Free and fun activities to do around Perth this winter

Just because money’s tight or you’re putting a lot away in savings doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of fun.

There’s plenty of options to get you off the couch and out into the sunshine this weekend, and they won’t cost you a cent – here’s a bunch to get you started:

Explore some of Australia’s oldest shipwrecks

Take a trip to Fremantle and explore the WA Shipwreck Museum – home to stories of mutinies, European trade, and some of the deadliest shipwrecks in Australian history. The Shipwrecks Museum lives in Fremantle’s historic Commissariat buildings, which were among the first Western Australian sites built using convict labour. Entry is free, with a suggested donation of $5.

Spend the day at AGWA

The Art Gallery of Western Australia is a constant hub of culture and education – plus, it’s safe from the elements! Enjoy a day exploring local, national, and international exhibits, talking to museum volunteers and curators, and finish the day with beautiful views of Perth CBD from the AGWA Rooftop Bar.

Support local and emerging artists at PICA

Located in one of Perth’s iconic heritage buildings, nestled between PICAbar and The Blue Room Theatre, PICA runs a year-round program celebrating the arts. Open Tuesday to Sunday, you can experience art, contemporary performance, dance, theatre, exhibitions, and events. PICA’s much-adored Hatched: National Graduate Show is on now until July 23.

Take a Road Trip Around Perth

Pack up the car with your favourite snacks and explore one of Perth’s many scenic drives. Enjoy stunning panoramas with the Zig Zag Drive or keep it central and tour around the Swan River, stopping off at iconic photo hot spots like the Blue Boat Shed and South Perth foreshore.

See the oldest public building in WA

Once a gaol and police lock-up, the Roundhouse in Fremantle opened in January 1831. Today, The Roundhouse is open daily from 10:30am to 3:30pm. It features an old pillory, friendly volunteers, and a live cannon fired at 1pm on the Gun Deck (weather permitting). The Roundhouse offers free entry, but a gold coin donation is recommended upon visiting.

Cosy Up Under the Stars

Find your favourite blanket, rug up, and spend a night under the incredible night skies of Western Australia. Stay close to the CBD with star gazer favorites like Kings Park, Reabold Hill Summit Lookout in City Beach, Mundaring Weir and Gooseberry Hill.

Do more than reading at Perth’s libraries

A hub of activity, the City of Perth Library and the State Library of Western Australia offer free events year-round for all ages and interests. Join book and film clubs, attend talks, visit exhibitions, or upskill with one of their many workshops!

Find art and culture at Fremantle Arts Centre

Fremantle Arts Centre prides itself on being a creative campus that fosters the arts community. They offer free and ticketed events all year round, have free Wi-Fi, and celebrate innovation, culture, community, and education in the arts sector.

Explore Perth on foot

City of Perth offers free walking tours and an app if you prefer to do it at your own pace! Discover new facts, fun stories, and cultural points of interest around our beautiful city. Their guided tours include an orientation tour if you are new to Perth and unsure where to start.

Dig through the antique shops of Guildford

So it’s obviously not free to purchase antique goods, but boy it can be a lot of fun to peruse the various antique shops around Guildford and check out all the weird and wonderful goods on offer. From Dr Russell’s to Curio Warehouse to Jones Of Guildford and Stories On The Wall, it makes for a fun and interesting afternoon. Down the road the Museum Of Natural History is also fascinating, and entry is pretty close to free.

Take yourself on a self-guided Street Art Tour

Over the years Perth has worked hard to become a city filled with incredible street art, so the least you can do is get out and find it! Throughout the CBD and Northbridge, along with many of the outer suburbs, there’s some stunning works from artists local, national and even international. To help get you started, here’s 16 great murals courtesy of the team from Streets Of Perth.

Hit the hiking trails

We’ve become a city of hikers over the past few years, and with so many spectacular national parks within a short distance from the city, it makes a lot of sense. There are plenty to be found with varying degrees of difficulty, like Lesmurdie Falls, Bells Rapids and the Kalamunda section of the Bibbulmun Track. Closer to home you can find some equally spectacular walking trails, and here’s 23 of the best to tackle in 2023.

Picnic at one of our picturesque parks

It may be winter but that doesn’t mean there’s no sunshine! We’ve compiled a list of great parks around Perth, from the obvious spots like Hyde Park and the Civic Centre Gardens to hidden gems like Harold Boas Gardens and Market Square that are perfect for a lazy afternoon on the picnic blanket.

Article by Sydney Mumby