Perth, Western Australia (2026)

First Contact is a prominent, five-metre-tall cast aluminium public art sculpture located on the Elizabeth Quay waterfront in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Unveiled in 2016, the iconic artwork was created by renowned Indigenous Noongar artist Laurel Nannup. It visually records the profound historical moment of the initial encounter between European settlers and the local Whadjuk Noongar people in 1829.

Ten years ago we crossed this bridge for the first time after it's official opening. It's still one of the most beautiful pedestrian bridges we know. Here some details of the bridge at sunset on Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

After a nice city walk and crossing the pedestrian bridge we admired the flowers near the bridge on Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia. The warm light was especially beautiful in the golden hour before the sunset.

Terracotta warriors guarding Spanda on Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

The glowing Terracotta Warriors seen guarding the Spanda sculpture were part of a massive outdoor public art installation called "The Lanterns of Terracotta Warriors".

It was good to be back in our favourite city and so good to see the bridge shine after sunset on Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Without a cloud in the sky, the various orange hues come out really well.

The Elizabeth Quay carousel is a central part of Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia. It's a handcrafted, traditional Venetian carousel located on the waterfront and it features hand-painted horses, carriages, and a beautifully detailed canopy that lights up at night.

While touring the canals we found this house to be looking really good in the town of Mandurah, near the city of Perth, Western Australia.

The Mandurah Canal Christmas Lights display is Western Australia's largest holiday lights event, transforming the waterways with over 200 elaborately decorated waterfront homes and millions of twinkling lights. Because the spectacular light setups face the water, booking a boat cruise or hiring a self-drive vessel is the ultimate way to experience the magic.

At the end of a fabulous tour through the canals we stumbled upon this lovely toy train in the town of Mandurah, close to the city of Perth, Western Australia.

"Let silent contemplation be your offering" is the profound inscription carved into the granite walls of the Pool of Reflection at the State War Memorial in Kings Park, part of the city of Perth, Western Australia. This sacred precinct sits atop Mount Eliza (Kaarta Gar-up), commanding panoramic views of the Perth skyline and the Swan River. The inscription acts as a gentle mandate for all who visit, guiding them away from vocal noise and into a shared, respectful stillness.

During one of our walks we crossed the Lotterywest Federation Walkway in Kings Park, part of the city of Perth, Western Australia.

It is a spectacular 620-meter scenic treetop trail. Suspended up to 16 meters above the ground, it features an iconic 52-meter glass and steel arched suspension bridge that offers panoramic views of the city skyline, the Swan and Canning rivers, and the surrounding eucalyptus canopy.

The Mount Eliza lookout is a popular scenic vantage point located within the iconic Kings Park and Botanic Garden in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Perched atop the Mount Eliza escarpment, it offers visitors sweeping, panoramic views of the Central Business District (CBD) skyline, the Swan River and the Narrows Bridge.

Even though we came to Australia in January the Christmas decorations were still up. Here we are entering the gingerbread house in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

A Transperth ferry passing the bridge on Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Sunsets here are amazing to watch, especially while having a drink at one of the many bars or restaurants.

One of the best pretzels I have ever had was here on Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia. They are freshly baked which means you have to wait for a few minutes but it is absolutely worth it. And yes, the sign says it all: "All I ever wanted was everything".

Look at those details on the Boorloo Bridge in the city of Perth, Western Australia. The bridge is an architectural marvel and one of the most amazing infrastructural additions in the last few years. Built in two parts for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the Swan River. All within time and budget which is pretty uncommon these days.

Loving the train ride on our way to Stirling in Western Australia. On Sundays all public transport is free of charge which is why we want to make use of it. On top of that, the trains here are clean, on time and never really crowded.

Capricorn Beach is a pristine, 1.25-kilometer coastal stretch located in the rapidly growing northern suburb of Yanchep, Western Australia, roughly 56 kilometers north of Perth's central business district. Known for its brilliant white sand, clear turquoise waters, and spectacular Indian Ocean sunsets, it serves as both a relaxed recreational hotspot and the anchor for the residential community.

The Mary Lindsay Lookout is a popular coastal vantage point located along Mary Lindsay Drive in Yanchep, Western Australia. Situated right on the Indian Ocean coastline, it offers sweeping, panoramic views of the sand dunes and the iconic lagoon.

Me and my wife are totally not into public transport. It's probably caused by the fact that public transport in the Netherlands is a nightmare. Never on time, dirty trains, too crowded and terribly expensive. In the city of Perth however, we love it. This is how we like public transport, clean, mostly empty and free of charge on Sundays. This was taken on a trip from the city to the town of Yanchep in Western Australia.

We truly enjoyed watching one of the black swans during our walk in the Queens Gardens in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

The black swan is a large waterbird native to Australia. For centuries, Europeans assumed all swans were white because they had never seen otherwise. the idiom "a black swan" originally meant a logical impossibility.

On one of our daily walks I noticed this perfect sunflower in the Queens Gardens in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

These gardens are located in East Perth and are famous for its lush, water-focused English picturesque style, it serves as a peaceful city escape and wildlife sanctuary.

We decided to treat ourselves to some drinks while enjoying the sunset at The Reveley on Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Nice contrast with the blue cocktail and the glass of rose against the orange sky.

Not all sunsets are created equal. Sometimes the colours are truly astounding like these red clouds over the bridge on Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

While having a drink watching the sunset I noticed the red clouds reflected in the glass facades of the office buildings around Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Pretty to look at.

We really enjoyed these jumping dolphins in the Swan River following the ferry to Rottnest Island near the suburb of Mosman Park, close to the city of Perth, Western Australia. Apparently the dolphins had a lot of fun too as they followed us for quite some time.

On our way to Rottnest Island we passed this huge MSC container ship in the port of Fremantle, Western Australia.

The Port of Fremantle is Western Australia's largest general cargo port and Australia's fourth-largest container port. It is conveniently located at the mouth of the Swan River near the city of Perth.

We enjoyed this snorkeling spot at Parker Point on Rottnest Island in Western Australia.

It features a stunning white-sand cove, extensive coral reefs, and an exciting underwater marine trail which is one of the island's most popular aquatic experiences. The trail follows an underwater limestone ridge with 12 interpretive plaques on the seabed. These plaques allow divers and snorkelers to read about the local flora, pink coral, and fish life.

Jeannies Lookout is a scenic, elevated vantage point on Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), Western Australia, renowned for its panoramic, sweeping views of the rugged southern coastline and turquoise waters. We loved the two small rocks that looked like they were floating in the water.

Looking down into Little Salmon Bay on Rottnest Island in Western Australia. This sheltered, picturesque cove is located on the southern coast and is famed for its pristine turquoise waters and calm, family-friendly swimming, it is highly regarded as one of the island's best spots for beginners and snorkelers.

Salmon Bay is a picturesque, sheltered beach on the southern coast of Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Famous for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sand, and warm, calm swimming conditions, it is an ideal, family-friendly destination for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.

West End is a rugged, exposed headland on Rottnest Island (Wadjemup), Western Australia, where massive Southern Ocean swells continually crash against dramatic limestone cliffs. It is a prime spot for viewing dramatic seascapes and local wildlife. We watched the waves crashing from a raised wooden boardwalk that allows visitors to safely watch the violent surf and sea spray.

Fish Hook Bay, located at the remote West End of Rottnest Island in Western Australia, is celebrated for its dramatic high limestone cliffs and spectacular, reef-strewn waters. It offers an uncrowded, raw coastal environment characterized by striking rock formations, deep turquoise water, and nearby wildlife.

Loved seeing this hole in the rock at Cape Vlamingh on the westernmost point of Rottnest Island in Western Australia. Very easy to get here by either (rented) bicycle or by the bus. Excellent place to spend some time and watch some wild nature.

Cape Vlamingh has a special place in our hearts as we can watch this for hours. It is the rugged westernmost point of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island in Western Australia. It offers dramatic views of the roaring Indian Ocean crashing into limestone cliffs. The location is celebrated for its wild, untamed coastal scenery and abundant marine life.

Even though every beach and every bay on Rottnest Island is a joy for the eye we always seem to end up spending time near the crystal clear water at Ricey Beach. Rottnest Island is such a wonderful destination for a day and so close to the city of Perth in Western Australia.

We had fun visiting the House Down Under in the suburb of Cockburn near the city of Perth in Western Australia.

It's a quirky, topsy-turvy photo attraction where an entire two-story house, including all its furniture and decor, is built completely upside down. Visitors can pose on the "ceiling" to create surreal, gravity-defying photos. By posing and taking photos on angled floors, then rotating the images 180 degrees, you get mind-bending pictures.

On our way to an event we passed the backside of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in the city of Perth, Western Australia. The historic, heritage-listed 1903 Supreme Court Building houses the Court of Appeal.

While on an evening walk we came across a sculpture we hadn't seen before, the Boonji Spaceman sculpture in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

It's a 7-metre-tall sculpture located in Stirling Gardens, outside the Council House. It serves as a tribute to Perth's historic 1962 moniker as the "City of Light," when residents turned on their house lights for astronaut John Glenn.

The city of Perth in Western Australia features many vibrant murals that serve as a massive open-air gallery, intentionally commissioned to revitalize forgotten, industrial spaces and enhance the city's cultural identity

Every year we discover new murals and this year we stumbled upon the ones in Grand Lane. This laneway was transformed into a technicolor tunnel featuring brilliant, nostalgic works by internationally renowned artists that incorporate playful hidden figures. We loved this nostalgic mural of a post office.

We always love spending some time at Iluka Beach in the suburb of Iluka near the city of Perth in Western Australia. This beach is almost always deserted and lies next to one of the most beautiful walks along the Indian Ocean. It's famous for its stunning, uninterrupted Indian Ocean sunsets.

Shooting hearts as part of the Australia Day fireworks in the city of Perth, Western Australia. It always amazes me how fireworks seem to improve as time goes by. I had never seen hearts forming like this.

The traditional City of Perth Skyworks was a massive annual Australia Day fireworks event on the Swan River that ended in 2022 due to high costs, environmental concerns, and waning interest. It has been replaced by a shorter, scaled-back, 30-minute combination drone and fireworks display at Langley Park.

The fireworks are still spectacular and these were the final ones to close it off.

We loved this old wooden bridge in John Oldham Park in the city of Perth, Western Australia. It is a very small park but really peaceful, even though is it located in between a residential area and the freeway.

We had so much fun looking at the rainbow lorikeets, especially this one upside down while climbing Jacob's Ladder in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

Rainbow lorikeets are vibrant, medium-sized parrots native to Australia and Indonesia. Known for their striking plumage and energetic personalities, these birds feature a bright blue head, an orange-yellow breast, and deep green wings, back, and tail.

I have a thing for benches so I couldn't resist taking this photo of this backlit bench while strolling around Hyde Park in the city of Perth, Western Australia. It's a perfect place to relax overlooking the peaceful pond.

Not the typical city picture, but I couldn't resist making this photo of my cappuccino with a Madeleine cake while having a short rest during a walk in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia is a fun place to spend some time, especially around sunset. This view is from the far end at the banks of the Swan River looking at the sculpture First Contact and the bridge at sunset. The left building in the back is the Ritz-Carlton hotel and the two towers are residential apartments.

The Indian Ocean looked so appealing while having a leisurely Sunday walk in the suburb of Scarborough near the city of Perth in Western Australia. We decided to walk up to the beach to check it out.

A captivating look at the May Drive Parkland through a hole in Kings Park, located in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Kings Park mostly consists of wild bushland but also features some well kept parks.

On a hot day we decided to have a walk in Kings Park, located in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Although it's always sad to see that a tree didn't survive for whatever reason, we did like this one. We called it the naked tree which seems appropriate.

The backlit naked tree in Kings Park, located in the city of Perth, Western Australia. The tree had lost all of its leaves but still looked amazing with the sunlight behind it.

We loved these Gum tree details while walking in Kings Park, located in the city of Perth, Western Australia. The bark varies widely but is famous for continual shedding. Many species have smooth, mottled bark that peels off in long ribbons or flakes, revealing vibrant new colors underneath.

Isn't this the perfect setting? Relaxing while watching the waves in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Spotted this idyllic picture while walking along the boulevard in the suburb of Scarborough near the city of Perth in Western Australia.

Watching 'Eternity' at the rooftop movies theatre in the city of Perth, Western Australia. There is absolutely something about watching a movie in the open air, especially with the backdrop of a city skyline at night. The theatre features a fully licensed pop-up rooftop bar serving craft beers and wines. Popcorn, candy bar snacks, and hot pizzas are available on-site. Outside food is also permitted.

Entering Windsor Park in the city of South Perth, Western Australia. To get here we took the free ferry from Elizabeth Quay in Perth for the 10-minute crossing of the Swan River.

Windsor Park is a historic civic park, directly adjacent to the Perth Zoo. It features beautifully manicured Victorian-style gardens and functions as a popular open space for community events, weddings, and leisurely walks.

Wine with a view over the Matagarup Bridge at sunset in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Sitting in the Camfield restaurant near Optus Stadium provides for this awesome view while enjoying some food and drinks.

Walking towards the lit-up Matagarup Bridge in the city of Perth, Western Australia. It's an iconic 370-meter-long pedestrian and cyclist suspension bridge spanning the Swan River. Opened in July 2018, it serves as a vital structural link connecting East Perth with the Burswood Peninsula and Optus Stadium.

The Matagarup Bridge in yellowish lighting shines bright in the city of Perth, Western Australia. The bridge features over 800 meters of multicolor LED lighting that changes dynamically for community calendars and stadium events. The flowing black and white arches represent a pair of black and white swans or the Wagyl (the water-serpent from Noongar Dreaming stories).

It's always a pleasure to cross the Matagarup Bridge in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Loving the Perth skyline against the sunset. The name "Matagarup" is a traditional Noongar term meaning "place where the river is only leg-deep".

We were surprised to see this floating concert platform at sunset while visiting Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia. Got to experience a free concert by Gisella Colletti.

Gisella Colletti is a rising Australian singer-songwriter from Perth, who rose to prominence as a breakout finalist on Australian Idol 2025, where she placed third.

Celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia since officially opening to the public. The AU$440 million waterfront precinct has transformed Perth’s city skyline and Swan River foreshore, evolving from a modest construction site into a bustling cultural and entertainment hub.

Specific LED lighting made it look like there were rainbow people on the bridge at Elizabeth Quay in the city of Perth, Western Australia.

Elizabeth Quay was celebrating its 10-year anniversary since officially opening to the public.

The Cape Peron lookout is the first thing to explore when arriving at Cape Peron near the town of Rockingham in Western Australia. It is highly regarded for its distinctive cantilevered suspension bridge platform, offering 360-degree panoramic views across Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, Cockburn Sound and Penguin Island.

Crossing the dunes at Cape Peron near the town of Rockingham in Western Australia. This stunning headland is located features rugged limestone cliffs, hidden coves, and panoramic views over the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park towards Penguin Island.

After having walked for about half an hour we found this lovely bench overlooking the Indian Ocean at Cape Peron near the town of Rockingham in Western Australia. Had some lunch there while admiring the tranquility.

We were surprised to find this cannon while walking at Cape Peron near the town of Rockingham in Western Australia. Turns out it's a replica 155mm howitzer aiming at incoming enemies. The cannons at Cape Peron are remnants of WWII’s "K" Battery, built in 1943 to protect Cockburn Sound.

Admiring Mushroom Rock while on a walk at Cape Peron near the town of Rockingham in Western Australia. It's an iconic, naturally eroded limestone formation located just off the coast of Cape Peron. A true paradise for some of the native birds.

Every year we try to walk to Heirisson Island, located in the Swan River near the city of Perth, Western Australia. The island is host to a number of resident kangaroos and it's always fun to spot a few. Here is a kangaroo on high alert as we were approaching.

A little corella in flight while having a walk in the city of Perth in Western Australia.

The little corella is a small, highly intelligent white cockatoo native to mainland Australia and southern New Guinea. Well-known for its playful antics, striking blue eye-rings, and loud, social behavior, this resilient parrot thrives across both the arid Australian interior and modern urban environments.

Back at the Crawley Edge boatshed in the suburb of Crawley near the city of Perth in Western Australia. This iconic boatshed is also known as the blue boathouse and it actually the most instagrammable and most photographed building in the city. We always love to come back here.

Access to the beach is easy in the suburb of Cottesloe near the city of Perth in Western Australia. Cottesloe Beach is Western Australia's iconic, 1.5 km stretch of white sand. It is celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, protected swimming enclosure, and the shady Norfolk Island Pines lining Marine Parade.

A leisurely Sunday morning walk led us past the sculpture 'Icarus' in the suburb of Cottesloe near the city of Perth in Western Australia.

The piece is a distinct, contemporary aluminium sculpture positioned on the corner of Marine Parade and Grant Street, overlooking the stunning Indian Ocean.

Pathways in Mueller Park are lined by peppermint trees in Subiaco, near the city of Perth in Western Australia.

The park is a beloved community green space that serves as a vital recreational hub for locals and visitors alike. This well-maintained park combines natural beauty with recreational facilities, offering a peaceful escape within suburban Perth.

We were glad we discovered the Harold Boas Gardens in the city of Perth, Western Australia. It's one of the city’s oldest public parks and many of the trees date back to 1900 which form enchanting and intimate spaces in four distinct and naturally captivating areas. We loved the pond reflection in this tranquil, inner-city Perth garden.