Australia: Highlights of Perth

Highlights of Perth

1. Caversham Wildlife Park (40 mins from Perth City Centre): Be there once the park is open, and you will skip the late morning crowds, get sufficient time to move around the park without much of a crowd and prebook your koala photo-taking session!

2. Swan Valley - Wine Tasting (30 mins from Perth City Centre): One of the best wine tastings in the area. You can combine this with a day trip to Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm, which are 10 minutes away from each other.

3. Swan Valley - Cuddly Animal Farm: This is highly recommended if you are traveling as a family — kids get to feed the farm animals and the animals are free to roam around. Really fun family experience. There’s a cafe inside that serves up great coffee and food!

4. Rottnest Island: Take a ferry here and explore the island with a bike. Alternatively, there is an electronic buggy service that you can hire privately — great for families with younger kids and elderly who do not want to cycle. Of course, meet the famous quokkas!

5. Fremantle Markets: Explore the vibrant food scene here and beautiful town area with lots of dining options by the harbour. There are also quite a number of local brands for the shopping lovers. Tip: Little Creatures Brewery is in this area as well — they have a beer tasting rack that is fantastic and it comes with a brewery tour. Definitely have this on your list if you are a fan of Little Creatures or beer in general!

6. Cottesloe Beach (20 mins from Perth City Centre): A top favorite of mine — amazing pristine beach where you can take a stroll, hang the day, build sandcastles and read a book. All the possibilities! Lots of nice cafes and restaurants by the coast. Perfect to spend a day out here with your other half, friends and family. For families with young kids, there are playgrounds everywhere on this beach, kept in good condition and clean. Tip: The best hidden gem is Longview Cottesloe. This restaurant is perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner and coffee! The vibes are everything.

7. Fruit picking (20-30 mins from Perth City Centre): Seasonal fruits picking on the fruits farm should definitely be on your list. Think strawberries, apples, avocados! We found it a really nice experience especially with kids — they get so excited! And you get to bring whatever you have picked back with you — talk about freshness!

Home away from Home recommendations

1. Ritz Carlton Perth: Perfect for families (very kid-friendly) and if you would like to park a car in the city centre, they have parking facilities, so that’s a win in Perth City Centre. ($$$$)

2. Intercontinental Perth City Centre ($$$)

3. DoubleTree by Hilton Waterfront ($$)

Day trips

Margaret River, three hours' drive from Perth, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, world-class wineries and vibrant culinary scene. Nestled amidst lush forests, rolling vineyards and pristine beaches along the Indian Ocean coastline, Margaret River offers visitors a diverse range of experiences.

Wine enthusiasts flock to the region to explore its renowned wineries and cellar doors, which produce exceptional varieties of cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and semillon. The Mediterranean climate and fertile soils create ideal conditions for grape cultivation, resulting in award-winning wines that have gained international acclaim.

Beyond wine, Margaret River is a haven for food lovers, boasting an array of gourmet restaurants, artisanal producers and bustling farmers' markets. Visitors can indulge in fresh seafood, artisan cheeses and locally sourced produce while enjoying picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes.

Definitely a great combination to do with Perth!

Highly recommend Perth for a family adventure trip and farm stays — for the wine lovers, it's a great couples' retreat to take in the slow pace of life.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Perth. In need of further inspiration? Check out Ashtin Robison’s guide, A Guide to Perth: Australia's Best-Kept Secret.