We only had one day in Perth, Australia – and wanted to make the most of it! On our quick stop, we packed our Self-Guided Perth Walking Tour with the city’s top sights.
The Perth tourist attractions included on our walk are clustered near the Central Business District (CBD). Because of their close proximity, you can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time!
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Perth Walking Tour
We made our Perth Sightseeing guide completely user-friendly. In addition to information for each spot, we have included turn-by-turn directions.
Also, you will find a link to a Perth map of sights to help in your navigation. At the end of the article, we include more information about other Perth activities and highly-rated day trips!
What You Will Need for Our Walk in Perth
Don’t forget to pack these essential items on your Self Guided Perth Walking Tour.
Travel Shoes
Our Perth City Walk sticks mostly to sidewalks – but the route is 5 miles long. Wearing comfortable shoes – like these by Columbia (for women) and these by Merrell (for men) – is recommended!
Water Bottle and Day Pack
The tap water in Perth is safe to drink, so bring a collapsible water bottle. Also, whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, you’ll want a great day bag for your everyday travel essentials.
Travel Camera
Make sure to bring a camera with you for your Perth sightseeing tour! We use this DSLR Canon for all our photos.
Sunscreen and Umbrella
Be prepared for those elements Down Under! Wear sunscreen and/or a wide-brimmed travel hat. If there is rain in the forecast, carry a travel umbrella or brolly, as they call it in Australia!
Wi-Fi
While we do provide links to online maps, free Wi-Fi isn’t always reliable and phone batteries can die – so it’s good to have a back-up. Carry a portabe charger and a Global WiFi Device (if your phone is locked).
Travel Planner
As you plan your vacation to Australia, keeping track of the details is essential. Stay organized with our simple Printable Planner. It contains 26 pages of trip organization!
Perth Self-Guided Walk: 15 Places to Visit
Alright, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s set off to discover Perth!
#1 Elizabeth Quay, Perth
A hub of activity on the shore of the Swan River, Elizabeth Quay is the perfect place to begin your Self Guided Perth Walking Tour.
Named to honor the late Queen Elizabeth II, the waterfront district boasts numerous restaurants, bars, artworks and a few top Perth sights.
Walk to the east side of Elizabeth Quay to find the modern…
#2 The Perth Bell Tower
The iconic Swan Bell Tower is one of the Perth landmarks at Elizabeth Quay. The 18 bells are housed in a 270-foot-tall glass tower on the riverbank.
Twelve of the bells were cast in the 14th century and were previously used at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London.
Bell Tower Experience Tour
You can tour the inside of the tower to learn about the history of the bells, take in the sweeping views of the river and even try ringing the bells for themselves! Find out more.
From Swan Bells, walk southeast to the…
#3 Swan River Walk
The Swan River meanders past the city, flowing southwest toward Freemantle and the Indian Ocean. Both banks are lined with paved trails, which is perfect for a river walk.
Visitors and locals enjoy watching boats (and of course swans) on the water and looking back toward the city for the skyline views. Spending time strolling along the paths is a must-do in Perth!
Walk on the riverside path to Victoria Avenue. Cross and walk diagonally (northeast) through…
#4 Langley Park, Perth
Langley Park is a large, rectangular green space along the Swan River. Flat and grassy, the lawn is used for informal recreational sports – and even as an airfield for small aircraft.
Festive events – like NYE fireworks and Australia Day celebrations – are often held in Langley Park.
At Hill Street, walk north to the…
#5 Perth Mint
A Western Australia historic landmark, the Perth Mint opened in 1899 as a branch of Britain’s Royal Mint. It continues to be used today for the production of coins and is a fascinating part of Perth history.
The Heritage Perth Mint Tour
The guided 1-hour tour includes activities like gazing at the world’s largest pure gold coin and watching gold being poured into bars. Read reviews and buy tickets!
From the Mint, walk west on Goderich Street to Victoria Square and…
#6 St. Mary’s Cathedral, Perth
The history of St. Mary’s Cathedral dates to 1863, when the first stone was laid.
Formally called the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church was completed in 1865. Since then, the cathedral has been renovated and expanded twice.
From the church, walk half a block west to the…
#7 Old Perth Fire Station and Museum
Used from 1901 until 1979 by the Perth Fire Brigade, this was the first purpose-built fire station in the city.
Designed in the Romanesque Revival style by Cavanagh (who is responsible for several other historic buildings in Perth), the heritage-listed site now houses the Fire Safety Education Center and Museum.
From the Fire Station, walk west to Irwin Street. Turn left (south) and walk to St. George’s Terrace. Cross St. George’s Terrace to the south side of the street; turn left (east) and walk to the…
#8 Perth Concert Hall
A marvel at the time of completion in the 1970s, this Brutalist mid-century classic was the first concert hall built after World War II.
The interior features a winding staircase, a 3,000-pipe organ and seating for more than 1,700 people. Performances range from classical to contemporary.
Retrace your steps, walking west on St. George’s Terrace half a block to the…
#9 Perth Government House
The two-story mansion west of the Concert Hall is the Perth Government House. It has served as the official residence of the Governor of Western Australia since 1864.
The building’s design incorporates stone and brick and features square windows, decorative gables and turrets.
Since the Swan River Colony was established in 1829, the site of Government House has been used for boarding and staff offices
Other nearby buildings include the City of Perth Council House, the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the Old Court House (the oldest building in the city).
Walk west on St. George’s Terrace past the Council House to…
#10 Stirling Gardens, Perth
At the corner of St. Georges Terrace and Barrack Street is Stirling Gardens. Opened as a botanical garden in 1845, it’s the oldest park in the city. Statues (including kangaroos), artwork and water features are found throughout the small space.
Cross to the north side of the street and walk east to take a peek inside the…
#11 St. George’s Anglican Cathedral
Built in the late 1800s, St. George’s Cathedral is listed on the State Heritage Register. For us, the church is one of the most awe-inspiring and peaceful Perth places to visit.
From the outside, the red-brick building is beautiful…but inside it is simply stunning. Sunlight playfully filters through the stained-glass windows and dances on the brick and wooden interior.
Retrace your steps, walking west on St. George’s Terrace to Barrack St. Turn right (north) and walk to Hay Street; on the corner is the…
#12 Perth Town Hall
When the Town Hall was built in 1870, the classic clock tower made it the tallest building in the city. Today, it sits humbly in the shadow of skyscrapers.
The brick, Gothic-style hall, which was built by convicts, has undergone major renovations over the years. You are free to view the interior, which is open to the public from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday.
Walk west on the pedestrian-only Hay Street, keeping an eye out for the clock and entrance to the…
#13 London Court
This open-air shopping arcade was designed in 1937 and is listed on the National Trust of Australia. The old-world, cobblestoned lane is lined with boutique shops and chic cafes.
It also conveniently connects Hay Street to St. George’s Terrace. Both entrances are ornately decorated and adorned with clocks on the outside and statues on the inside.
Your Perth city walk could end here, but we suggest hopping on a free Green Cat Bus and riding uphill to…
#14 Kings Park, Perth
The lush, expansive Kings Park is a nature retreat near the heart of the city. In fact, it is one of the best places to walk in Perth!
Walking trails wind through the space to war memorials, planned gardens and scenic viewpoints.
You can spend hours wandering the paths, admiring the views and enjoying the fresh air.
One of the best cheap things to do in Perth is to grab food from the grocery store and find a picnic spot! Afterward, be sure to track these sights down.
WA State War Memorial
Located on Mount Eliza, the monument overlooks the city and river below. In addition to the Flame of Remembrance and Pool of Reflection, names of fallen soldiers are etched into the memorial.
Perth Botanic Garden
The Western Australian Botanic Garden features an astounding array of native Australian plants. Make sure to seek out the iconic Boab Tree and the Pioneer Woman’s Fountain.
DNA Tower
The viewpoint at the DNA Tower sits on the highest point in the park. There are 101 steps to the top of the structure that resembles a double helix.
Perth Walking Trails
The two most popular walking trails in Perth Kings Park are Law Walk (a 1.5-mile loop) and Kokoda Track. You can obtain more information about the Perth trails at the park’s information center or online.
Volunteers also lead nature walks in Perth Kings Park three times daily. The guided walking tours are free and feature all the highlights, as well as information about the history of the land.
Now catch another free ride on a CAT bus north of the CBD to…
#15 Northbridge, Perth
Northbridge is a multicultural enclave that features modern art museums and international eateries.
However, we went to Northbridge in search of craft beer. Specifically, we went to check out Northbridge Brewing Company.
They are the brewers behind the award-winning Beerland brand and have a fantastic food menu as well, with the pizzas getting high marks!
Perth City Map
Find our Map of Perth Sights on Google. For a link to the walking route (not including Kings Park and Northbridge), use this Map.
Perth Tours
We were only in Perth for one day, so we didn’t have time to take any excursions. However, those with more time might want to check out these popular activities!
Perth Beaches
The Perth CBD may sit along the river, but the long Western Australian coastline is just a 20-minute drive away…and that’s where the best beaches in Perth are!
Those who want to put their feet in the sand or swim in the sea just need to head west. The region’s top beaches are Cottesloe, Bathers and Brighton. You can also go to Rockingham and swim with the dolphins!
Hiking Perth Hills
What to see in Perth, Australia is not limited to city sights and beaches. The Perth Hills to the east are an ideal escape for outdoor enthusiasts. The network of trails lead to beautiful waterfalls and scenic picnic spots.
Rottnest Island Day Trip
Join one of the Perth guided tours to Rottnest Island. Top sights include the Wadjemup Lighthouse, Henrietta Rocks, the Cathedral Rocks lookout and military tunnels at Oliver Hill Battery.
Rather enjoy the natural sights of the island? Travel by speed boat from Perth and enjoy a day of adventure on Rottnest Island. Find out more!
Perth River Cruise and Wine Tasting Tour
Join a highly-rated Perth day tour and set sail on a Swan River Cruise that includes an on-board wine tasting, a stop at a local winery and a 2-course lunch. Reserve your spot!
Wine and Food Tour from Perth
Venture beyond the city limits and into the Bickley Valley to visit the region’s wineries. This tour includes lunch, too. Check availability!
Start planning your trip to Australia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Visiting Other Top Destinations In Australia? Good on ya! We’ve got you covered with our detailed guides to Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast!
Also get our top tips on Diving The Great Barrier Reef, a coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee, Visiting the Blue Mountains and how to experience the Great Ocean Road on a budget!
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