Arts & Attractions
Travel Guide
Need a getaway? Here’s why Perth is the place to be this summer!
With a calendar jampacked with top-notch events, why would you want to be anywhere other than Perth this summer? Here’s the lowdown on the best things to do, see, and eat in Australia’s sunniest capital city. It’s time to start planning!
Whether you call Perth home or you’re planning a summer staycation, there is no denying that Perth brings together the best of every world. From dazzling beaches to bustling city streets and spectacular nature trails – no matter how you like to enjoy your getaway, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
We’ve put together the ultimate itinerary chock full of must-see events, delicious food, Instagram-worthy sightseeing, and a stack more. Let’s go!
The Boy From Oz
There aren’t many musicals more iconic to Australian than The Boy From Oz and it’s coming to Perth’s Crown Theatre in January. The magnificent smash-hit musical is based on the legendary life of homegrown entertainer Peter Allen and features all of his best-loved hits including ‘I Still Call Australia Home’, ‘I Honestly Love You’, ‘Not The Boy Next Door’, ‘I Go To Rio’, and many more. Making it even better, Perth’s own Ethan Jones will feature in the lead role. The Boy From Oz opens on Friday 22 January and tickets to this special season are on sale now.
Eternal MMA
With Jack Becker and Cody Barnwell both looking to bounce back into the winner’s column, Eternal MMA 57 is being described as a “lightweight scrap not to be missed” and with 29 fights between the two, rest assured this could be a fight of the night contender. Other bouts on the ticket include the Eternal MMA Welterweight Title Fight between champion Jack Della and Saeid Fatahifar, as well as Jamie Hunt V Rod Costa and Luke Jones V Mohammad Alavi. Eternal MMA 57 will take over HBF Stadium on Saturday 13 February and tickets are on sale now.
Missy Higgins
Missy Higgins is an absolute Australian treasure, and when she teams up with Ben Lee for a night of beautiful songwriting at Fremantle Prison you’re certain to witness something special. With iconic singles like ‘Scar’, ‘Ten Days’, ‘The Special Two’, and 2020 hits ‘Carry On’ and ‘When The Machine Starts’, alongside Ben Lee hits like ‘Rise Up’ and ‘Catch My Disease’, you should definitely prepare your singing voice. Missy Higgins and Ben Lee will play two shows at Fremantle Prison on Thursday 4 March and Friday 5 March, and tickets are on sale now.
Castaway
Wowee, some pretty big hitmakers are set to take over Hillary’s Beach Park for the upcoming instalment of Castaway. ‘Dance Monkey’ and ‘Never Seen The Rain’ powerhouse Tones and I will join electronic hip hop duo Hermitude, Canberra bopmakers Safia, groover Winston Surfshirt , Brisbane DJ Odd Mob, and teen songstress Matilda Pearl for a day of sun-soaked fun. It all goes down on Saturday 20 March and tickets are on sale now.
Summersalt
The good times are on their way because outdoor concert series Summersalt 2021 have pulled together a stellar cast of Australia’s favourite homegrown musicians. Taking over some of the most picturesque and iconic locations around the country, whether you like to enjoy your live music up dancing with your friends or sitting back in the sunshine, Summersalt is a must. The Cat Empire, The Teskey Brothers, John Butler, Emily Wurramara will head to Geraldton Multi-Purpose Centre on Saturday 20 March, before they’re joined by Boy & Bear and Montaigne at Nodes Park Whitfords on Sunday 21 March. Tickets to both shows are on sale now.
By The C
One of Australia’s greatest bands, Icehouse, returns to WA to play a very special, very massive show at WA’s most exciting new venue, City Beach Reserve. They will be joined by their very special friends Pete Murray, You am I, Tex Perkins, and Killing Heidi for one very massive day. By The C will take place on Saturday 27 March, tickets are on sale now
Planning your Perth staycation
Make the most out of your trip to Perth and lock in a staycation packed full of all the best bits that the West has to offer. We’ve got your itinerary sorted.
Where to Stay?
No matter your budget or needs – if you’d prefer to stay in the heart of the city, on the coast, or in the countryside – there are accommodation options aplenty in Perth.
Whether you want to opt for a cosy hotel, soak in the luxuries of a resort stay, or make your trip to Perth feel like you’re staying in a home away from home in a serviced apartment, you are spoiled for choice.
For those that want to get out of the city and experience the great outdoors, there are even an abundance of caravan and camping options, or you can get up close to all of Perth’s natural glory and stay in a bed and breakfast. In Perth, you can shape your summer staycation however you like.
Looking for inspiration? Whether you want to stay in one of the city’s newest hotels, a friendly backpackers in Fremantle, in a villa on Rottnest Island, an estate in the Swan Valley, a spa retreat in the Perth Hills, or an apartment in Rockingham – you can check out all your options here.
Enjoy the views and get amongst the action
One of the best ways to experience Perth is on the water, and you could make an entire holiday out of trying all the different ways to enjoy the sights. There’s stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, kiteboarding, and even water-biking for those who like to keep moving. If you like your panoramic skyline views a little more majestic opt for a twilight cruise, a luxury catamaran around Rottnest Island, or hop on a deluxe pontoon. Thank us for the views later.
If you want to explore the city in a whole new way, we’ve got you covered too. Discover Fremantle’s rich history on two wheels along the Fremantle Highlights Cycling Trail or cycle along the coastline from Fremantle to Cottesloe on the stunning Indian Ocean Trail. Take a guided walking tour of Fremantle, Perth city, or Northbridge where you can learn about the city’s past, present and future, as well as explore small bars, laneways, street art, restaurants and cafes.
You can hear the history of Perth’s most famous landmarks on a 9km running tour or experience the magic of the Perth Hills at sunset on a scenic hike. Of course, to top it all off, you can enjoy the best sights Perth and Kings Park have to offer atop a double decker bus. Check out more of Perth’s best summer attractions here.
There’s more to do in Perth this summer
Thought your itinerary was full? Think again, because there is so much more to see and do in Perth this summer.
From the Growers & Makers Market in Peel to the Inglewood Night Markets and the Scarborough Sunset Markets, almost every night of the week you can indulge in delicious food and drink while experiencing the beauty of another little corner of Perth.
Another staple of the summertime is, of course, the outdoor cinema. Whether you want to cosy up on a bean bag atop the City of Perth Roe Street Carpark, pull up a deck chair amongst the Perth Hills state forest, enjoy a prison film inside Fremantle Prison, or relax on the Kings Park and Botanic Gardens lawn, you’re in for a treat.
Delight your tastebuds
After a day of adventure and sightseeing, all we can think about is where to eat and drink. And if exquisite and exciting food and drink is your thing, then you’ve come to the right place.
Enjoy delicious takes on classic cocktails at Crown Metropol’s HI-LINE, dive into Fremantle’s bar scene – from the maritime atmosphere of Darling Darling to the speakeasy of the Old Synagogue’s L’Chaim – on a bar hop, or be transported away with The Flour Factory’s Alice Gin Wonderland.
There are High Tea and delicious brunch spots aplenty, incredible restaurants offering specials throughout the day, and if you’re feeling especially indulgent there’s even a bakery pie crawl. We’re getting hungry just thinking about it all.
Discover where to eat, drink, and dine around Perth here.
Perth really is the place to be this summer. Explore Perth with a fresh set of eyes and discover all the beauty and wonder that summer in the city has to offer. Get planning with Destination Perth.
