5 great places to relax in and around Perth, Australia

When people plan trips to Australia, they often think of the east coast. But the west coast features Perth, the biggest center on that side of the island. It has a wide variety of things to do, not to mention some truly wonderful places to eat.

But that’s not all Perth has to offer. It’s an interesting town with a vibrant arts and culture scene as well as some amazing places to chill out. When you’re in Western Australia, you should take the opportunity to relax and enjoy life a bit.

Wander around Kings Park

Kings Park, PERTH, AUSTRALIA — PERTH, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 25: The sun rises over the State War Memorial at Kings Park on April 25, 2021, in Perth, Australia. Anzac day is a national holiday in Australia, traditionally marked by a dawn service held during the time of the original Gallipoli landing and commemorated with ceremonies and parades throughout the day. Crowds are limited at services across Australia, while the dawn service at Kings Park attracts over 50,000 people, Perth events were canceled due to lockdown restrictions following a community COVID-19 outbreak. Anzac Day commemorates the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) landed on the shores of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, during World War 1. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

This might be Perth’s most stunning feature. Residing on Mount Eliza, it offers incredible panoramic views of the city, which is only one of the reasons visitors flock to it. But there’s much more to this huge draw.

Two-thirds of Kings Park and Botanic Garden have been conserved as native bushland. In addition to that, the rest of the park is a stellar mix of botanical gardens and grassy parklands. It’s a fantastic place to relax, wander, or spend the day birding.

Swing by Heirisson Island

Resting in the Swan River, Heirisson Island is a stunning emerald in South Perth. What’s interesting about Heirisson is that it started as a few small islands and mudflats. A reclamation project turned it into one island.

Connected to the shore on both sides by walking bridges, it is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Perth. It’s filled with native Western Australian plant life as well as a population of Western Grey Kangaroos that were introduced in the later 1990s.

Relax on Perth’s Cottesloe Beach

Not surprisingly, the residents of Perth have been hitting the beaches for as long as there’s been a settlement there. It’s one of the huge advantages of living in a city that’s right on the coast. As such, there are a lot of marvelous beaches to spend time on.

Cottesloe Beach is generally considered to be the best of the bunch and is incredibly popular with both locals and tourists. The pure white sand beach is the perfect place to enjoy the sun. Plus, it’s great for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing.

Spend the day in Freemantle

Perth, FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA — FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 06: Customers are seen dining outside Cicerello’s at Fishing Boat Harbour on June 06, 2020, in Fremantle, Australia. Restrictions continue to ease around Australia in response to the country’s declining COVID-19 infection rate. Phase three of eased coronavirus restrictions have come into effect across Western Australia as of midnight 6 June 2020, with the majority of businesses affected by the lockdown permitted to reopen, including gyms, theatres, beauty services, and cinemas. Indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people are also now permitted and up to 300 people will be allowed in some venues subject to spacing rules, while food businesses and licensed premises can operate with seated service. Full contact sport and training is now permitted while playgrounds, skate parks, and outdoor gym equipment can be used. Most intrastate travel restrictions have been lifted and Rottnest Island has reopened to visitors again. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Getting away from the city core offers its own range of activities. The greater metropolitan area of Perth has a lot of fun things to do, especially if you head over to Freemantle. It’s a bustling economic center and a key port in the country.

Freemantle is known to have a strong art, culture, and food scene. As such, this is a great spot to get a bite to eat and wander through one of the many art galleries. Plus, this is one of Perth’s major nightlife hubs, if you’re so inclined.

Enjoy Marmion Marine Park

Protecting the natural world is paramount. One of the ways that has been handled in Western Australia is through the establishment of the Marmion Marine Park. Thousands of hectares of ocean off the coast of North Perth have been set aside to protect marine life.

Limestone reefs are home to thousands of species of tropical fish and invertebrates. Additional visitors include Humpback Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, and Australian Sea Lions. An endless array of clear lagoons provide excellent spots to view wildlife.