Walking Tours
If you love to walk and want to discover Perth city’s icons, arts and cultural history our walking tours could be just the ticket. With a variety of guided or self-guided tours, there's something for everybody.
Download the Perth Trails App
The Perth Trails app offers informative walking trails designed to showcase Perth history, heritage, art and cultural points of interest, curated by City of Perth.The walking trails are suitable for people of all ages, from curious residents to seasoned travelers, and families alike. Using the Perth Trails app you can discover fun facts and interesting stories about Perth along the way.
All trails have been planned with accessibility in mind, and feature public transport access as well as private transport access throughout. You'll also be spoilt for choice with an array of food and beverage options across all routes. With ample access to public toilets, refreshment locations and playgrounds, too!
Download the app
Christmas Lights Walking Tours
Friday and Saturday nights at 7pm: 6-21 Dec (excluding 7 Dec) | 1 hour 30 minutes
Join the City’s bespoke Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail Tours, delivered by the iCity Tour Guides. Tours depart from outside Council House at 7pm, no bookings necessary, just arrive five minutes prior. Don’t miss this magical combination of holiday lights and local heritage!
FREE Guided City Tours
Knowledgeable volunteer Tour Guides offer free 90-minute orientation, history and art tours from the Perth City Visitor Kiosk.
To register for a group tour of over 15 people, please email walkingtours@cityofperth.wa.gov.au or phone (08) 9461 3333. Two weeks' notice is required for group bookings, and tours are subject to volunteer availability.
Please note that our qualified iCity volunteer tour guides are not available on public holidays, and tours may be cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions, low numbers, or subject to volunteer availability.
Self-guided Walking Tours
With a range of self-guided tours on offer you can discover architecture and City visionaries on ‘Icons of Influence’, the ups and downs of the local economy with ‘The Big Boom’ and the history of Perth with ‘Convicts and Colonials’.
You can also get creative on the ‘Art City’ walking tour or discover our Indigenous roots on the ‘This City is Whadjuk Country’ tour.
Get your walking shoes ready…
These self-guided trails can take up to two hours.
You can join in or depart from the trail anywhere along the way. The trail intersects with the city’s free CAT buses servicing East Perth, Northbridge, West Perth, central Perth and the foreshore (except Good Friday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day).
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Convicts and Colonials Walking Trail
Although the Swan River Colony was established as a free settlement in 1829, convict transportation was introduced in 1850 to answer the demand for a cheap and plentiful supply of labour for the small population.
The introduction of these reluctant immigrants caused much debate and controversy amongst the residents, who feared that their free colony would be forever tainted by the convict class. Whilst convict transport lasted only 18 years, the legacy of this period is embedded in the streets of the city and the folklore of the State.
Visit our interactive online map or download PDF
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Icons of Influence Walking Trail
When John Septimus Roe, naval officer, surveyor and explorer, first laid out the City of Perth in 1829, he envisaged a powerful city at the centre of a strong economy. St Georges Terrace was the focus of this design, a broad avenue running parallel to the shores of the majestic Swan River. Today, St Georges Terrace continues its role as the city’s powerhouse. Follow this trail to discover the history of the city through its iconic places of influence. As you walk along, keep your eyes out for plaques placed in the pavement that recognise the many people who have influenced the growth of Perth and Western Australia.
Visit our interactive online map or download PDF
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The Big Boom Walking Trail
This historical walk through Perth city will highlight the ‘boom’ created by gold and the surge of growth, wealth and prosperity in Western Australia that followed. The City’s population swelled from 8,500 to over 27,000 in a decade and it seemed Perth would ‘bust’ as this remote town turned into a buzzing cosmopolitan city.
Visit our interactive online map or download PDF
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Art City Walking Trail
Public art can stimulate thinking, deepen sense of place and transform how we engage with spaces. Within Perth city there are more than 200 public artworks reflecting the city’s identity, both past and present. This curated art trail includes a selection of public artworks that showcase our evolving CBD. Immerse yourself in our city.
Visit our interactive online map or download PDF
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Parks & Gardens Walking Trail
The City of Perth’s 28 parks and reserves are located on Whadjuk Nyoongar boodja (country) and we acknowledge that the Whadjuk Nyoongar people are the traditional custodians of the land on which these parks and reserves have been created. The City’s beautifully curated green open spaces cover one tenth of the city area and combine heritage, public art and water features to offer a break from the bustle of city life. Take some time out to experience the tranquility of Perth’s open spaces.
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Perth Town Hall Walking Trail
Built between 1867 and 1870, the Perth Town Hall is a landmark and an important building in Perth’s history, unique in several ways. It is the only major Australian town hall designed in a Medieval style. It is also the only Australian town hall built by convicts, providing evidence of their workmanship and technical skills which, during this time, were superior to those of free citizens. From the beginning, it was conceived not as Council offices, but as a venue for civic events, private and community gatherings and celebrations. Major works completed in 2005 restored the Town Hall to its place as a popular Perth venue for the new century.
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The Secret of Point Zero
Rumour has it there is a secret hidden in the City of Perth. We’ve code-named it Point Zero. To discover this secret, we need a clever team of investigators to follow the clues and crack the code.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find the 12 hidden coded messages in our City’s streets – each one on a blue plaque set in the ground.
To discover the secret of Point Zero, you need to decode all the messages.
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This City is Whadjuk Country Walking Trail
The first of two Karla Yarning maps, This city is Whadjuk country, explores Whadjuk Nyoongar history before the arrival of white settlers in 1829. On this walk participants will get a feel for the way Whadjuk people lived before white settlement.
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Fighting for Families, Country, Rights and Recognition Walking Trail
The second Karla Yarning map, Fighting for families, country, rights and recognition, explores Aboriginal history in Perth after 1829. On this walk, participants can learn about important events and developments including the resistance of Whadjuk leaders Midgegooroo and his son Yagan in the 1830s, the Prohibited Area zone in place between 1927-1954, Aboriginal protest rallies held in the 1930s and 1940s and the establishment of important Aboriginal organisations.
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Claisebrook Village Art Trail
The Claisebrook Village Art Trail has been curated by local artist, Andrew Hawes. As a parent and grandfather, he appreciates that families have different needs to other groups and has hand painted 160 small gecko sculptures that also acts as a 'treasure trail.'
Follow the gecko pointers and pavement stickers for an artists eye view of our Village. See how many geckos you can find!For more information and to download the guide click here.
Discover East Perth
Historic Heart of Perth Inc is a community organisation who excel in all things East Perth.
The Historic Heart of Perth is an area spanning from Barrack Street in the west to Hill Street in the east.
The name ‘Historic Heart’ is designed to bring together the history of the urban environment (Historic) and the community and natural environment (Heart). It is the premise that the physical and cultural landscapes are intertwined - a city is not just about buildings but about people and their experiences within it.
Downloads
- Convicts and Colonials Walking Trail2.99 MB | PDF Document
- Icons of Influence Walking Trail2.4 MB | PDF Document
- The Big Boom Walking Trail4.9 MB | PDF Document
- Art City Walking Trail3.92 MB | PDF Document
- Parks & Gardens Walking Trail2.97 MB | PDF Document
- Perth Town Hall Walking Trail2.54 MB | PDF Document
- Secret of Point Zero Trail Map1.48 MB | PDF Document
- This City is Whadjuk Country Walking Trail6.8 MB | PDF Document
- Fighting for Families, Country, Rights and Recognition Walking Trail7.37 MB | PDF Document
See also
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Pictured: Prohibited AreaDanjoo Kaartdijin: Together Knowledge
Dispersed across Perth lies deep untold stories living in the four walls of many iconic Perth buildings.
This story map will uncover the chilling secrets of their past. Listen as Aboriginal people speak about the places in Perth which have shaped their lives.
Based on oral history interviews from the City of Perth's Cultural Collections.
Discover Kings Park and Western Australian Botanic Garden
Join a free guided walk with a Kings Park Volunteer Guide and discover truly unique Western Australian wildflowers and enjoy spectacular views of Perth city.Discover Kings Park
Daily free 1.5hr (1.5 km) guided walk through the Botanic Garden to discover Western Australia’s diverse native flora and learn how it has adapted to the harsh environment.
10.00am and 1.00pm every day except Christmas Day. No booking required. To join a walk, meet at the Free Guided Walk signpost at the bottom of the steps outside the Visitor Information Centre.
Seasonal Walks
During Winter and Spring guided walks explore spectacular flora in the natural environments of the Kings Park bushland.
Walks range from up to 2 hours (3 km) on the raised paths of the Bushland Nature Trail through to a 3 hour (6km) wander along hidden bushland paths that take visitors deep into the Heart of the Park. Bushland walks are free but may require booking.
Themed walks
At certain times throughout the year walks celebrate special botanical events (eg National Eucalypt Day); historical events (eg International Women’s Day) and people connected to the park (eg May Gibbs). Themed walks are free but require booking.
Walks by Request
Tours can be tailored to the interests of community, tour or workplace groups comprising ten or more people. Bookings are required and a small charge is payable.
Other Perth Tours
Oh Hey WA
Oh Hey WA run fun and informative walking tours to help you discover hidden gems you would never find on your own! Join a tour with their friendly guides to explore Perth's history, architecture, street art and nightlife and hear quirky stories and fun facts along the way. Check out their tours here.
Hidden de Tours
Hidden deTours offer unique and well-crafted bus and walking tours in Perth and beyond for locals and visitors to this beautiful city and its surrounds. Hidden gems are ready for the taking on each tour, as they explore Perth like no other. Check out their tours here.
Two Feet & a Heartbeat
Two Feet & a Heartbeat is a Perth-based experiential tourism provider specialising in fully escorted tours. From themed walking tours and progressive dinners, to private cruises and luxurious air safaris, clients get a unique perspective on the landscapes, people, culture, food, history and arts of Western Australia.
At the heart of the experience is our team of highly qualified, local guides who host guests in a professional yet relaxed manner with award-winning itineraries. We design and deliver creative and unique itineraries to accommodate any group size in Perth and across Western Australia. It’s our local knowledge, established community connections, passion for tourism and ability to think outside the box that sets us apart.
Talk to us about who you would like to impress and let us put together a specialised program of local activities to create an unforgettable experience.
