Categories > Guides and Tips
Enjoying One’s Company: Things You Can Do Alone in Perth
- Have a relaxing stroll around Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- View the latest artworks displayed at the Art Gallery of Western Australia
- Read the treasured book collections at the State Library of Western Australia
- Mingle with the friendly kangaroos on Heirisson Island
- Learn about the history of gold at the Perth Mint
- Purchase knickknacks and delicious dishes at the Fremantle Markets
- See the majestic bells of The Bell Tower
- Nearby Perth
- Meet the cute quokkas on Rottnest Island
Perth, being the largest city in Western Australia, certainly brings a lot of perks for its residents and tourists. For one, the city is host to a diverse range of natural and man-made attractions where you can create unforgettable memories.
And the best part? Most of them can be enjoyed on your own!
So if you’re a solo traveller curious to see what Perth has to offer or you’re a Perthite looking to enjoy a fun activity on your own, here are some things you can do and enjoy in Perth all by yourself!
Have a relaxing stroll around Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Website: https://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park
Address: Fraser Ave, Perth WA 6005, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9480 3600
Start your day with a relaxing stroll around the world-famous Kings Park and Botanic Garden! Nestled along Fraser Avenue, this expansive park is larger than New York’s Central Park, as it boasts a land area of 4.06 square kilometres.
Here, you can visit the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden where you’ll find over 3,000 unique plant species. From delicate wildflowers to ancient eucalyptus trees, the flora this garden contains is unlike anywhere else in the world.
Of course, let’s also not forget the serene atmosphere one can experience from this park’s State War Memorial. The open field here lets you have a moment to sit down, reflect, and admire the beautiful scenery of the nearby Swan River.
Pro tip: There are a couple of amazing lookout spots to check out if you prefer to do a bit more sightseeing during your visit to the park. For starters, I find the DNA Tower to provide one of the best views of the nearby Perth skyline.
Another spot where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Swan River is the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, located southeast of the park.
View the latest artworks displayed at the Art Gallery of Western Australia
Website: https://artgallery.wa.gov.au/
Address: Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9492 6600
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (WED-MON)
The Art Gallery of Western Australia, located in the Perth Cultural Centre, boasts a rich history dating back to its founding in 1895. This cultural gem houses diverse collections of artworks made by both local and international artists.
There are plenty of amazing paintings you shouldn’t miss during your visit here.
In particular, George Pitt Morison’s The Foundation of Perth 1829 and Frederick McCubbin’s Down on His Luck are some of the most popular paintings featured here.
Aside from world-famous paintings, the Art Gallery of Western Australia also features beautiful artworks made by the state’s indigenous artists. There’s no entrance fee, so feel free to visit here anytime you like!
Pro tip: The Art Gallery of Western Australia regularly features new exhibitions, so there’s almost always something new to look forward to every time you visit.
You can find out in advance what new exhibitions they have on display by visiting this website.
Read the treasured book collections at the State Library of Western Australia
Photo credit: irinontrip
Website: https://slwa.wa.gov.au/
Address: 25 Francis St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9427 3111
Operating hours:
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (MON-THURS)
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (FRI)
10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (SAT and SUN)
After your visit to the Art Gallery of Western Australia, it wouldn’t hurt to also check out the neighbouring building, the State Library of Western Australia. This place is great for those seeking a quiet refuge for introspection, exploration, and learning.
As the biggest library in the state, this place contains over 1.5 million different archival materials, like books, newspapers, and photos. That includes the extensive resources on local history one would find in the Battye Library.
Aside from its extensive book collection, the State Library of Western Australia also features unlimited Internet access and private reading booths. It also has its own cafeteria, so you can definitely stay here for the whole day if you want!
Pro tip: The State Library of Western Australia regularly hosts special workshops and events that are open to everyone. You can find out what upcoming events they have planned by visiting this website.
Mingle with the friendly kangaroos on Heirisson Island
Photo credit: naomi_nathania
Website: https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/heirisson-island
Address: On the Swan River between East Perth and Victoria Park
Contact details: +61 8 9461 3333
If you’re looking for a serene escape, look no further than Heirisson Island. An island situated in the middle of East Perth and Victoria Park, this island holds cultural significance as it was formerly known as Matagarup to the Nyoongar people.
Today, it serves as an important sanctuary for the city’s kangaroo population. These western grey kangaroos roam freely around the island and are friendly towards visitors, so don’t be afraid to get up close and pet them!
Aside from the friendly kangaroo population, the island also offers a scenic spot where you can enjoy a quiet picnic while taking in the view of the Swan River and the nearby Perth skyline.
Pro tip: Are you a fan of fishing? Then you’ll definitely love Heirisson Island, as it has one of the best fishing spots along the Swan River!
There’s a large variety of fish you can catch here, including mulloway, bream, flathead, and tailor. You don’t need a fishing licence to fish here, so feel free to visit this place anytime.
Learn about the history of gold at the Perth Mint
Website: https://www.perthmint.com/
Address: 310 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9421 7222
Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price
Adult – $24
Child (5-14) – $14
Concession – $21
Next on our list is the historic Perth Mint, located in East Perth. Founded by Sir John Forrest in 1899, it played a pivotal role in Australian coin production, as it struck over 106 million gold sovereigns until the British Empire abandoned the gold standard.
Today, it serves as Australia’s official bullion mint and is one of the two mints responsible for the production of coins for the Australian dollar. During your visit, you’ll be able to learn about their history and the artefacts they have in store in detail.
A particular artefact you need to look out for is the Australian Kangaroo One-Tonne Gold Coin. With a measurement of about 80 centimetres wide and 12 centimetres deep, it’s the biggest and most valuable gold bullion coin in the whole world.
Pro tip: You can make your visit here more memorable by buying one of their limited-edition collector coins. These coins tend to feature pop icons and influential figures, like James Bond, Star Wars, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
You can still purchase their coins even if you can’t spare the time to visit the Perth Mint by checking out this website.
Purchase knickknacks and delicious dishes at the Fremantle Markets
Website: https://www.fremantlemarkets.com.au/
Address: South Terrace &, Henderson St, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 9335 2515
Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (FRI-SUN)
A great way to spend some time alone in Perth is by checking out the huge variety of food and souvenirs sold at the Fremantle Markets.
Located on Henderson Street, this iconic indoor market is famous for the heritage-listed Victorian building it resides in.
What’s also amazing about this place is that it has over 150 vendors that sell fresh produce, handmade crafts, jewellery, and more. You can actually learn more about these wonderful stores by reading their profiles on this website.
Once you’re done buying anything that caught your eye, you can spend the rest of your visit here listening to one of the live music performances by professional buskers in the Fremantle Market’s yard.
See the majestic bells of The Bell Tower
Website: https://www.thebelltower.com.au/
Address: Barrack Square, Riverside Dr, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Contact details: +61 8 6210 0444
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (TUES-SUN)
Price
Adult – $15
Child (5-12) – $10
Concession – $12
The Bell Tower is an architectural marvel you’ll find on Elizabeth Quay. Its 82.5-metre-high copper and glass campanile houses the Swan Bells, a set of 18 bells that’s considered the second largest set of change-ringing bells in the world.
These bells have a storied past, having rung out during England’s victories, royal coronations, and even when Captain James Cook set sail on the voyage that eventually led him to discover the Australian continent.
During your visit, you can explore interpretive displays, ascend to the open-air observation deck for panoramic views of the Swan River, and even try your hand at ringing the bells.
Pro tip: If this is your first time visiting The Bell Tower, you can enjoy a 10% discount on your general entry and bell chiming experience tickets.
To avail of this discount, simply buy your tickets from this website and use the code “10OFF” at the checkout.
Nearby Perth
Meet the cute quokkas on Rottnest Island
Website: https://www.rottnestisland.com/
Contact details: +61 8 9432 9300
Distance from the Perth CBD: 90 minutes
Rottnest Island, also known as Wadjemup, is a pristine island that lies just 19 kilometres off the coast of Perth. Its name is a word in colonial Dutch that roughly translates to Rats Nest Island.
It got its name thanks to the large population of quokkas that live on the island. These cute marsupials have evolved without a natural predator, which is why they’re extremely friendly towards humans.
During your visit, don’t be afraid to greet these awesome animals and take a selfie with them. Other activities that you can enjoy while you’re on Rottnest Island are skydiving, scuba diving, and hiking.
Pro tip: You can actually spend the night here because there’s a hostel on the island. You can either rent your own private room or rent a bed in the communal dormitories where you’ll have the chance to mingle and bond with fellow travellers.
Visit this website to learn whether they have any rooms or beds available on the day you visit.
