Things to do in Perth

Get outdoors and enjoy the Swan River Foreshore where you can go walking, cycling, and picnicking while taking in fabulous views of the river and city.

On the city side of the river, a dual cycleway-walk trail takes you on a riverside jaunt between the two bridges which link the Swan River's south and north shores - the Narrows Bridge and the Causeway. The circuit is 10 kilometres and a popular trail for locals who love to exercise.

Boat cruises of the river depart regularly from Barrack Square, which is also home to the Swan Bells. This glass and copper structure is open to the public and offers excellent river views from the observation deck.

From South Perth, the river and the city backdrop make an impressive sight and a great photo.

A regular ferry service operates between Barrack Square and Mends Street Jetty in South Perth. Catch the ferry from the city and then spend some time relaxing at one of the many restaurants and cafes in South Perth.

Barbecues, playgrounds and public toilets make the foreshore an ideal place for a family picnic.

If you want to know more about the Swan River, check out westernaustralia.com

Perth's Cottesloe Beach is one of the city's most popular places for swimming, snorkelling and surfing. Here, towering Norfolk pines line a boulevard buzzing with cafes and pubs. Enjoy an early-morning breakfast beside the Indian Ocean, or a refreshing sunset beer at the pub.

At Cottesloe, the clean, clear coastline and smooth terraced lawns are filled with locals who flock here to enjoy the sun.

Cottesloe is famous for its Sunday Sessions, when beachfront pubs throng with Sunday afternoon crowds. Generations of locals have enjoyed this uniquely Western Australian summer time ritual which combines drinks, music and mates.

Cottesloe is one of the best places to watch the sun set into the Indian Ocean, especially over a glass of Western Australia's award winning wine.

Cottesloe's crystal clear waters, regular swell and fun atmosphere make it popular with swimmers, body-boarders and surfers. Nearby rocks and reefs provide good areas for snorkelling. The Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club regularly monitors the beach and conditions, making sure surfers and swimmers are safe.

Cottesloe Beach is about a 15 minute drive from Perth. Regular Transperth buses run to Cottesloe and it's about a 600 metre walk from the Cottesloe Train Station.

More info, including opening times, can be found on this site: http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Pages/Attraction.aspx?n=Cottesloe_Beach&pid=9001806

Home to a friendly school of dolphins and a big variety of water birds, Mandurah Estuary and Peel Inlet is just the place for water-based fun.

The safe waters of the estuary are perfect for boating and fishing, while three rivers run into Peel Inlet creating a pristine waterway environment.

Catch a meal of river prawns in early summer from the Murray and Serpentine Rivers, while king prawns are best during autumn. The Mandurah Estuary and Peel Inlet also produce excellent blue manna crabs during late summer and autumn.

There's an annual crab festival in Mandurah in celebration of this local delicacy.

Popular spots to go fishing include the landings under the two Mandurah bridges, but if you have a boat, there's a big waterway to explore - 155 square kilometres in total.

Dolphins are regularly spotted in the area, and special dolphin watching cruises take you up close to these friendly creatures.

Regular estuary and inlet boat cruises operate throughout the season from Mandurah.

The southern shores of these inland waters are also home to an important bird habitat.

Mandurah is about an hour's drive south of Perth.