{"id":1888,"date":"2019-05-06T09:00:44","date_gmt":"2019-05-05T23:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/?p=1888"},"modified":"2019-08-28T11:06:50","modified_gmt":"2019-08-28T01:06:50","slug":"unmissable-experiences-perth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/unmissable-experiences-perth\/","title":{"rendered":"8 unmissable experiences in Perth, Australia’s underrated capital of cool"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article previously appeared on\u00a0The Journal<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

So often overlooked, Perth<\/a> is better known for being the gateway to Western Australia\u2019s<\/a> natural wonders than it is for being a destination in its own right. But in actual fact, Perth\u2019s a pretty special place. It\u2019s the sunniest capital in Australia and one of the most remote cities on the planet. <\/strong><\/p>\n

You could easily spend a week or two moseying around its independent coffee shops and swimming until your heart\u2019s content. However, if you\u2019re limited on time, these eight must-dos make for an excellent starting point…<\/p>\n

1. Meet the quokkas on Rottnest Island<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Smiling<\/a>

Say hi to these little guys on your travels. Photo by Kompasskind.de\/Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n

Described by some as the \u201chappiest animals on Earth\u201d, these little marsupials are undeniably cute. Found exclusively in Western Australia, Rottnest Island boasts an impressive population of around 12,000 quokkas, making it the perfect place for a close encounter. Plus, at just 19 kilometres from the mainland, it\u2019s easily reached by a short ferry ride. After meeting the furry residents, enjoy cycling around, snorkelling at the reefs or catching rock lobsters in one of the island\u2019s many secluded bays.<\/p>\n

GO NOW: MAKE YOUR WAY TO BROOME ON THIS PERTH TO BROOME OVERLAND TRIP<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Indulge in a picnic at Kings Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Views<\/a>

With views like this, how could you resist a picnic? Photo by Gordon Bell\/Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n

Close to the central business district, Kings Park offers up over four-square-kilometres of native bushland, perfectly manicured botanical gardens and open grassy spaces. It also boasts some of the best views of Perth and its surroundings. Climb the DNA Tower for spectacular sights as far as Rottnest Island. Or, take to the 620 metre walkway through the eucalyptus canopy to see the glorious city skyline. Before settling down for a bite al fresco, among some 3,000 species of Western Australian flora.<\/p>\n

3. Immerse yourself in Perth\u2019s small bar scene<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Bloody<\/a>

Might look strange, but tastes pretty good. Photo by The Drunken Tomato\/Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n

Seemingly following in Melbourne\u2019s<\/a> footsteps, rooftop bars and hidden laneway watering holes have started cropping up all over Perth in recent years. From Bloody Marys at the Mechanics Institute to world whiskies at Varnish on King, it\u2019s these quirky new venues that are fast becoming the cultural backdrop of the city. If you\u2019ve got an evening spare, why not head to Northbridge Rooftop Movies? You\u2019ll love taking in the amazing 360-degree views before kicking back on a beanbag to catch a film.<\/p>\n

RELATED: 10 OF AUSTRALIA\u2019S MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE NATURAL WONDERS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4. Take a dip at Cottesloe Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Views<\/a>

Want to go for a swim? Photo by bmphotographer\/Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n

A 30-minute drive from the city centre, this pristine white sand beach has been the favourite local seaside spot for generations. Whether you want to float about in the bright blue waters, snorkel amongst shoals of silvery fish or give paddle boarding a go \u2013 you can do it all at Cottesloe. Not much of a water baby? No worries. It\u2019s worth coming here to experience the laidback vibes and beautiful coastal vistas alone. Grab a seat at a beachside bar and watch the sun setting over the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n

5. Step back in time in historic Fremantle<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Stalls<\/a>

In Fremantle, there’s always something to see. Photo by beeboys\/Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n

Once a British penal colony, Fremantle is now a vibrant port city attracting creatives from all over Australia. Despite its quirky new boutiques and artisanal food spots, Fremantle\u2019s fascinating history is still hugely important. Head to UNESCO world heritage-listed Fremantle Prison to discover what life was like for the inmates incarcerated there. Or, if you\u2019re in town on Friday, Saturday or Sunday make your way to the markets. Built in 1897, you\u2019ll find everything here from indigenous art to fashion.<\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, OFFERS AND COMPETITIONS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6. Stroll the banks of the Swan River<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Crawley<\/a>

Go here during Golden Hour for the perfect pics. Photo by Jacob Marsh\/Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n

Stretching 60 kilometres through the heart of Perth, the Swan River has long been a hive of activity. Choose whether to take a leisurely walk or bike ride along the Perth Esplanade. Jump on board a river cruise and enjoy the scenic journey to Fremantle over lunch or by twilight. Clamber into a kayak, you might be lucky enough to spot a dolphin or two. Join the locals for a spot of Black Bream fishing. Or, head for the Crawley Edge Boathouse, one of the most photographed sites in the city.<\/p>\n

7. Sample some of Perth\u2019s fine craft beer<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Sail<\/a>

The architecture in Perth is worth paying attention to. Photo by diyben\/Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n

Less avid beer drinkers could be forgiven for thinking craft beer is a relatively new trend, but did you know Perth is actually home to Australia\u2019s first ever microbrewery? Opened by the Matilda Bay Brewing Co. at the Sail and Anchor pub back in 1984, it\u2019s this iconic Fremantle landmark that\u2019s responsible for kickstarting the craft beer movement down under. For the taste of an old favourite try Matilda Bay\u2019s Redback, or for a slightly newer kid on the block, go for a brew by Little Creatures.<\/p>\n

8. Scale the Bell Tower, home of the Swan Bells<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Perth<\/a>

In Pert, you’ll find the Swan Bells. Photo by Farris Noorzali\/Shutterstock.<\/p><\/div>\n

Created in celebration of the Australian bicentenary, Perth\u2019s distinctive Bell Tower is a sight to behold. It houses twelve ancient bells from London\u2019s St Martin-in-the-Fields church, as well as six newer ones made from metals mined in Western Australia. Despite the modern construction, the tower remains steeped in history, learn all about that on your visit and get to grips with the complicated art of bell ringing. Remember to take the stairs to the sixth-floor observation deck for fantastic city views too.<\/p>\n

Want to get to know Australia beyond Sydney and Melbourne? Check out our West Coast tours here.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Perth’s a pretty special place, and these are the 8 unmissable experiences you need in your life. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":1400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[154],"tags":[10,47,359],"class_list":["post-1888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-australia","tag-perth","tag-travel-guide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1888"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1904,"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1888\/revisions\/1904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.adventuretours.com.au\/australia-outback-yarns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}