Perth Beaches Local Expert: Find Things To Do in Perth Beaches

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Top places to visit

1. Scarborough Beach

Serving up some of Perth’s best surf breaks, Scarborough Beach has always been the cool kid among Perth’s urban beaches. A massive redevelopment of the Scarborough foreshore has seen this already iconic beach gain cult status among backpackers, locals and families.

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Scarborough Beach featuring a garden, general coastal views and a sandy beach

2. Hillarys Boat Harbour

Hillarys Boat Harbour is one of the most popular entertainment spots on Perth’s coastline. It’s home to a sheltered beach, a children’s playground, shops of all kinds, and dozens of restaurants. The harbor was named after a pioneer resident, Bertram John Hillary, who built a boat shed here in the 1930s. The waterfront area has grown to become a major tourist destination.

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Hillarys Boat Harbour featuring a coastal town, a bay or harbour and a sunset

3. Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison was constructed during the 1850s. During Australia’s convict era it housed prisoners transported from England and Ireland. In 1886 the jail was handed over to the colonial authorities to house locally-sentenced prisoners. The prison closed in 1991. Today the historic building is preserved as an internationally recognized World Heritage Site. The former prison houses a museum with artifacts and artwork by former prisoners and hosts a range of exciting tours.

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Fremantle Prison which includes interior views

4. Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe Beach is one of Perth’s best places to spend a hot summer’s day. It has excellent swimming and surfing conditions and clear water. It’s a great beach for families, thanks to its facilities and Surf Life Saving Club. Grab a towel, put on some sunscreen and hit the waves.

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Cottesloe Beach which includes a sandy beach, general coastal views and a house

5. Sorrento Beach

Sorrento Beach is a stunning urban beach, even by Australian standards. It’s situated in the suburb of Sorrento, just south of the Hillarys Boat Harbour marina and tourist precinct. Enjoying some downtime here never gets old.

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Sorrento Beach which includes a beach and general coastal views

6. City Beach

City Beach, as its name suggests, is the closest beach to the central business district (CBD) of Perth, Australia’s fourth-largest city. Somehow, City Beach still manages to retain a natural and relaxed look and feel, and happens to be a great swimming beach as well.

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City Beach showing general coastal views and landscape views

What to do in Perth Beaches

Popular places to visit

Scarborough Beach

4.5/5(35 reviews)

Pedestrian promenades with ocean views, fun playgrounds, shops and cafés, and of course the beach itself, make this one very popular surf beach indeed.

Hillarys Boat Harbour

4.5/5(30 reviews)

Stroll along the boardwalk and take in the view, play mini golf or sit down for a gourmet meal at one of Perth’s most lively marinas.

Fremantle Prison

4.5/5(39 reviews)

Explore the cells and underground tunnels of a prison that housed transported British convicts and notorious Australian prisoners for over 130 years. 

Cottesloe Beach

4.5/5(51 reviews)

Ride the waves, swim in the clear water or have a picnic on the terraced lawns overlooking the ocean at one of Perth’s best family beaches.

Sorrento Beach

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Jump in for a surf or swim, visit the nearby aquarium, or just laze on the pristine sands of this popular Perth beach that looks dazzling all year round.

Esplanade Hotel

3.5/5(2 reviews)

Find out about the history of Perth when you spend time at Esplanade Hotel. Make time for the shops and local tours in this walkable area.

Fremantle Markets

4/5(49 reviews)

During your visit to Perth, you can do some window-shopping at Fremantle Markets. Discover the top-notch restaurants in this walkable area or seek out the local tours.

City Beach

4.5/5(37 reviews)

Enjoy the tranquility of a gorgeous natural beach close to the city centre of Perth. Dive in for a swim or surf, laze on the warm sand or go beachcombing.

Trigg Beach

4.5/5(5 reviews)

Surf some seriously good waves, get your vitamin D fix by lazing on the beach, or watch the sun set over the Indian ocean on one of Perth’s best surfing beaches.