New things to do in Perth & surrounds
Perth might not be as popular as its Eastern counterparts Sydney and Melbourne, but it’s a vibrant city surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes that’s definitely worth visiting sometime. If you’re planning a trip there, here are adventures in Western Australia you can embark on, from a thrilling bridge climb to a relaxing waterbike ride on the Swan River.
The current exchange rate is A$1 = S$0.85 as of 7th January 2025.
Table of Contents
- New things to do in Perth & surrounds
- Best time to visit Perth
- How to get around Perth
- 1. Kalbarri Skywalk
- 2. Matagarup bridge climb
- 3. Matagarup zip+climb
- 4. Optus Stadium
- 5. Bike & kayak tours
- 6. Western Australian Museum
- 7. Waterbiking at the Swan River
- 8. Whale-watching tours
- 9. Cottesloe Beach
- What to do in Perth
- Find out more about the attractions in Perth here
Best time to visit Perth
Perth enjoys pretty pleasant weather year-round, with temperatures varying between 8°C-30°C from autumn to spring. For Singaporeans, this means many months where you can escape the hot, humid climate of our island. Of course, each season has its perks:
- Spring: Spanning from September to November, spring is perfect for outdoor activities because of its pleasant temperatures and generally sunny weather. Wildflowers are in full bloom during this time, and it’s also whale-watching season!
- Summer: Starting in December and ending around February, summer is, obviously, great for beach days. This is also peak season, as it coincides with the Australian summer holiday as well as other end-of-year holidays. Do be mindful of heat waves during January and February too; it’s when temperatures reach their highest.
- Autumn: Autumn lasts from March to May, with colder but generally mild temperatures. While it sees more rainfall than spring, it’s also a good time for exploring the outdoors and spotting humpback whales. Otherwise, you can also take advantage of wine harvest season and visit Swan Valley for wine tours.
- Winter: June to August marks the winter season. Temperatures rarely fall below zero, but you can expect the weather to be wet, with rainfall being the highest these few months. Some find comfort in wet-weather hikes, but if you’re not part of that camp, you can still explore the city.
How to get around Perth
For your travel escapades in Perth, you can utilise their efficient public transport system – trains, buses, and ferries. Specifically, their train network is known to be well-connected and the easiest to use. Buses are also another convenient option to get around Perth, plus, you’ll be able to catch free bus services – CAT buses – within Perth’s CBD.
For seamless travel, it’s generally recommended to purchase a SmartRider card to enjoy discounts for all forms of public transport. You can get these at the Perth Airport, Transperth InfoCentres, or any of the many SmartRider retail outlets.
And if you’re on a time crunch or public transport isn’t your thing, you can rely on good ol’ ridesharing apps like Uber (App Store | Google Play) that are considered cheaper than a standard taxi.
1. Kalbarri Skywalk
IG-worthy nature spot
Image credit: Tourism Western Australia
There’s something mystical about the vast Australian landscape, and the new Kalbarri Skywalk lets you see its beauty from the best vantage point. The skywalk has two cantilevered platforms perched over a cliff 100M above the Murchison River Gorge, letting you soak in the spectacular and uninterrupted views over Kalbarri National Park.
The twin skywalks stretch out 17M and 25M respectively from the edge of the cliff, and the steel mesh floor makes it feel like you’re walking over nothing.
Image credit: @gkilmaster64 via Instagram
If you have time, you can also take a quick detour over to the Insta-famous Nature’s Window, a natural rock formation that resembles a picture frame with the gorgeous park as its subject.
FYI: The Kalbarri Skywalk is located near the town of Kalbarri, about a six-hour drive away from Perth, so we’ll stock up on water and food for the road trip as there is no water available there.
Admission: $15/vehicle
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2. Matagarup bridge climb
Open-air viewing platform
Climb up the swan-shaped Matagarup Bridge or to the Optus Stadium’s roof
Image credit: Harry Cunningham via Unsplash
Thrillseekers after an adventure can go for a climb up the Matagarup Bridge. A fair warning for the faint-hearted: The climb up the swan-shaped bridge isn’t like other bridge climbs in Australia where it’s a leisurely stroll, but one where you’ll have to shimmy and slither across tight spaces before reaching the open-air viewing platform 72M above the Swan River.
Admission: From $99
3. Matagarup zip+climb
400m zipline
Image credit: Klook
Spanning an approximate 2 hours of your time, the Matagarup zip+climb program will have you fulfilling all your adrenaline junkie needs. First you have to muster up your courage and strength to scurry your way to the top onto the 72m-high sky view glass platform.
Image credit: Klook
Once you’re there, you can make your way to the zipline launch and zoom your way along the 400m zipline, travelling at up to 75km/h.
Landing on the eastern banks of the Swan River, you’ll get to have your I believe I can fly moment as you take in the gorgeous 360 degree panoramic views of Perth.
Book a ticket for Matagarup zip+climb.
4. Optus Stadium
78-step rooftop climb
Image credit: @optusstadium via Instagram
If you prefer something that’s still exhilarating but not as strenuous, you can head to the nearby Optus Stadium for a rooftop climb that’s just 78 steps upwards. Not only will you get to see the city of Perth from another POV, but you’ll also get to take a short break at the stadium’s highest seats and even lean across the roof’s railing for a daredevil-esque photo-op.
Admission: From $92
Book an Optus Stadium HALO Rooftop Tour.
5. Bike & kayak tours
Go sightseeing while burning calories
Image credit: GoGo Active Tours via Facebook
Why stay confined in a tour bus when you can see the sights and sounds of Perth & Surrounds via a bike or kayak? GoGo Active Tours offers a good selection of tours that will cater to any group that wants to keep moving. So whether you just want to sample the craft beers at the breweries or paddle towards the limestone formations at Blackwall Reach, there’s something for you to do.
Blackwall Reach
Although these tours require some exercise, rest assured that you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete just to join the tour. The tours are adequately planned so you won’t have to rush from one site to another, although you would be required to have some experience riding a bicycle to join that tour group.
6. Western Australian Museum
8 permanent exhibitions
Image credit: @wamuseum via Instagram
Museums are a great way to learn about the destination you’re visiting, and the newly-redeveloped Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip is just the place to get in touch with Perth’s rich history and culture.
With eight permanent exhibitions and the perspectives of over 54,000 Western Australians across more than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups, the museum has one of the most diverse representations of any art institution.
Boola Bardip, translated to “many stories” in Whadjuk Nyoongar, an aboriginal dialect, is also home to the largest meteorite collection in the southern hemisphere and Australia’s oldest grapevine.
7. Waterbiking at the Swan River
Paddle over a scenic river
Image credit: @perthwaterbikeco via Instagram
Did you really visit Perth if you didn’t snap a selfie by the Swan River? Rather than take a basic picture from the banks, you can elevate your social game by cycling on the iconic waterway and whipping out your phone for the ‘gram while you’re paddling over the river.
And unlike stand-up paddleboarding or cycling on land, you don’t have to worry about your balance as the catamaran configuration makes it almost impossible to topple over and drop you in the river. We’ll still leave our sneakers on dry land though, as your feet are bound to get wet.
Admission: From $30
8. Whale-watching tours
For the animal-lovers
Image credit: Klook
If you booked your trip to Perth between September to November, and you consider yourself a sea-life geek, make sure to catch whale-watching tours while you’re on holiday. You’ll find that these coastal waters of Perth have become quite the hangout spot for these mammals under the sea – they are a migratory route for humpback whales.
Reviews of these tours have also mentioned that many visitors have been able to catch dolphin sightings too. So, instead of going aww and oooh at dolphin content on IG, you can watch the real thing and snap pics, while living out your Moana fantasies. In other words, you’ll finally be able to see the line where the sky meets the sea.
9. Cottesloe Beach
Swimming, snorkeling & picnics
Image credit: @indiana_cottesloe via Instagram
Much like Ken from Barbie, if your dream job and one true love is beach, chances are you’ll love spending a day at Cottesloe Beach. You can get active and swim in pretty waters or you can also opt to snorkel to finally check it off your bucket list.
Visitors claim that the sunsets at this beach are absolutely gorgeous, making it a great picnic spot for a day out with the fam or date night with boo. And if sunsets aren’t enough of a view, you can catch cool artwork and giant sculptures from their annual Sculptures by the Sea program. Do note, these are only available for viewing during March.
What to do in Perth
Image credit: Amanda Klamrowski via Unsplash
Perth is just a quick 5-hour trip away – near enough that it shares the same timezone as Singapore, but far enough to feel like you’re on a real getaway from home. From the exhilarating bridge and stadium climbs to the swanky new museum for the culturally inclined, it’s time to add Perth to your bucket list and explore the coastal city – if you haven’t already.
The Beachfront Super King Suite has a sweeping view of Thomson Bay
Image credit: Samphire Rottnest via Facebook
You’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to where you choose to spend the night. Those who love the city can choose to stay in the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Perth or the convenient DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront. If you’re making the trip to Rottnest Island, there’s also the newly-opened beachfront resort Samphire Rottnest
Find out more about the attractions in Perth here
This post was brought to you by Tourism Western Australia.
Cover image adapted from: @perthwaterbikeco via Instagram, Klook, Tourism Western Australia & GoGo Active Tours via Facebook
Last updated by Evangelin Deshika on 7th January 2025