Destination guides > Australia > Western Australia > Perth > Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Perth
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
CITY CENTRE & NORTHBRIDGE
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Australian and international art is exhibited at the state’s most important art museum.
Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Northbridge
Bus Blue CAT Train Perth
Tel (08) 9492 6622
Website www.artgallery.wa.gov.au
Admission free, charge for some temporary exhibits
Open 10am-5pm daily
Kings Park
This large city park consists mostly of native bush and is an escape from the city with popular picnic areas and bike paths. There are good views of the city centre from the higher points in the park.
Bus 15, 18
Parliament House
You can take a free tour of the Western Australian state parliament building that offers a crash course in Australian politics.
Harvest Terrace, Perth
Bus Red CAT
Tel (08) 9222 7429
Admission free
Tours Mon, Thu 10.30am
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)
The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts features exhibits of avant garde and contemporary visual and performing arts.
51 James Street, Northbridge
Bus Blue CAT Train Perth
Tel (08) 9227 6144
Website www.pica.org.au
Admission Gallery free, charge for performances
Open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm
Perth Mint
This impressive building on Hay Street offers a unique insight into how money is made.
310 Hay Street, Perth
Bus Red CAT
Tel (08) 9421 7223 or 1800 098 817
Website www.perthmint.com.au
Admission $15
Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-1pm; gold pours Mon-Fri 10am, 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, Sat-Sun 10am, 11am, noon
Scitech Discovery Centre
This hands-on science museum features over 160 interactive exhibits. However, like many science museums, it is geared mostly toward kids.
Corner Railway Parade & Sutherland Street, West Perth
Train City West
Tel (08) 9481 5789
Website www.scitech.org.au
Admission $14, $10 after 3pm
Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
Swan Bells
This impressive 82.5m copper and glass tower in Barrack Square is one of the world’s largest musical instruments. It houses a set of 18 bells, which includes 12 bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, London that date from before the 14th century. The tower features galleries where you can see the bell ringers in action as well as observation decks that boast stunning city views.
Barrack Square, Riverside Drive, Perth
Bus Blue CAT Train Esplanade Ferry Barrack Street Jetty
Tel (08) 9218 8183
Website www.swanbells.com.au
Admission $10
Open 10am-5pm daily; bell ringing Mon-Fri 11.30am-12.30pm, Sat-Sun noon-2pm
Western Australian Cricket Museum
This museum at the WACA Ground is a must for cricket fans.
Nelson Crescent, East Perth
Bus Red CAT, Yellow CAT
Tel (08) 9265 7222
Admission $5, tour $10
Open Mon-Fri except match days 10am-3pm; tours Tue-Thu 10am & 1pm
Western Australian Museum
Western Australia’s largest museum features exhibits on natural history including a good selection of stuffed animals and a whale skeleton.
Francis Street, Perth
Bus Blue CAT Train Perth
Tel (08) 9427 2700
Website www.museum.wa.gov.au
Admission free, charge for special exhibits
Open 9.30am-5pm daily
FREMANTLE
This seaside suburb has long been Perth’s port and has hosted the America’s Cup yacht race. The area has a hip yet laid-back ambience and is worth at least a day-trip from Perth.
Fremantle Markets
This old market hall has been around since 1897 and is now home to one of Fremantle’s most popular attractions with over 150 stalls ranging from fruit and veggies to art and craft.
Corner Henderson Street & South Terrace, Fremantle
Bus Orange CAT, 98, 511, 513, 520, 530, 531, 532, 533, 825, 920 Train Fremantle
Tel (08) 9335 2515
Admission free
Open Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm
Fremantle History Museum
Housed in a former Asylum building, the Fremantle History Museum has exhibits on Western Australia’s social history.
1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle
Tel (08) 9430 7966
Website www.museum.wa.gov.au
Admission free
Open Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm
Fremantle Prison
The Fremantle Prison was built with convict labour in the 19th century and was operated as a prison until as recently as 1991. It has now been opened to the public and has frequent guided tours.
1 The Terrace, Fremantle
Bus Orange CAT Train Fremantle
Tel (08) 9336 9200
Website www.fremantleprison.com.au
Admission $16.50; night tour $21; tunnel tour $59
Open 10am-5pm daily; tours depart every half hour
Maritime Museum
The new maritime museum on Victoria Quay features an excellent collection of exhibits including a 90m-long submarine.
Forrest Landing, Victoria Quay, Fremantle
Bus Orange CAT Train Fremantle
Tel (08) 9335 8921
Website www.museum.wa.gov.au
Admission $10 museum, $8 submarine
Open 9.30am-5pm daily
OTHER AREAS
AQWA
AQWA is home to a large variety of marine life and it features several areas that recreate various marine environments. AQWA is Australia’s largest aquarium and it also boasts the country’s biggest walk-through underwater tunnel.
91 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour
Train Warwick, then bus 423
Tel (08) 9447 7500
Website www.aqwa.com.au
Admission $26
Open 10am-5pm daily
Perth Zoo
Perth’s zoo is home to over 2000 animals representing 280 different species. It has the usual collection of African and native animals and the zoo is also a good spot for a picnic.
20 Labouchere Road, South Perth
Bus 35 Ferry Mends Street Jetty
Tel (08) 9474 3551
Website www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au
Admission $18
Open 9am-5pm daily
