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Is Perth Worth It as a Business Trip Add-on? 14 Reasons to Visit

Ever wondered if Perth, on the sun-drenched coast of Western Australia, is worth visiting as an Australia business trip add-on?

My motto is Work to Live, Live to Travel, Travel for Work so I seized the opportunity presented by a 2 week work trip to Australia to carve out time to see some sights that might be cost prohibitive to reach if the trip wasn’t effectively subsidized by my company.

My husband came along on my trip to Australia (the hotel room for the business portion was covered after all). After exploring Sydney on my business trip, we rationalized that tacking on a weekend in Perth was on the way home to Europe–a five-hour flight in the right direction!

A wide, low-angle shot of the modern skyscrapers of the Perth skyline, with the buildings' glass and steel facades reflecting the clear blue sky.

This convenient weekend add-on, undertaken at our own expense, of course, enabled us to sample 14 highlights around the city.

Things to do in Perth

Let’s delve into the Perth experiences that made our bleisure weekend in Western Australia one to remember! Then you can decide for yourself if Perth is worth visiting…

1. Explore Perth’s CBD

Perth is a wealthy city centered on mining and petroleum industries. The central business district (CBD) features an impressive array of glass skyscrapers shining in the perpetual sun. 

2. Perth’s Sidewalk Cyclists

We were walking around Perth’s CBD on a Saturday morning and immediately noticed a large number of cyclists coming up the sidewalk. They seemed to have been out for a morning ride and were on their way to a cafe for a coffee and chat. A number of the riders smiled and waved at us as we went past. I liked Perth’s vibe already!

3. Walk the High Street in Fremantle

In contrast to Perth, Fremantle, just a 45 minute train ride away feels like the wild west. Short two story buildings that wouldn’t look out of place on Gold Rush-era San Francisco’s Barbary Coast Trail lined the high street. Visiting Freo was like taking a step back in time.

A wide street scene in Fremantle, near Perth, with a row of historic buildings with ornate facades and large windows. A tall clock tower is visible in the distance, a great view of the architectural heritage of Perth.

4. Browse the Fremantle Weekend Markets

Freo is known for a variety of weekend markets. We browsed stall after stall featuring food and drink (e.g., an unbelievable array of coffee beans), arts and crafts, and even live music. The Fremantle markets were well worth the visit.

A collage of photos from Fremantle Markets in Perth, Australia. The main image is of the historic entrance to the market with the name "FREMANTLE MARKETS" carved above an arched doorway. Smaller photos show a cafe sign, a vibrant painted piano with the words "Play Me I'm Yours," a display of coffee bags, and a view of market stalls.

5. Explore The Shipwreck Galleries in Fremantle

Why visit Perth? The fascinating Shipwreck Galleries in Fremantle made the weekend city break worth it in and of itself. The museum featured the 1629 recovered wreck of the Batavia with a backdrop of mutiny and massacre added to the story. 

We bought an absolutely fascinating book about the mayhem that ensued after the ship sunk called Batavia’s Graveyard. It’s a work of non-fiction that reads like a thriller!

A collage of photos from the Maritime Museum in Fremantle, Australia. The images show a large anchor on display outside the museum, a wooden ship's hull inside, a wooden statue of a person, and two white banners with historic coats of arms and the letters "V.O.C." This is a great place to visit in Perth.

6. Take a Fremantle Harbour Walk

Walking along the harbour in Fremantle is a relaxing, almost zen, experience. We enjoyed the sunshine while checking out the colorful ships in port. Looking into the crystal clear water, we saw hundreds of tiny jellyfish floating past.

A harbor scene in Perth, Australia, with four fishing boats moored at a dock. The boats are painted blue and white, with names like "NFT WEST" and "ADVANCER." The water is calm and blue, and the sky is clear.

7. Appreciate Sweeping Views from Kings Park and the Western Australian Botanic Garden

Kings Park and the Western Australian Botanic Garden in Perth is an ideal place to watch the sunset. We enjoyed sweeping views of the Perth skyline as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon.

A wide, elevated view of the Perth skyline at sunset. The city's skyscrapers and buildings are visible in the distance, with a large river and bridges in the foreground. The sky is a beautiful orange and pink hue.

8. Suss Out Perth Wildlife in the Park

The Western Australian Botanic Garden also features ample wildlife and beautiful flowers. We spotted a fox (considered a pest locally but still beautiful) and a cheeky kookaburra, a large member of the kingfisher family. 

This particular kookaburra was stalking a couple having a sunset picnic in the park. Before they knew what had happened the bird had swooped in and nabbed some of the crackers they were eating with their cheese and wine! They really are beautiful birds (and clearly stealthy!)

A close-up of a kookaburra, a common Australian bird, standing on a gravel path, looking to the left. The bird has white and brown feathers and a large beak.

9. Take A Vietnamese Odyssey in Perth

A close-up of a glass with shaved ice and a large, white lychee fruit on top. A spoon and a straw are in the glass

When in Perth, definitely give Vietnamese cuisine a try. There are a number of Vietnamese restaurants just a short walk from the train station.

10. Go On A Riverside Walk in Perth

We particularly enjoyed walking along the Swan River in Perth. You get beautiful skyline views, can easily spot squawking parrots frolicking in the park, and can check out the Bell Tower, a thoroughly modern structure containing 18 historic bells (some are hundreds of years old).

A view of the Swan Bells, a unique bell tower in Perth, Australia. The modern, copper-colored and glass structure has a pointed spire and stands among other skyscrapers in the city's skyline under a clear blue sky. A sign on the building reads "OPEN."
Two rainbow lorikeets, a type of colorful parrot, are flying against a clear blue sky. A large palm tree trunk is on the right side of the frame
SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Australia is full of surprises. Looking for other city break ideas in Australia? Why not:spend 3 days in Melbournedrink the best Sydney coffeemake the most of a long weekend in Hobart Tasmania

11. Gaze Out Across the Indian Ocean from Perth

The air in Perth is some of the freshest in the world. There is no significant land mass to the west until you get to the coast of Africa! Looking out over the Indian Ocean in Perth, we felt like we were staring into infinity.

A scenic shot of the rocky coastline of Perth, Australia. The water of the Indian Ocean is a deep blue, with white waves crashing against the rugged rocks.

12. Contemplate the Fremantle Container Port

The ocean views may feel infinite, but the world is clearly a small place in the end. We watched as enormous container ships made their way into port delivering goods from around the world.

A harbor scene in Perth with a large, modern building with a curved, metallic roof in the distance. Docks and small buildings are in the foreground, with a large expanse of blue water and a clear sky.

13. Appreciate Western Australia’s Street Art

We really enjoyed the street art in Perth and surrounding areas like Fremantle. We’d round a bend and, bam!, walk right into a stunning work. 

A close-up of a wall in a Perth alleyway covered in vibrant street art murals. The murals feature abstract faces, geometric patterns, and a heart design, a great spot for art lovers to visit in Perth.

14. Check Out Perth’s World Class Beaches 

A final highlight of our visit to Perth was a drive along the coast to see some of Western Australia’s best beaches. Even if you’re not up for a swim (we definitely weren’t as the surf was a bit rough and we’re not strong swimmers), you can hike along the trails that connect the beaches. 

Make sure to stay on the path though. There were signs warning of the presence of snakes and the snakes in Australia are no joke! Many are highly poisonous. 

A wide shot of a concrete path leading down through sand dunes with green bushes on either side. The path leads to the Indian Ocean and a sandy beach, a beautiful scenic view of the Perth coastline.

Is Perth Worth Visiting as a Business Trip Add-on?

Overall, Perth proved to be a welcome diversion on the way home to Europe after a business trip in Sydney. We even managed to squeeze in a road trip from Perth to Margaret River. 

Because we’d come all this way, it would have been a travesty not to take a few days of vacation to explore Western Australia. If we’d done this trip as a straight-up vacation without adding it onto a business trip, it would have taken us at least a couple of weeks, not to mention some serious coin.

We always make the most of our business trips by building in some time for fun and hope you adopt this Sidewalk Safari part-time travel philosophy too!

The exterior of a red brick church with an arched window and a red door. A bride and groom are standing in front of the door, and a large white fabric sculpture is in the foreground.

Getting to Perth from Europe

What’s the best way to get to Perth from Europe? Fly from Dublin via Dubai on Emirates Airlines. 

Since the flight is a super long haul, consider flying in style in Emirates Business Class or splurge on a First Class ticket on Emirates via Dubai.

Where to Stay in Perth

We stayed at the Citadines St. Georges Terrace Hotel. The hotel is centrally located in the Perth CBD and is just a 12 minute walk to the Perth Railway Station and a 20 minute walk to Kings Park and the Botanical Garden. A room at the Citadines St. Georges Terrace costs about 170 EUR per night.

Where to Next?

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