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The Perth Special: Unique Things You Can Do in the City
- Exploring Perth and Western Australia’s Natural Beauty
- Snorkel around Rottnest Island
- Hiking through the Pinnacles Desert
- Surf’s Up in Scarborough Beach
- Immerse yourself in Perth’s local culture and history
- Learn more about the Convict Era in the Fremantle Prison
- Be amazed by the stunning works of art at the Art Gallery of Western Australia
- See the latest live performances at the Perth Concert Hall
- Taste delicious craft beer at the Little Creatures Brewery
- Wine and dine atop the Aviary Rooftop Bar
- Experience street food in the Fremantle Markets
- Experience something totally new with these quirky attractions
- Get a selfie with Rottnest Island’s cute quokkas
- See the rarest coins and precious minerals at the Perth Mint
- Explore the Aboriginal heritage trail of Walyunga National Park
Looking to try out something unique? Something that’s not easy to find in the top tourist spots around the world?
Then why not come and visit our lovely city here in the Land Down Under?
Perth’s got its fair share of unique things you should definitely try out. Here, I’ll introduce you to its natural beauty, local culture, food scene, and more.
Exploring Perth and Western Australia’s Natural Beauty
Let’s start off our little tour of Perth with an introduction to its and Western Australia’s natural beauty. There’s a lot of beauty to be found here, and there are a lot of exotic plants and animals you can still discover.
Here are some ideas I recommend you try out while you’re in Perth:
Snorkel around Rottnest Island
Start off your visit to Perth with a bang with an exhilarating snorkelling experience around the waters of Rottnest Island. The island is just a few kilometres away from Fremantle and is one of the hottest spots to visit in the city.
Rottnest Island has a lot of sheltered bays, which allow the aquatic population to freely thrive in its waters.
The island’s tourism website states that there are currently more than 400 species of fish, turtles, and western rock lobsters in the area.
The most popular snorkel spots are The Basin, Henrietta Rocks, and Parakeet Bay. One of the best spots for snorkelling beginners is Little Salmon Bay because it has underwater information panels about the aquatic life in the area.
If you’re going to ask me what my favourite snorkelling spot is, then it would be the Crystal Palace. It features intricate underwater caves, which can be both eerie and exciting at times.
This experience is also great if you’re a huge history fan. The waters near Rottnest Islands are dotted with shipwrecks like the one in Henrietta Rocks.
| How long is the ferry ride from Perth to Rottnest Island? The ferry ride time from Perth to Rottnest Island depends on which port you came from. Fremantle is the shortest, taking only 25 minutes.Hillarys Boat Harbour will take you 45 minutesBarrack Street Jetty is the longest, taking you 90 minutes |
Hiking through the Pinnacles Desert
After a wet experience on Rottnest Island, it’s time we try something drier. Located a few kilometres north of the Perth Metropolitan Area, you’ll find the Pinnacles Desert and its limestone formations.
Some of these limestone formations are really tall, with the tallest ones reaching more than 3.5 metres high. These limestone rocks can be found scattered all along the desert.
Despite being an arid environment, the Pinnacles Desert is still full of wildlife. A lot of Western grey kangaroos graze here, and I also spotted some emus and Baudin’s black cockatoos in the area.
Based on my experience, I’m happy to say that most of the kangaroos in the Pinnacles Desert are tame and are used to visitors. Just make sure to approach them slowly and carefully so they won’t get spooked by your presence.
However, the park’s management advises visitors to carry GPS equipment before venturing deep into the desert. This is so that it’ll be easy for the authorities to rescue you if you need assistance.
Surf’s Up in Scarborough Beach
Whether you’re a fan of surfing or just looking to experience a great time on the beach, Perth’s Scarborough Beach might just be what you’re looking for. Its location is within the metropolitan area, so you won’t have to travel far from your hotel.
A big reason why Scarborough Beach is popular among surfers is its consistent surf break. These longer surf breaks let surfers ride the waves more and showcase their skills better.
I’m just going to admit it: I’m not a surfer. Luckily for those of us who can’t surf, Scarborough Beach is still one of the best beaches in the city for other activities like beach volleyball.
Near the shore, you’ll also find some bike lanes and pathways you can walk on to enjoy the relaxing sea breeze. There are also designated picnic spots scattered in the area, so you can enjoy your lunch while watching the sea.
Finally, Scarborough Beach also has some parks nearby, like the Scarborough Reserve. If you want to learn how to surf, you can do so at the nearby Scarborough Beach Surf School.
Immerse yourself in Perth’s local culture and history
Not only is Perth a place full of natural beauty, but the city is also a historically and culturally significant part of Australia. As Western Australia’s only major city, Perth is the state’s centre for culture and the arts.
Here are some places I recommend you visit to get a taste of Perth’s historical, cultural, and artistic developments:
Learn more about the Convict Era in the Fremantle Prison
Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
The Fremantle Prison is one of the oldest historical structures in Perth. It’s the only man-made structure in Western Australia included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
This place will tell you a significant part of Perth’s earliest history, particularly the Convict Era. A quick summary I can give you is that Perth was suffering from stagnation in its early days as a colony, as it was unattractive to free settlers.
To resolve this issue, the British Parliament proposed turning the city into another penal colony. This has led to an influx of convicts in the city, which has provided Perth with the necessary manpower to continue its development.
The Fremantle Prison will tell you a lot more about the Convict Era once you visit it. It contains a lot of historical artefacts from the said era and shows what living conditions were like for convicts back in Perth’s colonial era.
My visit here was very educational. I urge you to check out Fremantle Prison’s exhibition of portraits of people who were wrongfully convicted and were found innocent later on.
| When did Perth become a penal colony? Perth was initially a free settlement colony but became a penal colony between 1849 and 1868. A big reason why Perth became a penal colony was it was found to be an unattractive colony for most free settlers during that time. The convicts shipped to Perth during the Convict Era helped spur development in the following decades. |
Be amazed by the stunning works of art at the Art Gallery of Western Australia
Address: Roe Street, Beaufort Street Francis Street &, William St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
See the best and latest artworks at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Located in the Perth Cultural Centre, this art gallery hosts exhibitions of different artworks from Perth’s most talented artists.
There’s always something new going on at the art gallery, as exhibitions are changed regularly.
By the way, the Art Gallery of Western Australia is not the only fun spot in the Perth Cultural Centre. There’s also the WA Museum Boola Bardip and the State Library of Western Australia, which can show you more about my city’s history.
As a public art gallery, the Art Gallery of Western Australia doesn’t charge an entrance fee. You can check out their website to learn more about what exhibitions they currently have and when they will be available.
See the latest live performances at the Perth Concert Hall
Address: 5 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, Australia
If you’re a big fan of live performances, then you’ll love the Perth Concert Hall. You’ll find this amazing place a few metres away from the famous Elizabeth Quay, right in the middle of the Perth CBD.
Most of the city’s concerts and musicals are held here.
The Perth Concert Hall was built in 1971 with a maximum capacity of 1,729 people. Its brutalist-inspired architecture makes it one of the most distinct buildings you’ll see in the city.
A lot of famous performers held their shows here. Some of those I can remember are the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
I watch performances here from time to time. The amenities are top-notch, and there are also some nearby restaurants and cafes around the hall you can visit after a performance.
Try out what’s new in the local food scene
All this walking around and exploring can certainly make anyone hungry. Lucky for you, my city has one of the most diverse food scenes in Australia. One of the best things here in Perth is the delicious dishes we can always try out.
Here are some unique things you can eat and drink while in Perth:
Taste delicious craft beer at the Little Creatures Brewery
Address: 40 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Website: https://littlecreatures.com.au/
Business hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Start off your exploration of Perth’s food scene by checking out one of the coolest breweries in the city, Little Creatures Brewery. Located in Fremantle, this brewery is known for its delicious and unique craft beers, which are hard to find anywhere else.
The best thing about the brewery is that it’s not afraid of trying out new things. My favourite beer flavour from them is Sour Snap, which is a mix of passionfruit, mango, and blood orange.
Their brewery in Fremantle is open to visitors every day of the week. You can get yourself some pizza and drink any of their beers while relaxing in the Great Hall.
All beers served in the Great Hall are straight from the tap. This means you can enjoy your beer at its freshest!
As always, drink responsibly. Don’t be afraid to call it quits if you think you’ve had enough beer for the day.
Wine and dine atop the Aviary Rooftop Bar
Address: Level 1/140 William St, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Website: https://theaviaryperth.com.au/
Business hours:
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (SUN-THURS)
11:00 AM – 1:00 AM (FRI and SAT)
Enjoy some of the delicious dishes in Perth atop the Aviary Rooftop Bar, which is located in the Perth CBD. This restaurant has one of the best atmospheres for dining in the city.
The menu at Aviary Rooftop Bar isn’t limited to one cuisine. Instead, it features popular dishes from all around the world like pizzas, burgers, and Korean-style fried chicken.
This restaurant also sells a list of delicious wines that you and your buddies will definitely enjoy. If you or anyone in your group isn’t a fan of alcohol, they also serve non-alcoholic beverages.
I recommend you try out their prosciutto pizza with some crispy halloumi bites on the side. These two are so delicious together, and I always order them whenever I visit this restaurant.
Experience street food in the Fremantle Markets
Address: South Terrace &, Henderson St, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
Business hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (FRI-SUN)
Fremantle Markets is the place to be if you want to try out the best street food in Perth. This market is home to lots of small stores selling souvenirs, groceries, meals, and more.
The stalls you’ll find in the markets are so varied and unique that I won’t be able to describe them all in this section. However, I do want to feature one of my favourite stores: The Coffee Connection, which is my reliable source of coffee beans.
Visit this website to learn more about the other amazing stalls you’ll find at the Fremantle Markets.
Another great thing about this market is its amazing atmosphere. I sometimes stroll around the market just to relax while listening to or watching a busker perform on the side of the pathway.
Experience something totally new with these quirky attractions
Now that we’ve got a glimpse of what the local food scene in Perth looks like, it’s time we try out some things that are definitely hard to do somewhere else.
The things I’ll list here are things you can try out to make your visit to Perth more memorable.
Get a selfie with Rottnest Island’s cute quokkas
Have you enjoyed snorkelling around Rottnest Island’s amazing underwater spots? Don’t leave just yet because this island still has one more surprise for you.
Meet the quokka. This small and cute rodent is one of Western Australia’s rarest wildlife.
These little animals are super friendly towards humans, which is why it’s so common for us to take a selfie with them!
Unfortunately, quokkas are now considered an endangered species, and there are only a few places left where they thrive. One of those is Rottnest Island because it has very few natural predators for the quokka.
Don’t forget to greet these animals during your visit to Rottnest Island. However, don’t feed them; approach them slowly and wait for them to come to you on their own!
| Why are quokkas always smiling? Quokkas smile whenever they feel too hot. Yep, they smile whenever their bodies feel too hot, and the “smile” is an evolutionary feature that helps them cool off their bodies by panting. |
See the rarest coins and precious minerals at the Perth Mint
Address: 310 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004, Australia
Business hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Perth Mint is one of the most prestigious institutions in Perth. It was a subsidiary of the UK’s Royal Mint and was in charge of refining and minting the gold ores mined all across Western Australia during the Gold Rush.
Nowadays, the Perth Mint is still active and is now owned by the government of Western Australia. It still performs its duties of refining and minting precious minerals mined across the state.
I urge you to visit this place due to its rich history and awesome artefacts. My last visit here was a very memorable experience, as I got the chance to see the world’s biggest coin.
The coin is 80 centimetres wide and is 99.99% pure gold!
There are also some unique commemorative coins featured here, like the one featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
| How much gold is stored at the Perth Mint? There is currently AUD 6 billion worth of gold and other precious minerals stored at the Perth Mint. |
Explore the Aboriginal heritage trail of Walyunga National Park
The last destination on our list is the beautiful Walyunga National Park. One of the biggest Aboriginal settlements in the past, Walyunga can be roughly translated as “happy place.”
It isn’t hard to see why the indigenous people call Walyunga National Park a happy place. My trek here last spring was exhilarating, as I was able to witness the blossoming of many wildflowers around the area.
As a former major settlement of the Aboriginal people, the place is also full of traces and artefacts from its proud people. One of the best ways to experience this area is by walking through the famous Aboriginal heritage trail in the park.
Walyunga National Park’s beautiful natural scenery and rich indigenous history make it one of the most unique places to visit in Perth. Just make sure to carry a fully-charged phone because most of the park doesn’t have electricity.
