Best 45 Things To Do in Perth Summer: Locals Guide
Are you trying to find things to do in Perth in summer? Living in Perth, I’ve come up with a list of ideas.
From the shimmering waters of the Indian Ocean to the lush greenery of Kings Park and the buzzing energy of Fremantle, I’ve personally experienced it all. And now, I’m excited to pass on my insider knowledge to you.
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45 Fun Things To Do in Perth in Summer
1. Visit a Beach
Perth’s beaches are some of the world’s best. Head to Cottesloe Beach, Scarborough Beach, or Mullaloo Beach for sunbathing and swimming.
2. Day Trip to Rottnest Island
Book a ferry to Rottnest Island, home to pristine beaches, snorkelling spots, and the adorable quokka (Rottnest is the best place to see Quokkas).
3. Go Snorkelling at Mettams Pool
Explore the mesmerising underwater world as you snorkel at Mettams Pool, where crystal-clear waters reveal a variety of marine life and coral formations.
4. Picnic in Kings Park
Enjoy a picnic under the shade of a tree in Kings Park. Either take in the panoramic views of the city or watch the kids play at the May Drive Parkland.
5. Cruise the Swan River
Book a Swan River cruise from Elizabeth Quay to Fremantle to enjoy scenic views from the water.
🤩 See Swan River Cruise Prices here
6. Visit the Art Gallery of Western Australia
Check out the Art Gallery of Western Australia, where masterpieces and contemporary art blend to captivate the senses.
7. Have a BBQ at South Perth Foreshore
Pack a picnic and have a barbecue on the South Perth Foreshore overlooking the Swan River and the city. Trees provide plenty of shade in the summer.
8. Day Trip to Lancelin Sand Dunes
Head north of Perth to the Lancelin Sand Dunes where you can have a go at sand boarding.
9. Zip line from Matagarup Bridge
Zip line and climb from Matagarup Bridge.
10. Ring the Bells
Visit Perth Bell Tower and go behind the scenes into the ringing chamber and chime the historic bells. You’ll learn about the fascinating history that surrounds the Bell Tower and receive a souvenir chiming certificate too. After, cool off with a cold beer from The Island @Elizabeth Quay.
🤩 See Bell Tower Prices & Availability here
11. Play Beach Volleyball
Head to City Beach, Floreat Beach, or Scarborough Beach to access public beach volleyball nets. Booking in advance is recommended.
12. Bike around the Bridges
Cycle the 10 km loop around the bridges from South Perth Foreshore, over the Causeway, down to Elizabeth Quay and over the Narrows. Start early morning before it gets too hot.
13. Eat Fish and Chips at the Beach
Who can resist fish and chips at the beach, especially just before sunset on a balmy summer’s evening?
14. Snorkel the Omeo Wreck
Get up early and head to Coogee Beach to snorkel the Omeo Wreck – see if you spot the resident octopus.
15. Scream on a Perth Thrill Ride
Join Cicerello’s Jet Adventure boat for a 20 minutes thrill ride with high speed 270-degree spins, fish tails, wave surfing, and slide outs.
🤩 See Jet Boat Availability here
16. Visit Fremantle Markets
Go to the Fremantle Markets for breakfast and try some of the local produce then head to Bathers Beach. Most food stalls open at 8 am Friday to Sunday with the rest of the market opening an hour later.
17. Watch a Movie Outdoors
Book tickets for one of the outdoor cinemas in Perth to wacth movies under the stars. Choose from Moonlight Cinema at Kings Park, Rooftop Movies in Northbridge, or Telethon Community Cinema in Joondalup, Burswood, Murdoch and Bassendean.
18. Go to a Movie Drive-In
Or you could be nostalgic and visit Perth’s only drive-in cinema – Galaxy Drive In.
19. Have Dinner at the Twilight Hawkers Market
This Friday night market in Forrest Place in the city centre has a great selection of food from all over the world.
Opens 6th October 2023.
20. Fremantle Small Bar Rickshaw Tour
Book this fun small bar tour in Fremantle for you and your friends. Don’t worry about getting from bar to bar as you get your own personal chariot with a safe, experienced and fun chauffeur!
21. Attend a Cricket Match at the WACA
Attending a game of cricket at the iconic WACA in Perth is an unforgettable experience, surrounded by passionate fans and witnessing thrilling matches.
22. Go to a Perth Festival
There are lots of festivals to choose from like Euphoria in the fields, Wildlands Festival, and Spilt Milk.
23. Paddleboard on the Swan
Take to the calm waters of the Swan River for some paddle boarding. If you don’t have your own, hire a paddleboard for an hour of fun and exercise!
24. Have a Drink at a Rooftop Bar
Perth has some cool rooftop bars to choose from. Some of our favourites are The Aviary, 18 Knots, Rooftop at QT, and Hadiqa.
25. Go Wine Tasting in the Swan Valley
The best way to experience wine tasting in the Swan Valley is to book a tour and let someone else drive you around. Our favourite are D’Vine Tours.
🤩 See Swan Valley Wine Tours Here
26. Grab a Gelato
What better way to cool down than with a delicious gelato. Perth has some amazing gelato places to try including Gusto Gelato, Chico Gelato, Pietro Gelaterio, and The Milk Barrel.
27. Listen to Live Music
Perth has a vibrant live music scene offering a diverse range of genres and venues, providing music enthusiasts with unforgettable experiences and opportunities to discover local talent.
28. Watch the Sunset
Head to any of Perth’s beautiful beaches to watch the sun dip below the Indian Ocean.
29. Visit the Core Cider House
Drive into the Perth Hills and relax with a cold cider under the shade of a tree at Core Cider House.
30. Hire a Water Bike
Hire a water bike on the Swan River from Fun Cats and experience Perth’s newest water adventure.
31. Drive on the Beach
Drive onto the beach at Wedge Island, just north of Lancelin and enjoy a picnic on the beach.
32. Go Camping
Camping in Perth during the summer is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather, stunning beaches, and picturesque landscapes, creating unforgettable memories in the great outdoors. Camp in the South West which is usually cooler than Perth.
33. Attend a Night Market
Perth has some excellent twilight markets where food trucks provide tasty treats for the whole family. Usually there’s live music, creating a fun atmosphere. Some of the best are our local Burns Beach Twilight Markets, Scarborough Sunset Markets, and Inglewood Night Markets.
34. Become a PADI Open Water Diver
Get your PADI ticket with this PADI Open Water Diver Course. The PADI Open water certification allows you to dive to a depth of 18 m and is a world recognised dive certification.
35. Swim with Wild Dolphins
Is swimming with wild Dolphins on your bucket list? Perth Wildlife Encounters has over 30 years of experience, friendship, and trust built up with local inshore bottlenose Dolphins.
🤩 See Prices & Availability to Swim with Dolphins here
36. Snorkel with Wild Sealions
This wildlife encounter takes you to the top snorkelling spots in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park to experience the best of the local marine life, above and below the water.
37. Jump out of a Plane
Tandem dive over Rottnest between 10,000 and 15,000 feet with free fall.
38. Sunset Wine
Taste some of Western Australia’s best wine, beer, and spirits along with tasty food and live music by the coast.
39. Stay at Crown Resort
Book a room at Crown Metropol or Towers and enjoy a cocktail around their resort-style pools.
40. See Dolphins in Mandurah
The best way to see Mandurah’s friendly dolphins is on a Dolphin Cruise.
41. BBQ in a Boat
Cruise Mandurah’s Venetian canals in style onboard Western Australia’s only donut-shaped electric boats while enjoying a picnic or cooking your very own barbecue. These self-drive boats don’t require a skippers ticket.
42. See the Night Sky
Visit Perth Observatory and see the breathtaking night sky with the use of their telescopes. They offer a selection of night time tours depending on the date.
43. Windsurf
Windsurfing in Perth during the summer is an exhilarating experience, with the perfect combination of strong winds, clear blue skies, and breathtaking coastal views.
44. Play a Night Game of Mini Golf
Once the heat of the day dies down, visit Wanneroo Botanic Gardens for a game of golf followed by dinner (or the other way around).
45. See Perth from the Air
This incredible return scenic flight leaves from Jandakot with views of the city skyline as you fly along the Swan River past the WACA, then along the coast to Hillary’s. From this point your flight turns back along the coast before heading towards Rottnest Island and back to Jandakot.
🤩 See Prices & Availability for Scenic Flight here
Final Thoughts: Things to do in Perth during Summer
Perth in summer is a symphony of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. So, whether you’re a visitor or a local, enjoy the experiences this city has to offer.