Perth is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, and for good reason. It's home to some of the best restaurants, wineries, museums, and cultural attractions in the whole world, and if you only have seven days to see the city, then this itinerary is one you'll want to follow.
Your seven days in Perth include:
Day 1
- Kings Park Botanic Garden
- Art Gallery & Perth Cultural Centre (WA Museum Boola Bardip + Art Gallery of WA)
- Evening at Elizabeth Quay & Swan River
Day 2
- Fremantle Markets, Fremantle Prison & Museums
- Lunch on the Cappuccino Strip & Little Creatures Brewery
- Cottesloe Beach & City Beach
Day 3
- South Perth Foreshore & Perth Zoo
- Perth City & Rottnest Island Scenic Helicopter Tour
- Sunset at Bold Park or Trigg Beach
Day 4
- Rottnest Island Day Trip (Ferry + Cycling + Snorkelling + Lookouts)
- Exploring Rottnest Island (Salmon Bay, Little Salmon Bay, lookout points)
- Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
Day 5
- Whiteman Park & Caversham Wildlife Park
- Sandalford Wines Helicopter Tour (Swan Valley)
- Evening in the Perth City Centre Laneways
Day 6
Day 7
- Perth Hills Morning Scenic Drive
- Margaret River Helicopter Winery Tour
- Fine Dining at Hearth at The Ritz-Carlton Perth
Day 1: Perth City, Kings Park Botanic Garden, and Elizabeth Quay
Day one of your seven day Perth itinerary could include a morning at Kings Park Botanic Garden, followed by a visit to the Perth Cultural Centre, and an evening at Elizabeth Quay.

Start by Visiting the Kings Park Botanic Garden
Start your seven days in Perth with a morning at Kings Park, which happens to be one of the largest inner city parks in all of Australia. Here, there are plenty of lookouts to see the city skyline, Swan River, and much of Perth City. You can spend a few hours on the walking trails exploring Kings Park and its memorials, with the lawns featuring amazing views of South Perth.
Visit the Art Gallery and Cultural Centre
You can then take the public transport system or the free Cat Bus to the Perth Cultural Centre found near Perth Station. From here, you can visit the WA Museum Boola Bardip, as well as the art gallery nearby, and yes, they are within walking distance of each other. Here, you'll find exhibits that showcase the cultural and natural history of Western Australia. This part of the Perth CBD is also perfect for learning about the greater region before you head down to the water for a spectacular sunset.
An Evening at Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River
End the day at Elizabeth Quay on the Swan River. You can walk the Elizabeth Quay Bridge, which provides excellent views of the harbour and much of the city. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes in this area, so you can choose where to have dinner. This is a great prelude to all of your Perth adventures that are to follow.
Day 2: Fremantle, Crafts, and Beach Hopping
Day two of your Perth itinerary might start with a morning in Fremantle, followed by lunch on the Cappuccino Strip, and an evening spent beach hopping.

Morning in Fremantle, Markets, and Fremantle Prison
You can take a bus or train ride to Fremantle, and you'll want to start at the Fremantle Markets, where there is plenty of fresh produce, cafes, local crafts, and more. You can then walk to Fremantle Prison, the WA Shipwrecks Museum, the WA Maritime Museum, and the Esplanade Park. This historic part of the city is great for laid back morning of culture - a great way to explore Western Australia.
Lunch on the Cappuccino Strip and Little Creatures Brewery
Afterwards, go for lunch along the famous Cappuccino Strip - full of outdoor tables, buskers, and cafes with modern Australian cuisine. Then, head down to the Little Creatures Brewery on the fishing boat harbour. Here, you'll find local beers, wood-fired pizza, and the chance to watch boats come and go - making it a fine addition to any list of Perth adventures.
Afternoon at Cottesloe Beach and City Beach
Cap the day off with an evening at Cottesloe Beach and City Beach. Start at Cottesloe Beach, which is known for its Norfolk pines, sunset views over the Indian Ocean, and white sand beaches. You can go for a swim, have some ice cream, and then continue to City Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Many people who stay in Perth opt to stay around this location thanks to its beauty and proximity to various amenities.
Day 3: South Perth, the Perth Zoo, and a Scenic Helicopter Flight
Day three of your seven days in Perth could involve a morning in South Perth and the Perth Zoo, a scenic helicopter tour in the afternoon, and an evening sunset at one of the many local beaches or parks.

A Morning in South Perth and Perth Zoo
Take a short ferry ride across the Swan River to South Perth, which features panoramic views of the city skyline. From there, you can take a bus or walk to the Perth Zoo. It's got plenty of Australian wildlife, making it ideal for wildlife lovers and the whole family alike. Allow yourself a few hours to see all of the animals and exhibits, because there is much to see here.
Perth City & Rottnest Island Scenic Helicopter Tour
Early in the afternoon, head over to Jandakot Airport where Rotor One will take you on a Rottnest Island scenic helicopter tour. This is a private flight that starts with amazing views of Perth City, Kings Park, and the Swan River, along with views of the coastline along the Indian Ocean. You'll pass over Rottnest Island and see many hidden beaches that are nearly impossible to see from the ground. The island forms a loop that happens to be a great place for a full Rottnest Island day trip. Either way, this scenic helicopter flight is exciting, scenic, and gives you a whole new perspective on the ground below.
Sunset at Bold Park or Trigg Beach
End the day with a nice coastal sunset. You can drive or take a bus to Bold Park, where there are elevated walking trails that wind through coastal bushland, with views of both the city and the ocean. Another option is to head to Trigg Beach, a great surf spot just north of Scarborough Beach - a good place to be for a swim and beachside drink. The shoreline is framed by low sand dunes, making for some fantastic views at sunset. It's within easy reach of the city centre, yet another bonus.
Day 4: Rottnest Island Day Trip and the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
Officially at the halfway mark, day four of your seven day Perth itinerary involves a ferry ride to Rottnest Island for a day trip, followed by an afternoon at the Shoalwater Island Marine Park.

Taking a Rottnest Island Day Trip
Seeing as you flew overtop of Rottnest Island the previous day, now is a good time to take a full day trip to the same island. You can take a ferry, which is another fun aspect of any Perth adventure. Once on the island, hire a bike to tour around on the island's quiet roads. Rottnest is full of coastal views, white sand beaches, shimmering waters, cafes, and more. It's a fairly compact island, so it's easy to get around. Spend the late morning and early afternoon exploring the island at your own pace. There are also plenty of lookout points, all of which are within walking distance of the bike racks. If you want to go snorkeling, check out Salmon Bay and Little Salmon Bay - renowned for their colourful wildlife and coral reefs. You should plan to spend a few hours here because there is lots to see.
An Afternoon at the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park
If you'd like an extended experience as far as marine life is concerned, head over to the Shoalwater Island Marine Park. Here, you will find sheltered islands and coral reefs that provide plenty of opportunities. You can go on wildlife cruises to see penguins, seals, and dolphins, and you can go swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling too. When it comes to one of the best things to do when you visit Perth, seeing the coast and all of the marine life it has to offer is a must.
Day 5: Swan Valley, Whiteman Park, and the Sandalford Wines Helicopter Tour
Day five of your seven day Perth itinerary could involve a morning at Whiteman Park and the Caversham Wildlife Park, an afternoon at Sandalford Wines, and an evening at the Perth Mint.

Spend the Morning at Whiteman Park and the Caversham Wildlife Park
Day 5 should start with a tour to Whiteman Park, which is a large reserve of tram rides, bushland, playgrounds, museums, and more. In this park, you'll also find the Caversham Wildlife Park, where you can meet koalas, hand-feed kangaroos, and learn all about Australian wildlife. It's a great half day option that lasts a few hours, and it's ideal for families.
A Sandalford Wines Helicopter Lunch in Swan Valley
Next, you can take a Rotor One helicopter tour to Swan Valley, specifically to Sandalford Wines. The Sandalford Wines and Restaurant Helicopter Tour features a short flight from Perth to Swan Valley. It involves seeing the Perth CBD, Swan River, and many vineyards from a bird's-eye-view, before landing at Sandalford Estate. Once you're on the ground, you can enjoy a relaxed yet sophisticated wine tasting in the elegant cellar door, followed by a gourmet three-course lunch consisting of seasonal ingredients and local produce. This is a must for any Perth itinerary.
Spend the Evening in the City Centre Laneways
To finish day 5 in Perth, visit the city centre and its many laneways, which are full of small cafes, larger restaurants, shops, and so much more. If you're looking for boutiques and local designers to shop at, followed by a nice dinner at one of the hundreds of eateries, then this is the best place to spend the rest of day five in Perth Western Australia.
Day 6: Road Trip to Lancelin Sand Dunes, the Pinnacles Desert, and Yanchep National Park
Spend day six of your Perth visit at the Lancelin Sand Dunes, the Pinnacles Desert, and Yanchep National Park.

A Morning Trip to the Lancelin Sand Dunes
Start day six with a coastal road trip to North of Perth to the Lancelin Sand Dunes. This is a playground of bright sand dunes that overlook the Indian Ocean. It's a magnificent sight to behold, and it also happens to be a popular spot for 4WD tours and sandboarding. Also worth noting is that the dunes are right at the water as well, making for an interesting contrast.
Visit Nambung National Park and Pinnacles Desert
Follow this with a visit to Nambung National Park, which is home to the famous Pinnacles Desert. This is where you will find thousands of ancient limestone pillars that rise from the sand, forming an iconic landscape - a must see in Western Australia. There is a driving loop you can take by car, or there is the option to walk among the formations to get a much closer look. You should plan to spend a few hours here to take photos and explore - this area looks especially great once the sun starts to go down.
Late Afternoon at Yanchep National Park
On your return trip to Perth, you can stop at the Yanchep National Park, a quiet and peaceful area that is full of caves, wetlands, and bushland. You'll find lots of walking trails that lead past native trees, plus a dedicated koala boardwalk where you can see a multitude of koalas in the trees. You're also likely to see kangaroos and other wildlife native to Western Australia.
Day 7: Perth Hills, Margaret River Helicopter Tour, and a Fine Dining Finale
The final day of your seven day Perth itinerary might include a scenic morning in the Perth hills, a helicopter tour of Margaret River wineries, and a final dinner at a fine dining restaurant in Perth.
A Scenic Morning in the Perth Hills
The final morning of your trip could be spent in the Perth Hills, which are just a short drive from the Perth City centre. It might be close by, but is very different in character - with plenty of orchards, small townships, and forests - a quiet escape from the city.
The Margaret River Helicopter Winery Tour
In the late morning, go on Rotor One's Margaret River Helicopter Winery Tour. This is a fantastic helicopter tour that flies from Perth Western Australia to the Margaret River region - passing over coast, forest, vineyards, and more along the way. This tour includes visits to three renowned wineries and their cellar doors, each of which offers its unique wine varietals. Included with the tour is a wine tasting at each of the locations, along with a gourmet three-course lunch to tie it all together. Not only is this is a great opportunity to indulge, but it also makes for a great photo-op as well.
A Final Dinner at Hearth at The Ritz-Carlton Perth

End the final day of your Perth visit with a gourmet dinner at Hearth at The Ritz-Carlton. This is one of the most popular fine dining venues in the City. It overlooks Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River, so not only does it have top-notch food, but great views as well. The majority of dishes at Hearth are cooked over an open flame, adding a fantastic flavour to each meal. When it comes to an ultimate Perth itinerary, it really wouldn't be complete without a visit to a fine dining venue like this.