When it comes to tourist attractions, Perth is not just a pretty face.
It may be one of the smallest and most remote capital cities in the world, but that hasn’t stopped this laid-back coastal gem from delivering a powerful punch when it comes to fun, interesting and exciting things to do and see.
Did you know that Perth is home to one of the oldest gold mints as well as the largest gold bullion coin ever cast in the world? You’ll also find one of the largest musical instruments in the world here, as well as Australasia’s largest planetarium and the largest and most intact convict-built prison in Australia. If fauna and flora are your thing, you’ll marvel at King’s Park, one of the world’s largest inner city parks, gasp at the beauty of one of the world’s largest living coral reef exhibits at AQWA and love getting up close and personal with some of the planet’s most unique animals including koalas and wombats at Whiteman Park.
There are so many fabulous things to do in Perth – and whether you’re interested in history, arts and culture, sport, science and nature or are simply looking for some family fun, there’s something for everyone.
The top tourist attractions in Perth listed by popular travel website, TripAdvisor are:
- Kings Park (including the Botanical Gardens, the War Memorial and the Fraser Avenue Lookout)
- The Swan River
- The Perth Mint
- The South Perth Foreshore
- Perth Zoo
- St Mary’s Cathedral
- Scitech
- The Bell Tower
But that’s only the beginning. There are so many others – it all depends on what kind of things you like to do and see.
For example, if you’re a history buff, you’ll love exploring the many heritage buildings and museums in the port city of Fremantle including Fremantle Prison, the WA Maritime Museum and the Shipwreck Galleries as well as other prominent historical landmarks in Perth itself like the Perth Mint, St George’s Cathedral and the recently completed Cathedral Square Precinct with its vibrant mix of culture, history, art and entertainment.
Culture vultures will find that Perth is alive with a vibrant and eclectic tapestry of music, theatre and art with some of the top tourist attractions being the Art Gallery of WA, the Fremantle Arts Centre, the many public street art installations and the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition at Cottesloe beach.
The best news for tourists is that many of the city’s top attractions are all within a stone’s throw of one another. From the magnificent King’s Park and Botanic Gardens through to the bustling CBD and pedestrian shopping areas (including the Perth Mint, St George’s Cathedral, the Cathedral Square Precinct, His Majesty’s Theatre and Perth Town Hall) and down to the picturesque Swan River and Elizabeth Quay precinct, you can cover an amazing mix of culture, art, nature and history – and all with jaw-dropping views and plenty of options for eating and drinking in between.
In fact, Elizabeth Quay is the newest of the city’s attractions but is already gaining ground as one of the top places to visit in Perth because of the variety of events, fun activities and interesting things that are always going on there. Day and night, from family fun at the water park to fascinating sculptures and historical buildings, pop-up exhibitions, markets, segway tours, ferries and gondolas on the river, there’s an ever-changing list of things to do.
A trip to Perth wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The Bell Tower, which is right next door to Elizabeth Quay. This significant and iconic building links the city to the river and is home to one of the largest musical instruments on earth, the historically significant bells of Saint Martin in the Fields church in London that date back to before the 14th century.
Interactive demonstrations, a behind-the-scenes look at the bell ringing chamber and fascinating displays of the ancient art of bell-ringing coupled with spectacular 3600 views of Perth city and the Swan River from the open air Observation Deck make it one of the top things to do in Perth, so don’t miss it! It’s open seven days a week from 10am and you can find out more by calling 08 6210 0444 or visiting www.thebelltower.com.au.
