Perth
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Positives
- Year-round south swells
- Rottnest Island spots
- Great climate
- Cable's artificial reef
- City entertainment
Negatives
- Perth's inconsistent spots
- Intense crowds
- Fremantle Doctor's onshores
- Sharks
Perth surf travel guide
Despite its ideal location, Perth can't be taken seriously as a city for surfers due to a shallow offshore seafloor, known as the Five Fathom Bank (approx 10m), which absorbs most of the swell. Surf is usually mushy and summers are mainly flat, maxing out at 4ft. It’s ironic that the entry point for wave-rich Western Australia is so deprived of good surf.
However, this means Perth is an ideal place to learn, plus there is the added bonus of Rottnest Island, where some serious waves can be had, a short ferry ride from the city. Prior to two significant changes in sea level over 7,000 years ago, Rottnest was initially attached to the mainland. Local Aboriginal people knew the Island as ‘Wadjemup’, which has been suggested to have the meaning "land across the water". The island was named in 1696 by the Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh, who called it ‘Rottnest’ (meaning ‘rats nest’), mistaking the marsupial quokkas for huge rats.
Surf spots in Perth
Research the 13 surf breaks in Perth and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 13 breaks in Perth.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Perth
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Population
- 2,589,000
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- AUD
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 1.27 AUD AUD
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +61
- Dialing out
- 0011
- Language
- English
Electricity
- Plug Type
- i
Visas
Everyone except Kiwis needs a visa before arriving in OZ so get one in good time before arriving. European countries, USA, Canada and Japan can get a free tourist visa online (some nations maybe charged a A$20 “service charge”). Visas last for 12 months but you can only stay for a total of either 3 or 6 months within the 12 month period. As always check carefully for any updates before you travel.
Getting There
Perth (2.1 M hab) sees fewer flights than Sydney but many connections to Asia (Qantas, Singapore...). You can fly midweek from Sydney to Perth for AU$260. The Indian Pacific train ride costs fr AU$2115 and takes 4 days! Otherwise, there’s the long and tedious (3 days) Greyhound bus (the Red Eye) but you have to change to a train to get to Perth as they won't cross the Nullabor (fr AU$675).
Rottnest Island can be reached by a short 30min ferry ride from Fremantle ($40/p, r/t) or 15min Air Taxi (from AU$116 r/t, ask for boards). Other ferries take 45min from Hillary's or 1h from Perth.
Getting Around
Perth traffic is fine for a city. A special permit is required to hire or drive a vehicle on Rottnest. Vehicle hire is subject to availability. Local speed limits and 'no go' areas apply. Rent a bike with board racks, prices are low (helmets and lock inc.). Some spots require a boat. Check Heron surf charters for day access or week trips.
Accommodation
Favour Cottesloe to stay around Perth. Most of the 500,000 visitors to Rottnest every year come for the day.
Hotels in Rottnest Island start at AU$80 per night. The Rottnest Lodge is having a AU$40m revamp. Renting one of the 250 villas/cottages are cheap enough for groups. Camping and glamping sites are available. At Thomson Bay, it’s possible to get food but bring supplies from the mainland and take your rubbish back.
Activities
The Sorrento Quay and Hillary’s Boat Harbour, 5km (3mi) north of Trigg, house major attractions for tourists including Underwater World. Rottnest Island is an A-Class Reserve, has a record of 97 species of tropical fish and is popular for migrating humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins and sea lions.
Hazards & hassles
On Perth metro beaches, beware of robberies, crowds and visiting hungry sharks. Rottnest surf conditions are often uncrowded but strong rips, razor-sharp reefs and sea urchins are prevalent. Surfers should take care and use designated pathways when accessing surf spots, to help protect fragile dune vegetation.
Handy Hints
Plenty of surf shops to get good gear. A couple of guns would be useful for a stay on Rotto. Add a couple of inches to your normal boards. Ask for the Rottnest Island Surf Map at the Tourist Information Centre.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.