Elizabeth Quay
A waterfront plaza on the Swan River in central Perth, with a winding footbridge, spiral sculpture, and ferry terminal. It is the starting point for city strolls and for boat rides to South Perth for skyline views.
Elizabeth Quay opened in 2016 as Perth's central waterfront, reconnecting the CBD with the Swan River. Built around an artificial inlet, it is Perth's core public space for walking, running, and festivals. Highlights include the 110-meter serpentine Elizabeth Quay Bridge across the inlet, which is lit at night, and the 29-meter-tall Spanda spiral sculpture. There is also a children's splash area and the BHP water park (free, in summer), the Bell Tower at Barrack Square (which houses an 1726 bell from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, where you can climb the tower and ring the bell yourself for about 20 AUD), and nearby the Ritz-Carlton hotel, the Isle of Voyage riverside restaurant, and cafés. The ferry terminal offers Transperth ferries that take 7 minutes to Mends Street in South Perth (about 3 AUD). From the opposite bank, you can look back at the Perth skyline reflected in the river, the best skyline viewpoint in the city. South Perth also has Perth Zoo (about 40 AUD). You can also take a boat from here to Fremantle or the Swan Valley. The quay is next to Elizabeth Quay railway and bus stations. Walking 5 minutes north brings you to the CBD's Hay Street and Murray Street pedestrian malls and London Court, a Tudor-style shopping arcade. Walking 15 minutes east along the riverside path brings you to Langley Park and the Matagarup Bridge near Optus Stadium. Admission is free. Getting there: walk in the city center, take the Elizabeth Quay railway or bus station, or ride the free CAT bus. Notes: it is windy by the river, and temperatures drop quickly in the evening. The quay is crowded on weekends and public holidays. The last ferry runs roughly between 19:00 and 21:00, so confirm your return time after enjoying the night view.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- The Bell Tower (Swan Bells)
- London Court
- Art Gallery of Western Australia
- WA Museum Boola Bardip
- Northbridge
- St Mary's Cathedral, Perth
- The Perth Mint
- Perth Zoo