best Walks And Hikes

If you can tear yourself away from the sweeping views of Perth and the Swan River, you’ll uncover some of the best walks and hikes at Kings Park. Law Walk gives you more incredible water views and pays you back in sweat, the Kokoda Track promises a killer glute workout, the Federation Walkway takes you over a suspension bridge and the DNA tower shows off the park, river and Rotto from 15 metres above the ground.

#9 Check Into A Luxe Hotel

Believe it or not, one of the best things to do in Perth is absolutely nothing; granted you’re doing nothing in a lavish hotel that is. At this point, there’s too many to pick a favourite, but you can’t go wrong with one of these boutique hotels. If you're just there for the pool, check into one of these.

#10 Drive Up The Hill

Perth’s Hills offer up a slice of a quieter life, and they’re less than a 30-minute drive from the city. Hop in your car and drive up the escarpment until your ears have popped to uncover beautiful bush walks, cute cafes and scenic drives. Don’t miss your chance to watch the sun go down and the twinkly lights of the city turn on from Lions Lookout.

#11 Test Your Balance On A SUP

SUPing (stand up paddleboarding) has fast become a favourite Perth past time, and it’s no surprise given how many lovely waterways the city is flooded with. Whether it’s the river or the beach (or indoors at a pool) there are loads of places to learn how to balance on one of these beastly boards. It’s actually a lot easier than it looks, which is why you can even find people doing SUP yoga these days.

#12 Take It To The Rooftops

It’s a fact, Perth loves a rooftop. With the amount of clear sunny days we get on the west coast, it’s no surprise. From rooftop bars to rooftop workouts, getting closer to the sun’s rays is now easier than ever. For a little slice of William Street’s charm, we can’t get enough of The Rechabite.

#13 Watch The Sunset

Watching the sunset over the ocean never gets old, and Perth offers up some pretty incredible vantage points to experience those sorbet skies. Pack a picnic and your sunglasses and head out to one of these spots to catch day turn into night. You can leave your phone in your pocket for this one because let’s face it, sunsets always look more beautiful in person.

#14 Grab A Scoop At Elizabeth Quay

There are a lot of water-based activities on this list, but what’s one more when we’ve got so many beautiful gallons on display? We’ll admit that we weren’t too sure about Elizabeth Quay when the plans were first released, but now that they’ve actualised, we’re in love with the place. Grab a scoop (or two) from gelato legends Gusto, wander the walkways in the sunshine and bask in that Perth glory.

#15 Frolic In Festival Fun

Fringe World Festival is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Perth, but if it’s not that glorious month between January and February you can be assured there’s a fun festival around the corner. From wine, chilli, cider and pork and beer and beef festivals to film, comedy and music festivals, there’s one on almost every weekend at this point. Go out and get among it.

Once you've ticked those off, find more fun things to do in Perth.

Image credit: Kat Wray, Nancy Hanna, Louise Coghill, Elle Borgward, Anna Franklyn, Sandalford

When it comes to layovers, the common plan is to curl up with a good book, a tasty snack and a comfortable airport chair to await the call for your connecting flight. However, what happens when you’re in town visiting Perth (the gateway to Western Australia) with spare few hours and a curiosity to see what the city has to offer?

Thankfully, you’re spoilt for choice with convenient local options, which is why we’ve put together the following list of suggestions for how to kill time around Perth airport.

Things To Do Inside The Perth Airport

Being stuck at an airport is generally seen as an activity we don’t often enjoy, however, the Perth Airport provides a multitude of eateries, cafes, shops and facilities to help keep you entertained, comfortable and relaxed during your layover.

Whilst the airport doesn’t have specific airport accommodation on site, there are numerous facilities for duty-free shopping, money exchanges and areas to relax whilst you wait. However, if you’re after something more, you can choose from the following activities.

Get In Some Retail Therapy

There’s nothing like some retail therapy from the surrounding shops inside the airport to take your mind off waiting for your boarding call. If you’re after an authentic taste of Australia, be sure to visit stores like Perth Street Market, The WA Store and Australian Way for a range of gourmet produce, clothing, handcrafted Aboriginal products and gift ideas to bring home a memory of your time in Perth.

Grab A Bite Or Pint

There is also a range of fantastic eateries to choose from to satisfy your post-flight cravings. Experience some of the most renowned local coffee varieties from any of the numerous airport cafes like Long Shot and Toby’s Estate, or enjoy a pub classic meal at The Crafty Swan Kitchen and Bar.

Check Out The Public Viewing Area

If you enjoy a bit of plane spotting, the Perth Airport Public Viewing Area is located at level 3 at T1 International and is open to the public 24/7. Accessible from the level 1 departures area and located just 320 metres from centreline of runway 03/21, the viewing area offers a great vantage point for arrivals and departures, making it a great spot for families to get some fresh air, photos, or just to marvel at the wonders of aviation up close.

A helpful hint for photographers – try and get there in the afternoon or late morning to avoid direct sunlight in the early mornings.

Activities Nearby To The Perth Airport

Crown Casino Perth Australia

If you’re in Perth for an extended layover and have half a day to kill, you can explore some of Perth’s best features, all within a short drive away from the arrival gates. Hire a vehicle from the airport or book a ride-share service and earmark the following list of things to do near Perth Airport.

Head To The Crown Casino

Located just 7 kilometres from the Perth Airport is the Crown Casino in Burswood where the action never stops. With a range of casino games, bars, lounges, restaurants and even a Crown Spa, it’s the perfect environment to spend a few hours during your layover. Located within the Crown complex is The Merrywell which a regarded as Crown Perth’s hero pub, with a selection of “all things delicious with a twist” as stated on their website.

Wine Tasting In The Swan Valley

Western Australian is known for its delicious range of wines, with its famed Margaret River Region providing some of the best wines on the world stage. But you don’t need to drive 4+ hours South of Perth to enjoy a tasty Rose or Merlot, the Swan Valley is located within a 25-minute drive North of the Perth Airport.

Depending on the amount of time you have, and the day of the week you’re in town, there is a suite of suggested itineraries to showcase the very best bits of the valley. Take the Swan Valley Wine Lover Tour of the best wineries in the region, or go on a Cultural Discovery Tour for a dose of Aboriginal and pioneer history.

Have the kids with you? Visit any of the various child-friendly venues in the region, including animal farms, chocolate factories and of course wineries for a long lunch amongst the leafy vineyards.

John Forrest National Park

If you’re wanting to go out and explore the Western Australian wilderness without travelling too far out of the city, there are several options available, each within a 20-25 minute drive from Perth Airport. One of the most popular options is John Forrest National Park which provides the perfect opportunity to get up and close with the local kangaroos and other wildlife, whilst taking in some of the most breathtaking views of the Perth landscape.

Take a bushwalk or cycle around the numerous paths to discover waterfalls, sweeping views of the ranges and Perth CBD, as well as a series of heritage trails to get an authentic taste of Western Australia’s great outdoors.

A Shopping Spree At DFO

If you have space in your suitcase for a few extra clothing items, why not head down to the DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) shopping complex, located just 2 minutes’ drive from the airport. Recently opened in October 2019, the impressive complex boasts more than 100 specialty stores including designer brands like Coach, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Polo Ralph Lauren, ideal for fashionistas and bargain hunters due to competitive factory prices and regular discounts of up to 70 per cent off.

Embrace Your Inner Thrill Seeker at iFLY

Crown Casino Perth Wa

If you want to enjoy the thrill of skydiving without the fear of jumping out of a moving plane, then iFLY Perth provides the ultimate layover activity to kill a few hours. Located less than a 10-minute drive from the Perth Airport, the popular indoor facility gives you the ability to soar like a bird inside a 14ft wind tunnel tube, mimicking the exhilaration of skydiving without the risk. Open 7 days a week until late and available from ages 3 and above, this is a popular favourite for travellers and families seeking a thrill whilst in town.

Just Want To Relax? We’ve Got You Covered

Long flights can be tiring and sometimes the best thing to do whilst on an extended layover is to recharge and refresh in cosy accommodation that isn’t too far from the airport. If you want to enjoy some downtime away from the noise of the planes, we have a range of airport accommodation options located just a short drive away.

Things To Do At Crown Casino Perth Uk

Our one-bedroom ensuite cabins are ideally suited to business travellers, as well as our two bedroom cabins which can fit up to six people – perfect for travelling families looking for a comfortable and convenient place to relax. We also offer a free shuttle bus from Perth Airport so you won’t need a car, plus our friendly staff have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the local area.

Things To Do In Perth Australia

If you’ve not spotted something in this article you wish to do, the team at Perth Central Caravan Park can help you book day trips or popular tours to make your temporary stay in Perth an entertaining one. After all, there is so much to see in this beautiful city and we’re only too happy to show you the very best Perth has to offer.

Things To Do At Crown Casino Perth Amboy

Arriving in Perth for a layover soon? Check out the range of airport accommodation or contact us ahead of your stay to make your arrangements.