Perth’s summer runs from December through February and is typically hot and dry. That makes timing part of the plan: swim or walk early, save exposed trails for cooler hours, and use the hottest part of the day for shaded or indoor activities. Here are 40 ways to enjoy Perth and nearby destinations, with event dates and access details to verify before you go.
Perth is also known as Boorloo, on Whadjuk Noongar Country. Tourism Australia recognises Whadjuk Noongar people as the Traditional Owners of the area. Tourism Australia’s Perth guide highlights the city, beaches, Kings Park, Fremantle, Rottnest Island, the Swan Valley and First Nations tours.
Beaches, coastline and water
1. Swim and relax at Cottesloe Beach
Make a morning of swimming and unwinding on the sand at Cottesloe. Check local conditions before entering the water, and plan outdoor time around the heat.
2. Walk the Sunset Coast
Choose a stretch of the Sunset Coast for a beach walk, then stay for the Indian Ocean sunset from a suitable public beach or coastal viewpoint.
3. Drive from Cottesloe to Mindarie
Follow Destination Perth’s one-day Sunset Coast route for a coastal drive between Cottesloe and Mindarie. Treat it as a flexible outing rather than a checklist: pause where access and conditions suit your group.
4. Pick a northern beach for a slower beach day
Choose a beach north of the city along the Sunset Coast, and build in time to swim, walk or simply take a break by the water. Check access and conditions for your chosen stop.
5. Head to Rockingham for an aquatic outing
Rockingham is an option for a water-focused day. Choose a specific activity only after confirming the operator, conditions, booking requirements and transport.
6. Explore Mandurah and Peel’s waterways
Make a day trip to Mandurah and Peel for waterfront scenery and local experiences. Check current transport and activity details before setting out.
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Take a ferry to Rottnest Island and explore the island at your own pace. Confirm ferry schedules, access arrangements and any bookings with the relevant providers.
8. Pair Fremantle with the coast toward Rockingham
Combine time in historic Fremantle with a coastal outing toward Rockingham. The route can suit a day out by car; check driving and access details for the places you plan to visit.
9. Catch an Indian Ocean sunset
Choose a public beach or coastal viewpoint with suitable access and watch the light change over the ocean. Arrive with enough daylight to find your spot safely.
10. Look for a guided water or wildlife activity
If you want an organised experience, check current local operators for guided water or wildlife activities. Availability, conditions and booking needs depend on the specific provider.
Parks, walks and cycling
11. Explore Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Spend time in this central city green space, choosing a garden visit or a walk to suit the day. Check current paths and facilities before you go.
12. Take a Kings Park walk for city views
Choose a walk in Kings Park that offers views across the city. Check which paths are open and what facilities are available, and avoid the hottest part of the day where possible.
13. Find a walking trail suited to your group
Perth and its surrounds have walking trails for different abilities. Check route conditions and shade before choosing a distance, particularly in summer.
14. Ride a Perth cycle trail
Plan a ride on a cycle trail that matches your group’s experience. Confirm route conditions and current bike-hire options before setting off.
15. Make a Perth Hills outing
Head to the Perth Hills for a change of scenery and a walk. Check summer trail access and fire restrictions before you travel.
16. Visit a nature area near Fremantle or Cockburn
Choose a regional reserve or nature area around Fremantle or Cockburn for a quieter outdoor stop. Confirm local access before making the trip.
17. Take an evening walk in the city or by the river
Use the cooler evening hours for a walk in the city or beside the river. Pick a route and facilities that suit your group and the conditions.
18. Plan an early outdoor stop, then take a shaded break
For a hot day, put a short outdoor activity first and shift to shaded or indoor plans during the hottest hours. This approach fits Perth’s hot, dry summer conditions.
City, history and culture
19. Wander Fremantle’s port-city streets
Explore historic Fremantle on foot, taking time to notice its port-city character. Pair the walk with a meal or a coastal stop if it suits your day.
20. Follow an urban heritage walk in Fremantle
Use current local trail information to plan a heritage walk and choose a route that fits your available time. Check the details before you go.
21. Join a First Nations cultural experience
Tourism Australia identifies First Nations tours as an experience available in Perth year-round. Choose a current First Nations tour operator, confirm details directly and follow the operator’s guidance on cultural protocols.
22. Spend a day among Perth City attractions
Build a city day around the attractions, events, shopping, dining or entertainment that interest you. Confirm venue schedules and access before making a fixed plan.
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23. Catch an exhibition or performance
Check current city venue calendars for exhibitions and performances during your visit. Dates, locations and ticketing vary by event.
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24. Find family-friendly entertainment in the city
Look for current family activities and confirm the date, venue and cost before promising the outing to children. Family programming changes through the season.
25. Pair a daytime attraction with an evening event
Combine a city attraction with a performance or other evening event. Check the current calendar and leave time to travel between venues.
Food, drink and nearby regions
26. Take a Swan Valley food-and-wine day trip
Plan a day in the Swan Valley around food and wine, checking opening hours and transport options with the places you intend to visit.
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Destination Perth promotes a one-day route linking Guildford and the Swan Valley with the Perth Hills. Check the itinerary’s current details and decide which stops fit your day.
28. Make Fremantle a food stop
Explore Fremantle’s dining scene as part of a port-city visit. Check current opening hours if you have a particular place in mind.
29. Find a current market or food event
Check local listings for a market or food event during your visit, then confirm its date and venue before travelling.
30. Spend a day in Mandurah and Peel
Plan a regional day trip around the waterfront scenery and local experiences in Mandurah and Peel. Confirm transport and any activity details with providers.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches31. Explore the Perth Hills
Visit the Perth Hills for a change from the coast and city. If you plan to walk, check trail conditions and summer access before setting out.
32. Plan a longer outing toward Rockingham
Make time for a trip toward Rockingham and confirm how you will get there, whether by car or other transport. Check access for each stop on your route.
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33. Check for FRINGE WORLD dates and a program
Tourism WA included FRINGE WORLD in its announcement of the 2025–26 summer events, but that does not confirm a 2026–27 season. Check the festival’s current dates and program before planning around it. Tourism WA’s events page is one place to look for current listings.
34. Look up the Perth Festival program
Perth Festival was also named in Tourism WA’s 2025–26 summer announcement. Check the current festival calendar for the relevant season rather than assuming dates or events will recur.
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35. Check the current HSBC SVNS Perth listing
Tourism WA’s dynamic events page listed HSBC SVNS Perth on 6–7 February when checked for this article. Confirm the year, venue, event status and ticket availability with the organiser before making plans.
36. Verify whether SailGP is scheduled
Tourism WA described the 2026 Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix as inaugural in its 2025–26 summer announcement. That announcement does not establish a 2026–27 event, so look for a current schedule before planning to attend.
37. Check for a United Cup listing
The United Cup appeared in Tourism WA’s 2025–26 summer lineup. Confirm whether it is scheduled for the season you are visiting and check current dates and venue.
38. Look for AFC Women’s Asian Cup fixtures
If fixtures fall within your travel dates, check the current schedule and venues before arranging an outing. Confirm the details against official event listings.
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The City of Perth’s 2026 Elizabeth Quay Summer Series offered free entertainment from 7 January to 22 February 2026, including music, performances, dance and yoga, movies, salsa classes, children’s movies, DJ sets and group fitness. Those dates have passed; check for a newly announced program rather than assuming it will return.
40. Check event calendars close to your visit
Concerts, sporting events and festivals can be added or updated. Check Tourism WA’s events page and its monthly What’s On page, then confirm dates, venue and tickets with the event organiser.
Quick Recap
Plan around the conditions
- For beaches, walks and cycling, check conditions, access and route details before leaving.
- For summer trails and Perth Hills outings, check current access and fire restrictions.
- For ferries, guided activities, markets and venues, verify schedules, opening hours and booking requirements directly.
- For seasonal events, confirm the correct year, date, venue and ticket availability; a previous summer’s program is not proof of a return.
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