The Ultimate Travel Guide to Perth for Water Lovers

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With over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, it’s no surprise that there are so many things to do in Perth, Western Australia, especially when it comes to wild and wet water activities, gorgeous waterside dining and stunning waterfront accommodation. Ranked as one of the world’s top 10 most liveable cities, its quiet population of about 2 million residents is perfect for travellers seeking a quiet adventure away from crowded city life.

Its open layout and spacious surroundings make Perth ideal for outdoor things to do. An abundance of calm rivers, weaving waterways and a turquoise ocean is enough to tempt you onto the water. Water Features are scattered throughout the city for some Water Wellness, whilst there are many waterside bars, restaurants and accommodation choices to make sure you’ll never want to leave!

Perth Water Activities

You are spoilt for choice with things to do in Perth – its range of water activities, splashing adventures and seriously fun water sports. Locations across Perth and surrounding areas include the CBD, Swan River, South Perth, East Perth, Freemantle, Rottnest Island, Hillarys Harbour, Mandurah and beyond.

Explore Swan River with Captain Cook Cruises WA

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The Swan River is the perfect way to view Perth’s skyline, cruising along the calm waters, catching a glimpse of nature’s wildlife, with a stunning backdrop for any, or all, photos that will be captured. Travel from Fremantle to Perth in style in the most stress-free way possible.

Captain Cook Cruises are a popular choice in Perth for exploring and offer a range of sightseeing, twilight and romantic cruises along this beautiful stretch of water:

Recommended Cruises:

Scenic cruise from Fremantle or Perth – one way or return. 2.5 hour round trip with interesting commentary by the cruise Captain as you glide past key sights such as the Elizabeth Quay, Perth’s Bell Tower, Swan Brewery, Kings Park and many magnificent mansions.

Lunch Cruise from Fremantle or Perth – 2.5 hour round trip. Highly rated whilst enjoying the magnificent sights of the Swan River, tucking into a seasonal buffet lunch with river views from your reserved cruise table.

Dinner Cruise with drinks and live music – 2.5 hour round trip. Hop onboard for Perth’s best dinner cruise for an enjoyable evening with twilight views – an unforgettable experience.

Twilight Cruise – 1.5 hour round trip. Take in Perth’s skyline and iconic sights at dusk on a leisurely cruise along the Swan River. Watch the sky change colour as the sun descends, enjoying a complimentary drink from the bar.

Self-drive boat hire

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Perth is one of our favourite places for self-drive boat hire. Create your own water adventure at your own pace with boat hire from Fremantle, Rottnest Island and Perth. From tinnies to larger forward cabs, there is something for everyone’s perfect day out on the water.

No boat licence? No problem. Nauti Picnic Eco Boats are available for cruising the Swan River in style. Or head further south to Mandurah for their eco BBQ boat hire for pure water entertainment.

Watersports in Perth

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Perth is not short of sports for every water lover. Check out some of our favourites below:

• Jet Ski hire around Perth
• Sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding with Funcats, Swan River
• Guided Kayak Tour around Canning River Wetlands
• Swan River Kayaking Tour with Dining and Wine Tasting
• 2 Person SUP Lesson at Matilda Bay
• SUP Hire at Matilda Bay

Ultimate Watersports, based in Hillarys, South Perth along with Geraldton, Exmouth and Broome have the most extensive choice of watersports in Western Australia! Choose from:

• Wakeboarding
• Kneeboarding
• Skurfing
• Tubing
• Waterskiing
• Wakefoiling
• Flyboarding
• Jetpacking
• Jetsking
• Stand up paddle boarding
• Kayaking

They really are the top spot to have a full day of serious watersports!

Perth Water Bikes

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Whilst cycling on the water doesn’t sound natural, Perth Waterbike Co has become something of a phenomenon on the Swan River. Keep yourself fit on these super stable, easy to operate water bikes, whilst taking a tour from Perth’s waters edge.

Tours include an Express 30 minute Pedal as a great introduction, grab a Pedal & Coffee for an hour as the perfect way to start your day or explore the river in innovative style with the Blue Boat Shed tour for 1 hour and 15 minutes (or maybe just an hour if you grabbed that coffee first!).

Give these water bikes a go and you won’t be disappointed! No boat licence or experience is needed.

Whale Watching Cruises

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Look for humpback whales during their annual migration on a 2-hour whale watching cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour just north of Perth. Come face to face with the majestic animals aboard this impressive catamaran and learn about whales from the live commentary by a dedicated, certified marine biologist.

Recommended Cruises:

Rottnest Fast Ferries with optional coach pickup to Hillarys Boat Harbour

Rottnest Fast Ferries from Fremantle

Perth’s favourite Waterparks

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With its gorgeous climate and hot sun, visiting a waterpark in Perth is one of the best ways to cool down and have some fun. With several outdoor and indoor waterparks, splash zones and aqua parks close to Perth’s CBD, it’ll be hard to choose which one!

Adventure World Perth is where the theme park meets an outdoor waterpark, with the world’s longest, tallest, and steepest funnel water slide! Outback Splash is a top outdoor entertainment destination with four giant waterslides and water attractions.

Aqua Park is one of Perth’s outdoor inflatable water slide parks with serious laughs for everyone, with over 100 connected obstacles. Island Aqua Park at Hillarys is another big splash outdoor inflatable waterpark that is a popular choice for the boat harbour.

Kalamunda Water Park is an outdoor Olympic sized swimming pool. It also has a wading pool, a toddlers pool, and two exciting tube slides at an excellent value for money entrance price.

Float away your worries

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Float tanks are known for their many health benefits. Find your blue mind, whilst unplugging from the stresses around you. Relax into an elusive sen state as you float effortlessly in a mix of Epsom salts, becoming instantly weightless and reaching a high level of relaxation.

Here are the best float spots in Perth:

• Salt Float Studio – South Perth
• Float – Fremantle
• Clear Mind Studio – Inglewood
• Float Lab – North Beach, Wembley and Currambine
• Beyond Rest – Perth, Wembley and Joondalup
• Float & Restore – Joondalup and Carousel
• The Life Spring – Rockingham

Perth Water Features, Water Fountains and Water Falls

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Western Australia is no stranger to impressive public water displays, either manmade or from its natural beauty. Immerse yourself in some Water Wellness. You soon be lost in these moving waters, whether to cool down in city water fountains or chase waterfalls after heavy winter rain.

Check out Perth’s favourite water feature in the city’s heart: Water Labyrinth, an interactive water sculpture. At Elizabeth Quay, find the BHP Billiton water feature at Perth’s new waterfront destination. In Hyde Park, kids will love the free water playground with water cannons, sprays and tipping buckets!

For those seeking more adventure, check out these six waterfalls within an hour’s drive of Perth. Go hiking, or simply relax with a picnic and stunning backdrop, where one of these beautiful waterfalls will have you memorised by their outstanding natural water cascades.

Perth’s Beaches

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This Western Australian capital is blessed with so many extraordinary beaches. White sands meet transparent clear blue water. All close to the city, accessible by road and public transport.

Our favourites are Cottesloe Beach, Scarborough Beach, Port Beach and Trigg Beach. Find out here the best 9 beaches from Perth for a sand-filled fun day out.

Perth Waterside Dining

The Boatshed Restaurant & Cafe, South Perth

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Relaxed casual cafe during the day with fine dining come the evening. Designed to complement the natural surroundings of Sir James Mitchell Park with an elegant, warm and inviting interior, the restaurant maximises its unrivalled panoramic view with floor to ceiling glass windows.

The Lucky Shag Waterfront Bar, Perth CBD

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With fantastic views of the beautiful Swan River to South Perth, this unique waterside bar has a chilled out beach vibe with the iconic skyline as its backdrop. With a ‘Sexy range of beers || Tasty cocktails’ and an inspiring menu, we dare this not to become your favourite waterfront venue in Perth’s CBD!

Bib & Tucker, North Fremantle

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Nestled amongst North Fremantle’s pristine sand dunes, Bib & Tucker is known for delicious seasonal menus imbued with flavoursome character, making it the perfect place to enjoy lunch or dinner on the coast in Fremantle. Boasting sweeping views across Leighton Beach, Bib & Tucker offers patrons a relaxed ethos and a simple promise – a modern Australian menu with no compromise on quality or presentation.

CBlu Restaurant, The Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe Beach

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Located just metres from the white sands of Cottesloe Beach, the sound of the surf, the fresh sea air and the picture-perfect sunsets aren’t the only things to appeal to the senses at C Blu.

The white walls, tastefully lit by blue neon strip lights give the space at C Blu a sophisticated yet serene quality, while soothing sounds float from the two water features in the centre of the room. Huge windows, flung wide open in the warmer months, optimise the views of the Indian Ocean. Cushioned leatherette booths are an excuse to lounge for a while, and the award-winning wine list is packed with affordable WA wines.

Mister Walker, South Perth

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Enjoy the tranquillity of relaxing by the water with one of the best views of Perth’s skyline and Kings Park from the Swan River’s edge. The menu is a perfect blend and balance of flavours, focusing on fresh seafood and delightful goodies. The decor is modern, but who cares about the decor when you have such a stunning waterside view (check it out below!)?

The Royal on the Waterfront, East Perth

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Dine against the backdrop of Perth’s best waterfront views at The Royal, East Perth. A home away from home, their diverse menu oozes quality pub classics with modern Australian twists, showing off the best in Western Australian local produce. With a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, quality pub food crafted from fresh seasonal produce, and an extensive selection of wine and craft beer, you won’t want to go anywhere else.

The Left Bank, East Fremantle

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Located on the banks of the Swan River, The Left Bank is one of the most popular Riverside Pubs in East Freo. Enjoy amazing river views in a casual atmosphere that shows off Fremantle’s chilled-out vibes in style. Food and drink are served throughout the day and night, with busy themed nights to help keep you entertained until the early hours!

Perth Waterfront Stays

DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront

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This gorgeous hotel is next to Elizabeth Quay entertainment and the iconic Bell Tower on the Swan River waterfront. Quayside paths are on the doorstep, and its just 10 minutes from Perth’s CBD, Kings Park and the Botanic Garden. Take in views from the rooftop pool and bar, panoramic river scenes from your bedside and enjoy a 24-hour fitness centre and a warm DoubleTree cookie on arrival.

Rendezvous Hotel, Perth, Scarborough

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Set right on the soft white sand and cocktail-blue water of Scarborough Beach, Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough offers an incredible location for a coastal holiday. The hotel offers on-site dining at Straits Cafe, which boasts ocean views, and places guests close to numerous other beach-facing restaurants and bars.

Guests can choose from a number of room types, including private balconies overlooking the endless ocean outside.  The affordable Deluxe Room King Beach Front is a common favourite. It sleeps up to two adults and one child, and comes with a work desk and in-room movies (fees apply). Rendezvous Hotel keeps the leisure coming with its lagoon-style pool, tennis courts and day spa. It also hosts memorable events on its 24th-floor Observation Deck. However, with the beach only metres away, guests have a very enticing reason to venture out.

Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe

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The Ocean Beach Hotel Perth is one of the city’s local treasures. This historic hotel is a staple on the Cottlesloe beachfront, occupying a prime position on Marine Parade close to restaurants, bars and parklands. Most importantly, guests can enjoy an absolute beachfront position so rare for such an affordable hotel.

The range of rooms at The Ocean Beach Hotel is remarkable, starting at the uber-cheap backpacker dorms and peaking at the spectacular Spa Room. Those who choose the Spa Room or Deluxe Room will be treated to pristine coastal views that capture the idyllic stretch of beach and glistening water.  The hotel’s bars are the stuff of local legend, from the Saloon Bar’s uninterrupted ocean view to the Public Bar’s sports coverage, pool tables and welcoming beer garden.

Fraser Suites, East Perth

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The studio, one and two-bedroom apartments at Fraser Suites Perth attract ample natural light and brilliant river views through oversized windows. Specific suites even feature a timber balcony with space for alfresco dining. Guests can soak up the Swan River below and the suburban sprawl of low-lying houses dispersed among green trees.

These self-contained residences, complete with full kitchens and dining rooms, are balanced well with traditional resort facilities. These include an indoor heated pool, spa, sauna and an on-site restaurant – Heirloom. Along with the Swan River, guests at Fraser Suites Perth are within walking distance of the designer stores on Hay Street Mall and the open-air cinema in Langley Park.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide of water related things to do in Perth? Are you planning a trip? What are your favourite things to do whilst in this captivating Australian capital?