3 Days in Perth Itinerary: Locals Best Tips on How to Spend 3 Days in Perth
If you’re gearing up for an unforgettable trip to Perth, Western Australia, you’re in for an absolute treat. As a proud local of this beautiful city, I’ve compiled a delightful 3-day itinerary designed to help you make the most of your time here. Whether you’re a beach lover, a history buff, a foodie, or just someone seeking good vibes, Perth has something special in store for you.
In this “3 Days in Perth Itinerary,” I’m spilling all the local secrets and must-do activities to make your trip remarkable. From the sun-kissed beaches to the cultural hotspots, we’ll dive into the heart of what makes Perth tick! 🌞🏄♂️🍴
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3 Days in Perth Itinerary Day 1: Perth City
Your first day in Perth promises a captivating blend of cityscape wonders and historical treasures. Start your morning with a scrumptious breakfast at one of the cosy local cafes – a perfect opportunity to savour a taste of Perth’s culinary scene.
Kings Park
After breakfast, head to the city’s crown jewel: Kings Park and Botanic Garden. With its sprawling green spaces and panoramic vistas of the skyline, this is a spot that captures the essence of Perth.
Perth Cultural Centre/East Perth/Perth Zoo
Next up, visit a museum, like the Museum of Western Australia and the Art Gallery of WA at the Perth Cultural Centre or book a Perth Mint Tour or Optus Stadium Tour in East Perth. If you have children, you may prefer to take the ferry to South Perth and visit Perth Zoo.
Cottesloe Beach
If you’d prefer to visit the beach, take a taxi or rideshare to Cottesloe Beach. Enjoy the beach and stay for lunch at one of the beachside restaurants and cafes before heading back into the city. Or you can come later and see the iconic Perth sunset.
Elizabeth Quay & Lane Ways
Spend the afternoon walking around Elizabeth Quay with a visit to the Bell Tower. Finish the afternoon with some shopping, or explore the laneways to discover street art and small bars.
You may prefer to book a sightseeing tour or a ticket for the Hop On Hop Off Bus that visits all the main attractions.
Dinner in Perth
Cap off your day with a delicious dinner at one of the city restaurants. Will it be Perth’s only revolving restaurant, C Restaurant, with stunning views of Perth, or Long Chim or Petition Kitchen in the State Buildings or the intimate Balthazar? If you’re staying at Crown Metropol or Towers, Nobu is our favourite restaurant there. For an incredible degustation experience, book a table at Wildflower, also in the State Buildings.
There are some cool small bars in the city, or head into Northbridge for nightclubs.
Get the full one-day Perth city itinerary here.
3 Days in Perth Itinerary Day Two: Fremantle
Swan River Cruise
Start your day early and head to Elizabeth Quay in Perth to catch the Swan River Cruise to Fremantle. The cruise is a scenic experience, offering great views of the city and the river.
🤩 See Prices & Availability of Swan River Cruise Here
Fremantle Markets
Arrive in Fremantle and begin your exploration of this historic port town. The iconic Fremantle Markets have a variety of stalls selling local produce, crafts, and unique items. It’s a great place to start your day, especially if you didn’t have time for breakfast!
Fremantle Prison
The next stop is Fremantle Prison. Make sure you book a prison tour ahead as they can be fully booked in peak times.
Lunch in Fremantle
After your tour, head to Little Creatures Brewery, one of the most popular breweries in Perth. It offers a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere with craft beers and delicious meals. They have a variety of options catering to different tastes, and the outdoor seating area is perfect for enjoying the weather.
Maritime Museums
After lunch, continue your exploration of Fremantle with a visit to the Fremantle Maritime Museum. If you and your family are interested in maritime history, this museum is a must-visit. It features exhibitions about Western Australia’s maritime history and culture. The Shipwreck Museum is another maritime museum, and this is free to enter.
While here, visit the Roundhouse, Western Australia’s oldest building, which was used as a prison until 1886.
Sunset & Dinner in Fremantle
Walk along Bathers Beach at sunset to see the sun dip below the Indian Ocean.
There are many options for dinner, like Bathers Beach House, The Norfolk Hotel, and Tonic & Ginger. Either take the train back to Perth or stay in Fremantle, ready for your day trip to Rottnest Island the next day.
3 Days in Perth Itinerary Day 3: Rottnest Island
Ferry to Rottnest Island
Another early start as you’ll want to catch the early ferry either from Perth or Fremantle to Rottnest Island. The ferry ride is an adventure, with breathtaking coastline views and a sense of anticipation for the day ahead.
Collect your bike and any snorkel equipment if you want to hire a bike (some ferry combo tickets include bike hire).
🤩 See Prices & Availability for Rottnest Ferries Here
Beaches/Hikes/Cycle
Beaches are best in the morning before the sea breeze comes in, and the ocean is usually calmer, making it ideal for snorkelling. Some of the best snorkel spots on Rottnest Island are Little Salmon Bay, Little Parakeet Bay, and Parkers Point.
If you’re visiting outside of summer, the water may be too cold, so consider a hike instead – there are five trails to choose from or enjoy a cycle around the island.
Lunch Rottnest Island
Eateries are limited on Rottnest, but we enjoy lunch at Geordies Cafe in Geordie Bay.
Meet the Quokkas
No trip to Rottnest Island is complete without meeting its most famous inhabitants – the quokkas. These adorable marsupials greet you with their friendly faces and seem just as curious about us as we are about them. Capturing candid moments with these gentle creatures is usually a highlight of the day.
Drinks/Dinner
As the day winds down, enjoy a bite to eat or a drink at Hotel Rottnest or Samphire Rottnest before catching the ferry back to the mainland.
Plan Your Trip to Perth
Use this Trip Planner to start planning your trip to Western Australia. Here you will find information on the best time to visit Western Australia and a Western Australia Travel Guide.
Perth Weather
Find out the best time to visit Perth depending on the activities and attractions you want to see. The post also includes an overview of Perth’s weather plus a breakdown of what to expect month by month.
Perth Hotels
See this post on the best Perth city hotels for ideas on where to stay in Perth including luxury hotels, mid-range stays,and budget accommodation.
More Information
This Perth Travel Guide provides lots of information on Perth that can help you to plan your Perth itinerary.
Good luck planning your 3 day Perth Itinerary – if you have any questions, please join our Facebook Group where Western Australia Experts will be waiting to answer them for you.