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Budget friendly things to do in Perth, WA

February 27, 20268 minute read
Imagine a place where stunning natural beauty meets lively city vibes. If that’s what you’re looking for, Western Australia ticks all the boxes for you! At its heart is Perth, the State capital, both sophisticated and right at home with incredible natural landscapes. And the best part? Just a short drive from the city, or for some locations, a short train ride away, you can discover charming port or rural towns, explore world-class wine regions and take in some truly breathtaking coastlines. We take a friendly peek into Perth and day trips nearby, some amazing spots nearby, to get you started on planning your very own unforgettable adventure, especially if you’re looking for budget friendly options.

Perth: The Sunny Capital (usually!)

It’s also good to know that, though Perth is the most remote Capital in the world, it’s in the same time zone as Singapore, Malaysia and China. The city is renowned for its sunny climate, pristine beaches, and a relaxed cosmopolitan atmosphere offering a diverse range of attractions. Summer (December – February) can be very hot, but winter isn’t usually that cold, though 2025 was a bit cooler and wetter than most.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Kings Park is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, offering panoramic views of the city skyline and Swan River. It’s a place of natural beauty, cultural significance, and recreational opportunities.
Address: Fraser Ave, Perth WA 6005
Contact: (08) 9480 3600 (Kings Park Administration)

Social Media: @kingsparkandbotanicgarden (Instagram), @KingsParkPerth (Facebook)

Budget friendly
Kings Park, The Giant Boab (Gija Jumulu) 

State War Memorial:

The highlights of the park include some pretty impressive achievements, one of which is the State War Memorial. Overlooking the city, this memorial unveiled in 1929, commemorates those lost in various wars, with significant events like Anzac Day (25th April) held here. The lawns are perfect for picnics and there’s plenty of space.

Explore Western Australia
Sunset over Perth city, behind the War Memorial.

Western Australian Botanic Gardens:

The Botanic Gardens are home to over 3,000 species of the State’s unique flora. one of the most notable is the Giant Boab tree Gija Jumulu (Giant Boab) (Adansonia gregorii) , which has spent most of its 750 years (and counting ) in the State’s Kimberley region and was relocated to the gardens in 2008 due to nearby roadworks. It loses its leaves in winter and will be full of leaves by December.

Western Australia is home to many unique species of plants and their wildflowers are truly spectacular in Spring (September – November). They have a huge collection of native plants, many of which attract birds which seem to be able to ignore human visitors as they hop about.

Budget friendly
A Little Wattlebird enjoys dinner at the Kangaroo Paw flowers in the wildflower filled gardens.

Other things to know

Free walking tours are available every day except Christmas Day, led at 10am and 1pm, by Kings Park Volunteer Guides and if you fancy walking up to Kings Park, why not try the climb using Jacob’s Ladder, 242 concrete steps connecting Kings Park to Mounts Bay Road. It was originally built for river access, but with a busy road and railway line in between, it’s now a great fitness challenge offering city views at the top.
Another cool place to drop by is Langley Park along Riverside Dr, overlooking the Swan river, it can only be described as as a riverside park with a large lawn. It’s empty, so don’t get excited, but you can land a small plane there as it’s 920m long and available as an airfield. However, it is a popular venue for various events, festivals, and other recreational activities and you can enjoy beautiful river views.
Stirling Gardens, on the corner of Barrack St and St George’s Tce, shares space not far from Langley park, with Government House Gardens and The Supreme Court Gardens. You can also visit the oldest building in Perth, the old Law Court Museum, which is beside the Supreme Court.

The Bell Tower

Address: Barrack Square, Riverside Dr, Perth
Contact: (08) 6210 0444
Open every day 10am – 4pm. Last entry 3.45pm, unless there is a private event.
Social Media: Follow them on Instagram @thebelltowerperth and Facebook @TheBellTowerPerth.

This iconic landmark housing the historic bells of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in London, can be seen from across the Perth CBD. The modern design of the tower is a perfect home for what was the original 1725 set of bells, gifted to Perth, in 1988. Though the Tower bells don’t ring every hour, they’re rung by volunteer bell ringers, mainly on Thursdays between 12:00pm and 1:00pm and Sundays 10:30am to 11:30am, but we heard them on a Wednesday as they are subject to change. You can get all your questions answered on their FAQ page, and as The Bell ringing schedule may change, you can contact them on their own Bell Tower Ringers website. On ANZAC Day, the ANZAC Bell rings at 12:00 PM (or 1:00 PM)

Explore Western Australia
The Perth Bell Tower nestles among the tall buildings around Elizabeth Quay.

Culinary Delights

Our accommodation was in Fremantle, because that area and Perth City were the main places we would be visiting, so we looked for some great food options in both. We’re not really foodies, but we do enjoy good and healthy food, sometimes with a glass of Aussie wine, all which is available across Australia, for all price points. Something to note: While a tip is always appreciated, there is not really a tipping culture in Australia, so it’s your choice whether you want to say an extra thank you. You can read more about our culinary adventures HERE.

Swan Valley
The Swan Valley and Margaret River are both world renowned wine producers.

Arts, Culture, and Museums

Perth boasts a rich cultural scene with numerous museums and galleries, many offering free admission. 

The Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip:

A world-class museum showcasing the natural and cultural history of Western Australia. Ticketed exhibitions available, and General admission is $15 for 16 and above. Children 15 and below are free. We were very fortunate to catch the Terracotta Warriors Exhibition, which is extremely well done, with real artefacts ( apart from the chariots, the originals of which never leave China.) and great interactive displays. We didn’t leave ourselves enough time to properly explore all the other galleries, but enjoyed those we did. Displays are well presented and explanations are clear and suitable for visitors of all age groups.

Address: Perth Cultural Centre, (Walkways from Perth Railway Station are at both ends of the station)
Roe St, Perth WA 6000
Contact: 1300 134 081
Website:
Opening hours: 9.30am – 5pm daily, except Public holidays, which have different hours. Refer to their website for these variations.
Social Media:
@wamuseum (Instagram), @wamuseum (Facebook)

For the price of single adult entry, you can get a year’s membership.

Art Gallery of Western Australia:

Located next to the WA Museum, it offers a diverse collection of Western Australian, Australian, and international art. Entry is free for general exhibitions, but special exhibitions will need paid tickets and small donations are welcome as you enter. We couldn’t squeeze in a proper visit, but it is definitely on the list for another trip.
Address: Perth Cultural Centre, Roe St, Perth WA 6000
Contact: (08) 9492 6601
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm, Daily, except Tuesdays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Social Media: @artgallerywa (Instagram), @ArtGalleryWA (Facebook)

Budget friendly
Part of the Cultural Centre, with free general admission.

Northbridge Centre:

Hosts various ticketed events and exhibitions, often connected to the Perth Railway Station by walkways. We visited the much acclaimed Banksy Exhibition which was on when we visited. The Centre is opposite the Beaufort St Entrance to the Western Australian Museum.
Address: 30 Beaufort St,

Perth WA 6000, Australia

This event space hosts exhibitions and is close to the Perth Station.

Luggage Storage and a place to freshen up

Citiplace Rest Centre (Luggage Storage & Locker)

Although there are others in the vicinity, we found Cityplace Rest Centre budget friendly and convenient as it is located in the corridor facing the exit turnstiles at the Perth Railway Station (East end). They also have clean toilets and showers (with towels and soap) are available as well. The charges for these facilities are on their website.
CITY STATION CONCOURSE, SHOP
Address: 11/378 Wellington St,
Perth Station
Website: https://visitperth.com/about-perth/citiplace-rest-centre

Contact:  +61894613554
Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday   7 am–6:45 pm, Friday/Saturday    7 am–2:30 am

Budget friendly
Citiplace Rest Centre, convenient and safe place to store your luggage.

Western Australia Visitor Centre

Western Australia Visitor Centre
Address: 1/378 Wellington St,
Perth Train Station
Website: https://wavisitorcentre.com.au/

Contact: +61894831111
Opening Hours: Sat/Sun, 9:30 am–12:30 pm, 1–4 pm Mon-Fri Monday, 9 am–5 pm

# Australia, Perth, Things To Do
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