As a capital city, Perth is perhaps the most relaxed place you'll find in the continent.
The banks of the Swan River are peaceful and calming, with the occasional squawk of a swan reminding you how close to nature you're in the middle of a bustling city. The river is surrounded by paved cycling paths.
You just need $30-$45 to hire a bicycle and take a personal tour over, under and through a multitude of bridges giving you magnificent views of Perth from every possible angle. If cycling is not your cup of tea, buses, trains and ferries are available to take you anywhere you want to go. Just remember to plan ahead and allow enough time to get around.
View of Perth City from King's Park
Perth is essentially divided into three areas as Central Business District (CBD), South of River (SOR) and North of River (NOR).
Central Business District (CBD)The city has many tourist attractions of its own, ranging from heritage buildings and exhibits to nightlife and restaurants. Hop on a CAT (Central Area Transit) bus to get around the city. It won't cost you a cent and you can always get within walking distance to wherever you're headed. There are three routes, blue, yellow and red.
Each circles a specific route through the city streets, with some overlapping stops to allow passengers to transfer between services. The CAT buses will take you to Kings Park, Barrack Street Jetty, Perth Town Hall, Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge, Her Majesty's Theatre, Perth Mint, WACA Stadium, Queens Gardens, Harbour Town, Victoria Gardens, Pier Street and Wellington Street Bus Station.
While these are some of the most visited sites in the city, the CAT buses will take you all around the city, so cafes, shops and entertainment are just a free bus ride away. Fremantle and Joondalup cities have also introduced CAT buses, which makes your budget holiday in Perth even better.
South of River (SOR)Climb aboard a ferry to reach Mends Jetty in South Perth and it's just a short walk to the Perth Zoo. The nearby Old Mill offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of a bygone era.
South Perth is great for enjoying walks along the Swan and Canning river banks. Families are gathered along the banks for boating, fishing and barbecuing on weekends and if you're lucky enough, you might even get an invitation to go on a boat ride across the river.
Further south of Perth, other main areas such as Fremantle, Rockingham, Mandurah, Margaret River Region and Bunbury offer a large variety of things to do on holiday.
North of River (NOR)
The most popular attractions towards the north of Perth include Hillary's Harbour, Rottnest Island and the AQWA coastline exhibit. But for the backpacker, there's Scarborough Beach, Caversham Wildlife Park, Yanchep National Park, Pinnacles Desert, Secret Harbour, Swan Valley and more. Further north, the widely talked about Broome and Pilbara offer a range of natural attractions.
Money Saving Tips When Backpacking Across Western Australia
Plan for costs – While backpacking is supposed to be low-cost, accommodation, transport and little things can really add up and eat into your budget. Book everything in advance, try and seek out family, friends or any acquaintances who can provide accommodation, get information on public transport services and be ready.
Eat out – Literally. Buy a sandwich or other prepared food from a roadside cafe and sit outside in picnic style to watch the city go by. It's cheaper and more enjoyable to dine this way. Avoiding high-priced meals at restaurants is not only money saving, but also a better way to enjoy local cuisine and lifestyle.
Keep an eye out for free things – Just like the CAT bus services, there are many other aspects of touring Perth that you'll find are free, if only you search in advance. For instance, it's free to browse the internet and do plenty of research on what to do and where to go at the Perth Library located on Hay Street, smack in the middle of the city shopping hub. It's free to travel between marked Free Transit Zones within the city. Most public hangouts are free and several fast food chains give out loyalty cards offering free meals after you buy 5 or more meals from the same chain.
Limit your drinking – Avoid the big pubs and bars and buy your alcohol from the local supermarket. It'll save you tons.
Take the train - Train services in Perth reach all of the main metropolitan areas, from Clarkson in the north to Bunbury in the south. Even the longest train ride between these areas will cost you no more than $15 one-way. When you're on a budget, purchasing a SmartRider card from a TransPerth Info Centre will ensure you get the cheapest possible fares for all your bus, train and ferry rides.
