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Perth is a vibrant city perched on the banks of Swan River and is a popular place for visitors who are looking to get to know Western Australia. Most tourists flock here to relax on the city’s beaches and explore the many museums and galleries on offer. However, when you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover many more sights and activities that locals have so far kept secret.
Read on to discover our ten can’t miss hidden gems in Perth.
1. Fremantle Prison’s Underground Tunnels
- Address: 1 The Terrace, Fremantle, WA 6160
- Opening hours: Check the website for the current tour schedule
Fremantle Prison is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and it’s featured in practically every Perth travel guide. What many people don’t know, however, is that it’s possible to tour the intricate tunnel system that runs beneath it.
Visitors descend 20 meters before being led through the narrow tunnels that were first excavated by convicts in the 1800s. The tunnels are partly waterlogged, and some sections can only be explored by boat. Visitors must be okay with enclosed spaces to take part.
2. Sea Lions at Carnac Island
Most visitors come to Australia hoping to catch a glimpse of a kangaroo or a koala, but did you know you can spot sea lions, too?
Carnac Island lies between Rottnest and Garden Islands and is home to rare Australian sea lions. This protected nature reserve is only accessible by boa, and it’s not possible to stay the night. Plenty of day tours depart Fremantle and often include the option to snorkel, kayak, or stand-up paddle board.
3. Gnomesville
- Address: LOT 4059 Wellington Mill Rd, Wellington Mill, WA 6236
- Opening hours: 24/7
Indulge your inner child and get to know a quirkier side of Western Australia at Gnomesville. Located in Ferguson Valley which is a two-hour drive from Perth, Gnomesville is home to thousands of garden gnomes. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own to add to the collection.
While in the area, take advantage of the many family-owned craft breweries and wineries dotted around. Hiking fans will be pleased to hear that there are also hundreds of hectares of bushland to explore in the area.
4. Perth City’s Public and Street Art
The Art Gallery of Western Australia is the best-known venue for art lovers to visit, but it’s in the streets that you’ll find the hidden gems of Perth’s art world. There are more than 200 public artworks to explore, with various walking tours available that’ll help you discover the best pieces.
If you’d prefer to go it alone, here are some of the neighborhoods and laneways where you’ll find murals aplenty.
Elizabeth Quay Public Art Walk
There’s an impressive array of art on display around Elizabeth Quay — from the EDGE light show and the interactive Spanda to the Blade Walls, which are updated every 18 months to give new artists an opportunity to display their work.
The Claisebrook Cove Village Art Trail
This art walk was the brainchild of local artist Andrew Hawes and features around 150 hand-painted gecko sculptures. Many of them have been designed to express Perth’s unique history and landscape, and some are made from salvaged materials from surrounding old buildings.
South Perth Public Art
South Perth is home to many sculptures, artworks, and murals. While some pieces are permanent, others are temporary, which means that the exhibits are constantly changing. An interactive map helps art lovers track down pieces of interest, giving the experience a fun scavenger hunt feel.
Other Notable Pieces
In addition to the above walks, there are dozens of other notable pieces that shouldn’t be missed. These include:
- Koorden: six bronze figures representing Indigenous males can be found striding across Wellington Gardens at Kings Square. Details on the sculptures represent ceremonial markings that have been created via consultations with local Aboriginal elders to ensure authenticity.
- The Mob – Kangaroos on the Terrace: kangaroos are synonymous with Australia and this energetic sculpture captures them bounding through a modern urban area. The purpose of the sculpture is to remind its viewers that these creatures migrated through the city for millions of years before it was developed.
5. Sneaky Tony’s
- Address: Somewhere in Chinatown, Northbridge, WA 6003
- Opening hours: 5 pm – 12 am daily
Tony “The Hat” was an infamous rum runner and local legend, and this prohibition-style bar is the coolest place in Perth to enjoy a speakeasy experience. Sneaky Tony’s stocks over 300 bottles of rum from around the globe, and there’s a great menu of craft beers and cocktails to boot. The only catch is that you have to find the bar first.
The only clue we’ll give you is that it’s located in Northbridge’s Chinatown. A password is needed to gain access to the bar, which is published daily on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
6. Heath Ledger Memorial
- Address: 58 Duncraig Rd, Applecross, WA 6153
- Opening hours: 24/7
Heath Ledger was one of Australia’s greatest actors, and this memorial is a poignant tribute to him. Ledger was born in Perth in 1979 and tragically died in 2008 at the age of 28. Slovenian-Australian artist Rob Gomboc designed the memorial, and Ledger’s mother chose the location for the tribute because it was a special place to the star while he was growing up. It’s a must-visit site for fans of the late actor.
7. The Bottle Cap Tree
Countless people stroll down King Street every day, but very few of them are aware of what’s hiding in this palm tree. The trunk is studded with hundreds of colorful bottle caps, turning it into a living piece of art.
Legend has it that this unique piece of street art started when a bike courier stuck a cap into a tree, but nobody knows for sure if this is true. The tree is in a row of three palms on the corner of Hay Street across from His Majesty’s Theater.
8. Sample Perth Cider
Perth is home to an impressive five cider houses. These spots are mostly located in the Perth Hills, just a 30-minute drive from Perth CBD, making this a great option for a road trip (catch an Uber if you don’t have a designated driver). The five cider houses are as follows.
Core Cider House, Pickering Brook
- Website: corecider.com.au
- Address: 35 Merrivale Rd, Pickering Brook, WA 6076
- Opening hours: 11 am – 3 pm Wednesday to Friday / 11 am – 3.30 pm Saturday / 11 am – 4 pm Sunday
This 80-year-old orchard has always been run by the same family and is a Perth institution. Visit the charming bar and cafe for tasty cider and fresh bites, and keep an eye on their website, as they regularly have live music performances.
Carmel Cider Co, Carmel
- Website: carmelcider.com.au
- Address: 680 Canning Rd, Carmel, WA 6076
- Opening hours: 11 am – 4 pm Saturday & Sunday
Head down the road from Core Cider House, and you’ll find the quirky Carmel Cider Co. Carmel focuses on traditional production methods, and there is a great range of ciders on offer. Order the tasting paddle to sample as many options as possible during your visit.
Naked Apple Cider, Karragullen
- Website: nakedapple.com.au
- Address: 1088 Brookton Hwy, Karragullen WA 6111
- Opening hours: 11.30 am – 3 pm Wednesday / 11.30 am – 9 pm Thursday / 11.30 am – 10 pm Friday & Saturday / 11 am – 7 pm Sunday
Naked Apple is one of the newer cider houses in the Perth Hills and was named because they don’t add anything to their cider that isn’t naturally found in fruit. They even ferment their cider using wild yeast from apple skins! Try their classic cloudy apple cider or the more experimental brew infused with pineapple.
Roleystone Brewing Co.
- Website: roleystonebrewingco.com
- Address: 3/1 Soldiers Rd, Roleystone WA 6111
- Opening hours: 5 pm – 9 pm Wednesday & Thursday / 11.30 am – 10 pm Friday & Saturday / 11.30 am – 9 pm Sunday
Roleystone launched in 2018 in response to an oversupply of apples. The business took off, and the team now brews four popular ciders, including one with a hit of ginger that’s deliciously warming in the cooler months. A unique thing about Roleystone is that the bar moves around the orchard to suit the seasons — this is reason enough to visit more than once!
Funk Cider, Caversham
- Website: funkcider.com.au
- Address: 55 Benara Rd, Caversham, WA 6055
- Opening hours: 11 am – 5 pm Thursday to Monday
Funk Cider is located in the Swan Valley and prides itself on having a new approach to craft cider. There are typically two tasting paddles on offer, giving patrons plenty of choices when it comes to trying the range of ciders on offer. A tasty menu of pub meals and lighter bites is also available.
9. The Wildflowers in Kings Park
- Website: bgpa.wa.gov.au/kings-park
- Address: Fraser Ave, Perth, WA 6005
- Opening hours: 24/7
Kings Park is a very well-known attraction in Perth, but the wildflowers are its best-kept secret. More than 3,000 species of flowering plants can be found here, and several walking trails make it easy to explore them on foot. Native flowers bloom here all year, but the best time to visit is between July and October.
10. Perth Hills Railway Reserves Heritage Trail
- Website: railwayreserves.com.au/Pages/default.aspx
- Address: Stoneville, WA 6081
- Opening hours: 24/7
The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail is located in the Perth Hills and retraces over 30 miles of the older Eastern Railway that linked Fremantle to York in the 1800s. This walking and biking trail isn’t well known by tourists, but locals will tell you that it’s one of the best hiking spots in Western Australia.
The route takes in the landscapes of the Darling Range and John Forrest National Park, and there are short and long trails available to suit all fitness levels.
Discover the Lesser-known Side of Perth
Perth is one of Australia’s best-known tourist destinations and home to many exciting attractions. Add these hidden gems to your itinerary to see a whole different side of this fabulous city.
