Perth might be one of the world’s most isolated major cities, but that isolation has created something special – a collection of unexpected treasures that most visitors never discover. While everyone flocks to the obvious attractions, locals have been quietly enjoying swimming holes, historic buildings, and scenic lookouts that remain blissfully under the radar.
These hidden spots showcase Perth’s unique blend of urban sophistication and raw Australian beauty, often within just a short drive from the city center. Here is a list of 16 hidden gems in Perth that will make you feel like you’ve discovered the city’s best-kept secrets.
The Old Mill, South Perth
This windmill from 1835 stands as one of Western Australia’s oldest surviving buildings, yet most tourists walk right past it on their way to the zoo. The mill sits peacefully beside the Swan River, offering picture-perfect views of Perth’s skyline that rival any postcard shot.
You can explore the interior during weekend tours or simply enjoy a picnic on the surrounding lawns while watching river traffic drift by.
Point Walter Reserve, Bicton
Point Walter feels like a private beach club that someone forgot to put a fence around. The grassy slopes roll down to a sandy spit that juts into the Swan River, creating calm swimming conditions perfect for families with small kids.
Local sailing clubs launch their boats from here, and you can watch them navigate the river while you lounge under the pine trees that provide natural shade.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Matilda Bay Reserve, Crawley
Tucked between the University of Western Australia and the Swan River, Matilda Bay offers some of Perth’s most peaceful water views. The reserve’s jetty extends into deep water where you might spot dolphins playing in the early morning hours.
Walking paths wind through native bushland that somehow feels wild despite being minutes from the city center.
Bold Park, City Beach
Bold Park protects 1,000 acres of coastal bushland that represents what this area looked like before European settlement. The walking trails lead to elevated viewpoints where you can see from the ocean to the Darling Ranges on clear days, spanning about 25 miles of landscape.
Native wildflowers create spectacular displays during spring, transforming the scrubland into a natural art gallery.
Mettams Pool, Trigg
Mettams Pool is nature’s answer to a backyard swimming pool, with limestone reefs creating a protected lagoon perfect for snorkeling. The crystal-clear water rarely gets deeper than six feet, making it ideal for nervous swimmers or kids learning to use fins and masks.
Tropical fish that normally live in deeper waters often venture into this sheltered spot, bringing unexpected bursts of color to your underwater exploration.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Lake Monger, Cambridge
Lake Monger serves as Perth’s version of Central Park, with a 1.2-mile walking path that attracts early morning joggers and evening dog walkers alike. Black swans nest here year-round, living up to Western Australia’s state symbol in the most urban setting imaginable.
The lake sits in a natural depression that fills with winter rains, creating a temporary wetland that supports dozens of bird species throughout the year.
Whiteman Park, Whiteman
Whiteman Park spans nearly 10,000 acres of bushland just 12 miles north of Perth, yet it feels like you’ve traveled to the countryside. The park features everything from vintage train rides to wildlife encounters, plus enough walking trails to keep you busy for weeks.
You can watch blacksmiths at work in the village or simply find a quiet spot beside one of the park’s several lakes.
Heirisson Island, East Perth
Heirisson Island sits in the Swan River like a forgotten piece of bushland that somehow survived urban development. A short bridge connects the island to the mainland, but crossing it feels like entering a different world where kangaroos graze peacefully just yards from the city skyline.
The island’s walking trails offer some of Perth’s best wildlife viewing opportunities without leaving the metropolitan area.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Wireless Hill Park, Ardross
Wireless Hill Park earned its name from the radio towers that once stood here, but today it’s known for panoramic views that stretch from Fremantle to the city center. The elevated position provides a 360-degree perspective of Perth’s geography, showing how the Swan River winds through the coastal plain.
Pine trees planted decades ago now provide shade for picnic tables where locals gather for sunset viewing sessions.
Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, Martin
Ellis Brook Valley feels like a slice of New Zealand’s South Island transplanted to Perth’s hills. The reserve protects a granite gorge where Ellis Brook tumbles over rocks to create a series of swimming holes connected by easy walking trails.
During winter, the brook flows strongly enough for small rapids, while summer reduces it to crystal-clear pools perfect for cooling off after the hike down.
Lesmurdie Falls, Lesmurdie
Lesmurdie Falls proves that Perth has waterfalls worth chasing, especially during winter months when recent rains send water cascading 165 feet down the escarpment. The lookout platform provides sweeping views across the coastal plain to the Indian Ocean, encompassing nearly 30 miles of landscape on clear days.
The falls dry to a trickle during summer, but the views remain spectacular year-round.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Serpentine Falls, Serpentine
Serpentine Falls creates one of Perth’s most Instagram-worthy swimming spots, with granite boulders forming natural slides and deep pools surrounded by jarrah forest. The waterfall drops about 30 feet into a rock pool that stays cool even during summer heat waves, thanks to the surrounding tree canopy.
You’ll need to scramble over rocks to reach the best swimming spots, but the effort pays off with a refreshing dip in pristine water.
Mundaring Weir, Mundaring
Mundaring Weir represents an engineering marvel from 1903 that still supplies water to Perth’s eastern suburbs today. The massive stone wall creates a lake that reflects the surrounding hills like a giant mirror, especially during calm morning hours.
Walking trails follow the shoreline through native forest where you might encounter echidnas or kangaroos going about their daily business.
New Norcia
New Norcia stands as Australia’s only monastic town, where Benedictine monks have maintained Spanish-style architecture and traditional ways of life since 1847. The monastery’s museum houses priceless religious artifacts, while the town’s bakery produces bread using recipes that haven’t changed in over a century.
You can join guided tours that explain how European monks adapted to Australian conditions while preserving their cultural traditions.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Toodyay
Toodyay epitomizes the quintessential Australian country town, with its wide main street designed for horse and cart traffic that now accommodates weekend antique hunters. The Avon River winds through town, creating green corridors that contrast beautifully with the surrounding wheat country.
Historic buildings house galleries and cafes where you can sample local wines while watching farmers’ tractors pass by outside.
Chittering Valley
Chittering Valley remains one of Perth’s best-kept agricultural secrets, where small farms produce everything from olive oil to alpaca wool just 30 miles from the city center. The valley’s rolling hills create perfect conditions for cool-climate crops that wouldn’t survive closer to the coast.
You can visit farm gates to buy fresh produce directly from growers who often invite visitors to meet their animals and learn about sustainable farming practices.
Beyond the Guidebook Trail
Perth’s hidden gems reveal a city that’s far more complex and interesting than its reputation for mining wealth and beautiful beaches might suggest. These lesser-known spots showcase how Western Australia’s unique geography and history have created experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else in the world.
From ancient granite formations to Spanish colonial architecture, each location tells part of the story about how different cultures and natural forces shaped this remote corner of Australia. The best part about discovering Perth’s secrets is that you’ll likely have many of them to yourself, creating personal connections with places that feel like your own private discoveries.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Best Beach Towns in the Carolinas
- 13 Destinations Where Tourists Regularly Regret Their Trip
- 20 Things You Actually Get in First Class
- 20 Small Airports With Aviation Museums
- 20 Places in the U.S. That Are Perfect for a Reset Trip
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.