Fun Things to do in Perth City | Explore Perth with Pan Pacific Perth

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Perth Holidays: Fun things to do in Perth City


Welcome to Perth, a city where white sandy beaches and vast green parks exist harmoniously with heritage buildings and modern skyscrapers. 

Whether you are on a carefree self-drive Perth holiday or you have just the weekend to sightsee, Western Australia’s capital city has something for every itinerary—including Muslim travellers looking for delicious Halal cuisine.

Pan Pacific Perth, located conveniently in the Central Business District (CBD) and city centre, is within walking distance of many sights, recreational facilities, as well as important historical and cultural attractions. 

Wondering what to see and do in the downtown area of Perth City? 

In this article, we have drawn up a list of fun and family friendly places of interest and things you can do in Perth City. Each of these are specially curated by the Pan Pacific Perth team:

  1. St Mary’s Cathedral
  2. The Perth Mint and the #heartofgold Discovery Trail
  3. Perth Concert Hall
  4. Hay Street Mall and Murray Street Mall
  5. High tea at Bar Uma
  6. Festivals at Langley Park 
     

Free Transport Options in Perth City

Getting around the city is easy with free transport options. Pan Pacific Perth offers a complimentary shuttle service to the city centre for guests every Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 8.30am. 

Check out the buses and trains running in the Perth Free Transit Zone too—if you start and end your journey within the zone, your trip is free. The Central Area Transit (CAT) buses run through Perth City, Fremantle, and Joondalup, and you can get on and off the buses as often as you like for free. 

Map of the Free Transit Zone

Perth City CAT bus map and ‘live’ updates
 

1. Heritage hunting at St Mary’s Cathedral

Located a mere 500 metres from Pan Pacific Perth, St Mary’s Cathedral — one of the oldest churches in Perth city—boasts of magnificent arches and stained glass windows. It is also the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Perth. 

Construction was completed in 1865 but a shortage of funds meant that expansions and repairs only took place in the late 1990s, and again in 2006.

If time allows, join the public tour held every Tuesday from 10.30am to 11.45am. Your guide will recount how the Cathedral’s architectural and artistic developments spanned three centuries. Pre-booking is not required; the tour costs a mere AUD5 donation per person.

Get directions to St Mary’s Cathedral
 

2. Go on a gold trail at The Perth Mint


The late Wall Street trader Gerald M. Loeb famously said: “The desire for gold is the most universal and deeply rooted commercial instinct of the human race.” 

Well, follow your golden instinct to The Perth Mint, located a mere four-minute walk from the Pan Pacific Perth. The colonial-era limestone building — built in 1899 after Western Australia experienced its first gold rush in 1851 — houses the largest and most valuable coin in the world. Affectionately named the Australian Kangaroo One Tonne Gold Coin, this colossal piece is made of 99.99% pure gold and measures 80cm wide by 13cm deep. Experts have valued it to be worth more than a staggering AUD50million.

Book a guided tour to hear tales of legendary gold mining adventures, visit its vaults, and witness a traditional gold pour in the original 1899 smelting house. 

Continue on your shiny journey with the complimentary #heartofgold Discovery Trail — this comes with the free Heart of Gold Australia app  available on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Start at the Perth Mint and embark on an interactive adventure through the city enhanced by augmented reality, widgets, audio and video stories.

Do wear comfortable shoes as the trail is 2.5km long with 11 stops. However, if you soldier on, you will receive a commemorative #heartofgold medallion upon completion.

Get directions to The Perth Mint | Buy tickets
 

3. Catch a stirring performance at the Perth Concert Hall


Take a breather, rest your legs, and uplift your soul with a rousing performance by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra at the Perth Concert Hall. Choose from late morning to evening performances. 

Prefer something more contemporary? Rock, pop, jazz and vocal performances are also available at the venue — check out the schedule here to find something that suits your taste.

Get directions to the Perth Concert Hall | Buy tickets
 

4. Visit Perth’s famous shopping strips


Retail therapy is just a 15-minute walk away at the Hay Street Mall and Murray Street Mall — two parallel open-air shopping strips in Perth city with distinctive characters. 

The former is lined with department stores, streetwear brands, and heritage-listed buildings, while the latter showcases homegrown and international fashion retailers as well as the occasional busker.
 


Spent more than AUD300 at one business? You can claim the 10% GST refund at the Perth airport, on the Australian Border Force website, or on their smartphone app. Remember to reach the tax refund facility at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to your departure time to allow sufficient time before your flight. 

Get directions of Hay Street Mall

Get directions to Murray Street Mall
 

5. Savour a bubbly high tea buffet


Feeling ravenous after all the walking and sightseeing? Pop into Bar Uma at Pan Pacific Perth for a delicious free-flowing high tea spread of sweet and savoury petit fours, such as canapes, sandwiches, scones and deserts. 

Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm to 4.30pm, it comes in three options: a non-alcoholic high tea with Dilmah loose leaf tea or freshly brewed coffee at AUD49 per person, an Australian sparkling wine high tea at AUD69 per person, or a French Champagne high tea at AUD99 per person. 

Book a table
 

6. Chill out at sunset with festivals next to the Swan River


What used to be an airstrip in the 1920s is now an expansive park with a jogging track along the Swan River. Take a short stroll from Pan Pacific Perth in the evenings to unwind at Langley Park with a mesmerising view of the sunset. 

Festivals and performances are often held at Langley Park. They include the highly popular Oktoberfest In the Gardens and Symphony In the City. Check this schedule when you are in town. 

Get directions to Langley Park
 

Where to Stay in Perth City


Looking for a hotel in Perth? Treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Pan Pacific Perth, and enjoy one complimentary room night when you stay for four nights, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi and buffet breakfast at Montereys Brasserie! Contact the team at Pan Pacific Perth to find out more.

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