City of Surf, Sun and Sand

Australia’s Sunniest City

The city of Perth is situated alongside the tranquil waters of the Swan River, just 20 kilometres inland from the Indian Ocean on the West Coast of Australia.

Perth is laid-back and liveable, famous for being Australia’s sunniest city, with beautiful beaches and an easygoing character. Part of Perth’s charm lies in its isolation from the rest of Australia. It’s closer to Bali than any of Australia’s eastern state capitals. It's a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city, with a plethora of bars, restaurants and cultural activities that are guaranteed to please.

The Best Beaches in Australia

Perth has the beach at its heart. And when you wade through the crystal clear surf and relax on the sand, you’ll understand why Perth’s beaches are considered some of the best in Australia. The city's beaches run along the western coast for around 40 kilometres, and some days, you’ll often find that you have one all to yourself.

Hire a car in Perth and explore the outer city

Just a short drive from Perth’s city centre are the beautiful wineries of the Swan Valley, an area steeped in history, and one of Western Australia’s oldest wine regions. The region is home to more that 40 vineyards, many of which are still run by relatives of the original winemaking families.

Rottnest Island

A short ferry ride from Perth lies Rottnest Island, a popular holiday destination with a relaxed atmosphere, sure to be a highlight of your holiday. Here, you can meet the quokka, a unique marsupial after which the island is named.

Night Life

Perth has grown to encompass Fremantle within in its suburbs – but the unique port town maintains its own distinct personality with a thriving food and arts scene. On the weekend, Fremantle is a popular place where you’ll find markets, music and alfresco dining. If you’re looking for nightlife, there’s also great nightclubs, music venues and bars on offer.

A Quick Guide to Perth

When you’re looking to really get away from it all, there’s no place better than Perth. A combination of geographical isolation, breathtaking scenery, and a truly unique culture combine to make this city one you won’t soon forget. Despite being one of the most isolated major cities on the planet, you’ll find a warm welcome here, and a city very much in touch with the modern world.

The Pinnacle of Adventure

No trip to Perth is complete without visiting the Pinnacles – just a quick 2 hour jaunt north of town in your Hertz hire car, and you’ll feel as though you’ve left the planet altogether – the vast desert dunes and soaring rocky outcrops are often described as a “moonscape”. The limestone outcrops are otherworldly in their beauty at any time of day, but dawn and sunset see the ochre tones of the desert display their full beauty. Rising up to 3.5 metres, these imposing structures make for an amazing experience. Once the sun goes down, if the night is clear you’ll be treated to one of the most breathtakingly clear starscapes in the world – isolation from other light sources means you will be able to see more stars than ever before. At nearby Cervantes you can feast on some of the world’s very best seafood while taking in views of the most spectacular beaches.

Wave hello to Natural Beauty

Another amazing daytrip out of Perth will take you a further spectacular example of natural beauty – Wave Rock. This wave-like natural sandstone formation has to be seen to be believed, and it is surrounded by a beautiful national park to explore too, with walking and biking trails to suit every level of athleticism. Take the time to explore the Aboriginal Sacred Sites and hear the Dreamtime stories on one of the many Indigenous culture tours of the area, and get in touch with the ancient history of Australia.

Giant Trees await you

Heading south out of Perth will bring you to the Valley of the Giants – home to the forest of giant Karri Trees, many of which are more than 400 years old, found nowhere else on the entire planet. There is a walkway 40 metres off the ground to allow you to get up close and personal with these majestic beauties, and a range of entertainments to explore here. You can even stay among the trees in a variety of ecolodge accommodations.

Freemantle Freedom

When Perth residents want to kick back and enjoy themselves, they “Head to Freo!”, and you can too, with the welcoming suburb of Freemantle beckoning you. Take a bike tour run by enthusiastic locals and discover some of the area’s hidden gems, or take to the water on one of the many sailing charters available. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, then simply take your pick from the array of seaside dining options at your disposal, try a local tipple from one of the many surrounding wine regions and enjoy some of the freshest produce possible.