After falling in love with Australia during our very first road trip, we knew we had to come back – this time to see the west coast. Western Australia had been on our list for a while, and our expectations were high. But guess what? Perth didn’t just meet them – it raised the bar.
From the moment we landed, something just clicked. The city felt open, relaxed, and full of hidden corners waiting to be explored. It’s hard to explain, but Perth gave us the same “this feels right” vibe we had in Sydney. And yes, we’ll say it: Perth is just as good as Sydney – just in its own way. We spent a few days soaking up everything we could – beaches, cafés, playgrounds, sunsets, and even a few surprises. If you’re planning your own Perth travel itinerary, this post has all the spots we loved, what we skipped, and what made this part of Australia really stick in our hearts.
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Quick Peek
For our busy travelers, here is the Fact-sheet about our 7-day Perth travel itinerary.
Travel Time
April
Travel Mode
Journey (7 days)
Our Must-Sees
Scarborough, Lancelin Dunes
Where to stay
Selected AirBnb’s
Plant-Based Food
Mobility
Rental car
Travel Budget
€3.185 / AUD5.519
without air fare
Perth Travel Itinerary: Easy Day Trips and Top Spots Near the City
One of the best things about Perth? You don’t need to travel far to see a lot. Everything we visited felt close enough for a chilled morning or afternoon trip – and that made a huge difference, especially with kids. If you’re building your own Perth travel itinerary, these are the spots we’d include every single time.
Perth City
Start with the heart of it all. We loved wandering around Elizabeth Quay, grabbing coffee in Northbridge, and letting the kids run wild in Kings Park. The views over the Swan River are incredible – and the park itself is a destination on its own.
Scarborough Beach
This beach became our go-to. Clean sand, playgrounds, surf vibes, and plenty of space to chill out. There’s a long promenade for sunset walks and cafés nearby for snacks and smoothies. We honestly ended up here – or at Cottesloe – almost every evening. Scarborough had that little extra for walks with its long beachfront path, which made it perfect for unwinding after a full day.
Cottesloe Beach
If we weren’t at Scarborough, we were probably here. Cottesloe is perfect for those classic beach moments – clear water, golden light, and those iconic Norfolk pines lining the shore. While it gets a bit busier on weekends, the vibe stays super relaxed. In the evenings, you’ll see lots of locals showing up with blankets and takeaway for a sunset picnic – and honestly, we totally get the hype. It’s one of those places where time slows down in the best way.
Hillarys Boat Harbour
We ended up here by chance – and we’re so glad we did. There was a free local festival going on with live music and food trucks, and the whole area felt festive and family-friendly. The harbour is also home to AQWA (the aquarium), and the calm beach there is ideal for smaller kids.
Coogee Beach
A bit further south, Coogee Beach was such a great find. It’s less crowded, super clean, and has a long jetty that’s perfect for photos or just watching the waves roll in. What really makes it special, though, is the sunken shipwreck just off the shore – it’s super easy to reach and makes for a great snorkeling spot, even for beginners. The vibe here was slower and more local – which we really appreciated after the busier beach days.
Perth Travel Itinerary: Where We Stayed and Why We’d Go Back
Since Perth was our starting and end point during our Western Australia tour, we actually stayed in the city more than once – and we’re so glad we did. It gave us the chance to experience two very different areas, both with their own charm. At the beginning of our trip, we booked a beautiful Airbnb just a short walk from Cottesloe Beach. Waking up and strolling down for a morning coffee by the ocean felt like a dream. The place was bright, cozy, and had everything we needed – including a little outdoor space, which our kids loved. If you’re planning a Perth travel itinerary and want to stay near the beach, we’d honestly recommend it without hesitation.
Later in the trip, we returned to Perth and tried a second holiday apartment (check out full blogpost), this time closer to the city center. It was a bit bigger, had a fully equipped kitchen, and the layout made it super comfortable for our family of four. The location was perfect for day trips into the city and beyond, and it felt like the right mix between convenience and calm.
Looking back, both places added something special to our stay – and we’d happily book either again.
Perth Travel Itinerary: Our Go-To Vegan Cafés and Restaurants
Honestly, we don’t even know where to start – Perth is full of amazing vegan-friendly places, and we were blown away by the variety. Whether we were in the mood for a healthy smoothie bowl, something sweet with our coffee, or a full-on Asian dinner, we found places that totally hit the spot.
Paper Cup
One café we still talk about is Paper Cup in South Fremantle. Not only was the food incredibly tasty – think vegan pastries, wraps, and one of the best avo toasts we’ve had – but it’s also run by the kindest owner who made us feel at home right away. We stopped here for a late breakfast and ended up staying way longer than planned.
Loving Hut Perth
For dinner, one of our absolute favorites was Loving Hut Perth. If you’re into vegan Asian cuisine, this place is a must-go. From noodle soups to rice dishes and spring rolls, everything was packed with flavor and totally plant-based. And bonus: it’s affordable, too.
Throughout our Perth travel itinerary, we kept finding more spots we wanted to try – but honestly, these two already made us feel like we weren’t missing out on anything. Perth makes eating plant-based easy, fun, and seriously delicious.
Perth Travel Itinerary: Car, Walk, or Train? What Worked Best
When you’re traveling as a family of four, let’s be honest – a rental car just makes life easier. Especially with kids, snacks, day bags, and beach gear always in the mix, having a spacious car gave us all the flexibility and freedom we needed. For our Perth travel itinerary, it was the only option that truly worked for us. That being said, we were also impressed by Perth’s public transport system, which is called Transperth. Buses and trains seemed clean, reliable, and well-connected – especially around the city center and out to places like Fremantle. So, if you’re traveling solo or as a couple, it could definitely be a solid alternative to driving.
Still, we were super happy with our choice to rent a car. Unlike Sydney, parking in Perth was easier to find and the prices were much more reasonable. Moreover, driving felt far more relaxed – no hectic traffic, no aggressive drivers, and wide open roads. Even around the beach areas or through the city center, navigation was surprisingly stress-free.
In short, if you’re traveling with kids or planning several short day trips, a rental car is your best bet. However, if you’re sticking to central areas, public transport might work just fine. Either way, getting around Perth is refreshingly simple.
Perth Travel Itinerary: What Our Trip Really Cost
Accomodation
€185/night (excl. breakfast) x 3 nights = €555
€175/night (excl. breakfast) x 4 nights = €700
Total €1.255
Food & Dining
Around €110 per day = €770
Mobility
Rental Car (Toyota Prado) €120 per day = €840
Petrol & Parking €230
Activities
Act. Surfboard €10
Kayak Tour €70
Pinnacles €10
Total Spent
€3.185 / AUD5.519
Perth Travel Itinerary: Most Instagrammable Spots You Shouldn’t Miss
Just like we did for Sydney, and a few other favorite places, we once again decided to create a separate blogpost just for this topic. Why? Because honestly, Perth and its surroundings are absolutely packed with spots that are perfect for that Insta-worthy shot.
From dreamy beaches to stunning viewpoints, and even colorful cafés, there’s just so much photo potential here. In fact, we found even more than we expected. Some of our favorites – like Scarborough Beach, Cottesloe, Fremantle, and Coogee Beach – we already talked about above. However, there’s still a lot more we want to show you visually. So, we’ve gathered all those hidden corners, scenic gems, and must-snap locations in a dedicated blogpost with all the details.
If you’re putting together your own Perth travel itinerary, and love capturing beautiful places as much as we do, then this is the post you won’t want to miss!
Perth Travel Itinerary: What You Should Know Before You Go
We recommend spring (September–November) or autumn (March–May). The weather is warm, but not too hot, and it’s less crowded.
Scarborough and Cottesloe are the classics – and for good reason. They’re lively, beautiful, and great for people-watching or grabbing a bite by the ocean. We also loved City Beach for a more relaxed vibe and some of the best sunset views we had on the whole trip.
Yes – it’s a popular day trip. Take a ferry and explore by bike. And yes, you’ll probably meet a quokka!
Totally safe! Especially at patrolled beaches, where lifeguards are on duty during the day. The water is usually calm and clean. Just one thing to know: if a shark is spotted nearby, an alarm will sound and everyone will be asked to leave the water immediately.
Australia uses type I plugs (the ones with two angled pins), and the voltage is 230V. You’ll need an adapter if you’re coming from Europe, the US, or most of Asia.
Western Australia’s tap water is of high quality and safe to drink, thanks to strict regulations and regular monitoring. While the use of a water filter is optional, it can be beneficial for those sensitive to the taste of chlorine or concerned about trace contaminants.
It’s seriously strong – even on cloudy days. Always pack sunscreen, sun hats, and UV protection gear, especially for kids.
We’d say 4 to 5 days is ideal for your Perth travel itinerary. That’s enough to explore the city, chill on the coast, and squeeze in a day trip or two. But honestly? The area around Perth is huge and full of surprises – you could easily spend weeks in Western Australia without running out of things to do.
Yes, very much so. Streets are clean, people are helpful, and we never felt unsafe – not even late in the evening with the kids.
Absolutely. There are hundreds of free playgrounds, clean public toilets, and calm beaches. Plus, many restaurants and cafés are used to having little ones around.
Yes, 100%. Fremantle has this artsy, historic charm with cool markets, old buildings, and a great food scene. It’s perfect for a half-day trip and super easy to reach.
Very easy. Supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths are everywhere. You’ll also find chemists with baby essentials, nappies, and even natural sunscreen.
Smooth and stress-free. Roads are wide, traffic is chill, and parking is easier than in most big cities. Just remember: they drive on the left side!
It’s more relaxed and less crowded. Perth feels open, calm, and a bit more down-to-earth.
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