Perth has so many sights to see its difficult to narrow them down and pick an itinerary for yourself, so why not go for a guided tour? Whatever your interest, there’s always someone more knowledgeable than you to ensure you have the most enjoyable time. Even locals can benefit from tours across Perth and its surrounds. Living here doesn’t mean we know everything, and you might just get introduced to your new favourite venue, hangout spot or nature trail… or simply just learn some new fun facts to impress your mates with.
Tours generally fall into a couple different categories, leaning towards relaxation, sightseeing or learning. If you’re interested in sightseeing views of the CBD and the Swan River alongside taking in all that is native to Perth and WA, The Kings Park and Botanic Garden Walking Tour will serve you well. Over 3000 native plants are on show here, with views of the Swan River and Perth skyline accessible at several lookout points. This is arguably the best vantage point in the city for taking Perth in, and locals would have probably done so, however not as many would have opted to take a guided tour. It is well worth it in how much we can learn about the specifics of the botanicals and native flora on display. All the guides are volunteers, so you know they’re passionate about the Park.
A cultural tour is also available at Kings Park, in which local Noongar people provide their testimony to tour-goers about their connection to the land, their culture and the Park’s (Karrgatup’s) past. In fact, cultural tours are widely available across Perth and its surrounds, provided by members of the local Indigenous communities. Having lived on this land for over 40 000 years, the different communities of the southwest have a lot of knowledge to impart through their tours about traditional ways of living, bushfood and cultural customs. Warrang-Bridil tours sees the traditions of the Noongar people along the Swan River and what is now the Optus Stadium Precinct come to light, and Go Cultural offers cultural tours of Elizabeth Quay, Rottnest Island and Yagan Square. Locals can benefit from these tours perhaps more than visitors can, in terms of learning to respect and understand the land you’re living on.
We believe that a cultural tour is best complemented by a historical tour to best understand the area, and learn something you didn’t already know.
There are a number of self-guided tours online for free of the CBD, provided by Visit Perth. Icons of Influence explores those who first designed the layout of the CBD, where Convicts and Colonials uncovers the history and impression convicts left on the city. Fremantle’s establishment Perth’s Old Town lends to amazing historical tours, taking you through the 19th century architecture and multiple World Heritage sites like the Round House and the Fremantle Prison. The definitive best walking tour is provided by Freo local Big Al, a Freo historian of 40 years. If you choose to undertake the prison tour, we’d recommend the torchlit night tour for something a little spooky, perfectly paired with the Crimes of Fremantle Walking Tour, exploring crimes taking place across Freo from the colonial era, and ending at the National Hotel with a drink included.
If drinks are your interest, you’re spoilt for choice with the number of breweries and wineries on offer. There are tours in the CBD walking you between hidden bars, speakeasies and basement locations for discovering your new favourite spot for a drink, but the best quality comes in Perth’s wine regions tours. The Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail is 32 kilometres of over 100 different locations you can choose to visit, tasting the very best WA’s oldest wine region has to offer. Take a tour with a private driver or by bus charter so you don’t have to worry about a skipper!