For first time visitors to Western Australia, 3 days in Perth is the perfect amount of time to experience the best of Perth & surrounds, including Rottnest Island and Fremantle. I’ve visited Perth twice, and have loved seeing more of this inviting corner of Western Australia. With 3 days in Perth, you have enough time to spend one day exploring the city and it’s famous Cottesloe Beach, one day for stunning Rottnest Island and one day for the charming port town Fremantle.
I’ve visited Perth twice: my first trip to Perth was because it was the place I could get my US working visa appointment the fastest, and on the second trip I extended a work trip in Perth, adding a few days over the weekend so David could join me, and we could visit Rottnest Island.
How to get to Perth
Perth is the most isolated capital city in the world, so I can almost guarantee that you’ll be flying to Perth. Unless you’re already nearby in WA, you’ll want to fly into Perth airport.
Where to stay in Perth
I recommend staying in the Perth CBD, so you’ll be within walking distance of Perth’s best bars and restaurants, the Perth train station, the ferry departure point for Rottnest, and attractions like the Art Gallery of WA. I’ve stayed at Quay Perth twice, and have loved the location. The rooms are very small, but very comfortable, and the hotel is close to Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River.
Day 1: Cottesloe Beach & Kings Park
Cottesloe Beach
Kick off your 3 days in Perth with a swim at one of the best beaches in Perth – and one of the best beaches in Australia! Cottesloe Beach is famously picturesque, with crystal clear water, soft white sand and a grassy lawn overlooking the beach. Getting to Cottesloe from Perth CBD is an easy train trip along the Fremantle line to Cottesloe station, which is a 15 minute walk from the beach.
If you’re visiting Perth in March, you’ll catch the Sculpture by the Sea arts festival along Cottesloe Beach.
Note: Sharks are frequently spotted off the coastline in WA. Only swim at patrolled beaches, listen out for shark alarms or other warnings, and never swim at dawn or dusk.
The Claremont
Head to one of the best pubs in Perth for lunch, at The Claremont. The Claremont is an iconic Perth pub that has recently re-opened after a major renovation – it’s gorgeous! Head in for a classic pub lunch on the rooftop or in the beautifully renovated public bar & dining room.
Full disclosure, I work for the company that operates The Claremont, but I genuinely think this is one of the loveliest pubs in Perth. Plus, it’s perfectly located halfway between Cottesloe and Kings Park, your next stop!
It’s a 10 minute drive (or Uber) to The Claremont from Cottesloe, otherwise you can catch the 102 bus.
King’s Park
King’s Park is one of the biggest city parks in the world, and is one of the best ways to spend a sunny afternoon in Perth. King’s Park is 399 hectares of parkland, bushland and the WA Botanic Gardens, which is home to more than 3000 species of plants. I really enjoyed my visit to King’s Park on my first trip to Perth, especially the views from Kaarta Gar-Up Lookout and the tree-lined Fraser Avenue, which is lined with towering Eucalyptus trees.
Art Gallery of WA
If you’ve got some extra time, head to the city to check out the Art Gallery of WA. If you’re visiting Perth between July-September 2024, you’ll be able to catch the Rone Exhibition! Rone is a renowned Australian artist who creates immersive, street-art inspired exhibitions. There will be 12 rooms at the Rone exhibition in Perth, and having seen a Rone exhibition before (in Geelong), I can assure you it is a must-see!
State Rooms
For dinner, make a reservation at one of the many restaurants inside the State Rooms building. The State Rooms is a heritage precinct, revitalised by a collection of bars, restaurants & galleries. Plenty of restaurants to choose from, and conveniently located in the heart of the city.
Foxtrot Unicorn
One of Perth’s best cocktail bars is tucked away underground, in a 19th century bank vault. Swing by Foxtrot Unicorn for some cocktails by the city’s best bartenders.
Day 2: Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is easily one of the most beautiful islands in Australia, and the best day trip from Perth. Make a beeline to Elizabeth Quay this morning, to catch the ferry to Rottnest Island, which takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Once on Rottnest, or “Rotto” as locals call it, head straight to Pedal & Flipper, the bike hire shop. Hire bikes to cycle between the island’s beautiful beaches, like Parakeet Bay, Pinky Beach and The Basin.
Quokka Selfies
Rottnest Island is home to the world’s largest quokka population. Quokkas are native to Rottnest Island, and have survived here due to the lack of natural predators. Quokkas are a small type of wallaby, and can be spotted around the island. When we visited Rottnest Island, we didn’t see any all day – until we went to the pub in Thompson Bay, before hopping on the ferry! There were quite a few scampering around, looking for scraps.
Quokkas are very cute, and getting a quokka selfie is hard to resist, but remember that these are wild animals. Don’t feed them, or touch them – let them come to you, if you want a selfie.
At the end of the day, catch the ferry back to Perth.
Songbird
Back in Perth, freshen up before heading to Songbird for sunset cocktails. Songbird Bar is a glamorous cocktail bar, with views over the Swan River and an inventive cocktail list.
Day 3: Fremantle
Your 3 days in Perth is nearly at an end! Spend your last day in Perth exploring charming Fremantle, or Freo as it’s known to locals. Fremantle is a separate town to Perth, but it’s so close to Perth that it’s a very easy day or half day trip. Fremantle is a 45 minute train trip from Perth Station.
Streets of Fremantle
Spend the morning exploring the historic streets of Fremantle. Fremantle is the world’s best example of a 19th century port town streetscape, and wandering the streets really feels like you’ve stepped back in time. Start with a coffee along the ‘Cappuccino Strip’ along South Terrace, or head to the Fremantle Markets if you’re visiting Friday-Sunday. Follow booklovers won’t want to miss the charming New Edition book shop.
Bread in Common
For lunch, walk a few blocks to Bread In Common, which is my favourite restaurant in Perth & surrounds. I’m so grateful that my friend Erin, who is from Perth and has excellent taste in restaurants, gave me this tip before my first visit to Perth! Bread in Common is housed in a 19th century pharmaceutical warehouse which has been lovingly converted into a warm, inviting community restaurant. Naturally, the bread is phenomenal.
Republic of Fremantle (Gin Tasting)
Republic of Fremantle is a gin & vodka distillery in the heart of Fremantle. Stop by for a tasting experience or gin flight, and pick up a top shelf souvenir to take home with you.
WA Shipwrecks Museum
The WA Shipwrecks Museum is recognised as the best maritime archaeology museum in the Southern Hemisphere, and is worth a visit. Before visiting, I wasn’t aware that WA had a “Shipwreck Coast”, but the museum does an excellent job of bringing these stories to life. Super interesting, we spent longer here than we’d expected to!
Gage Road Brewpub
Gage Roads Brew Co is one of Perth’s most beloved local breweries, so their new brewpub on the waterfront in Fremantle is the perfect spot to end the day. The Gage Roads Brewpub is super casual, with no reservation required. Swing by for drinks by the water or an early dinner – their Mexican-inspired menu is fresh and fun. There are also plenty of wine & cocktail options for non-beer drinkers (like me!).
And that’s a wrap on your 3 days in Perth! With just enough time to experience the best of Perth, Fremantle & Rottnest, I hope you enjoy your time in Western Australia.
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