Cottesloe Beach. Photography by Tourism WA.

Cottesloe Beach. Photography by Tourism WA.

Tour de Perth

Updated: 7 Apr 2014
Courtney Schuur

Bet you don't know Perth as well as you think you do. A day tour will show you exactly what you're missing.

Adrenalin Junkies

Born to be wild?
Let your rebellious streak run free, and jump on the back of a Harley. No, you won't be riding into the sunset never to be seen again, but you will be able to see Perth's beautiful scenery with the wind in your hair.
Highlights Down Under Motorcycle Tours' scenic Lakes and Coast Tour shows off some of Perth's best waterscapes, like Trigg and Scarborough beaches and Perry Lakes. harleytours.ws/Perth.

Roll with it
Create your own Top Gun moment aboard this two-seater stunt plane. Your
flight starts with a scenic tour of Perth's regional areas before going straight into
the tricks; get ready to be rolled, flipped and turned with amazing skill.
Highlights Feeling the G force as Attitude Aerobatics' experienced pilot puts the
plane through its paces. attitudeaerobatics.com.au.

Mountain excitement
When it comes to mountain biking in Western Australia, Rock 'n' Roll Mountain Bike tour guides know every nook and cranny. Each mountain biking tour is based on skill level, from absolute beginners to 'stunts and jumps'.
Highlights Gaining the confidence to try your first mountain bike stunt. rockandrollmountainbiking.com.au.

Culture Vultures

Heritage hike
Who knew that Perth had a Heritage Precinct? Join the friendly guides from Two Feet & Heartbeat for a daylong walking tour on which you will explore the bell tower and hear the history behind Perth's CBD before jumping on a ferry for an afternoon at the zoo.
Highlights Seeing the bell tower... from the top.
twofeet.com.au.

Indigenous interest
An Aboriginal art class and a bush-tucker feast are just some of the activities
that you will experience on the Urban Indigenous Tour. This award-winning tour celebrates contemporary Aboriginal culture and invites everyone to partake, ask questions and have fun.
Highlights An interactive didgeridoo lesson with a pro.
urbanindigenoustours.com.

Banged up
At first glance, you wouldn't think that the Fremantle prison was only closed 22 years ago; the guides are cheery and the cafe buzzes. But wait until nighttime for a ghostly tour, or head underground where you will paddle through the canals and see the jail from a very different vantage point.
Highlights Wearing prison stripes and donning an old ball and chain for a photo op. fremantleprison.com.au.

Foodies & Wine Buffs

Progressive ideas
The premise is simple: you eat, they drive. Choose from three- or four-venue Word of Mouth progressive dining tours and get ready to eat and drink your way through some of Perth's finest restaurants. At the end of the night, you're dropped off at home, leaving you enough time to plan tomorrow's sickie.
Highlights Post-dinner complimentary cocktails, followed by tea and cake.
womtours.com.au.

Best buds
If 'speed grazing' sounds right up your alley, hop on the Taste Bud Tour bus and get ready for a whirlwind tour of Swan Valley's best food and wine. Sweet teeth will enjoy the morning tours, whereas those in the afternoon lean more towards the Swan Valley's savoury delights.
Highlights Tingling your taste buds with the raw, chilli-infused honey at House of Honey. tastebudtours.com.au.

Small bars, big fun
Having trouble keeping up with Perth's booming small bar scene? For $50, Two Feet & a Heartbeat's walking tour takes you to three bars where a drink, nibbles and a chat with the owner are waiting for you. Popular small bars on the tour include The Conservatory, 1907, Wolf Lane, The Cheeky Sparrow, Andaluz and – everyone's favorite – Helvetica.
Highlights Learning tips from Helvetica owner David Gillman on how to go about creating the perfect mint julep. twofeet.com.au.

Tree Huggers

Treasured island
Sure, we've all seen the Segways zipping around Perth's foreshore – but why stick to the streets? Head over to Rottnest where the Segways have been kitted out for off-road tours allowing you and your group to find the most secluded beaches and wildlife around.
Highlights Dodging quokkas as you visit hard-to-reach areas of Rottnest you never knew existed. segwaytourswa.com.au.

Go native
This Aussie Wanderer tour is one Australiana-packed day. First up, it's off to Caversham Wildlife Park to spot kangaroos, koalas and wallabies. Jump back on the bus and it's off to the beach for a sausage sizzle and then a tour of the Pinnacles before heading to Lancelin for an afternoon of sand boarding.
Highlights Falling in love with WA all over again. aussiewanderer.com.au.

Pony up
Why not explore Perth like the stockmen did back in the day? Jump on a horse with 1300TR, and hit the trails, where you will canter and gallop through expansive riverside bushland following a section of the historic Old North Stock Road Route.
Highlights Fording the Moore River on horseback. 1300trailrides.com.au.

Leeuwin II.

Water Lovers

Hello, sailors
Jump aboard the 1850s-style Leeuwin II. Your three-hour trip sets sail in Fremantle and follows Perth's coastline before taking to open waters.
Highlights Practising your best pirate voice while unfurling the sails. Arrrrrrrr! sailleeuwin.com.

Duck tales
Catalina Adventures' amphibious vehicle (or 'Duck') will navigate Perth by both land and sea, taking you on the river in front of Kings Park before heading back on land to stop by the zoo.
Highlights When the car first takes to the water. catalinaadventures.com.au.

The white stuff
Get your heart pumping as you whitewater raft down the Murray River. You will paddle through grade two and three rapids in this half-day adventure.
Highights The gut-twisting 4m drop on the first rapid. dwellingupadventures.com.au.

Tour de Perth - Localista