Highlights of Perth - 8 Days

Highlights

• Discover the best of Perth's food scene with a dinner cruise and coffee culture tour
• Take an evening trip to the Pinnacles Desert, home to surreal limestone formations
• Meet cute and fluffy quokkas as you bike around Rottnest Island
• Taste award-winning wines and artisan cheeses at boutique Swan Valley estates
• Dive into Perth's coolest suburb with a walk around historic Fremantle

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Perth, Swan River Dinner Cruise

G'day, and welcome to Perth, Australia's sunniest capital city! A private driver will transfer you from the airport to your hotel. Australia's largest state, Western Australia, is famous for long days of sunshine and diverse landscapes and climates, and its main city is a laidback destination that effortlessly blends urban cool with raw natural beauty. Drop your bags and venture out to the famous Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. Here you can take in panoramic views of the city skyline and get your bearings.

Later, wander down to the port, where you'll embark on a dinner cruise on Perth's picturesque Swan River. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a hot buffet dinner as you take in views of the city skyline from the water. Over 2.5 hours, you'll watch day turn to night while enjoying complimentary drinks and an unlimited feast that includes fresh seafood and gourmet desserts. There'll be a live DJ and entertainment on board, so have a boogie to celebrate your first day in Australia.

Day 2: Morning Coffee Culture & Art Tour, Free Afternoon

Kickstart your day with a caffeine-fueled adventure, setting off on a lively two-hour tour that blends Perth's coffee culture with art and history. Wander down Wolf Lane to see the best street art and murals, then explore the city's art, sculpture, and architecture. Your guide will share quirky tales from Perth's past as you pass by Cathedral Square, the old General Post Office, the Land Titles Office, and the Treasury Buildings. Uncover hidden gems in Hibernian Place, Stirling Gardens, and Government House, and traverse the old theater district, home to His Majesty's Theatre and the Cultural Centre.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Perth at your leisure. Spend some time inside the Cultural Centre or the Art Gallery of Western Australia, where you can admire a diverse collection of contemporary and Indigenous artworks. Seek out retail therapy at King Street, where high-end labels and boutiques await, and shop at the Hay and Murray Street malls for local and global brands. Or head to Cottesloe Beach, where golden sands and crystal-clear waters lie a stone's throw from the CBD (Central Business District). This spot is also one of the best places to watch the sun set into the ocean.

Day 3: Afternoon & Evening Day Trip to The Pinnacles & Stargazing Tour

Make the most of a free morning and sleep in before this afternoon's two-hour journey north of Perth to The Pinnacles, thousands of limestone pillars scattered across Nambung National Park. Formed about 30,000 years ago, each pillar stands as high as 16 feet (5 m), creating an otherworldly landscape that looks straight out of a science fiction movie. After the scenic journey out of the city, your guide will start with a stop at Yanchep National Park, where you'll meet local kangaroos, a koala colony, and the diverse wildlife of the woodlands and wetlands. 

Day 4: Explore Rottnest Island by Bike

Begin your day with a ferry ride to Rottnest Island, a tranquil paradise located 11 miles (18 km) off the coast of Perth. With its 63 sandy beaches and 20 picturesque bays, this car-free island offers the perfect escape. Upon arrival, rent a bicycle and embark on a scenic 2.5-mile (4 km) ride through the island's heart to Oliver Hill, where you can explore underground tunnels and admire historic artillery. Take in the sweeping views, and make sure to visit the mesmerizing salt lakes.

As you continue your cycling adventure, keep an eye out for diverse birdlife and the adorable quokkas, the island's beloved native marsupials that have gained fame on Instagram. Pedal north for 2 miles (3.3 km) to Little Parakeet Bay, where you can cool off in crystal-clear waters, then enjoy a relaxed seafood lunch at Geordie's Café and Art Gallery, savoring the flavors of the ocean. This afternoon, you could choose to follow the snorkel trail at Parker Point or explore various shipwreck sites for an underwater adventure. Just don't miss your return ferry back to the mainland!

Day 5: Dryandra Woodlands Nocturnal Wildlife Walk & Starlit Dinner

Make the most of another free morning to enjoy Perth, perhaps with a leisurely lie-in or some time at the beach. Later in the day, you'll join a knowledgeable guide for a 2.5-hour drive southeast, heading inland and across Western Australia's fertile wheatbelt. Your destination is Dryandra Woodlands National Park, a 108-square-mile (280 sq km) reserve that's home to some of Australia's most fascinating marsupials—including numbats, bilbies, and echidnas. Upon arrival, you'll set off on a relaxed bush walk to glimpse the park's most fascinating residents when they're at their most active.

Day 6: Full-Day Swan Valley Wine Tasting Excursion

Today's full-day excursion sets a more relaxed pace, taking you 30 minutes north of Perth for a day of gourmet tastings in Swan Valley, Western Australia's oldest and most celebrated wine region. Led by an expert guide, you'll visit four award-winning wineries, starting with a private cellar door experience that pairs the finest wines with an artisan cheeseboard. Your guide will explain more about the area's viticulture, shaped by a warm climate and unique soils, as you sample local cheeses with a variety of white, red, rosé, and sparkling wines.

Throughout the day, you'll continue to three more boutique wineries for intimate tastings, pausing at lunchtime for a seasonal multicourse meal at one of the region's top estates. The final stop takes you to a renowned gourmet producer, where you'll end the day with a tasting of handmade chocolates or a selection of savory treats like olive oils and chutneys. Afterward, you'll return to Perth in the late afternoon.

Day 7: Free Day in Perth: Cottesmore Beach & Fremantle

Today is yours to explore as you like. After a few big day trips, you might wish to spend the day just relaxing at picturesque Cottesloe Beach, but if you don't like to sit still, you have plenty of options. The downtown of Perth is home to cool laneways and arcades, so join a 2.5-hour walking tour and discover the pedestrian-friendly malls, ornate arcades, trendy laneways, back streets, and dirty alleys with an entertaining guide who'll share the answer to pressing questions, such as why Perth is called Perth. End at a local bar where the first drink is on your guide.

Alternatively, venture south to Fremantle—Perth's hip, historical cousin. This port area close to the city is filled with heritage buildings, cafés, street art, and amazing stories. Join a local guide for a two-hour walking tour that uncovers tales of convicts and culture with a coffee in hand. Hear stories about prisoner escapes, convict antics, and the expulsion of Indigenous peoples to Rottnest Island. You'll also find out why almost 10,000 men were transported from Great Britain and Ireland and how they built their own prisons and helped shape the future of Western Australia.

Day 8: Depart Perth

It's your final morning in Perth. Do as the locals do and go for breakfast or brunch at a trendy café before taking a private transfer to the airport in time for your flight home or to an onward destination. Safe travels!

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