Perth sits on ancient Noongar land where the Swan River meets the Indian Ocean, a sunlit capital known for big skies, wildflower seasons, and a serious coffee habit. Its modern skyline hides heritage arcades, while beaches like Cottesloe and Scarborough lure swimmers and surfers year-round. With Optus Stadium hosting marquee rugby clashes in 2027, the city will hum with fans, festivals, and game-day energy.

Beyond the CBD, Fremantle’s Victorian-era streets and working port brim with live music, street art, and independent breweries. Out in the Swan Valley, one of Australia’s oldest wine regions pours award-winning Semillon and Verdelho, while north along the coast, the lunar-like Pinnacles Desert turns gold at sunset and black with stars at night. Rottnest Island—Wadjemup to Traditional Owners—offers car-free bliss, coral lagoons, and the famously photogenic quokka.

For an adventurous vibe and a mid-range budget, this 15-day plan pairs Perth’s best bites, beaches, and unique tours with a one-week detour to Bali for world-class surf, waterfalls, and nightlife. You’ll get practical travel times and costs, where to stay, where to watch rugby on big screens, and insider spots locals love.

Perth

Perth blends outdoorsy living with a thriving food scene and a calendar packed with sports and concerts. Stroll Kings Park’s bushland trails and skywalks for Swan River views, then drop into the State Buildings for espresso or cocktails. As sunset nears, locals gravitate to the coast: think Indian Ocean swims followed by fish and chips and a beer at a beachside bar.

Getting in and around: Fly into Perth (PER). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. The CBD is ~20 minutes by taxi or rideshare from the airport. Transperth trains/ferries make city travel easy; rideshare is plentiful late-night.

Where to stay (mid-range, walkable): Base in the CBD, Elizabeth Quay, or Northbridge for nightlife and transit access.

• VRBO: Perth, Western Australia — apartments near the river and Kings Park.
• Hotels.com: Perth — filter by “Very Good 8+” around Elizabeth Quay/Northbridge.

Days 1–4: City Icons, Beaches, Nightlife, and Rugby Warm-Up

Start at Kings Park’s Lotterywest Federation Walkway for city-to-river panoramas, then wander the WA Botanic Garden’s endemic blooms. Down in the CBD, the Art Gallery of WA and the Perth Cultural Centre pair well with Northbridge laneway coffee and street art.

• Local coffee & breakfast: Telegram Coffee (State Buildings) for precision brews; Sayers Sister (Northbridge) for hearty brunch; Howard’s Groove (West Perth) for filter fiends.
• Lunch ideas: Long Chim (Thai street food with spice and swagger), Le Rebelle (French-leaning bistro classics), Balthazar (WA produce, serious wine list).
• Dinner & drinks: Wildflower (native-ingredient tasting menus with skyline views); Santini Grill (handmade pasta, wood-fired mains). Afterwards, try The Rechabite for shows and Double Rainbow eats, Mechanics Institute for rooftop cocktails, or Ezra Pound for speakeasy vibes.
• Beaches: Cottesloe for sunset swims and Indiana’s heritage pavilion silhouette; Scarborough for surf, skate bowls, and El Grotto tacos with mezcal.
• Watch sports: The Camfield (next to Optus Stadium, enormous screens); The Sporting Globe (multiple locations, rugby-friendly). Tour Optus Stadium on non-game days for behind-the-scenes views.

Hop on the open-top bus to get oriented, then cruise the Swan by night to see the city glitter.

• Perth Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

  

• Swan River Dinner Cruise

  

Day 5–6: Swan Valley Wine & The Pinnacles at Sunset

Spend a day tasting in the Swan Valley—Australia’s oldest wine region west of the Great Dividing Range. Between wineries, detour for small-batch gin and local honey, then cap things with a brewery paddle.

• Ultimate Swan Valley Food and Wine Day Trip from Perth

  

On the next afternoon, head north to Nambung National Park. Wander among limestone spires glowing at golden hour, then stay for Milky Way views with a guide and telescope.

• Pinnacles Desert Sunset Stargazing Adventure Tour from Perth

  

If you’re a geology buff with stamina, swap one day for a longer inland adventure to Wave Rock and historic York.

• Wave Rock, York and Aboriginal Cultural Day Tour from Perth

  

Fremantle & Rottnest Island

Fremantle (Walyalup) is Perth’s bohemian heart: a port city with convict-era heritage, indie boutiques, and live music. The UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison runs evocative tours, while the E Shed Markets and cappuccino strip keep things buzzing on weekends. Offshore, Rottnest Island’s reef-fringed bays and car-free paths are perfect for cycling, snorkeling, and quokka encounters.

Getting there: From Perth Station, take the Fremantle Line (~30 minutes; ~AU$5). Ferries to Rottnest depart from Perth, Fremantle, and Hillarys; allow 25–90 minutes depending on your departure point.

Where to stay: Use Fremantle as your base for easy ferry access and nightlife.

• VRBO: Fremantle — heritage cottages and lofts near the port.
• Hotels.com: Fremantle — pick walking distance to the Markets and Esplanade.

Days 7–8: Historic Streets, Breweries, and a Rottnest Day

Spend your first Fremantle day exploring the Prison (tunnel and night tours are excellent), then stroll High Street for galleries and retro shops. For seafood on the harbor, Cicerello’s is the local classic; down the quay, Gage Roads Freo Brewery pours fresh lagers with container-ship views.

• Cafes & bites: Moore & Moore (courtyard brunch), Bread in Common (wood-fired everything), Manuka Woodfire Kitchen (seasonal small plates from the oven).
• Breweries & bars: Gage Roads Freo Brewery (portside taps), Running with Thieves (South Freo), the Old Synagogue complex for Tonic & Ginger and hidden-bar L’Chaim.
• Music & culture: Freo.Social for gigs; Fremantle Arts Centre for exhibitions and Sunday sessions.

Dedicate a full day to Rottnest (Wadjemup). Cycle between bays—The Basin, Pinky Beach, and Little Salmon Bay are standouts—and bring a mask for easy reef snorkeling. Respect wildlife and keep a gentle distance when snapping that quokka selfie.

• Experience Rottnest with Ferry & Bike Hire

  

• Perth to Rottnest Island Roundtrip Ferry Ticket

  

• Discover Rottnest with Ferry & Bus Tour

  

Alternative marine day: head south to Shoalwater Islands Marine Park for dolphins and sea lions, especially if the water is clear and winds are light.

• Dolphin, Sea Lion and Penguin Island Cruise

  

Margaret River & Busselton

Three hours south, Margaret River is all about surf breaks, limestone caves, Karri forests, and cellar doors. World-class wineries like Vasse Felix and Voyager Estate share the stage with inventive breweries and farm-to-table kitchens. Nearby Busselton’s 1.8-km jetty and underwater observatory add a unique ocean encounter even on windy days.

Getting there: Self-drive from Perth (~3 hours; ~270 km via Forrest Hwy). Coaches run daily (approx 3.5–4.5 hours; ~AU$30–50). Having a car unlocks beaches, caves, and wineries.

Where to stay: Base near Margaret River town for dining access, or Dunsborough/Yallingup for beaches.

• VRBO: Margaret River
• Hotels.com: Margaret River

Days 9–10: Caves, Coast, and Cellar Doors

Start at Ngilgi or Mammoth Cave for spectacular chambers, then follow Caves Road through forests to winery lunches. Voyager Estate pairs degustations with Cape Dutch architecture; Vasse Felix does benchmark Cabernets and an airy art gallery.

• Breweries: Beerfarm (Metricup; paddocks and playful sours), Eagle Bay Brewing Co. (coastal views and family-friendly lawns), Shelter Brewing (Busselton foreshore, great for sunset).
• Beaches & walks: Meelup and Eagle Bay for calm turquoise coves; Canal Rocks for dramatic swell; parts of the Cape-to-Cape Track for cliff-top vistas.
• Dining: Morries (share plates, cocktails), Yarri (Dunsborough; seasonal WA produce), Barnyard 1978 (house-made pasta and honey).
• Unique: Busselton Jetty train to the Underwater Observatory—corals and schooling fish in a natural aquarium.

Bali (Southeast Asia Week Detour)

With a rugby rest window, jump to Bali for four tropical days of surf, temples, and rice terraces. Split time between the beach (Seminyak/Canggu for dining and nightlife) and the uplands (Ubud for waterfalls, craft villages, and jungle walks). It’s close, great value, and adventure-packed.

Flights: Perth (PER) to Bali/Denpasar (DPS) is ~3h30–4h nonstop. Typical roundtrip fares range ~US$150–350 depending on season and baggage. Search via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Where to stay: Choose Seminyak/Canggu for beach clubs and dining; Ubud for jungle calm. Mid-range villas with pools are plentiful.

• VRBO: Bali
• Hotels.com: Bali

Days 11–14: Beach Clubs, Temples, and Jungle Days

Seminyak/Canggu (2 days): Morning surf lessons at Batu Bolong, coffee at BGS, and beach time at Double Six. Evenings at Potato Head or Finns Beach Club; dinner at Mamasan (modern Asian) or Da Maria (Italian, Amalfi-cool). For a local feast, Warung Nasi Ayam Ibu Oki serves fiery chicken plates; Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen is beloved for roast pork.

Uluwatu option: Chase cliffs and turquoise at Melasti or Padang Padang, sunset at Uluwatu Temple with Kecak dance, then seafood at Jimbaran Bay (pick-your-fish on the sand).

Ubud (2 days): Early trek up Mount Batur for a sunrise crater view, then soak at Tirta Empul’s sacred springs. Stroll the Campuhan Ridge Walk, wander Tegallalang’s terraces, and cool off at Tegenungan or Tukad Cepung waterfalls. Eat plant-forward at Alchemy or KAFE; for Indonesian classics with flair, try Naughty Nuri’s ribs or local duck (bebek) warungs.

Logistics: Private drivers are affordable for day trips; expect ~US$35–60 per day depending on hours. Traffic can be heavy—start early and cluster sights by region.

Day 15: Fly Back to Perth for Rugby

Morning flight DPS → PER (~4 hours). Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com to find midday arrivals. Drop bags, then ride the train to Optus Stadium (special event services usually run on match days). Get to The Camfield early for a pre-game pint, or book a table at The Island at Elizabeth Quay for riverside viewing if you’re not heading to the stadium.

Post-match eats: Late-night Northbridge spots include Double Rainbow (Asian-ish share plates), Chinatown’s noodles on Roe Street, or Lucy’s Love Shack for rock ‘n’ roll and pizza until the small hours. If a concert fits your dates, check programming at RAC Arena, Fremantle Arts Centre, or the Astor Theatre while you’re in town.

Suggested Multi-Day Flow (15 Days)

• Days 1–4: Perth CBD, Kings Park, Cottesloe/Scarborough beach time, Swan River dinner cruise, nightlife in Northbridge.
• Days 5–6: Swan Valley food & wine day; Pinnacles sunset and stargazing (or Wave Rock day if geology calls).
• Days 7–8: Fremantle heritage day, breweries, live music; Rottnest Island bike-and-bay adventure.
• Days 9–10: Drive to Margaret River for caves, wineries, breweries, Busselton Jetty.
• Days 11–14: Fly to Bali for beaches, temples, Ubud jungles and waterfalls.
• Day 15: Return to Perth for Rugby World Cup match day and celebrations.

Bonus Practical Tips

• Seasonality: Perth is Mediterranean—hot/dry summers, mild winters. Rugby in 2027 falls in the Aussie spring; pack layers for evening breezes and a light rain jacket.
• Budget (60/100): Mix casual eats (markets, fish & chips) with a few splurge dinners. Public transit + occasional rideshare keeps costs in check.
• Food markets: If you’re here on a Friday in warmer months, the Twilight Hawkers Market (CBD) is a street-food feast from around the globe.
• Local etiquette: In WA’s parks and islands, stay on marked paths, don’t feed wildlife, and pack out your rubbish.
• Between local hubs: Perth ↔ Fremantle train (~30 min, ~AU$5). Perth ↔ Margaret River self-drive (~3 hrs). Perth ↔ Rottnest ferry (25–90 min).

From Swan River sunsets and Rottnest reefs to starry desert skies and Bali’s jungle dawns, this plan knits together Western Australia’s greatest hits with a tropical interlude—without losing sight of rugby’s big moments. You’ll eat brilliantly, swim daily, and soak up local music and sport culture all the way.