Things to Do in Perth

Eighteen bells held high above the Swan River, the Swan Bells are Perth’s most unusual – and most magical – attraction.

The bells are housed in a specially made copper and glass shard that stands 82.5 metres tall. 12 of the bells are from St Martin-in-the-Fields church in London’s Trafalgar Square, and their history can be traced back as far as the 14th Century. Re-cast more than twice over their lifetime, the St Martin-in-the-Fields bells are one of the few sets of royal bells in existence – and the only ones known to have left England. Six new bells have been added to the collection to commemorate both Australia’s bicentenary and the crossing over into the 21st century. The Swan Bells are named for the Swan River, on whose banks they sit. Tours behind the scenes of the bell tower are incredibly popular, as visitors are afforded the chance to ring the bells, and stunning views over Perth and the river.

Hillarys Boat Harbour is one of Perth’s most popular seaside playgrounds. Everyone here, from shoppers to whale watchers, can find an activity along the boardwalk that teems with hundreds of visitors. Enjoy the smell of salt on the breeze while cycling along the coast, or relax with a coffee at an outdoor café that looks out over the water. In spring, book a ticket on a whale-watching cruise to watch playful, aerial humpbacks, and birdwatchers can board the ferry to Rottnest Island during any time of the year.

Even if you don’t actually get on a boat, simply strolling the marina docks is a popular Hillary’s pastime. This harbor, after all, was built as part of the America’s Cup in 1988, and world-class yachts and finely polished sailboats still make the marina their home. On sunny days, leave some footprints in the Australian sand on the popular and sheltered beach, and there’s also a playground where families with children can relax along the coast.

Stationed along the north shore of Perth Water in the city’s central business district, the newly opened Elizabeth Quay is a 2.7-hectare inlet of entertainment, nightlife, restaurants and fun.

Travelers can venture to the Barrack Street Jetty and check out the Bell Tower or enjoy a fun-filled river cruise. Hire a bike and ride along the picturesque Swan River or stroll along the scenic promenade. Sample some of the city’s contemporary cuisine in one of the stylish alfresco restaurants along the water or relax and unwind with a leisurely picnic in the vast green space.

Built by the very convicts who would end up inhabiting its wretched cells, Fremantle Prison is Western Australia’s oldest standing building. Now designated as a World Heritage site, Fremantle Prison held convicts and criminals for nearly 140 years and is famously known for its deplorable conditions and brutal capital punishment. Flogging, for example, was legal in the prison until the 1940s, and lead prisoners to receive lashes with a “cat of nine tails” that ripped the flesh on their backs.

As the only prison in Western Australia with legal capital punishment, 43 men and 1 woman eventually lost their lives to the gallows inside of Fremantle Prison. Perhaps that’s why the building today is firmly believed to be haunted, with the ghosts of dozens of executed inmates still drifting amidst the cells. When visiting Fremantle Prison today, there are four different tours and ways to experience the historic, haunted prison.

Get up close and personal with kangaroos and koalas! Perth’s Caversham Wildlife Park holds the largest private collection of native wildlife in Western Australia, and attracts visitors from all walks of life. Enjoy the emus, discover dingos, walk around wallabies, peer into the life of a python, plus countless other wildlife activities. This family-owned and operated wildlife park has a humble, community feel yet offers an up-close look at more than 200 animal species for visitors to explore.

The Perth Cultural Centre is a hotbed of activities, events, collections, art and all things cultural.

Clustered under one roof are a handful of different exhibition spaces and Western Australia’s key cultural institutions. Explore history, nature and anthropology at the Western Australian Museum, from dinosaurs to butterflies and humans. Browse one of the best collections of Aboriginal and early European artworks at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Watch cutting-edge video installations, sculpture and performance art at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art. Finally, browse books at the State Library of Western Australia.

Often thought of as the main street of Perth, St George’s Terrace is the major arterial road through the heart of the city.

Named after St George’s Cathedral, the terrace was initially home to a number of the cathedral’s staff. These days, St George’s Terrace is a must-see attraction for visitors to the city – both in its own right, and for the number of other attractions that line it. Marked in the west by Barracks Arch, the terrace runs parallel to the Swan River. Historic buildings including the Old Treasury Buildings hint at the history of the streetscape. St George’s Square, London Court, His Majesty’s Theatre, Stirling Garden, Government House, St George’s Cathedral, and the Perth Concert Hall are just some of the key attractions that sit upon the terrace. At just under 2km long, St George’s Terrace is easily navigable on foot. The Eastern end of the terrace continues on to become Adelaide Terrace.

The picture-postcard Perth Old Mill is the city's oldest industrial colonial remnant, and a popular landmark. The classic whitewashed windmill was built in 1835, launching the colony's wind-powered flour milling industry. The mill fell into disuse after 1859, and was used for various purposes over the decades, from a dance hall to a chicken run. Now restored, today the Old Mill is managed by the National Trust and houses interesting colonial artifacts.