Discover Perth

Perth isn't just Australia's sunniest capital – it's where urban sophistication meets wild natural beauty, all bathed in nearly nine hours of daily sunshine. This Western Australian gem offers quokka spotting on Rottnest Island / Wadjemup, dolphin encounters in crystal waters, world-class wine regions and dreamy sunsets over the Indian Ocean that stop you mid-conversation. As the gateway to Western Australia's extraordinary landscapes, Perth is the start of your next great Australian adventure.

About our flights to Perth

Air New Zealand offers non-stop flights between Auckland and Perth, with connections available from all our domestic airports. The Auckland to Perth flight time is around seven hours. You can choose the way you fly on all our flights to Australia.

Five perfectly-Perth experiences

1. Meet the quokkas on Rottnest Island

If there was a global competition for 'world's cutest animal', the quokka would be a frontrunner. The best place to cross paths with these perpetually-smiling marsupials is on Rottnest Island, where they roam freely and seem genuinely thrilled to see you. Visit early morning or late afternoon for your best chance of spotting them. Ferries leave from Elizabeth Quay in Perth, Fremantle / Walyalup and Hillarys Boat Harbour.

2. Sip and swirl through the Swan Valley

Less than 30 minutes from Perth city / Boorloo is the Swan Valley, where local passion is channelled into growing and creating wonderful food and wine. You can visit wineries, coffee roasters, honey producers, ice cream cafes, olive oil producers, cider makers and breweries. Highly recommended is wine tasting and a leisurely lunch at Sandalford Wines or Mandoon Estate, located on the banks of the Swan River / Derbarl Yerrigan.

3. Swim with wild dolphins at Rockingham

Watch dolphins from the Rockingham Foreshore or join a guided cruise for a closer look at these graceful marine acrobats. The sheltered waters here are home to a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins that are used to visitors, but still wonderfully wild. Watch them cruising on the boat's bow wave, leaping through the air and making eye contact as you capture their antics.

4. Get cultured at WA Museum Boola Bardip

Perth's WA Museum Boola Bardip makes history, science and culture fascinating. This architectural stunner was redeveloped and re-opened in 2020 and has quickly become a must-visit. Engage with everything from ancient fossils and Aboriginal culture to WA's mining heritage and extraordinary biodiversity. The exhibitions are beautifully curated and interactive.

5. Snorkel Rottnest's crystal-clear waters

Rottnest Island isn't just about those camera-ready quokkas. The island is ringed by clear bays and vibrant reef habitats teeming with colourful fish and coral formations. Join a snorkelling tour or grab your own gear and explore from one of the 63 beaches. Out of the water, explore Rottnest by bicycle, segway, hop-on hop-off bus, adventure boat, kayak and more.

Other things to see and do in Perth

With weather as welcoming as its famously friendly locals, Perth has an optimistic, easy-going personality. Framed by the Swan River, this exciting city has a vibrant nightlife scene, 19 pristine beaches and a reputation for dreamy Indian Ocean sunsets.

Within an hour of the CBD, you can meet quokkas, swim with dolphins, cruise canals or discover the quirky streets of Fremantle.

Perth's central city area fizzes with bars, world-class restaurants, boutique shopping and cultural spaces that are big on originality. It's also home to Kings Park and Botanic Garden / Kaarta Koomba, one of the world's largest inner-city parks (bigger than New York's Central Park). Within an hour of the CBD, you can meet quokkas, swim with dolphins, cruise canals or discover the quirky streets of Fremantle. Top 10 things to do in Perth/Boorloo.

Wander toward the Swan River and you'll find Elizabeth Quay, a waterfront development that's transformed Perth's riverside. Check out Little Creatures brewery boasting 46 taps for perfect pints and floor to ceiling windows taking in the river views. Or if you prefer to take a bird's eye view, head up to Songbird bar in the Ritz Carlton Hotel for spectacular views over Elizabeth Quay.

For nightlife, the city is a thriving metropolis of curated cultural experiences, rooftop bars and waterfront dining. Or, head to Northbridge, an edgy precinct serving up live music, comedy, DJ sessions and cocktails infused with local WA botanicals.

Fascinating Fremantle

Less than 30 minutes from Perth CBD sits Fremantle (affectionately called 'Freo'), a charming port city where maritime history meets café culture, craft beer and World Heritage-listed prison.

Freo's historic streets are lined with heritage buildings that house one-of-a-kind cafes, boutique bars and craft breweries. Down at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, the seafood is exceptionally fresh, straight from the ocean to the plate. The Fremantle Markets – born in 1897 and still going strong – offer everything from street food to local art and vintage finds.

Beaches near and far

When you need a cold drink or ice cream with an ocean view, Cottesloe Beach delivers. Aim for late afternoon to catch the Indian Ocean sunset from a waterfront pub. Scarborough is the city's surf mecca, a quintessentially Western Australian white-sand beach dotted with sunbathers, kite surfers and wave riders who make it look way easier than it is. City Beach offers lush lawns, white sand and several waterfront dining options, including Bert's, Hamptons and Clancy's Fish Bar. Nearby Trigg Beach has Island Market. Further north, Hillary's Boat Harbour is home to the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) – perfect if you prefer observing marine life without getting wet.

Within an hour of Perth's CBD you can cruise the canals in Mandurah / Mandjoogoordap, explore crystal caves in Yanchep National Park or hike the trails of Perth Hills. Venture east and you'll find yourself in Australia's Golden Outback region. More about sunny holidays in Perth.

Margaret River wine region

Three hours south of Perth lies the Margaret River Region, where cellar doors invite you to sample award-winning cabernet blends, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc semillon. This area also serves as the gateway to the southern coastline's exquisite sheltered coves and white sand beaches. More about Margaret River.

Extraordinary Ningaloo Reef

Western Australia's Coral Coast Highway stretches 1,100 kilometres from Cervantes to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef / Nyinggulu. Marine wonders and otherworldly landscapes make it one of Australia's greatest road trips.

Your Coral Coast adventure can include swimming or cruising alongside gentle whale sharks, humpback whales, turtles and manta rays. You can also check out the Pinnacles (limestone formations rising from golden sand), the bubble gum-coloured waters of the Pink Lake near Port Gregory, Kalbarri National Park's dramatic gorges and Shark Bay World Heritage Area. More about the Coral Coast.

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