The capital city of Western Australia, home to adorable quokkas, amazing weather and pristine beaches – definitely one of the most liveable cities in the World.
Having 7 days in the region meant that we could only choose to go down south or up north. We chose the latter this time with The Pinnacles Desert in mind.
You can also purposely coincide your travel dates with the whale watching season which is from late August through to December. We very fortunately, did catch a glimpse of the humpbacks with their calves! A breathtaking sight to behold indeed.
Overview
- Getting around
- Perth City
- Whale Watching
- Yanchep National Park & Lancelin Sand Dunes
- The Pinnacles Desert
- Fremantle
- Rottnest Island
Getting around
- Free Bus Service (widely known as CATS)
Perth offers free bus services within the CBD and Fremantle areas at specific time periods so while you are in the area, make use of this complimentary service to save a few dollars. The bus routes are also included in Google Maps when you look for directions between 2 destinations. Click here for more information on CATS.
- Train
There are 6 train lines as of 2019 covering an extensive area which is more than sufficient for travellers. The most commonly used for travellers is the Fremantle line which connects the city to Fremantle in under 30 minutes. Here is the official website to plan your journey.
- Uber
With Uber so readily available, it is our most used transport method as a big group. The car is usually confirmed within minutes upon request within the city.
It is a must to ensure that you have your credit card working in your Uber account before you reach Perth. Otherwise, it is a hassle to fix it while you’re there.
- Rental Car
Alternatively, it is also relatively cheap to rent a car and easy to drive around in Perth. Like the rest of Australia, vehicles drive on the left side of the road and drivers are seated on the right-hand side.
If you are comfortable with driving, a rental car is the way to go. Plus if you are heading out of the city for day trips, a rental car is necessary. We went with Hertz and they made the process as smooth as it can be.
Purchasing data SIM card
No worries at all if you are like us, can’t live without the internet. There are a few major telco stores offering tourist SIM cards at very reasonable prices. We went with Optus and they were offering 12 GB for 10 days validity at A$20 at the point of our visit.
How to spend 7 days in Perth?
Day 1: Perth City
Toastface Grillah
A cheeky wordplay on the rapper turns out to be a hippy grilled cheese cafe tucked in the alleyway of Perth CBD. Definitely not just known for its branding and friendly staff, the sandwiches here are consistent and never lets anyone down. The perfect choice to start your first meal in Perth.
Address:
Wellington St &, Barrack St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Google Maps
Blue Boat House (Crawley Edge Boatshed)
Crawley Edge Boatshed
It is an understatement to say this is the most instagrammable place in Perth. The Blue Boat House literally drove up Perth’s tourism so much that the council decided to build a $400k toilet for the tourists visiting this place.
Since it is not easily accessible so we recommend taking an Uber here then if you are up for it, a trek to the Kings Park as your next activity.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- DNA Tower
The double spiral stairs with 101 steps will take you 15m high in the middle of the park, rewarding you with the best view of the whole of Kings Park.
- Pioneer Women’s Memorial
The perfect place to rest your foot after the long walk or even just lay down on the lush green grass patch like what the locals are doing. A picnic here is also a great idea.
- State War Memorial
The iconic State War Memorial is an important historical site erected to honour those who gave their lives for the country. The eternal flame also holds great significance. Overlooking the Swan River, it is a relaxing place to spend an evening.
Old Shanghai Food Court
A food court concept is nothing new to us from Singapore but it could be hardly seen in Australia. It is like a big restaurant occupied by a few food vendors serving different cuisines and customers consume their food at the common seating area. Old Shanghai has a few outlets in Perth specialising in bringing international cuisines with a retro Chinese deco concept.
We highly recommend the juicy, flavourful burger from Hoodburger at Old Shanghai, Northbridge.
Address:
123 James St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Google Maps
Day 2: Whale Watching Cruise
We purposely planned the trip in the peak season of the annual whale migration so that we could catch a glimpse of the majestic humpbacks. For sure, this one of the highlights of the trip.
Book your tour with any of the operators in Perth – it is usually a 2-hour cruise at about A$60 including pick-up from designated stops. We chose Rottnest Fast Ferries and had an amazing experience throughout.
The staff are very professional in terms of spotting the whales and to provide us with the best experience. Although they also ensure if you don’t sight any whales during the tour, you can get on the next cruise FREE of charge.
Tip! The ferry is extremely rocky out in the ocean so be sure to pop your motion sickness pills half an hour before boarding to prevent nausea. You don’t want to ruin your rare opportunity of seeing the whales.
Gordon Street Garage Cafe
A former garage turned into a cafe and wine bar, also one of the most beautiful cafes to dine in. The spacious seatings made it a perfect hangout place for big groups. Plus, they serve a creative mix of juices and a menu of fusion dishes.
Address:
16 Gordon St, West Perth WA 6005, Australia
Google Maps
Watertown Brand Outlet Centre
Just right across Gordon Street Garage Cafe is Watertown where you can get mid-range brand’s products at a fraction of its usual retail price. It is a popular shopping destination for travellers and locals with more than 100 fashion, accessories, gifts, homewares, leisure and sportswear retailers. There are also a few restaurants for in between your shopping session.
Day 3: Yanchep National Park & Lancelin Sand Dunes
Yanchep National Park
Nothing beats seeing animals roaming wild and free in their natural habitats. Skip the zoo and head over to Yanchep where you can find yourself surrounded by western grey kangaroos, stroll along the 240-metre koala boardwalk, birdwatching and visit the different caves within the park.
Tip! Kangaroos are only spotted in the early morning or before dusk. Other times, they seek shelter from the hot sun so if you’re there in the afternoon, take a drive towards the Golf Course and you are likely to spot a few.
Another tip: If you would like to visit the cave, you need to purchase your ticket at the visitor centre or book online before heading to the cave. Otherwise, tickets are not sold outside the cave and you won’t be able to get in.
Lancelin Sand Dunes
An hour drive up north of Yanchep National Park brings you to beautiful sand dunes where you can have fun sandboarding, getting on an ATV or just for great photos!
We also had our lunch right beside the pristine Lancelin white sand beach. Could not ask for a better day. Well, just a word of warning – beware of seagulls waiting to steal your food because we had ours stolen!
Overnight in Cervantes
We decided to spend a night at RAC Cervantes Holiday Park, the nearest town to The Pinnacles Desert. It is located right beside the shore so it’s great for stargazing at night.
Day 4: The Pinnacles Desert
Lobster Shack
Honestly speaking, there’s nothing to shout out for this restaurant but we visited only because seafood is a speciality of this town and it’s a stone throw away from our accommodation.
They also provide a tour of the factory at A$10 from 12 PM onwards to understand how their lobsters are reared and graded.
Address:
37 Catalonia St, Cervantes WA 6511, Australia
Google Maps
Namburg National Park/The Pinnacles Desert
There are many theories to how the Pinnacles were formed, making it a mystery to date. Don’t miss out the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre where they documented all the information of the place.
You can drive through the desert and get off at different points to continue by foot to the viewing platforms built within the area. We didn’t spend a long time here but enjoyed every minute here.
Tips! Brace yourselves as there are MANY flies especially during summer that will stick on your clothes constantly.
Cottesloe Beach
Drive back to the city and drop by the famous beach for a nice sunset view against the Indian Ocean. Grab a drink at one of the nearby bars and cafes.
Day 5: Fremantle (or affectionately known as Freo)
WA Maritime Museum
This museum is a symbol of Fremantle and exhibits of why it served an important port to Western Australia and the whole of Australia. Even if you are not a museum person, there is an engaging submarine tour where visitors are allowed to go into the authentic Cold War-era vessel for a first-hand experience. Entrance ticket is required at A$15 for an adult.
For submarine tour reservation, please dial 1300 134 081 the week you are planning your visit.
Cicerello’s Fish & Chips
Notably one of the best fish & chips in Freo, this place is your best bet for a good seafood meal. Reasonable serving portion and paired with the lovely harbour dining atmosphere, it is definitely worth a visit.
Address:
44 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Google Maps
Little Creatures Brewing
Along the same fishing harbour as Cicerello’s, grab a fresh pint of the award-winning Pale Ale right at its birthplace. Very commonly seen in Freo, the brewery is occupied by huge brewing plant alongside the seatings.
Address:
40 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Google Maps
Overnight in Fremantle Prison
Staying in prison is not your everyday thing. The comfortable hostel caters to everyone of different ages, not just youths. Although it’s transformed into a hostel, rest assured that the spooky factor still remains.
To further spice up your night at the prison, you can join the torchlight tour in the dark as the guide entertains with ghastly stories and history of the prison. Only available every Wednesday and Friday evening. Head over to the official website to find out more.
Day 6: Rottnest Island (or affectionately known as Rotto)
Finally a day for the quokkas! We headed over to Rotto with Rottnest Express at A$60 per person for return tickets including complimentary pick-up near our accommodation.
There are a few options to get around Rottnest – rent a bike (A$30), Island Explorer bus (A$20), Settlement Shuttle bus (A$3) or just walk (A$0)!
We went ahead with the Island Explorer bus since it can bring us to the major attractions on the Island without any hassle. Compare the difference between the Island Explorer and Settlement Shuttle here.
If you’re short on time, here are a few attractions that we recommend:
- Henrietta Rocks – crystal clear water and shipwreck
- Little Salmon Bay – great for snorkelling!
- Wadjemup Lighthouse – quokka hotspot!
- Cape Vlamingh Viewing Platform – best view of Rottnest
- Cathedral Rocks Viewing Platform – you can spot seals if you’re lucky!
Day 7: Walk around Fremantle
Fremantle Markets
Not only this market holds great historical significance dates back to 1897, but it also houses many interesting stalls from fresh produce, organic products to quirky accessories and street food. We particularly love Black Cherries Espresso and The Honeycake Shop in the market! I am sure there are a lot more to explore if we had spent more time there.
The market is only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Roundhouse
This is the oldest building standing in Western Australia since 1831 as a prison. In here, you could try out one of the punishments guided by the volunteers there. Be sure to also time your visit so you can catch the firing of cannon every day at 1 PM. This facility is maintained by donations only and it’s worth donating to keep it open to the public.
We were very sad to know that the optical illusion, Arcs d’Éllipses has been removed early this year.
Perth is one of the best destinations for a lazy holiday. Unwind, history, geography, adventures, food – Perth has it all.
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