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Perth Travel Tips blog banner

Ask A Local: Perth Travel Tips & Hidden Gems

At Sim Local, we’re lucky to have customers all over the world, and they’re always discovering incredible places along the way. That’s exactly why we created our Ask A Local series: to spotlight the must see hotspots, hidden gems, and real travel tips you only get from people who’ve actually been there or lived there.

This Ask A Local guide comes from Sim Local customer Charlotte, who knows Perth beyond the postcard bits. Think salt air mornings, late coffee stops, day trips that feel like a cheat code, and water so blue you will check your phone filter settings just to be sure.

Perth is easy in the best way. It is a city where your plans stay loose, your shoes stay sandy, and your evenings almost always end with a sky putting on a show over the Indian Ocean.

Why Perth hits different

Perth has this rare combo of calm and cool. It is outdoorsy without trying too hard, sunny without being chaotic, and built for travellers who want a trip that feels good, not rushed.

It’s one of those places where your day can go from city to coastline in no time,” Charlotte says. “You don’t have to over plan it. Perth just works for whatever vibe you're feeling.”

Top Highlight in Perth: Rottnest Island

rottnest island in perth

If Perth has a main character day trip, it is Rottnest Island.

You come for the stunning water and the snorkelling, and you stay because every bay looks like a screensaver. Then, of course, there are the quokkas, small, photogenic, and completely unbothered.

Rottnest is the day I tell everyone to prioritise when they visit,” Charlotte says. “Go early, bring swimmers, and give yourself the full day. It’s too good to rush.

Food & Drink in Perth: Swan Valley

swan valley perth

Perth does relaxed food and drink really well, and Swan Valley is the easiest way to lean into it. It is only around 20 to 30 minutes from Perth city centre, which is wild when you think about how quickly you go from urban to vineyard.

If you like wine, good food, and a day that feels like a mini holiday, Swan Valley is the one,” Charlotte says.

Hidden Gem: Moore River

moore river perth

For a proper local feeling escape, head north to Moore River, around 1.5 hours from Perth.

It is an estuary, so it is ideal for kayaking and water sports, and it has a quieter, slower energy compared to the busier coastal spots.

It’s the kind of place that feels like you’ve found your own little corner of WA,” Charlotte says. “Bring a towel, pack snacks, and make a day of it.

Your Perth to-do list

Experience

Why it is worth doing

Rottnest Island

Snorkelling, bright blue water, and quokkas

Swan Valley

Wine region close to the city, perfect for a relaxed afternoon

Moore River

A calmer coastal escape with kayaking and estuary views

Sunset by the ocean

Perth sunsets are genuinely unreal

Coffee crawl

A fun way to explore neighbourhoods and find your favourites

A simple one week Perth itinerary

Day 1: Arrival day, easy pace

  • Check in, drop the bags, head out for a coffee
  • Gentle walk along the water to get your bearings
  • Sunset somewhere coastal to start the trip properly

Day 2: Rottnest Island day

  • Early start, ferry over, full day out
  • Snorkel, beach hop, and leave time for a slow wander
  • Back to Perth for an easy dinner and an early night

Day 3: Brunch and neighbourhood exploring

  • Long brunch and a slow morning
  • Explore local streets, shops, and anywhere that looks good in the moment
  • Sunset round two, trust the process

Day 4: Swan Valley day trip

  • Wine tastings and a long lunch
  • Easy afternoon back in Perth
  • Keep the evening relaxed with a nice dinner & quiet drinks in the city

Day 5: Beach day

  • Pick one or two beaches and settle in
  • Swim, read, snack, repeat
  • Golden hour and a sunset walk

Day 6: Moore River day trip

  • Head north for an outdoors day
  • Kayaking or watersports around the estuary
  • Back to Perth feeling smug about how good your day was

Day 7: Flex day, your way

  • Re do your favourite day, or keep it simple
  • One last coffee mission
  • Any missed city bits
  • Final sunset, obviously

More Local Tips For Perth

Getting around Perth

Perth is easy to navigate, and the public transport is genuinely useful.

Transperth trains are great for getting around,” Charlotte says. “You can pay using your phone, and it covers most suburbs, including handy routes for the airport area.

Buses are also a good option, and there are free routes around the city, which makes short hops simple if you are staying central.

Staying connected in Perth

Perth is a city that rewards spontaneity. The best coffee might be two streets away, your next beach could be a quick train ride, and your day trip plans will almost always involve a bit of googling as you go. Having data makes the whole trip smoother.

I used Australia eSIM plans from Sim Local the whole time when I first moved to Perth,” Charlotte says. “Google Maps, booking house viewings, looking up the best coffee spots, it just made everything easy. I never had that stress of wondering if I’d lose connection when I was out exploring or settling in.

If you, like Charlotte are moving to Australia soon or plan to visit Australia, stay connected either way with Sim Local. Below is a selection of our best Australia eSIM plans:

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