Perth and some of it’s hidden gems

Perth Boat House Andrew Woodcock

Perth CBD is a vibrant city with a lot of activities on offer. The most popular attraction close to the CBD is Kings Park, one of the largest city park in the world! Perth also offers great views over the Swan River with its new and trendy Elizabeth Quay, where you can book a gondola tour or simply take the ferry to cross the river and arrive in South Perth, where Perth Zoo is located. If you are keen to experience Perth’s amazing beaches, simply head to Cottesloe, the most popular beach in Perth with its beautiful postcard landscapes.

Do you have a spare day? Then take the train or drive to Fremantle, a city well known for its maritime history. It is a great place to visit for the day and it is so easy to relax there. Fremantle is also one of the three main ports where you can also take the ferry for a trip to Rottnest Island. Other ferry start points are Elizabeth Quay and Hillarys Boat Harbour (a great place for the kids if you would like to go swimming!).

Rottnest Island is the ultimate place to visit when staying in Perth. It boasts picturesque seascapes and beautiful beaches, accessible by walking or cycling. Let’s not forgot the amazing quokkas! It is hard not to fall in love with those little creatures!

The Perth Hills are located just half an hour from Perth CBD. It offers a wide array of activities and beautiful landscapes. Kalamunda is one of the most popular town in the Perth Hills. The town is located in the Darling Scarp, east of Perth. It is a great place to visit if you love nature, food and history. Don’t forget to visit the Kalamunda History Village, which is the largest folk museum in Western Australia, depicting the early years of life in the Perth Hills and the industries that developed in the area. If you would like to experience something out of the ordinary, book a camel ride at the Calamunda Camel Farm! You will discover the local bush and might even spot local wildlife. You can find out more on their website.

If you continue driving further East, you will find the town of Mundaring Weir. There, you will discover how water was transported in the early 1900s all the way from Mundaring Weir to the booming Gold Rush town of Kalgoorlie. The Precinct tells the history of the weir and the pipeline through a series of story-telling signs and sculptures by renowned artists. Don’t forget to get lunch or a coffee at the Mundaring Weir Hotel with its beautiful beer garden.

If you are a wine and food lover, then, south of Mundaring Weir, you can explore wineries and cideries along the Bickley Valley Wine and Cider Trails. You can download the trail brochure.

If you are looking for a unique experience with native Australian wildlife, then contact Kaarakin, which is a fantastic not-for-profit organisation in the Perth Hills. The organisation aims to rescue, rehabilitate and release black cockatoos which are threatened with extinction. The sanctuary also takes care of pure bred dingoes, emus and kangaroos. Although it is not open to the public, private tour or black cockatoo/ dingo encounters can be organised by contacting the friendly volunteers at Kaarakin.

Western Australia’s Swan Valley Tourism WA

The Swan Valley is located North of Perth and boasts a wide array of activities. There, you can visit chocolate factories, visit wineries, discover a wildlife park and much more. The Swan Valley has two popular trails, from the groundbreaking Cider and Ale Trail to the Sweet Temptation Trails. Both trails encompasses the best places of the Swan Valley. Both maps can be found on the Swan Valley website. If you have children or desire to see koalas and kangaroos up close, then head to Caversham Wildlife. Caversham Widlife Park is also located in a beautiful park called Whiteman Park, where you can also visit a train museum and take a ride aboard a vintage train.

Whether you have a day or several to spend in Perth, the city will keep you occupied until the start or the end of your trip self-drive trip in Western Australia!