Condensing the amount of attractions available in Perth is a hard task for anyone. The number of different activities on offer, be it a product of our natural landscape, government programs or the innovation of our locals in creating something worth visiting, there’s something for the young and the old, the keen participant and the reluctant follower. For a city with a reputation for having nothing going on, we find this couldn’t be any further from the truth.
Australia’s landscape is one of its biggest drawcards, and this couldn’t be more apparent than in Perth. Of course, regional areas far outside Perth contain unspoiled landscape hard to rival elsewhere, but even locals would be surprised at the variety of beautiful views, trails, lakes, gorges and other natural features right at our doorsteps. Travelling hours isn’t necessary when you can benefit from everything our regional parks have to offer within day trips.
There are six national parks found under an hour and a half away from Perth, containing attractions any outdoorsy person would be grateful for. Many of these are found in the Perth Hills, on the Darling Scarp. This region is several hundred kilometres long, containing Lesmurdie Falls National Park (25 minutes from Perth) John Forrest National Park and Kalamunda National Park (both around 40 minutes from Perth). The latter park is popular for bushwalking, as the beginning of the famous 1000 kilometre Bibbulmun Track is found here. The Rocky Pool Walk is much more manageable, boasting views of the native trees found here like jarrah and marri. John Forrest National Park is WA’s oldest, home to two seasonal waterfalls (visit in the spring for both waterfalls and wildflower spotting) and a few different walking trails, a favourite among history buffs for its Railway Heritage Trail. These parks truly show off the beautiful duality of Perth, and just how isolated we are. Even a short drive produces rolling hills, waterfalls and natural pools typical of regional areas.
Beaches are another obvious attraction, and Perth beaches are world renowned. What seems normal to us locals is luxurious for visitors, even those from over east who have access to pretty beaches on the regular. Our beaches top lists around the world for their white, squeaky sand, clean blue water and surf. Cottesloe Beach and Scarborough Beach in particular are constantly touted as favourites, being perfect for water sports, with bars and restaurants conveniently placed beachfront. Cottesloe is more laidback where Scarborough has a stronger nightlife attached to the beach, but both provide stunning views of Indian Ocean sunsets, which is where it counts.
We would be remiss to talk about Perth attractions without mentioning Rottnest Island. Only a short ferry trip from ports in Fremantle, Hillarys or Elizabeth Quay, Rottnest is a rite of passage for Perthians, and is a top priority for tourists coming from all corners of the globe thanks to their native quokkas, found nowhere else on Earth. The sheer number of celebrity quokka selfies should convince you if we don’t. Of course the quokkas are cute, but Rottnest has so much more to offer. Cycling is the main method of transport around the island, and the best way to see every corner of nature and wildlife—bring your own or rent a bike on the island itself. Other than the views, Rottnest has much to offer in terms of military and maritime history, as well as Indigenous significance. We’d recommend at the very least a visit to Wadjemup Museum (the Noongar name for Rottnest), but a cultural tour would be the number one way to understand the island’s history and cultural significance, something most local visitors probably haven’t considered.