Perth
The 400-hectare, bush-filled expanse of Kings Park, smack in the city centre and enjoying epic views, is Perth's pride and joy. The Botanic Garden…
Must-see attractions in Perth
Fremantle
With its forbidding 5m-high walls, the old convict-era prison dominates Fremantle. Various daytime tours explore the jail's maximum-security past, give…
Fremantle
Located within an 1852 commissariat store, the Shipwrecks Museum is considered the finest display of maritime archaeology in the southern hemisphere. The…
Western Australian Museum – Maritime
Fremantle
Significant West Australian boats are suspended from the rafters of this sail-shaped museum building. There's the yacht that won the America's Cup race in…
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Perth
Founded in 1895, this excellent gallery houses the state's preeminent art collection as well as regular international exhibitions that, increasingly, have…
Perth
Dividing WA's vast coastline into five distinct zones (Far North, Coral Coast, Shipwreck Coast, Perth and Great Southern), AQWA features a 98m underwater…
Perth
Perth's safest swimming beach, Cottesloe has cafes, pubs, pine trees and fantastic sunsets. From Cottesloe train station (on the Fremantle line) it's 1km…
Fremantle
Completed in 1831, this 12-sided stone prison is WA's oldest surviving building. It was the site of the colony's first hangings, and was later used for…
Perth
This pointy glass spire fronted by copper sails contains the royal bells of London's St Martin-in-the-Fields, the oldest of which dates from 1550. The 12…
Perth
Part of the fun is getting to this zoo – take a ferry across the Swan River from Elizabeth Quay Jetty to Mends St Jetty (every half hour) and walk up the…
Perth
A vital part of the city's urban redevelopment is Elizabeth Quay, at the bottom of Barrack St. Luxury hotels and apartments – including the Ritz – are…
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
Perth
PICA (pee-kah) may look traditional – it's housed in an elegant 1896 red-brick former school – but inside it's one of Australia's principal platforms for…
Fremantle
The most popular of Fremantle's public sculptures is Greg James's statue of Bon Scott (1946–80), strutting on a Marshall amplifier in Fishing Boat Harbour…
Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Fremantle
Various classes and workshops, including language, art and crafts, are held at this interesting Aboriginal cultural centre. Booking ahead for most is…
Fremantle
An impressive neo-Gothic building surrounded by lovely elm-shaded gardens, the Fremantle Arts Centre was constructed by convict labourers as a lunatic…
Perth
On calm days, it's like a turquoise paddling pool with some of Perth's best snorkelling – think mottled reef with swaying seaweeds and similarly coloured…
Perth
One of Perth's most beautiful parks, suburban Hyde Park is a top spot for a picnic or lazy book-reading session on the lawn, as fountains flow. A path…
Perth
In spring black swans and their cygnets waddle about the grounds – a meeting place for local birdlife – nonplussed by joggers circling the lake on the…
Perth
Dating from 1899, the compelling Mint displays a collection of coins, nuggets and gold bars. You can caress bullion worth over $700,000, mint your own…
Perth
Offers swimming, surfing, lawn and amenities. Following a significant redevelopment, there are two restaurants (we like Odyssea) and a pizzeria, public…
Fremantle
Originally opened in 1897, these colourful markets were reopened in 1975 and today draw slow-moving crowds combing over souvenirs. A few younger designers…
Perth
This is a popular young surfers' spot, so be sure to swim between the flags, as waves can be powerful. A $100-million revitalisation of the beachfront has…
Perth
Look for the vintage aircraft logo on the exterior wall as you visit this combination of urban whisky distillery and sunny coffee shop, in an out-of-the…
Fremantle
Situated within the imposing Artillery Barracks, this little museum pulls out the big guns, literally. Howitzers and tanks line up outside, while inside…
Perth
Safe swimming, and an unofficial nude and gay beach. From Grant St train station it's a 1.5km walk to the beach (2km from Swanbourne Station). Or catch…
Fremantle
The Bathers Beach area has artists' galleries and studios in heritage cottages and warehouses stretching from near the Round House north and west towards…
Fremantle
Independent WA artists display often-challenging work in this repurposed heritage warehouse. Occasional events, including pop-up opera, fashion shows and…
Perth
A generally uncrowded beach, but waves can be on the dumpy side. There's decent swimming, surfing, a cafe, playground and a grassy, free BBQ area. Catch…
Fremantle
A large park shaded by Norfolk Island pines between the city and Fishing Boat Harbour. Attractions include a soaring Ferris wheel and a skateboard park…
Perth
Scitech is an excellent rainy-day option for those travelling with children. It has over 160 hands-on, large-scale science and technology exhibits…
Fremantle
Built from Donnybrook sandstone in 1907; no one can say why the swans are white (rather than black), given that only black swans exist in WA.
Fremantle
Flat, white-sand beach with tiny waves and no current, just north of Fremantle. Loved by families.
Western Australian Museum – Perth
Perth
The state's museum is a six-headed beast, with branches in Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie as well as two in Fremantle. This main branch in Northbridge…
Fremantle
In late 2016 Bathers became the first beach in WA to be granted an alcohol licence – you can drink cocktails on the sand if you're in a deckchair in front…
Perth
Good surf, with a hardcore group of locals who come out when the surf's up; dangerous when rough and prone to rips – always swim between the flags. Middle…
Perth
This is Perth's only casino and it's the only place in the state where you'll find gaming machines. It's typically glitzy, in that flashing lights and…
Fremantle
Renowned Italian sculptor Pietro Porcelli (1872–1943) is responsible for many works around WA. This piece by fellow sculptor Greg James depicts him making…
Fremantle
Statue of former member for Fremantle and WWII Labor prime minister of Australia, John Curtin.
Fremantle
Built in 1908 in Georgian style, this heritage-listed building is home to artist studios.
