Unsurprisingly, Perth is fertile ground for cruises, given its coastal location and orientation around the Swan River. Cruises have a number of benefits in terms of exploring our city, but also in avoiding long car rides! Boat rides through the river allow you to experience all the senses it has to offer firsthand, sea breeze and sunset accompanied by sweeping views of the banks. Although we’ve all seen the river, how many of us have sat within it on a purpose-built tour?
A popular route is from Perth to Fremantle, passing the iconic Bell Tower, Kings Park, the elaborate mansions lining the river (way more interesting than you think) and finally arriving in Fremantle’s inner harbour. Often, the cruise charters pair the scenic views with a full wine list and luxury dining options, if you’re willing to splash out a little. One cruise offers Moet and Chandon on the top deck of a three-tier catamaran, if you want to feel like maybe one of those waterfront houses is yours for the day!
If you’re more after an educational trip on the Swan, an adventure tour is the way to go. Wild West Charters offer three every day, taking you to spots that certainly aren’t on every cruise, little-known coves and moorings that provide river views we don’t get to appreciate often. Local wildlife spotting is included, with the luckiest passengers glimpsing dolphins along with the typical ospreys, pelicans and black swans. The history of the Swan River isn’t ignored on your adventure tour, as both Aboriginal and colonial histories are explained by your guides as you jet around. Their whale watching cruise is just as popular, available from August to November as the whales migrate south for summer. Their vessel is purpose-built, allowing for the closest experience possible. Although they can’t guarantee whale spotting on your tour, you’ll be offered a half-price tour if you choose to book again to try your luck a second time.
The Swan Valley Wine Region is accessible via cruise too, something that seems entirely unique to Perth. One cruise, a six-and-a-half hour trip up the Swan, is filled with live entertainment, local wine tasting and lunch on board. You’ll eventually reach Mandoon Estate, where you’ll taste a wine and macaron flight as part of your booking. This is a unique way of experiencing the Swan Valley that most haven’t even thought of. Another Swan Valley cruise arrives in the Swan Valley from the CBD and places their passengers on a coach tour, stopping at Lancaster Winery and the Swan Valley iteration of the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, before setting out to return with all-inclusive wine, live entertainment, tea, coffee and cake.