A holiday in Perth can offer you an amazing variety of attractions and things to see. Tourist attractions in this area are scattered in and around the city, so it can be worth it to spring for a car hire to maximize your time and see the best attractions in the area.
Animals
Penguin Island is 45 minutes south of Perth. The site is a nature preserve that is home to penguins as well as dolphins, stingrays, pelicans and even sea lions who may bellow a greeting to you on arrival. Glass-bottom boat tours will show you the water creatures up close in the bay, or you could spend time picnicking on the grounds.
If you want to indulge your love of animals a bit more, the Perth Zoo can be a family destination. With more than 230 different species on display, you could spend the day exploring the grounds. Don’t worry about the kids becoming overheated. There are plenty of refreshment zones on site along with lots of shade to help you cope with the sun. Make sure you check out the Asian rain forest with its red panda, Komodo dragon, Sumatran tiger and Sumatran orangutan.
The Aquarium of Western Australia, or AQWA, also is an attraction that’s worth putting on your list. Its underwater tunnel surrounds you with glass walls to view stingrays, sharks, turtles and other sea creatures. For a fee, you can snorkel with the water-based wildlife, provided you book in advance and bring your own gear or pay to use onsite gear. It’s a bit of a drive from Perth, but if you have a car hire, take the Mitchell Freeway north to the Hepburn Avenue exit.
Scenery
Kings Park and Botanic Garden ranks as the No. 1 tourist site on online review site TripAdvisor. Nearly six million people visit the site each year. Near the city’s central business district, the park offers lush gardens, cafes and playgrounds, so it is a perfect option for kids. September is a big time for the park, because that is when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the Kings Park Festival takes place.
Shopping
If retail therapy is on your list of things to accomplish while in Perth, then take a trip to Subiaco. This market specializes in upscale fashion shops, booksellers and furniture stores. The locals love it for the weekend market when it adds food, home design items and other goods to the mix. Northbridge also is a must-see retail market that features local designers to help you find the perfect, one-of-a-kind gift for friends back home.
Other Highlights of Note
Scitech: Make time to visit Western Australia’s leading science museum, with its interactive displays that work for all ages.
Freemantle Prison: Built by convicts in the 1850s, the prison day tour of this historic site can hold your interest with its unusual tunnels and exhibits.
The Perth Mint: Australia’s oldest mint has a fascinating collection of metals to explore.
Adventure World: Perth is home to Western Australia’s major theme park, and you can find plenty of water attractions to indulge in at the site.
This has been a guest post from Skedaddle Car Hire’s Perth branch, if you’d like to know more about Perth and what to do there, check it out. They also have lots of pages for other cities and towns in Western Australia, as well as some great deals on car hires for those of you wanting to roam freely on your trip.
