Perth for free

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and located on the shores of the Swan River. With a population of approx 1.9 million people the city is a vibrant centre of activity particularly for the resources industry.

Whilst there are many beautiful beaches to enjoy nearby this blog focuses on other activities that you can do for free. 

Art Gallery of Western Australia

The Gallery houses the State Art Collection which includes Western Australian art, Modern British Art an Indigenous Art.

The Gallery also hosts a range of exhibitions. Before visiting you should check that no fees apply to these.

The Gallery is open Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Good Friday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day. Entry is free but they do ask for visitors to leave a donation.

Western Australian Museum

The Museum displays Western Australia's natural, social and cultural history collections. 

The Museum's long term displays include a Discovery Centre, WA Land and People and a Bird Galley. There is also a program of special exhibits, events and activities. 

The Museum is open every day 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, ANZAC Day and Good Friday.  Entry is free but a $5 donation is suggested.

The Water @ Labyrinth

Using storm water recycled and harvested from Forrest Place is this water sculpture designed by Jeppe Hein. The Water Laybyrinth runs daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Forrest Place is also the location of events and markets.

Parliament House 

If you're interested in politics you can take a tour of Parliament House. These are run every Monday and Thursday 10.30 a.m. except on public holidays.

Kings Park Botanical Gardens

Kings Park is a 400 hectare park located right in the heart of Perth city and rich in Aboriginal and European history. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the Swan and Canning rivers, the city skyline or the Darling Ranges to the east. 

Given the size of the Park there is a huge range of activities to enjoy. You can wander the Western Botanical Garden and see more than 3,000 varieties of the State's unique flora, visit the Avenues of Honour or Kings Park Memorials and Statues area. 

Two thirds of the park is protected bushland where you can enjoy bushland walks or cycle the paths. The best views can be experienced from the DNA Tower if you want to climb its 101 steps.  

Families can visit  Rio Tinto Naturescape where children can connect with nature and learn about the WA environment or play at the Synergy Parkland  which has a 75 metre elevated walkway, island fort and large scale replicas of extinct Australian mega fauna and an interactive water misting forest. 

Other alternatives are the Lotterywest Family Area which includes a Playground and an oval for ball sports and a learn to ride bicycle path or the Saw Avenue Picnic Area  with its innovative nature based play area with the iconic Jarrah Log.

You can also enjoy a free guided walk, browse the gallery shop or enjoy a coffee in the cafe.

Bold Park

Bold Park is a large bushland area offering a wilderness experience near the coast only 15 minutes from Perth city. The Park covers 437 hectares and has over 1,000 species of flora, fauna and fungi and an abundance of wildlife including birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

You can experience the park via a range of walking trails or cycling paths.

Burswood Park

Located about 5 minutes drive from the city of Perth Burswood Park is a unique parkland where you can see a range of indigenous birds and water fowl.

The Lake is the centrepiece of the Park with  Swan Fountain a stunning sculpture of black swans within its shores.  There are a number of riverside walks, recreational trails and picnic areas to enjoy. 

You can also take a free guided walking tour of the park which focuses on Western Australia's history, flora and fauna.

Whiteman Park

A natural bushland park located approx 25 minutes from Perth city on the doorstep of the Swan Valley.  There are bush walking trails, complete with interpretive notes and walking and cycling paths.   Perfect for children of all ages are the shaded playgrounds and a mini water playground with a wading pool, water spouts, soft fall surrounds and shade areas.  The park also includes picnic areas, BBQs and a cafe.

A range of other attractions are also located at the park. Some with entry via donation and some you need to pay an entry fee. These include transport related museums,a wildlife park and a range of shops. 

You can also take a free tour by jumping aboard the vintage Whiteman Park Explorer bus.

Walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is an iconic site known all around the world and photographed by everyone who visits Sydney. The Bridge connects the city of Sydney with the North Shore and many people use it to travel to or from the city regularly. Trains, cars, buses and trucks are whizzing across it day and night but you can also enjoy more leisurely  ways to cross the Bridge.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge from the Cahill Walkway

For those who enjoy cycling there is a cycle path which is becoming increasingly popular. My preferred method is walking along the Cahill Walkway which can be accessed via Macquarie Street (opposite the Botanical Gardens), Circular Quay or the Rocks.  

Cahill Walkway

Whilst we were walking we were passed by lots of runners who also use this as a regular way to get to or from work or just as a way to keep fit.

View as we neared the Rocks area

Part way across is an opportunity to get a view from a higher point by taking the 200 steps up to the The Pylon Lookout . There is a small entry fee to the lookout $6.50 for a child or $11 for an adult but the fee is worthwhile as there are a number of points along the climb where you will learn about the history and construction of the Bridge.

View halfway across 

Of course if you're more adventurous and can afford the Bridge Climb its well worthwhile the effort. The night climb allows you to enjoy the lights of Sydney under the night sky, the day climbs stunning views across the Harbour and the dawn climb the sun rising across the city and Harbour.

Arriving on the North Shore

For more information on access points to the Bridge see  Harbour Bridge Map

Milsons Point

Milsons Point is the first suburb across the Bridge and probably most famous for Luna Park but there are also a range of good restaurants and cafes to enjoy. We eat there regularly when we're in Sydney as its much better value for money than restaurants in the city.

Kirribilli 

Kirribilli is also on the North Shore and famous for Kirribilli House, the official residence of the Australian Prime Minister and  Admiralty House the residence of the Australian Governor General.

Also worth a visit are the Kirribilli Markets which are held on the 2nd Sunday of the month with more than 200 stalls selling new and recycled fashion, home and giftware, arts, crafts, plants and gourmet produce.  

Canberra - Australia's capital

Most capital cities are large but that's not the case with Australia's capital Canberra. This difference is historical as when the States of Australia agreed to form a Federation in 1901 neither NSW or Victoria (who were the largest cities at the time) would agree on the other city being chosen. So Canberra was selected due to its proximity to both Melbourne and Sydney.

Canberra was originally the home of the Ngunnawal people who occupied the land for 21,000 years as evidenced by rock paintings at Namadgi National Park and Birrigai Rock Shelter at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

A competition to design the capital was won by American Architect Walter Burley Griffin.     Influenced by both the City Beautiful and Garden City movements of the time; Burley Griffin designed a city with a large man made lake at the centre, green areas, wide boulevards and formal parks with water features.

Lake Burley Griffin

The original Parliament House was opened in 1927 and served Parliament until 1988 when a new and modern Parliament House replaced it. Today old Parliament House is a tourist attraction featuring a museum  dedicated to telling the story of Australian democracy.

Old Parliament House

On the land opposite old Parliament House is the site of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy which was established in 1972 as a protest to the Government's refusal to recognise Aboriginal Land rights.  

Site of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy

New Parliament House, built on the top of a hill, dominates the skyline and can be seen from many surrounding locations. 

Visit Parliament House when Parliament is in session and you can see our Politicians at work. Parliament House also has an amazing collection of art and  is a venue for many functions.

New Parliament House

Heritage listed Government House is the home of the Queen's representative in Australia the Governor General. Surrounded by 54 hectares of grounds the House is used for many official occasions including receptions, dinners for visiting Royalty and functions for community and special needs groups.

Government House

As the location of the Commonwealth Government Canberra tends to be a city that many people commute which makes many people think Canberra is a boring place to visit. I don't agree there is so much to see. 

National Gallery of Australia

On the cultural side visit the National Gallery of Australia with more than 100,000 works of art including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Australian art and international art.

View of the road between the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery of Australia

At the National Portrait Gallery you can view portraits of more than 400 people who have shaped Australia's history, diversity and culture.

The Australian War Memorial commemorates the sacrifice of the men and women who served Australia in war. There is an enormous amount of history to explore and the Hall of Memory with the tomb of the unknown soldier evokes a sadness and respect for what the memorial represents.

High Court of Australia

Questacon is Australia's National Science and Technology Centre and a fantastic place to visit if you are holidaying with children. There are regular exhibits, displays and lots of hands on activities that provide a fun learning experience. 

There are many other interesting buildings in Canberra including a range of Embassies many designed to visually represent their home nation.

The Eagle

Memorials are also a regular sight like the Australian-American Memorial symbolises the strong relationship between these 2 countries. Its located on the forecourt of the Defence Offices.

From a nature and the outdoors perspective I like the Australian National Botanical Gardens which include a range of beautiful plants. Various garden designs represent a Rainforest Gully, Rock Garden, Eucalypt Lawn and Mallee Shrub lands. 

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve provides a great spot for a picnic or BBQ lunch.  You may also see a range of wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, possums and the endangered Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby.  Tidbinbilla also is the location of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex which was a real surprise as it features  a number of "big dish" antennas that receive data from and transmit commands to a wide variety of spacecraft.

Burbury Hotel 

I stay at the Burbury Hotel located in the Realm precinct. The Realm Hotel located across the road is also a great option. 

Eat in Kingston or Manuka.

Great shopping at the Fyshwick Markets or DFO also located in Fyshwick. 

For more information see Canberra Tourism