A Malaysian Traveller’s 48-Hour Guide to Perth: Nature, Culture & City Life

 

Sunrise at Kings Park and Botanic Garden with the Perth Skyline in the background   Koala Experience at Caversham Wildlife Park, Swan Valley

(credit: Tourism Western Australia)                                                                          (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

Perth is the perfect gateway to Western Australia. Compact, culturally rich, and surrounded by nature, the city offers just the right mix of experiences to ease you into your Western Australia adventure. In only two days, you can wander through lush parklands, meet Australian wildlife up close, explore lively waterfronts, and savour the city’s diverse food scene, all within 30 minutes of the Central Business District (CBD). Once you have soaked in the highlights, you will be refreshed and ready to venture further into Western Australia’s vast landscapes.

Day 1 - City Nature and Cultural Highlights

Your first morning in Perth is best spent outdoors, soaking in the natural beauty that makes the city so special. Just a few minutes from the CBD, you can find yourself surrounded by towering trees, wide-open lawns, and sweeping views over the river and skyline.

 

Aerial view of Perth City Skyline, from Kings Park (credit: Tourism Western Australia)   Wildflowers, at Kings Park and Botanic Garden (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

Start your Perth adventure at Kings Park and Botanic Garden, a sprawling 400 hectares of bushland and landscaped gardens. Boasting panoramic views of the Swan River and city skyline, it is the perfect place for a morning walk among native wildflowers, a family picnic, or a quiet pause at the State War Memorial.

If you are ready for a more hands-on adventure, GoGo Active Tours offers family-friendly guided experiences by bike or kayak. The pace is relaxed, blending light activity with stories about Perth’s history, culture, flora and fauna, while also giving you time to enjoy the scenery and discover a few hidden spots along the way. You can also see the city from a fresh perspective with Oh Hey WA’s guided walking tours, uncovering vibrant street art, laneways, and local favourites through the eyes of passionate Perth guides. For a unique way to explore Kings Park, hop on a Segway Tour and glide through its scenic trails and lookouts while taking in the park’s natural beauty.

After exploring the park, head toward the riverfront, where art, history, and modern city life come together in lively, scenic spaces.

Foreshore Bike Tour with GoGo Active Tours (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

From here, it is a short ride or stroll to Elizabeth Quay, the city’s revitalised waterfront precinct. This is where riverside promenades meet striking public art, cafés, and family-friendly attractions. If you want a relaxed overview of the area without worrying about directions, the Perth Explorer double decker bus loops through here as part of its sightseeing route, connecting the quay with Kings Park and the CBD.

Hop on Hop Off Tour with Perth Explorer Tours, Perth (credit: Tourism Western Australia)      

Head over to Milky Lane in the heart of the quay, where big flavours and bold street art collide. Their cult-favourite burgers, over-the-top desserts, and retro cocktails have made them a hit across Australia. Just next door, the Bell Tower adds a touch of history. Here, you will find the original fourteenth-century bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, once the parish church of Buckingham Palace. Among them is the ANZAC Bell, the largest of its kind ever cast in Australia, and one of the few places in the world where you can step inside and try your hand at bell ringing.

Milky Lane (credit: https://www.westernaustralia.com)

As the afternoon winds down, step inside WA Museum Boola Bardip in the Perth Cultural Centre. Meaning “many stories” in the Nyoongar language, this strikingly modern museum brings Western Australia’s history, culture, and people to life through innovative exhibits and immersive technology. Its galleries explore everything from the diversity of the state’s communities to the beauty of its landscapes, with aboriginal voices and perspectives at the heart of its storytelling.

Crystal Portal at WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

After visiting the museum, take a short stroll to the recently revitalised Stories precinct at Yagan Square in the heart of the city. This lively precinct brings people together with a mix of cafes, restaurants, public art, and open spaces that come alive from day to night. Nearby, the State Buildings at Point Zero offer a more refined atmosphere within beautifully restored heritage architecture. Home to award-winning restaurants, boutique stores, and elegant bars, it remains one of Perth’s most iconic destinations for dining and culture.

Yagan Square (credit: https://www.westernaustralia.com)

Day 2 - Wildlife, Shopping and Skyline Views

After a day of exploring Perth’s green spaces and cultural icons, your second morning shifts the focus to wildlife encounters, urban energy, and laid-back riverfront views. The pace is slightly different but just as rewarding, with plenty of chances to relax, shop, and enjoy good food before you watch the city light up at sunset.

 

 

Wildlife Experience at Caversham Wildlife Park, Swan Valley (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

 

Start the morning with some of Australia’s most iconic locals. Caversham Wildlife Park, set within Whiteman Park, is home to the largest private collection of native animals in Western Australia. Here, you can hand-feed kangaroos, meet koalas, and watch daily farm shows. It is a favourite for those wanting a truly Australian encounter. With more than 200 species across the park, it offers moments that are equal parts fun and educational.

 

Murray Street Mall (credit: https://www.westernaustralia.com)

After your wildlife fix, return to the city for shopping along Hay Street Mall and Murray Street Mall. These pedestrianised streets run parallel to each other, lined with department stores, boutiques, and arcades that make them a shopper’s paradise. Murray Street adds to the experience with live buskers and street performers. It is also a natural spot to pause for coffee or a casual lunch before continuing your afternoon. Just a short walk away, the Raine Square precinct offers a more upmarket experience, bringing together designer boutiques, award-winning restaurants, and unique cafes in the heart of the city. The Perth Explorer bus stops close by, making it easy to hop between retail therapy and sightseeing if you prefer not to walk.

 

Aerial view of the South Perth Foreshore including part of the Narrows Bridge (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

As evening falls, cross the Swan River by ferry to the South Perth Foreshore, an iconic stretch of open grassy spaces, lakes, and the Scented Gardens that invites you to relax and unwind. The wide banks provide panoramic views of Perth’s skyline, especially at sunset when the city lights shimmer across the water. Bring a picnic, wander along the riverside paths, or simply settle in to watch the city transform as day turns to night.

  

Aerial view of The Boatshed Restaurant                                                                         View of Perth’s skyline from The Boatshed Restaurant

(credit: https://boatshedrestaurant.com/)                                                                         (credit: https://boatshedrestaurant.com/) 

For a dining option, The Boatshed Restaurant sits right on the riverbank, serving modern Australian cuisine with skyline views. It is perfect for a relaxed dinner while soaking in the city’s evening glow. Alternatively, Mister Walker, located on Mends Street Jetty, offers a relaxed yet elegant dining experience right by the water. With its focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and warm hospitality, it’s the perfect spot to unwind over dinner while taking in the glittering lights of the Perth skyline across the river..

Mister Walker (credit: https://www.westernaustralia.com)

Wrapping Up Your 48 Hours in Perth

Two days in Perth offers Malaysian travellers a perfect blend of nature, culture, wildlife, and city life. From the panoramic views at Kings Park to the vibrant waterfront at Elizabeth Quay, up-close encounters with kangaroos and koalas, and the energy of Perth’s shopping precincts, you’ve experienced the city’s diversity in a compact, accessible way.

Whether it was wandering through botanic gardens, exploring interactive museums, or watching the sunset over the Swan River, Perth reveals a city where modern life meets natural beauty at every turn. These 48 hours provide just a glimpse, leaving you refreshed, inspired, and ready to venture further into the breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, and coastal treasures of Western Australia.