More about: Perth Hop-On Hop-Off Buses
Perth is a city characterised by wildlife, Western Australia's Aboriginal past, ancient buildings and natural limestone rock formations. The idea of walking its streets in a day seems impossible. However, you can get a panoramic glimpse of its spaces if you take a tour bus tour.
You can schedule this experience if you have little time, or in case you want to orientate yourself on the exact location of the main monuments and attractions. Here's everything you need to know to get to know Perth on a scenic double-decker bus tour.
Perth Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour
Discover Perth at your own pace with an audio guide available in several languages.
The sightseeing bus ticket can be activated for 24 or 48 hours. It is the best way to get around the city in a short time.
A hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the best things to do in Perth, as it allows you to see the city's heritage. The city is very large, but this tour allows you to explore its buildings and monuments. It's a great all-round activity, as it acts as an introduction to the history of the main local areas.
This bus offers around 12 free stops, where you can hop on and off without restrictions. If you prefer, you can also take advantage of the full tour, which lasts approximately two hours. It is activated after the first use and is available for 24 or 48 hours.
Recommended if... you are looking for activities to do in Perth with children, as it is a comfortable and learning tour. This way, the little ones won't get bored.
Perth Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus
The hop-on hop-off bus tour is one of the best tours of Perth, as you get to visit iconic sites. The biggest advantage is that it's a dynamic and interactive tour - here's how it works!
- Activation: activated after the first use, it is available for 24 or 48 hours.
- Operation: it offers 12 free stops, you can get on and off wherever you want at no extra cost, as long as the ticket is active.
- Opening hours: The bus usually runs from 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Cost: from 30 euros perperson.
Perth Sightseeing Bus Route
The Perth Sightseeing Bus offers a regular route, which runs Monday to Sunday. You can hop on and off wherever you like, but please note that buses run every hour.
The bus picks up tourists at certain points in the city, the stops are:
- Stop 1: Barrack St Jetty Street. Here you can visit the Perth Bell Tower, the cruise department and Elizabeth Quay.
- Stop 2: Approach 471 Hay Street, you can take the opportunity to visit local shopping centres and boutiques. If your intention is not to shop, you can skip this stop.
- Stop 3: get off at Beaufort St, here you can walk around Northbridge, the Perth Art Gallery and visit the Cultural Centre.
- Stop 4: located near Gate E, you can take a tour of Optus Stadium.
- Stop 5: located in Burswood WA, in the area there are restaurants and casinos. You can visit Crown Perth and Burswood Park.
- Stop 6: located on Hay Street, this is one of the most anticipated stops as you will be able to visit the Perth Mint.
- Stop 7 is located on Fraser Avenue, near the Wadjuk car park. In this area you can visit Kings Park.
- Stop 8: is located on Forrest Dr. It is ideal to visit the Roe Gardens monument, the Perth Blue Boat House, DNA Lookout, Tree Top Walk and get the best views of the Swan River.
- Stop 9: located on May Drive, here you can pass Children's Parkland.
- Stop 10: located on Wellington St, where the Watertown Shopping Centre is located.
- Stop 11: located at 300 Murray St. It is a stop where you can visit Yagan Square.
- Stop 12: go to 50 William St, to visit Arcade Square.
Knowing the bus route will allow you to locate the main points of interest so you can get the most out of your ticket.
Attractions you can visit on the Perth Sightseeing Bus
The free stops on the sightseeing bus are strategically designed to allow you to see Perth's main attractions. For example, from Elizabeth Quay you can access Perth Zoo, the Bell Tower and King's Park in a matter of minutes.
If it's your first time in the city and you plan to stay several days, I recommend purchasing a 48-hour pass. This way, on the first day you can take the full tour, so you can see the most interesting sites. The next day, you'll have the freedom to hop off and on, so you can explore each stop at your leisure.
Bell Tower and Elizabeth Quay
Stop 1 is Elizabeth Quay, one of Perth's most important entertainment complexes. Here you can find shopping centres, cafes, monuments, arts venues and family-friendly activities. You can walk around the main areas in an hour, so it's a great place to stop.
If you want to see one of the world's largest musical instruments, I suggest a visit to the Perth Bell Tower. There are tours that offer forty-five minute tours, the best part is that they help you avoid the queues.
You can also walk along the waterfront, where the cruise department is located. The area is home to Perth Zoo, which has been in the city since 1898 and costs around 20 euros.
Perth City Centre and Arcade Square
Perth's city centre is an ideal stop-off point if you want to go shopping. There are a variety of souvenir shops, malls and places to eat. Please note that there are two stops in this area, stop #2 and stop #12 connect here. I recommend getting off directly at the latter, to optimise your time.
Here you will find Arcade Square, which is a very popular shopping centre and outlet in Perth. It is connected to the Murray and Hay St shopping streets, so you can take the opportunity to stroll around.
Perth Cultural Centre and Northbridge
The third stop is all about art, cultural performances and vibrant city environments. Perth Cultural Centre is a colourful sightseeing promenade, which offers open-air rooftops, theatres and museums. Here you can visit:
- Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts: is a free, heritage-listed attraction. Art works are exhibited here, and it is a small space that you will be able to visit in a short time.
- Western Australian Museum: is a space of history and science, where you can learn more about the production of minerals in Perth and its surroundings.
- Art Gallery of Western Australia: it is a minimalist space, where classic and contemporary art exhibitions are held.
Optus Stadium
Optus Stadium is at Stop 4, ideal if you want to learn more about the Perth lifestyle. From here you can get the best views of the Swan River and the city over a cup of coffee. There are adventurous adventures from the heights, as well as tours of the facilities.
Crown Perth and Burswood Park
Riverside is a popular tourist area as it is close to the Swan River. During your visit you can take the opportunity to visit Crown Perth, which offers accommodation, a spa area and Perth's famous casino. It's an interesting stop, but I'd recommend a more in-depth tour another day.
Burswood Park is a family resort offering picnic and play areas, lakeside recreation areas, art spaces, as well as walking and exercise trails.
Please note that both Crown Perth and BurswoodPark are located at Stop 5.
Perth Mint
Many people are curious about Australia's Gold Rush era, and the answers can be found at the Perth Mint. Tours of the facility focus on the collection of coins, metals and bullion.
Note that it is located at Stop 6.
Kings Park
Kings Park is one of the largest parks in the world, in fact it is thought to be larger than New York's Central Park. Its acres combine a variety of recreational activities, ideal for all ages.
It's one of the best things to do with children in Perth, as it has a viewing platform at the DNA Tower, which offers the best views of the Swan River. In addition, you can learn more about wildflowers at the botanic garden.
You can also visit Roe Gardens, a very important landmark in Perth. It is a tranquil space and in summer people come here to sunbathe. On the other hand, at Tree Top Walk you can get involved with the flora of Western Australia.
If it's photography you're after, head to Perth's Blue Boat House. There's not much to do in the surrounding area, but it's a free area that looks like something out of a postcard.
Note that Roe Gardens, DNA Tower, Tree Top Walk and the Blue Boat House are all between stops 7 and 8. You can walk there in a matter of minutes, so it may not be worth waiting for the bus.
Yagan Square
If you are interested in local markets, you can find a very interesting space at stop 11, corresponding to Yagan Square.
It's a great area to meet people from different cultures, have a drink, or stroll around the gardens in the area. In the evenings there are often live shows that are not to be missed.
Benefits of using the Perth Sightseeing Bus
Perth's sightseeing bus offers ideal benefits for a comfortable journey - here's why you should consider it!
- Convenient: ideal if you're looking for a quick and safe option.
- Organised: it has stops that allow you to explore the city at your own pace and plan your itinerary in advance.
- Available in your language: you can enjoy an audio guide in Spanish. It is also available in English, French, German, Malay, Indonesian, Mandarin and Japanese.
- Ideal for children: the bus offers a children's channel read by Kev the Green Kangaroo in English.
- Accessible: It is a wheelchair accessible attraction. You can also take assistance animals and prams.
Disadvantages of using the Perth Sightseeing Bus
- Expensive: If you are travelling with a family, the cost of this attraction is likely to increase considerably.
- Daytime hours: The tour bus only runs during the day from 9:15am to 5:00pm, Monday to Sunday.
- Tourist crowds: Most tourists want to go up to the open-air floor, however in high season it may be difficult to get a seat.
How to book a tour bus in Perth?
If you want to book a sightseeing bus tour of Perth, I recommend booking online. You can buy your ticket in advance with no worries, as you have a cancellation policy of up to 24 hours.
Please note that this is one of the best tours in Perth, so there are seasons when it sells out quickly.
How long is the full Perth Sightseeing Bus Tour?
The length of the tour is up to you, depending on how many stops you take. If you just want to walk around the city, it will take you about two hours. This way, you can go up to the first floor and enjoy the views.
The duration can vary, as you will walk around the sites at your own pace. Depending on the number of days you are in the city, you can choose between a 24 or 48 hour ticket.
How much does a Perth Sightseeing Bus ticket cost?
You can buy your ticket for the Perth Sightseeing Bus from 30 Euros per person, but please note that it does not include entrance to the sights.
On the other hand, remember that you can buy a ticket valid for 24 or 48 hours, depending on the duration of the ticket, the final price may increase. The price is the same for children, seniors and Australians.
I suggest you take Australian dollars with you, as some areas don't have ATMs nearby. Also, they don't accept Euros or US dollars in Australia.
How the Perth tourist bus works
You can buy your ticket online or at the authorised points near the stops, one of the most central is located on Hay Street. You can only get on and off at the marked locations, just show your digital pass to the driver. In addition, buses run every forty minutes.
Buses start running very early in the morning, so you can usually buy your ticket up to the same day. During opening hours, there are several buses running around the city. In high season I recommend buying in advance, as tickets may sell out.
The bus has two floors, you can take the air-conditioned tour. If you want to get the best views, I suggest going up to the first floor to travel in the open air. Wear comfortable, light clothing and sun protection.
Does the Perth Sightseeing Bus operate at night?
If you want to take advantage of the best things to do in Perth at night, be aware that the bus is not available during these hours. In fact, the last tour starts at 4:40pm. After this time, you're unlikely to find any running.
Don't worry! Public transport in Perth is quite fast and covers a number of different areas. It usually runs until midnight and the fare is around 3 euros.
Tips for using the Perth Sightseeing Bus
- Check weather conditions and public holidays to avoid clashing with your tour.
- The best times to take this experience are summer and spring. You can do this trip during the rainy season, but it is a little uncomfortable.
- Plan your trip, this will help you get off at the stops that best align with your interests. I recommend downloading a map of the city and marking the most emblematic sites.
- Remember that the bus runs every hour, so keep your eyes peeled.
- You can skip stops that don't catch your attention, you don't have to get off.
Other activities in Perth
The sightseeing bus is one of the best things to do in Perth, as it allows you to take in the most iconic sights in a short time. If you tried it and liked it, then I recommend you take advantage of other activities available in the region.
A great option is to book the best cruises in Perth, as they offer unrepeatable gastronomic experiences. They are ideal for relaxing while cruising on the Swan River. The best thing is that there are cruises that offer free stopovers, so you can explore the city's waterfront at your own pace.