Located in picturesque Western Australia, Perth is known for its combination of urban life and raw natural beauty. The fact it’s one of the less touristy cities, compared to Sydney and Melbourne, gives it a laidback and ‘homey’ atmosphere, which is desirable if you’re planning on staying a while. With white sandy beaches, riverside trails, botanical gardens, wine regions, and a hustling cultural hub, there is never a shortage of activities to do.
Unfortunately, Australia can be expensive, especially on a student budget. Not to worry though—there are heaps of things to do in Perth without breaking the bank, and a ton of discounts available to students. Check out these top 10 things to do in Perth for the budget-savvy individual and make the most of your time in this beautiful city.
Kings Park and Botanical Garden
Located on the western edge of the business district, Kings Park is known as “the jewel in the city’s crown”—and it’s easy to see why! With beautiful botanical gardens, panoramic views of the city and Swan River, and stunning nature walks, it’s no surprise this is a popular spot among visitors and locals. Pack a picnic, grab a Frisbee, and spend a day lounging in sun at one of the world’s largest inner-city parks.
Take a stroll through Fremantle Markets
The Fremantle Markets have made a name for themselves as one of the most popular markets in WA, located in a historic, heritage-listed building. Offering fresh and local produce, local buskers and musical talent, exhibits and art galleries, and unique architecture, it’s guaranteed to provide an awesome atmosphere any afternoon.
Keep an eye out for special events happening at the Fremantle Arts Centre, which are often free.
Explore the city with a free walking tour
Perth offers complementary city tours for those interested in learning more about the history and culture of the city, as well as some secret local spots. Moving to a new city can be terrifying, especially when you don’t know your way around—that’s why these tours are so great.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a coffee and enjoy an afternoon of strolling through the streets of Perth.
Wine tasting in the Swan Valley
Located only 25 minutes outside of the city, the Swan Valley consists of over 20 wineries and distilleries, as well as heritage and bike trails. There are trains and buses (which students get a discount on) that travel to the valley multiple times a day, where you can either book a tour or grab a bike to hit all of the free wine tastings in the area.
Sample some local craft beer
Little Creatures Brewery, located in Fremantle, is based in a former crocodile farm in the harbor on the water’s edge. The brewery offers free tours of the brewery at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, so it would be rude not to go and enjoy a few samples beforehand.
Take a stroll through Elizabeth Quay
A newer development in the last few years, Elizabeth Quay is a river-walk area filled with cafes, restaurants, and public artwork. Elizabeth Quay officially opened in 2016, with the vision to return the city’s focus to the stunning Swan River. Since then, it has become a hot spot for visitors who seek a relaxing afternoon stroll or bike ride along the water.
Located in the heart of the Quay is a non-profit Indian cuisine restaurant, Annalakshmi, where you pay what you think the meal is worth. What an awesome concept, especially if you’re on a budget (but don’t be leaving without paying a dime).
Visit the Perth Cultural Centre
Perth is home to scores of cultural institutions, with heaps of galleries, museums, and educational institutions to visit right in the heart of the city. The best part is, a lot of them are free to enter, including the Art Gallery of Western Australia, which has the biggest aboriginal art exhibition in the country.
There are also markets, an urban orchard where you can learn about sustainable gardening, and free WiFi.
Free movies and fitness classes in Northbridge
Northbridge Piazza is a communal outdoor grass space in the city, which offers anyone and everyone the access to free movies on an outdoor LED screen, as well as live music and a variety of exhibitions. There’s also free yoga and Tai Chi classes in the mornings. So, grab some popcorn and enjoy a movie on the beanbag chairs, or grab your yoga mat and enjoy some free fitness classes.
Hit the beach
Perth has 19 white sand beaches surrounding its city and suburbs, so what better way to spend your day without spending a dime than soaking up the sun or taking a dip in the ocean? The city soaks up more sunny days than any other capital city in Australia, with an average of 3,000 hours of sunlight per year.
Have a sausage sizzle at Cottesloe Beach (Perth’s most popular beach) on the free-to-use BBQs, or catch a sunset later in the day: the West Coast is the only place in Australia where the sun sets over the ocean.
Ride the sunset coast
Perth is home to some truly spectacular coastline, with a 14-kilometer cycleway that ventures along the array of stunning beaches. Grab your bike or go for a jog along the Sunset Coast cycleway and you’ll see such highlights as Marmion Marine Park for a snorkel, Hillarys Marina where you can stop for lunch or a quick coffee, and Mullaloo Beach which is ideal for a mid-journey dip.
