10 Things to Do in Perth

Perth is a lively city where luxury blends with everyday life. Most of the activities available are ideal for the whole family. Each area offers something different, such as the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory, which offers attractions related to astronomy and the most interesting discoveries. On the other hand, the best city tours can take you to discover the iconic places on guided tours, either by tourist bus or on foot, as well as the trendy spots, ideal for enjoying the nightlife.

You will also have the opportunity to see the city from different perspectives by skydiving and getting enviable views of the most iconic beaches. In addition, you cannot miss must-see stops such as the Console Museum, the local bell tower, Optus Stadium and the aquarium. Finally, if you prefer something different, venture out to see dolphins off the coast of Western Australia. There are so many options!

The streets of Perth are over 190 years old. Of course, some have been preserved and others have been transformed into modern suburbs.

Regardless, it is a city with personality that is worth exploring in detail. The best tours of Perth immerse you in customisable experiences, where you can explore hidden alleys and the most visited points of interest.

Perth is known as the most isolated city, as it is located far away from other civilisations. For example, the nearest Australian city is about three hours away by plane. However, you will fall in love with its variety of outdoor activities, entertainment options at sea, dreamy streets and Mediterranean climate. You will find guided experiences from £37 that will take you to:

• Kings Park: the green lung of the city, as large as Central Park. It offers the best views of the city and the Swan River.
• Swan River: an ideal location to enjoy the best cruises in Perth, which immerse you in gastronomic, wine, nature observation or simply relaxation experiences.
• Perth Mint: local coins throughout history can be found at the main local production centre. The Mint is a fun stop, ideal for learning with the family.

Awaken your musical ear at Perth's Bell Tower, a popular monument built in 1999. Its main attraction is the 12 bells brought from St. Martha's Church in London, which produce a charming melody. It is a hands-on experience as you will be able to ring the bells and enjoy the interactive history of this monument.

Its location is taken as a reference point, as its characteristic shape stands out and can be seen from different places. At the top, you can enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the city and the ocean, as it is located in front of the seaport.

Inside, it has a gallery of temporary and permanent exhibitions, and at the bottom, you will find the "love locks", a place where lovers express their feelings. To get to this destination, you can take advantage of the free bus from the city centre and venture out on guided tours from £13.

Perth's nightlife has promising secrets that I invite you to explore. You can have a great time getting to know the city under the stars and checking out the trendy spots. I suggest you join me on an unforgettable adventure: a tour in search of the most entertaining pubs on the beaches and in the luxury areas. Some of the most popular nightspots are:

• The Royal Perth: this hotel has one of the most prestigious bars in the city, perfect for spending time with friends. It has a dance floor, pool table and karaoke room.
• Universal Bar: one of the most popular bars in the Wellington area, offering live music and a charming atmosphere from Wednesday to Sunday.
• The Aviary Perth: this bar offers a special selection of local beers and live music from different eras. It is located on a terrace, so you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. Get ready to enjoy lively nights, especially in high season.

These types of experiences are ideal if you are looking for things to do in Perth at night, as they tend to be concentrated on Hay Street: the city's main thoroughfare. Australian bars have a special charm, with a full calendar of events. It's the perfect excuse to get drunk on local beer or taste the best wines. What's more, Perth has no shortage of speakeasies hidden behind secret passageways. In summer, themed parties are organised until the early hours of the morning.

The most comfortable way to see the city's attractions is on board Perth's hop-on hop-off tourist bus, ideal for visiting Kings Park, Northbridge and Optus Stadium. This mode of transport allows you to explore at your own pace, getting on and off at the designated stops. After your first use, you have around 24 hours to take advantage of each stop, which usually comes with an audio guide in several languages.

Another option is to take the full tour, which lasts approximately two hours. The bus has an air-conditioned floor and an open-top area offering panoramic views. If you are looking for things to do in Perth with children, take advantage of the children's channel included in this transport pass. The experience costs approximately €28.

Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory is an exciting and unique attraction where you can learn about astronomy and the mysteries of space. This learning centre features a collection of Aboriginal art and exhibits on Einstein's discoveries.

It offers activities both during the day and at night, so you can visit at any time. Its interactive exhibits and presentations for all ages are ideal for organising things to do in Perth with children. It is located in Gingi, about an hour from the city, and can be reached by train, bus line 490 or taxi. Tickets start at £16 and include access to all areas.

What to do at the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory during the day

During the day, the galleries and observatory are usually very busy, as there are guided tours for tourists and schools. However, it is worth it because certain activities are only available during this time.

• Stroll through the Wildflower Exhibition: this educational building is surrounded by virgin forest, considered an international heritage site for flora and fauna. There is a variety of wildflowers all year round, especially beautiful in spring. The exhibition has more than 12,000 species, including different types of orchids. There are also cultural galleries focused on the exhibition of rare animals and plants, some of which are endangered.
• Explore the Leaning Tower of Gingin: one of the centre's most important attractions, it is inspired by the Tower of Pisa and Galileo's experiments. It is about 45 metres high, and to reach the top you need to climb about 222 steps. From the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Perth suburbs.
• See the Trilobus Skull, an ancient gem that is over 50,000 years old. It is believed to belong to marsupials, a type of mammal that spends little time in the mother's womb and finishes developing in the marsupial pouch. The best known are Australian kangaroos, which are abundant in the region.
• Take a look at the models of the Solar System, where you can see the location of the planets in relation to the sun, as well as take advantage of the information panels to learn more about each one.
• Don't miss the Cosmo Gallery: it's a fascinating corridor where you'll find the first gravitational wave detector. There's also a section where you can learn how the universe was created and how it developed over time.

What to do at the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory at night

The Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory offers activities to do at night in Perth. Please note that from Tuesday to Thursday it is open until 4:00 p.m., while from Friday to Sunday it is open until 8:00 p.m. However, the centre continues to offer guided tours until midnight.

• Explore the universe: the most special area of the centre is the observatory, which I recommend visiting at night to observe stars and constellations. You will usually enjoy the company of professional astronomers, who will talk to you about the cosmos and its phenomena under Perth's clear skies.
• Experience a night of Aboriginal astronomy: this centre and observatory is the only place in Perth where you can see the Aboriginal constellations. This is done using a special laser. In May and October, the sky is usually clear and there is a better chance of seeing celestial bodies.

The colours of Perth from above are amazing, so you need to try new experiences to get the best panoramic views. Skydiving is an ideal activity, offering an adrenaline rush worthy of an adventurer's itinerary. Specifically, I recommend tandem skydiving, a variation of traditional skydiving in which you will receive brief training.

The main advantage is that you don't need any previous experience, as the jump is done with a professional. You'll be 4,000 metres above sea level, free-falling for 60 seconds over Rockingham Beach. Take your time to spot Perth's Penguin Island. The experience costs around £220 and takes you to:

• Penguin Island: Western Australia has a large penguin colony, which is hidden on this beautiful beach with crystal clear waters. Sandy beaches are the most recommended for children, making it ideal forsharing activities with kids in Perth. You may also spot dolphins and sea lions.
• Garden Island: this is a narrow path over the water, surrounded by sunken ships and old military bases.
• Cockburn Sound: this is a connection between the Swan River and the Indian Ocean. From here, you will feel like you can touch the sunset with your fingertips.

Perth's Optus Stadium is an impressive building, where the Australian Football League mainly plays. It also hosts large concerts, thanks to its large capacity, considered the third largest in the city. During the holidays, you can have a pleasant time exploring its interior in a private experience away from the crowds.

You can learn about the history of the stadium, as well as the achievements of teams such as the West Coast Eagles and the Perth Scorchers. The best part of this experience is that there are areas closed to the public, such as the Hall of Achievement, the bench, the playing field and the players' changing rooms, which you can see on a guided tour. These types of tours usually include a glimpse of the highest point of the stadium, from where you can see the whole city. For this particular attraction, there are guided tours from £16.

The coast of Perth is highly visited for its diversity of marine fauna, such as sea lions, seals, penguins and playful dolphins. They can be seen dancing all year round, but there are certain areas where this natural spectacle is particularly prevalent, such as Hillarys Boat Harbour. Although there are months when you are more likely to see them, such as July, September and November, this season also brings humpback whales and blue whales.

The best cruises in Perth take you on a professionally guided whale watching trip to the north of the city, usually aboard a boat on the Indian Ocean. On these types of tours, you can see blue whales in their feeding grounds, witness the migration of humpback whales from September to December, and enjoy a natural spectacle of dolphins. You can book a whale watching experience from £35.

Perth's marine wildlife is interesting and diverse, so it's not enough to just take a quick look. The best place to learn about it is Western Australia's AQWA aquarium, tucked away in the vastness of Hillarys Boat Harbour. It is a space with simulated ecosystems, such as an underwater tunnel and coral reefs. The whole family will have a great time learning about hundreds of species and getting involved in their care and preservation.

At the aquarium, you can see poisonous jellyfish up close, guided by professional guides. Generally, the approximate cost of a guided tour is £20, and you can enjoy reproductions of the main Australian habitats:

• Perth: in this section you will find octopuses, lobsters and fish.
• Far North: where crocodiles and mangroves hide.
• Shipwreck Coast: home to sharks and rays.
• Great Southern: home to a very curious animal known as the Pineapple Fish.
• Danger Zone: here, of course, you will find poisonous marine species that are preserved by the keepers.
• Turtle Rescue Pool: the outside world is becoming increasingly difficult for certain species, which is why the aquarium has a turtle recovery area.

The Video Game Console Museum or Nostalgia Box is an attraction that will trigger your nostalgia, as it displays screens and computers from bygone eras. From the classic Nintendo console to relics such as the 1972 Magnavox Odyssey. There are also games for younger children on more modern consoles, such as the Xbox 360.

In this iconic museum, you will find interactive games open to the public, as well as tours of the building that will take you on a journey through the fascinating history of consoles. In fact, you will find Mario Kart tracks and more than 100 different exhibits. Admission starts at £13, making it an affordable option for your holiday, and its location in the heart of Northbridge is extremely convenient. You can take advantage of Perth's hop-on hop-off tourist bus to visit it.

Additionally, don't miss the amateur quiz nights and free pizza, a frequent activity that includes prizes. Access to these activities is not included in the museum entrance fee, as it has an additional cost of approximately £20.