Best Things to Do in Perth
1. Noble Falls
Head to Noble Falls for a family picnic, a nature walk, or just to capture your own waterfall moment surrounded by tranquil jarrah, marri, and blackbutt bushland. Visit in spring and you can stroll amongst the wildflowers, including rare species found nowhere else on Earth.
You’ll find the falls about 5.5 kilometres outside the quaint country town of Gidgegannup, a 30-minute drive inland from Perth. The 3.5 kilometre walk trail is waymarked from Noble Falls Car Park, opposite Noble Falls Tavern. Follow the trail along Wooroloo Brook to the falls, which are at their bubbling, tumbling best in winter and spring.
From August to October, look out for yellow wattles, rich blue Leschenaultia, orchids, Hakeas, Grevilleas, rose coneflowers, cone bushes, trigger plants, and Verticordias, as well as an abundance of birds.
There are free barbecues at the falls, or you can stop for lunch in Gidgegannup to sample the region’s fresh produce and book a night at one of the town’s charming bed and breakfasts. Alternatively, include a visit to Noble Falls and Gidgegannup in an extended Swan Valley tasting road trip.
Source — Westernaustralia.com
2. Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe Beach is the most popular beach in Perth; located halfway between the city center and Fremantle. The beachside community of Cottesloe is known for its laid back lifestyle and village atmosphere which people have been enjoying for 100 years.
The “Cotts” beach stretches for 1.5km from Swanbourne Beach in the south to Mudurup Rocks in the north. From the beach, you can snorkel, swim, surf and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean.
The Pylon was built in 1935 and is a Cottesloe landmark from which locals like to dive into the water. Another landmark is the art-deco Teahouse building which stands on the edge of the sand and houses a restaurant and the Surf Life Saver Club.
Cottesloe Beach was the birthplace of Western Australian surfing culture and where the Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club was established. There is an annual open water swim event called the Rottnest Channel Swim where participants swim 20km from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island. The swim was inspired by the legend of prisoners from Rottnest Island prison escaping by swimming to shore.
The beach is also the site of an annual free public sculpture exhibition in March. Inland from the beach is a grass-covered Esplanade with tall Norfolk Pine trees and places to picnic and play cricket. The Esplanade is often a venue for outdoor concerts and the beachfront is lined with cafes and bars.
Source — Visitacity.com
3. Ellis Brook Valley Reserve
Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, which is part of the Banyowla Regional Park, is a Perth walking gem. If you come at the right time of year (later winter and spring and rain-dependent) you will be amazed by probably the best natural display of wildflowers in the Perth metropolitan area (see the photographs below for just a small selection of the display). If you are interested in the wildflowers of Western Australia, I recommend a Guide to the Wildflowers of Western Australia by Simon Nevill, a great identification book for the wildflower novice.
Apart from wildflowers, Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is also well known for the dramatic cliffs and emerald green waters of Old Barrington Quarry. The panoramic views from the top of Sixty Foot Falls are also a highlight.
Ellis Brook Valley caters for all abilities, with the wheelchair accessible Easy Walk Trail (symbolised by a red echidna) and the slightly more difficult Blue Wren Ramble Trail and Eagle View Trail (symbolised by a blue wren and green eagle respectively). For the more adventurous types, there is also the Sixty Foot Falls Trail (symbolised by an orange goanna) which obviously takes you to the top of Sixty Foot Falls but also passes by the cliffs of the Old Barrington Quarry. For more information on the individual trails please visit Gosnells.wa.gov.au which provides maps in .pdf format.
The route I suggest is provided in the map above. It includes almost all the trails (a little bit of Easy Walk Trail is missed) but also additional sections and a walk along Rushton Road to make the route a loop that starts and finishes at the entrance to Ellis Brook Valley Reserve.
Source — Metrotrekker.com
4. Bells Rapids
Bells Rapids may be best known for being the best vantage spot to watch the annual Avon Descent Race, but it makes for an equally good day trip from Perth any time of the year.
The Bells Rapids bridge takes you across the rapids. This is where all the action happens during the Avon Descent. The water levels vary a large amount depending on the time of the year with most of it drying up towards the end of the summer.
Big and small kids will have fun jumping on the rocks and exploring the river banks. Parents, beware though, they will definitely get wet and take extra caution along the waterfront as the water flow can be vigorous at times.
On a hot day, there are several rock pools along the river that makes for an inviting dip. If you do go swimming at Bells Rapids, take care as the river can have strong undercurrents.
Bells Rapids Walk Trail
There are several walk trails around Bells Rapids and adjacent Jumpbuck Hill including the 2.5km River Walk and the slightly longer Goat Walk.
The longest walk is the 5.5km circuit walk, which boasts panoramic views of the river valley and coastal plains.
The circuit walk takes about 1-2 hours and includes some steep ascents, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy footwear.
On my last visit, the trail markers were either hard to find or those in place were hard to read. If you go, I suggest that you download a Bells Rapids walk trail map here.
Bells Rapids Picnic Area
The Bells Rapids Picnic area is at the end of the Cathedral Avenue. Amenities include toilet blocks. There are no barbecue facilities or tables and chairs at Bells Rapids. On weekends, there is a food van at Bells Rapids, selling coffee, ice cream, and snacks. There are no other options to buy food or coffee otherwise.
Source — Westaustralianexplorer.com
5. Lancelin Sand Dunes
Chasing adrenaline? Head to Lancelin Sand Dunes – WA’s premiere spot for sandboarding, 4 wheel driving, trail bike riding, quad biking, plus much more!
Lancelin is West Australia’s premier sandboarding, quad biking, and 4WD destination. Motor enthusiasts from all around the world visit the expansive Lancelin sand dunes for its pure white ‘snow landscape’ that rises three storeys high. Open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset, entry to the dunes is free with hire services for sandboards and available closeby.
Due to its virtually year-round consistent swell, Lancelin also makes for superior windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing destination. If you’re not a surfer but keen to learn, there are plenty of local surf schools available to choose from. Scuba divers are also spoiled for choice with shipwrecks lurking offshore. Plenty of accommodation is available in Lancelin, with many holiday homes available to rent out per night, perfect for those visiting with a large group of friends.
You don’t need to have a road-registered bike or even a drivers’ license to ride at Lancelin Sand Dunes, but if your vehicle is not road registered, you must have an Off-Road Vehicle Registration (available from DPI). You must also wear a helmet and full protective gear is highly recommended.
Lancelin is one of the best locations in the world to start your first ‘sand surfing’ experience. The white sand dunes are a spectacle in themselves, and surfing over them adds to the extraordinary experience. Sand boards are available to rent right at the dunes carpark or at the Lucky 7 Convenient store in town, while some visitors opt to bring their (fresh) own ones from surf shops.
Source — Perthgirl.com.au
6. Yagan Square
Yagan Square joins Northbridge to the city with a vibrant open space that is alive with bars, cafes and entertainment.
Found nestled in the arms of the William Street Horseshoe Bridge, between Roe and Wellington Streets, Yagan Square has rejuvenated that part of the city.
The square is a transit area for the thousands of city workers and residents who take public transport into and out of the city every day or walk between the CBD and Northbridge.
But it’s more than that…Yagan Square is also a place to have fun, meet, play, eat and shop that showcases the best of WA and is a nod to the city’s Indigenous history and proud cultural roots.
Source — Visitperth.com.au
7. Mount Dale Walk Trail
Mount Dale Circuit is a 2.1 kilometer moderately trafficked loop trail located in the state of Western Australia, Australia that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
The Mount Dale Walk Trail follows the contours of Mount Dale to its peak, where walkers enjoy panoramic views of the Darling Ranges. Venture through beautiful jarrah forest taking in the sights of Mount Cooke to the south and the farmlands to the east.
Mount Dale was once the site of a fire lookout tower as it provides almost uninterrupted 360° views over the National Park and surrounding State Forest areas.
The lower recreation site at Mount Dale provides a pleasant spot for family picnics. The area is prolific with wildflowers in spring and has beautiful wildlife such as eagles, kangaroos, and reptiles to name a few.
An animal viewing hide has been constructed on the north side of Mount Dale and provides spectacular views over the Helena National Park and the Darkin River Valley.
Initially, the trail is easy to follow through the bush but requires some navigation before ending up at the lookout. From here on the descent, the trail joins up with the Bibbulmun Track, returning to the Mount Dale picnic area.
Source — Alltrails.com
8. Lesmurdie Falls
Spring is the perfect time to visit Lesmurdie Falls, found on the escarpment of the Perth Hills in Mundy Regional Park. And you don’t need to travel very far. Lesmurdie Falls is just a 30-minute drive east from Perth CBD.
From the carpark on Falls Road, it’s an easy stroll along concrete and gravel paths to the stunning 50-metre waterfall and the two main lookout points. It’s fine for younger children and very sure-footed toddlers that can walk about 800m.
Head down some gravel steps to the second lookout for a view back up to the waterfall. It really is pretty as a picture!
There are several other walk trails that begin at Lesmurdie Falls. They are great for a family hike with older children.
- The Foot of the Falls Trail is a 2km round trip, which takes around 1 hour. This trail takes you down to the bottom of the falls and back up the hill.
- The Valley Loop Trail is a 3km round trip, so allow about 2hrs. This takes you down to the bottom of the falls and back up the other side of the valley.
Lesmurdie Falls is a tranquil spot in the Perth Hills, great for a family picnic and bushwalk.
Source — Buggybuddys.com.au
9. Mundaring Weir
As well as being an idyllic place for a scenic drive, a picnic with friends, or bushwalking, Mundaring Weir is also an important part of Western Australia's heritage. Located in natural bushland in the Perth Hills, Mundaring Weir is one of the world's greatest engineering projects.
Completed in 1903, the Weir was the start of the water pipeline that pumped water to the Kalgoorlie goldfields, some 700 kilometres away.
At the foot of the weir is the Number 1 Pump Station Museum where you can learn more about the brilliant engineer behind the project, C.Y. O'Connor, who endured much public criticism and tragically took his own life.
A driving trail that follows the pipeline called the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail starts at the museum.
There are several walking trails around Mundaring Weir that take you deep into the virgin bush. You'll see beautiful native plants, animals and plenty of birds. You can also walk across the massive concrete Weir wall. Pack a picnic and enjoy the barbecue facilities, grassed areas, and shady trees.
While improvement works are underway, there will be limited access both above and below the Weir wall. Mundaring Weir is about a 40-minute drive from Perth.
Source — Westernaustralia.com
10. Fremantle Markets
Fremantle Markets is one of the leading tourist destinations in WA and there's always plenty to see and do any time of the year. The markets are the original and the best, dating back to 1897 featuring over 150 stalls.
While you take in the sights and sounds the kids can pat a Koala or hold a snake at the Wildlife Zoo in the Market Lane or meet the Market Fairies for random acts of kindness, along with face painting and balloon twisting! The Wildlife Zoo is in the lane on Friday from 12pm till 2pm and the fairies can be found every Saturday from 10am till 1pm and Sunday 11am-2pm.
Fremantle Markets is rich with atmosphere and local talent. If you're looking for a unique or locally made present that differs from generic gifts, you'll find it here! Our local artistic talent offers a range of arty gifts, interesting homewares or souvenirs to take back home. For the kids, there is always something special, such as hand-made clothing and accessories for the little ones, baby slings, kites, and splat balls.
The markets are also a food haven with a wonderful array of unique and delicious produce! Whether you need fresh fruit and veg, lunch with friends or coffee and cake, the Fremantle Markets has something for everyone.
Source — Experienceperth.com
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