What to do and see in Greater Perth, Western Australia: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day

Enjoy a guided tour of our grand heritage building, secured vaults, and 1899 melting house where you can see a live gold pour. Hear tales of the Mint’s golden past, and learn of the gold mining legends and events that have shaped WA.

Perched on the Indian Ocean's shore, the WA Maritime Museum is symbolic of Fremantle’s past, present and future as a coastal city and port. The Museum houses several unique galleries that explore WA's maritime relationship. From leisure boats and handcrafted sailing boats to commercial pearl luggers, the Museum inspires visitors to discover WA’s affinity with the ocean. The Museum is home to the winning America's Cup yacht, Australia II, an Oberon class submarine — HMAS Ovens, Jon Sanders’ Parry Endeavour and many other iconic vessels from WA's maritime history.

Fremantle Prison is one of Western Australia’s premier tourist attractions and the only World Heritage listed building in the State.The Prison was built by convicts in the 1850s and was used as a place of incarceration for almost 140 years. With solitary cells and gallows Fremantle Prison is a monument to a system of punishment that is uncomfortably recent. Fremantle Prison now holds the key to history, mystery and fun. Step inside and do time with experienced guides on a fascinating Prison Day Tour. Explore the labyrinth of tunnels 20m beneath the Prison by foot and by boat on a Tunnels Tour adventure. Feeling brave? Delve into the darker side of the Prison’s history on an eerie Torchlight Tour.

Catholic Cathedral which combines portions built over 3 centuries into the one beautifully renovated building. Public Tours every Tuesday at 10:30 am $10.00 donation for adults, $8.00 concessions, $6.00 for children under 16. Tickets available at Church Office (across the road - follow the signs)

The Scitech Science Centre is reopen under COVID-19 restrictions in WA. It's important that you plan ahead for your visit to Scitech and book your tickets online in advance. Explore your curiosity at Scitech, an engaging science discovery centre conveniently located in the heart of Perth. Boasting six interactive galleries, lively science performances and educational puppet shows, a hands-on science lab and Australasia's largest planetarium, Scitech offers a range of fun and educational science experiences for all ages. Plus, visit the Discovery Shop for unusual science gifts, and don't miss the Scitech's unique adult events throughout the year. As Western Australia's leading science education institution, Scitech aims to increase awareness, interest, capability and participation by all Western Australians in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Visit with the family for a whole day of fun, or become an annual member for endless science action!

Want to learn about all things brewing along with the Little Creatures story? Brewery Tours with one of our resident hop heads include learning about the brewing process and the great ingredients we use as well as the Little Creatures story. Finish with a guided tasting of the full range of beers. Brewery tours run daily at 12, 1, 2 & 3pm and Fridays at 6pm. Book on our website or drop into the brewhouse bar just before the start and sign up. Brewery Tours are $25pp and 18+ only. Duration approx. 1.5 hrs. No time for a tour? We also do self-guided tasting trays ($15) or you can drop in to the Little Creatures Great Hall for a bite to eat and beer served straight from the conditioning tanks, it doesn't get any fresher! You can also pick up a six pack or some Little Creatures swag to take home, or hire a free bike hire to explore Fremantle.

The Army Museum of Western Australia is a regional museum which showcases Western Australia's role in the various conflicts in which Australia has participated. Saying that it also brings to the front Australia's role in the many conflicts that have seen an involvement by Australian armed forces. The Museum occupies the whole of the 1912 Artillery Barracks site, which in itself is a significant historical building and is heritage listed. There are many Galleries situated on the ground floor and upper floor in addition to other displays in out buildings and the front parade ground show cases a large number of Army vehicles from many periods. Some of the Galleries cover Pre 1914, WW1, WW1 Middle East, POW, WW2 Middle East Greece and Africa, WW2 Pacific War, Post WW2 conflicts. There are more! Visits for the public are conducted at 10:30am and 1:00pm each day, from Wednesday through to Sunday. Visits take approximately two hours and are escorted. All adult visitors to the museum must have the appropriate photo ID. The Museum is run in the main by Curatorial and Guide Volunteers. Well worth a look, you will be surprised at the content and layout of the displays. Western Australia, being so isolated has a reputation for building excellent Museums as the population are a bit restricted in being able to visit the Eastern States facilities. One thing that comes through from visitors comments to this page and the actual Museum visitors is to allow a good two hours for your visit, that is the minimum to cover the full displays.

Windy Creek Estate, formally Cobanov Wines, was first established in 1937 by Ante Cobanov. He had left Croatia in 1924 and spent 13 years cutting sleepers in the south-west to enable him to put a deposit on this Swan Valley property. In 1937 he bought the fertile coastal plain land that is still the core of the family business and sent for his wife and sons. They grew grapes for dried fruit production but made a small amountof wine for the Perth immigrant community. The family has continued to produce wines for 80 years and we have been selling fruit to other wineries for approximately 40 years. The Windy Creek Estate label was first released in 1980. Tony Cobanov, the current winemaker, entered the industry as a third generation winemaker and is very passionate about the Swan Valley and its lifestyle. He has 3 sons Joshua, Callum and Rohan so it is a distinct possibility that this will become a 4th generation business and he can’t think of anything better than that.

Make a pitstop at the award-winning Swan Valley Visitor Centre and our friendly staff will help you get the most out of your Swan Valley sojourn. We’ve been voted the best Visitor Centre in the state at the 2017 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards AND we scooped gold as the best Visitor Centre in Australia at the prestigious QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards. We'd like to think these plaudits have a lot to do with our wide knowledge and helpful hints. We know the Swan Valley inside and out and back to front, and can tell you all the hidden nooks and crannies, the award winners, the family friendly, the romantic spots, the natural wonders and the many interactive experiences on offer. We’re here to answer any questions, allay any concerns and assist you with advice, maps and brochures. And we're open Monday to Sunday all year round, from 9am to 4pm (closed Christmas Day).