Perth and Surrounds

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, and its surroundings, with the historic port town of Fremantle, quokkas on Rottnest Island and Swan Valley wineries, form the base for travel in Western Australia.

This region corresponds to Tourism Western Australia's "Experience Perth" area, including the Perth metropolitan area, the Peel region to the south (Mandurah), and the Swan Valley, Avon Valley and Gingin areas to the northeast.

Highlights: Kings Park, overlooking the Swan River and the CBD, and Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower; in Fremantle, the Fremantle Prison (a World Heritage Site), the Round House and the weekend markets; a ferry to Rottnest Island to cycle, snorkel and take photos with quokkas; Indian Ocean sunsets at Cottesloe and the city beaches; Swan Valley wineries and chocolate and nougat makers; in Mandurah, dolphins in the canals and blue swimmer crabs; and old towns to the east such as York and Northam, with wildflowers in September–October.

Classic itinerary: 2 days in central Perth and Fremantle, 1 day on Rottnest Island and 1 day in the Swan Valley; then continue south to the South West or north to the Pinnacles and the Coral Coast.

Getting there: Perth Airport has direct flights from many cities in Asia; the Transperth buses, trains and ferries cover the main attractions, and the CBD has free CAT buses; self-driving is the most convenient way to reach wineries and the countryside.

Notes: UV levels are extremely high in summer, so be sure to use sun protection; touching and feeding quokkas is prohibited on Rottnest Island.

Destinations

• Perth
• Fremantle

Itineraries

• Perth, Rottnest Island & The Pinnacles – Based in Perth, spend one day on the island, one day in the port town, and one day heading north to the desert—no car r…
• Margaret River, Capes & Wineries – Drive along Caves Road from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, connecting beaches, wineries, limestone caves, and karri…
• South West Loop: Albany, Esperance & Wave Rock – Depart from Perth, loop along the south coast to the white sands of Esperance, and return via inland Wave Rock.
• Coral Coast: Perth to Exmouth – Head north along the Indian Ocean, linking desert pinnacles, red gorges, wild dolphins, and Ningaloo Reef, with a one-w…
• Perth to Broome: Coast & Karijini Gorges – Head north along the West Coast, transition from Ningaloo to the gorges of Pilbara, and arrive at the gateway to the Ki…