To Enjoy Perth Sightseeing Much More Deeply
‘Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is often called ‘the world’s most beautiful city’. Beyond the natural beauty woven by the blue sky and the Swan River, this city offers endless attractions for travelers, including the history of colonial times, the excitement of the gold rush, and encounters with unique native animals.
When travelers visit Perth’s tourist attractions, their satisfaction will significantly increase not only by simply admiring beautiful scenery but also by understanding the ‘history and origins’ and the ‘local atmosphere’ behind them. This article carefully selects five must-visit major tourist attractions within and near Perth, providing thorough explanations of deep, often overlooked highlights, as well as practical tips like the best times to visit.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
📍 Address: Fraser Ave, Perth WA 6005 Australia
Spreading across Mount Eliza, a small hill offering panoramic views of Perth city and the Swan River, this is Perth’s largest recreational area. With a vast area of approximately 400 hectares, exceeding even New York’s Central Park, it is deeply integrated into the daily lives of Perth residents. The park features a Botanic Garden with over 3,000 species of plants native to Western Australia, and a stroll while observing rare flora like the Kangaroo Paw (a flower resembling a kangaroo’s front paw), which cannot be seen in Japan, will be a very interesting experience for travelers.
One absolute must-see within the park grounds is the ‘State War Memorial’. Here, the names of soldiers from Western Australia who sacrificed their lives in World War I, World War II, and other conflicts are engraved, creating a solemn space that evokes Australia’s history and prayers for peace.
The attractions are not limited to daytime. The Perth skyline viewed from behind the memorial is truly spectacular. Especially the night view of Perth city from dusk to night is breathtakingly beautiful, making it an excellent photo spot. It’s easily accessible from Perth city center via the free ‘Blue CAT’ shuttle bus, making it highly recommended for those who want to spend a leisurely time during their stay or capture stunning scenic photos.
The Bell Tower
📍 Address: Barrack Square, Riverside Dr, Perth WA 6000 Australia
Soaring 82.5 meters high at Barrack Street Jetty in Elizabeth Quay, Perth’s city center, this is a landmark of Perth. Its futuristic and beautiful spire, designed with copper and glass, is distinctive, but inside, it holds a history deeper than one might imagine.
It houses 18 historically significant bells, among the rarest in the world. Twelve of these were gifted from the famous ‘St Martin-in-the-Fields Church’ in London, with a history dating back to the 14th century. Furthermore, Australia’s largest ‘Anzac Bell’, imbued with wishes for peace in Australia and New Zealand, is also on display.
The biggest highlight for travelers is the ‘interactive bell ringing experience’, where you can actually pull a rope to ring a bell. Rather than simply striking a bell, this unique method of rhythmically pulling ropes hanging from the ceiling up and down offers a powerful and unique sensation that you won’t easily find elsewhere. You’ll receive a certificate of completion after the experience, making it a great memory. From the observation deck on the top floor, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view overlooking the Swan River, Perth city, and even Kings Park in the distance.
The Perth Mint
📍 Address: 310 Hay St, East Perth WA 6004 Australia
Established in 1899 as a branch of the Royal Mint, this is Australia’s oldest continuously operating mint. It is an important facility that conveys the excitement of the gold rush that swept through Western Australia in the late 19th century, making it a must-visit spot for travelers interested in history and precious metals.
The main highlight here is the display of the world’s largest and heaviest gold coin, weighing one tonne and boasting 99.99% purity. Additionally, by joining a paid guided tour (online advance booking recommended), you can witness the ‘gold pour live performance’ up close, where molten gold transforms into gleaming ‘gold bars’.
The guide’s commentary is specialized yet full of humor, ensuring a very fulfilling hour. The museum also features an interesting exhibit where you can calculate ‘how much your body weight is worth in current gold value’ and a hands-on experience corner where you can lift a real gold bar, which is heavier than it looks, guaranteed to excite both adults and children. Its easy accessibility, being within walking distance from Perth’s city center, is also a charm.
Fremantle Prison
📍 Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle WA 6160 Australia
Located in Fremantle, a beautiful port city about 30 minutes by train from Perth city center, this is a historic building that forms part of the World Heritage-listed ‘Australian Convict Sites’. It served as an actual prison for over 130 years, from the 1850s until 1991. It is a deep tourist attraction where you can experience Australia’s pioneering history and the heavy dark history behind it.
Entry requires participating in a guided tour. Even travelers who are not confident in English can use the free ‘Japanese audio guide’ to listen to explanations at their own pace by following wall numbers. Exploring the cells and actual execution chambers while hearing tragic stories of female prisoners who lost their lives due to wrongful convictions leaves a strong, slightly chilling impression.
Even more exciting for the adventurous is the ‘Tunnels Tour’, where you don a helmet and boots and explore underground tunnels by boat. Navigating the narrow, dimly lit underground waterways along the walls is thrilling. Since you can learn about dark history while also enjoying a unique activity, be sure to include it if your schedule allows.
Caversham Wildlife Park
📍 Address: Whiteman Drive East, Whiteman, Western Australia 6068, Australia (Whiteman Park)
Located towards the Swan Valley on the outskirts of Perth, this is a privately owned zoo where you can get up close with Australia’s native animals. For travelers wanting to enjoy the quintessential Australian experience of ‘cuddling koalas’, this is an absolute must-visit and very popular attraction.
Koala cuddling costs an additional fee (approx. 35 AUD) on top of the admission fee, but it’s definitely worth it. Since there are fixed times for cuddling sessions throughout the day, a local tip for securing your spot is to ‘queue up right after opening to get tickets’. Friendly staff will take multiple photos with your smartphone, ensuring satisfying commemorative shots.
Also, the ‘kangaroo feeding experience’ in the park’s vast free-range area is very popular. Kangaroos are most likely to approach during ‘early morning’ hours when they are hungry and active. If you have special food like popcorn (available for purchase), adorable kangaroos will gather one after another. After exploring the park, the classic golden route for travelers is to head out to explore the nearby Swan Valley wineries.
Local Tips for Efficiently Exploring Perth
When touring Perth’s city attractions, the ‘CAT Bus’ (Central Area Transit) is a great friend to travelers. The routes are color-coded (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green), and for example, the Blue CAT allows you to easily access ‘Kings Park’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ areas with zero transportation cost.
Furthermore, Australia’s sun is incredibly strong, so sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses are essential regardless of the season. When visiting zoos and parks in the summer (December to February), flies can be numerous, so bringing a hat with a fly net or insect repellent spray will allow you to enjoy the local nature more comfortably.
