Perth Travel Guide

Why visit Perth

British settlers established a free settler colony in 1829 as part of the Swan River Colony. The settlement was given the name "Perth" after the city of Perth, Scotland, the hometown of Sir George Murray, the British Colonial Secretary at that time. Lack of labour hampered its development until 1850, when convicts were brought in, at a time when transportation to other parts of Australia had ceased. This boosted the size of the colony and their labour helped shape the early architecture of the city, as well as… (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)

Perth is a stop in Australia, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Elizabeth Quay, Fremantle day trip instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–260 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The warmer, drier months for the outdoors. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.

Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.

Prefer a full 8-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Perth itinerary guide.

Typical on-the-ground spend in Perth, Australia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.