Perth has so many awesome things to do and places to go. But it’s also got heaps of hidden spots just waiting to be discovered too.
I’ve rounded up some of the most amazing hidden spots in Perth from a range of local bloggers and South Africans in Perth – so get out there and start exploring!
My Top Hidden Spots In Perth
Pinnaroo Point Beach
This is a fab little stretch of beach just south of Mullaloo and Whitfords Beach and north of Hillarys. The water is at Pinnaroo Point is usually super calm in the morning and flat like the Med.
Come the afternoon though when the wind picks up it is a kite surfer’s paradise.
Sneaky Tony’s
What’s better than a prohibition style bar in Perth? A completely hidden, prohibition style bar in Perth!
Sneaky Tony’s is hidden down a laneway in Northbridge and has absolutely no signage. You also need a password to get in on a Friday and Saturday night! You can get this from their Facebook page though so don’t stress.
With over 300 different kinds of rum, twenties tunes and super cool barmen who could have stepped out of the cast of Boardwalk Empire, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Bells Rapids
For a gorgeous nature walk, head to the top end of the Swan Valley and visit Bell’s Rapids.
With a gorgeous river, plenty of parking and heaps of pathways to choose from, you can visit here often and always discover something new.
The Old Mill
If you’ve driven across the Narrows Bridge in Perth you may have noticed a random old windmill at the side of the freeway in South Perth.
The Old Mill was built in 1835 making it one of the oldest landmarks in the city. You can visit any time but there are guided tours on some days for $2 per person.
Swan View Tunnel
This former railway tunnel can be found in Swan View in the John Forrest National Park.
The tunnel is long and pretty dark so make sure you have your phone or a torch handy for the middle section and wear sensible walking shoes as it’s often muddy or wet too.
The Swan View Tunnel opened in 1896 and was in use until the 1960s. Now it forms part of the trail around the national park and is a great walk for nature lovers.
The Pines At ECU Joondalup
Outdoor cinemas are everywhere in Perth but most of the big ones are fairly central.
However hidden away in the heart of Joondalup is The Pines, which recently became part of the Telethon Community Cinema group.
It’s a gorgeous setting for outdoor movies and tickets are reasonably priced too. Screenings usually run from November to April each year.
Old Youngs Distillery
If you’re a gin or vodka lover, don’t miss Old Young’s in the Swan Valley.
I visited this hidden gem a few weeks ago on Perth’s first ever gin tour with Hidden deTours. It’s very unassuming from the outside but the interior is stunning and the staff are super passionate about what they do.
My faves are the Six Seasons gin and the pavlova vodka – yum!
Leighton Battery
Now I haven’t been here yet but it’s on my list!
On the coast of Mosman Park you’ll find Leighton Battery – a section of WW2 tunnels which you can tour every Sunday.
I’m a bit of a history nerd so this is right up my street. Tours are $8 for adults and $2 for kids (6-12).
Perth’s Hidden Spots According To Local Bloggers
Braithwaite Park
{Contributor – Shannon Meyerkort from Fundraising Mums}
Braithwaite Park is one those local gems that provides for all members of the family. For those with little toddlers, the entire park is gated, which gives peace of mind, and often on weekends you will find a coffee cart onsite which is an added bonus.
The park really excels for older kids, who tend to be overlooked in suburban playgrounds, but this park was specifically designed for children aged 10-14 years.
There is a double flying fox (extra-long for racing), bamboo shrouded wigwams for when you want to chill out and awesome treehouses that feel a lot like an Ewok village. There is also water play and a natural creek, tunnels, an elevated climbing frame and many natural play elements guaranteed to entertain children of all ages.
All of this is set within lush green lawns and mature shady trees. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and there is both BBQ and bathroom facilities.
Location: Corner Scarborough Beach Road and The Boulevard, Mt Hawthorn
Hiss & Smoke
{Contributor – Amanda Kendle from Not A Ballerina}
As an absolute addict of Japanese food, my favourite spot to eat in Perth is Hiss & Smoke, a Japanese restaurant in Yagan Square.
Even though the area feels a bit like a food hall, Hiss & Smoke has a great sit-down restaurant area, and some of the very tastiest Japanese food you can get anywhere in Perth.
They’re one of the few places you can eat okonomiyaki (often translated as being a Japanese pancake but it’s so much more), they have a great range of sake and other Japanese drinks and the decor makes me feel like I’m back in Japan, too.
There’s such a good range of different Asian cuisines in Perth, and Hiss & Smoke is definitely the place to go to be reminded that Japanese food is more than just sushi.
Old Court House and the Old Fire Station
{Contributor – Sally-Ann Brown from Tips 4 Trips}
Hidden in the corner of the Supreme Court Gardens is the Old Court House Law Museum. It was erected in 1836 and is the oldest building in the City of Perth. It was not only used as the colony’s courthouse but also as a school and church. From Tuesday to Friday (10am-4pm) you can step inside the courthouse; make sure you take the time to wander through to the judge’s chambers which have a thought provoking display about the early British colony and the local indigenous Aboriginals.
It tells the story of how the two cultures clashed resulting in many of the Aboriginal people being charged with theft. However, in reality it was a misunderstanding between the two cultures. The British did not understand that the Aboriginal people hunted for their food daily, while the Aboriginals did not understand that the British people owned and farmed their livestock; this lead to the Aboriginals being arrested for stealing.
There are many more small museums in Perth it’s just a matter of knowing where they are hiding. Another hidden in plain sight that will be a joy for kids and adults is the Old Perth Fire Station (open Tuesday-Thursday 10am-3pm). Kids will love to climb aboard the fire engines and try on fire fighter uniforms. Meanwhile adults will find the display upstairs about emergency services educational.
There are stories about major emergencies that have happened in Western Australia. Plus information about what to do during earthquakes, cyclones and general emergencies that the fire services attend.
Chevron Playground
{Contributor – Keri Hedrick from Our Globetrotters}
In a city renowned for its amazing outdoor spaces, it’s certainly not short of a play park or two. Nestled between the banks of the Swan River and the brand-new Optus Stadium in suburban Burswood is Chevron Parklands & the Sensory Playground.
The playgrounds start at the end of Camfield Drive and run along the river front. Next to the car park you’ll find a large, traditional kids’ playground with slides, swings and flying foxes, through to climbing frames in safe enclosed area with wonderful sponge matting.
You’ll also find superb dining spot The Camfield here for some fresh and modern local cuisine. It’s claim to fame is that it’s Australia’s largest pub, with five bars and its own on-site microbrewery!
The parklands continue as you walk along the waterfront with six different play spaces, each inspired by the Noongar (local aboriginal) seasons. Traditional play equipment is seamlessly blended with nature play and educational resources.
You are so close to the heart of the city here, but an amazing urban escape (and not nearly as crowded as the better-known Kings Park!)
The Secluded Beach In The Middle Of Perth
{Contributor – Ania from The Sane Mum}
A few years ago I found the most secluded little beach, right in the middle of Perth City! It was a discovery that this sand and sun loving mum was thrilled about.
The fact that it is not a beach off the ocean is my favourite part about it! The kids were at an age where they loved a knee deep waddle and building sand castles, but the idea of big waves was too scary for both them and me!
At the time, we used to visit Hillary’s Boat Harbour for the child-friendly beach spot, but if you’ve ever been there on a hot weekend, you’ll know that it is NOT the most stress-free experience of them all with the number of people who go there!
Now, this little spot is off the Swan River on the South Perth foreshore, just at the end of Mills Point Rd – “under the bridge”. It has a great car park and beautiful beach sand. It is quiet. It is simply perfect! It is also a short walk away from the historical South Perth windmill, which is a really nice landmark the kids will love!
If you have little ones who would love to build some sand castles and wet their toes, but you prefer to avoid the stress of heading to one of the more popular beaches in Perth, give the beach “under the bridge” on South Perth foreshore a try! You may even spot some black swans or a nice boat which the kids will talk about for days.
Railway Reserve Heritage Trail
{Contributor – Sandy Taylor from Sandy Taylor Marketing}
When you’re driving at eighty kilometres an hour along Great Eastern Highway heading into or out of Perth, it can seem as though there’s nothing to see in the Perth hills but acres and acres of trees.
While it’s true that the Perth hills are full of trees, they’re also full of some of Perth’s best kept secrets including my favourite, the Railway Reserve Heritage Trail.
Running in a fifty-nine-kilometre loop from the outskirts of Midland, up the hill to Chidlow and down again on the other side of Great Eastern Highway to Helena Valley, the trail is flat, wide and well maintained, making it ideal for walking, mountain biking or horse riding.
The track is signposted along the way with distances and traffic crossings making it easy for anyone to navigate. It includes scenic views, waterfalls (in winter) and several points of natural and historical significance along the way.
It passes though the John Forrest National Park and the Swanview railway tunnel, and runs alongside the Hovea Falls, the Parkerville Tavern, the Mount Helena Tavern, the Chidlow Tavern, Mundaring’s Sculpture Park and many other places suitable to rest your feet, park your bike or tether your horse.
There are several other tracks and trails in the area that link into this one, creating a vast network to explore this amazing area of natural beauty from.
Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Fremantle
{Contributor – Nina from West Australian Explorer}
The Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre is a lovely place to learn about Aboriginal culture and history and one of Perth’s hidden gems. The Aboriginal Centre is located on the quaint Captain’s Lane in Fremantle’s historic Arthur’s head and makes up part of the Bather’s Beach Art Precinct.
The Walyalup Aboriginal Centre has a growing number of workshops and courses focused on Aboriginal art, culture and language. There are courses to learn the local Noongar language, boomerang throwing lessons and storytelling activities.
The centre also has fantastic art and craft courses that offer a fun and immersive experience of Aboriginal art. These include workshops on Aboriginal dot painting and the traditional art of basket weaving.
The Walyalup Centre also has a shop that sells authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts for purchase and offers free movie nights on selected Friday evenings.
Penguin Island
{Contributor – Michele from Legging It}
Penguin Island is situated in Rockingham, 40 minutes south of Perth and a 5 minute ferry ride across Shoalwater Bay. Home to a colony of Fairy (Little) Penguins where the thriving community raise their babies, leaving them daily to fish in the surrounding ocean.
The Discovery Centre on the island houses a few rescued penguins who cannot be rehabilitated so now live their lives in the Centre allowing visitors to get an upfront view of their personalities. They are especially active and very entertaining when it is feeding time at 10.30, 12.30 and 2.30 daily.
The boardwalk allows you to explore the edges of the island, you can often see baby penguins in their burrows, or in the nearby caves or even under the boardwalk, you just need to keep your eyes open.
There are also a variety of nesting colonies of sea birds along with seals and sea lions either on the beach or swimming close by. The coast of the Island has plenty of beach areas which are perfect for both swimming and snorkelling.
When visiting Penguin Island, you can also do a cruise, seeing wild dolphins and the rare Australian Sea Lions before spending time on the Island.
Ferries depart hourly between 9am and 3pm, the last ferry returns at 4pm.
The cost of ferry is $20 ($27 includes entry to the Penguin Discovery Centre for the feeding)
The island is closed during the breeding season from early June to September. You also need to take all your own food and drink, including water as there is nowhere to purchase anything.
I also asked my group members for their top hidden spots and they shared some real gems:
Wilbinga Beach – Hanlie De Beer
“This is our go to beach during the hot summer days. Hubby loves the 4×4 tracks and i love the fact that you can have the entire beach to yourself.”
Toodyay – Sue Grant
“A drive to Tooyday is really lovely. A drive to Bindoon and having a snack at the German Bakhaus. “
Kalamunda History Village – Lee-Anne Whalley
“A pretty cool place to take kids to see how life was in the ‘olden days’ is the Kalamunda History Village. Kids get to see what a dunny is, what houses would’ve looked like, what a classroom included and toys, etc. It’s a pretty cool learning activity and I didn’t know it existed until we went there on a school excursion recently.”
Kookaburra Cinema – Jane Hardy
“Kookaburra theatre in the hills. Outdoor cinema and a little camp site next door. Really special.”
Bickley Valley – Darryl Earnshaw
“If you like your wine the Bickley Valley is an awesome little spot with a few wineries, Core Cider house. If going on a weekend book a table…. much better alternative to the Swan Valley, great to go in autumn and spring…. it’s actually a Valley.”
Woodman Point – Carol Deyzel
“The park area is beautiful and the beach and jetty is worth a visit.”
So there you have it – how many of these amazing hidden spots in Perth have you been to so far? And what would you add to the list for others to discover? Add yours in the comments below.
Now go forth and find!
1 Comment
Ania - The Sane Mum
2nd February 2020 at 2:24 pmWhat a collection of hidden gems! Toodyay (which you have on the list) is a wonderful little town! I would totally add York as well, it is a small town and the oldest inland town in Western Australia! 🙂