Categories > Guides and Tips
Breathtaking Spots to Visit in Perth
If you like travelling or exploring in Western Australia, Perth is easily one of the best cities for a great adventure, photos, and overall experience. Make the most of your day by preparing a list of your dream spots beforehand.
Where to Find Breathtaking Spots in Perth
To see some breathtaking views in Perth, visit the Serpentine Falls, Elizabeth Quay, Mrs Herbert’s Park, Herdsman Lake, South Beach, North Fremantle Foreshore, Monument Hill, Bicton Baths, Zig Zag Lookout, Long Pool, Sullivan’s Rock, or Heathcote Reserve.
These locations offer great spots for sightseeing, photographing flowers and animals, picnics and dates, hiking and nature walks, pet-friendly activities, cultural explorations, and the like.
To get started, check out these fantastic Perth locations below.
Serpentine Falls
Photo source: www.sjshire.wa.gov.au
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/serpentine-national-park
Address: LOT 1 Falls Rd, Serpentine WA 6125, Australia
Contact Details: +61 (0)8 9525 2128
Opening Hours: Sunday – Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Park Entry Fees: Standard: $7 to $15, Concession: $0 to $8
The Serpentine Falls is the gem of Serpentine National Park. That’s why a day excursion to this beautiful location, only 55 kilometres southeast of Perth, is a must.
You can have a picnic, go swimming, or observe the local fauna, which includes the friendly kangaroos. Hiking a trail is also an option, but take extra care with your health insurance to cushion financial needs in case of accidents or skin allergies.
Word of advice: don’t feed the native animals or birds because it isn’t allowed. In addition, dogs aren’t permitted in the park, so this is just for you and your human friends.
Plan to come before 10 am because the Serpentine Falls area frequently reaches capacity and would be closed to additional guests.
Elizabeth Quay
Website: https://developmentwa.com.au/projects/redevelopment/elizabeth-quay/overview
Address: The Esplanade, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact Details: +61 (8) 9482 7499, +61 (8) 9481 0681, [email protected]
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
For a sightseeing itinerary, add Elizabeth Quay to the list. This new waterfront pedestrian district is a popular destination for leisure and nightlife.
You can eat everything from delectable seafood specialities to gourmet burgers and pizza for lunch or dinner. Live music also enhances the friendly atmosphere.
If you’re a kid at heart, you’ll also enjoy strolling around the fountains or appreciating the vintage carousel. Tip: you can get some tasty gelato by looking for the eye-catching, diamond-shaped glass kiosk.
Going after dark would also be a delight – the fountains would light up in every rainbow colour, a fun sight to share.
Mrs Herbert’s Park
Photo source: www.claremont.wa.gov.au
Website: https://www.claremont.wa.gov.au/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks
Address: 66 Victoria Ave, Claremont WA 6010, Australia
Contact Details: +61 8 9285 4300
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Claremont’s Mrs Herberts Park is a lovely and peaceful location where you can have a picnic and cool off in the river.
It’s not as known as other Swan River picnic spots or Perth beaches, but it’s just as picturesque and ideal for spending your extra time.
Pet owners would also enjoy the exercise area for their furry friends on the right side of the park. However, be aware that dogs must always be kept on a leash unless otherwise noted.
Running around with the animals is fun, but we also recommend stretching first so your muscles won’t pull on your joints and cause body pain.
For future reference, restrooms are also up the hill so you won’t get lost.
Herdsman Lake
Photo source: exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/herdsman-lake-regional-park
Address: Swan Coastal Plain, 6 km North West of Perth, Western Australia
Contact Details: +61 (0)8 9442 0300
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Park Entry Fees: Free
For people who love free things, there’s no charge for entry to Herdsman Lake Regional Park.
The park is in the centre of Perth’s metropolitan region and is deemed a ‘wetland oasis’. It’s serene and perfect for jogging, having a picnic, and observing birds.
It’s easy to understand why photographers and birdwatchers visit here often. The birds in the area are incredibly diverse, with over 100 species – some of which have even travelled from other parts of the world.
Just like good eyesight is essential for these birds’ safe flight, it’s also helpful to get your eyes checked so you can clearly observe and appreciate them well.
Besides birdwatching, the lake may also be explored through bushwalking, cycling, and picnicking. A shared pathway circles the entire area as well – you may circle the whole 7 km loop or a portion of it.
South Beach
Website: https://visitperth.com/see-and-do/beaches/south-beach
Address: South Beach, Fremantle, WA, 6160
Contact Details: 1300 693 736, [email protected]
South Beach is ideal for children and beginner swimmers. This is an excellent place to learn how to dive and snorkel with their available courses.
The big grassy area or soft white sand make great picnic locations too. There are free BBQs, picnic tables, and wooden gazebos.
If you’re a dog owner, don’t forget to bring poop bags to clean up after their mess. Several bins are also provided for the trash.
For coffee lovers, the well-known Fremantle cappuccino strip with various menu options is only a short stroll away – no need for a podiatrist because you won’t hurt your feet from walking!
Moreover, the recently-built South Beach sports complex offers wheelchair basketball, futsal, roller hockey, and volleyball right on the beach.
North Fremantle Foreshore
Photo source: www.fremantle.wa.gov.au
Address: 15 John St, North Fremantle WA 6159, Australia
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
The millionaires with their boats can be seen sailing to and from Rottnest on a beautiful summer day.
Even if you don’t have a yacht of your own, you can make yourself at home on the North Fremantle foreshore grass and watch. Bring some wine and cheese with you, or have a little picnic with loved ones while enjoying the view.
It would also be nice to bring your four-legged furry friends here. The water is nice and shallow for them to run around with ease.
Though, there are usually not that many dogs in the area for them to interact with.
Monument Hill
Photo source: www.fremantle.wa.gov.au
Address: Corner Of High Street and Bateman Street, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Those with a tight budget can have a magical yet affordable picnic experience at Monument Hill. Get inexpensive Asian food from Freo’s Old Shanghai, find a bottle of wine, and head up to Monument Hill.
It’s also a good place for meditation – the Fremantle Council prohibits motorised model aeroplanes, helicopters, drones or other remotely piloted devices on or over Monument Hill Reserve without a permit from the City of Fremantle.
Riding bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, or sandboards is also not allowed to preserve the sanctity of Monument Hill. This commemorates all the servicemen and women who have fought and died for the country.
Alongside the serene ambience, wait in the evening to watch the lovely sunset over the harbour city and capture some spectacular photos.
Bicton Baths
Photo source: www.governmentnews.com.au
Website: https://www.melvillecity.com.au/things-to-do/find-venues-parks-and-reserves/bicton-baths-reserve
Address: 64 Blackwall Reach Parade, Bicton WA 6157, Australia
Contact Details: (08) 9364 0666, 1300 635 845, [email protected]
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Bicton Baths is a charming small area of the Swan, a well-known place for people who love to swim.
If you’ve got lots of energy, you can exhaust yourself from kayaking, snorkelling, swimming, or stand-up paddle-boarding on a beach area with jetties or small piers.
While seating is provided and BBQs are allowed, there are also some limitations. There are no cafes and playgrounds nearby.
For those who aren’t fond of physical activities, you can get a beverage and relax as the active ones enjoy water sports – any option is valid and enjoyable.
Zig Zag Scenic Drive
Website: https://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/
Address: Gooseberry Hill WA 6076, Australia
Opening Hours: Sunday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
The Zig Zag Scenic Drive in the Gooseberry Hill National Park is a top-notch picnic spot with fantastic views of Perth.
Pin it down as a top date location because it’s impressive (and romantic) at night when the sunset is fading, city lights glitter, and stars twinkling.
But while driving, the 3-kilometre descent can give you a decent thrill with numerous turns and continuously shifting scenery. The sides suddenly open up with steep falls while granite cliffs or trees sandwich you.
Due to the road’s extreme narrowness and several curves, it’s only possible to travel in one direction to the plain. Drive cautiously since motor cars, bicycles, and pedestrians share this road.
Visitors are also advised to abide by posted rules and road markers – only specific sites are allowed for vehicle stops. This area is regulated, and violators of the parking rules may be fined.
Long Pool
Photo source: exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/long-pool
Address: Lennard Drive, Wellington National Park
Entrance Fees: Free
Not a fan of crowds? This might be your ticket if you seek a place away from people.
One of the four picnic areas along Lennard Drive in the Wellington National Park is Long Pool. The Collie River nearby is also usually quiet, making it perfect for canoeing and kayaking.
Despite being incredibly still, the water is relatively deep and chilly. This is best suited for people who are confident swimmers.
However, there are no toilets at this location, so you might want to look for these somewhere else.
There isn’t much internet connectivity nearby too. You’ll need to reserve your site online before entering the park.
Sullivan’s Rock
Photo source: exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/sullivan-rock
Address: Albany Hwy, Mount Cooke WA 6390, Australia
Contact Details: +61 8 9219 9000
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Entrance Fees: Free
Suppose you’re willing to drive a bit to get your breathtaking view, head south to Mount Cooke (a little past Armadale). There, you can climb up to Sullivan’s Rock.
Depending on the season, you’ll need between 2 and 3 litres of drinking water for the trip so you won’t get dehydrated.
Parking options include the picnic area next to the road and a more considerable gravel lot farther back through Millar’s Log Road.
Note that after heavy rains, the front parking lot and the driveway that leads to the gravel parking lot can get muddy and develop big puddles.
Once there, you’ll feel so peaceful with the magnificent views over the Darling Ranges that you might forget all your troubles for a minute.
Be careful not to step on the moss because it’s very delicate. Stick to the bare rock and follow the ‘Leave No Trace’ policy – taking your trash home is best.
Heathcote Reserve
Photo source: exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/heathcote
Address: 58 Duncraig Rd, Applecross WA 6153, Australia
Contact Details: +61 8 9364 0666
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Entrance Fees: Free
Heathcote Reserve is well-situated at the summit of a sizable hill, giving you expansive 180-degree views of the magnificent Swan River.
A sizable seagrass environment may be found here, which offers shelter and food sources for various animals, including school prawns, blue-swimmer crabs, gobble guts, and seahorses.
Some of the facilities available include BBQs, lookouts or decks, jetties or small piers, and toilets and water taps. Picnic tables are also available though some visitors usually bring their rugs.
You can bring your food and beverages, but it’s okay if you forget because there’s a coffee shop nearby. Other areas worth visiting are the museum and gallery.
