A sunny holiday in perfect Perth weather
Meet friendly quokkas and go snorkelling at beautiful Rottnest Island/Wadjemup, browse the idyllic beaches along the Perth coastline and explore all things creative at the Perth Cultural Centre. You'll also want to check out Elizabeth Quay, an exciting waterfront precinct on the banks of the Swan River. There's no doubt about it, Perth is one of the best sunny holiday destinations in Australia.
A holiday in Perth means great weather
With hot, dry summers and mild winters, Perth is a year-round holiday destination that's only seven hours away from New Zealand (that's just two movies and a quick nap!). Here's a quick season-by-season run down of what to expect from Perth weather:
- December, January, February: During summer Perth weather is reliably dry and temperatures range from 18°C to 30°. Warmer days are relieved by the arrival of the 'Fremantle doctor', an afternoon sea breeze from the Indian Ocean
- March, April, May: Sunny days and cooler nights make this a fantastic time to visit Perth. Temperatures range between 14°C and 26°. Showers are possible, so conditions might be a little more humid
- June, July, August: This is the wettest time of the year, but Perth temperatures are mild, ranging from 8°C to 22°. Still, sunny days are still common and Western Australian thunderstorms can be spectacular!
- September, October, November: Perth has a dry spring and temperatures pick up as summer draws closer. You can look forward to sunny days with temperatures in the mid to high 20s. It's the wildflower season, so Perth's nature reserves and national parks are full of colour
Hang out with the cute quokkas on Rottnest Island
Just 19km off the coast of Fremantle is Rottnest Island, a natural island paradise with 63 beaches and 20 beautiful bays with clear, turquoise water. What's more, Rottnest is home to thousands of super-cute little marsupials called quokkas (pronounced 'kwokka'). So there are two main reasons to visit Rottnest - stunning beaches with great snorkelling and photographic opportunities of the furry kind.
Quokkas hop and bound along the ground, sometimes using their hands. They're the only mammal that's native to Rottnest Island. You'll find quokkas all over the island, which is nearly 20 square kilometres in size. More about quokkas and how to respect their personal space.
If you want to see quokkas, Perth is the place. These cute little marsupials are found on Rottnest Island off the coast of Fremantle.
Rottnest Island is a Class A reserve, which means there are no cars on the island. The best way to explore is on foot or by hiring a bike. Alternatively, there are Segway and bus tours of the island. Taking a guided tour will give you more insight into Rottnest's interesting history and ecosystems. Seafood and eco cruises get visitors into the most secluded of bays. If you want more than a day trip, there are several accommodation providers on the island including Discovery Rottnest Island and Samphire Rottnest.
Discover Perth's beaches and fabulous Indian Ocean sunsets
Australia is a land of great beaches, and some of the best are only 15 mins from Perth's CBD. Because the coast looks west, incredible Indian Ocean sunsets come with the territory. So even if you spend the day doing something in the city, you'll want to head to the beach for a 'sundowner drink'. Here's a quick intro to three of Perth's best beaches:
- Cottesloe is the best-known Perth beach. With soft white sand, clear aquamarine water and an excellent waterfront biking and walking path, 'Cott' is everything you could want for a day in the sun. Just back from the sand you'll find the famous Cottesloe Beach Hotel and a string of other eateries for cool bevvies and tasty menus.
- Popular City Beach is home to lush lawns, white sand and an expanding range of waterfront dining options, including Clancy's Fish Pub and the deck at Odyssea - the perfect spot to watch and Indian Ocean sunset.
- Scarborough is fast becoming one of Australia's best beachfronts. Here you can enjoy lush green lawns on Sunset Hill, just perfect for a picnic or watching the sun set; an architect-designed beach hub of playgrounds, restaurants, shops and boardwalks; a geothermally-heated 50-metre beach pool; and the fun of Scarborough Sunset Markets on Thursday nights from November through to April. There is an extensive selection of hotels, too.
Explore Perth culture in Northbridge and the City
If you're looking for a cultural feast, find your way to Perth's Cultural Centre in bustling Northbridge and the adjoining city centre. It's a place for appreciating every kind of creative expression - theatre, music, art, dance, literature - even gardening! You'll need at least a day to discover it all, so start at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, which includes a trail of outdoor art installations and sustainable gardening in an urban orchard. The new WA Boola Bardip Museum is spectacular and provides visitors with a taste of WA's unique culture and lifestyle complementing this precinct with Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and a show at the State Theatre.
The Perth Mint celebrates Western Australia's gold rush history with live gold pouring and houses the world's largest gold coin, while the waterfront Bell Tower is home to one of the world's largest collections of bells, dating back to the 14th Century from St Martin-in-the Fields.
Both the city and Northbridge transform from mid-January to early March every year as Fringe World and Perth Festival performances pop-up in venues across the many urban spaces.
Simply strolling around other public spaces in Perth will also connect you to Western Australia's stories and contemporary culture. Walls all around the city have become works of street art, thanks to the creative efforts of famous local, national and international artists - none more so than Matt Adnate's new 25-storey high masterpiece.
Have fun at Elizabeth Quay waterfront precinct
The vibrant waterfront precinct of Elizabeth Quay opened in 2016 and has become a focal point for fun, food, art, history and water excursions. You'll find as many locals there as tourists, because the fantastic mix of attractions works for everyone. Here are some of the best things to do in and around Elizabeth Quay:
- Walk over the suspension bridge to eat and drink at The Island Brew House
- Stroll around the promenade - a one-kilometre circuit shaded by trees and decorated with art
- Learn about the area's pre-European history with Go Cultural Aboriginal walking tours
- Ooh and ahh over the beautiful Broome pearl jewellery at Willie Creek Pearls
- Cool down with freshly-made gelato at Gusto Gelato
- Encourage your kids to let loose at BHP Water Park (free entry); at night the choreographed water jet and light show is wonderful to watch
- Swan River cruises for lunch or dinner depart from Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Street Jetty
- Take a segway tour through Elizabeth Quay and up to nearby Kings Park
Sit on a rooftop and sip on a Fremantle ale or Margaret River chardonnay - try Songbird Bar, Henry's Rooftop or Oyster Bar.
