Top Perth Half-Day Tours: An Expert Review & Recommendations

Looking for a quick adventure around Perth, maybe something that doesn’t gobble up your entire day? Perhaps you are wanting to cram as much as you possibly can into your time in Perth, Australia? We all seem to be that way these days. Luckily, there’s lots to see and do here, so half-day trips are the answer, allowing you, too, to sample some of the best local hotspots and head back in time for dinner, that is, if you didn’t eat too much while out having fun. Let’s jump into five awesome Perth half-day tour options.

1. Swan Valley Wine Tour: A Taste of Western Australia

Is it correct to say you enjoy a crisp glass of wine? As a matter of fact, you totally should go check out the Swan Valley. Just a brief hop from Perth, and it’s almost like you’re transported to this super chill place overflowing with vineyards. The Swan Valley happens to be Western Australia’s oldest wine area, and this place just overflows with charm. Now, these tours aren’t only for folks who can tell a Cabernet from a Merlot – though they welcome them. No way! I mean, it’s more about enjoying some good drinks, feasting on local goodies, and seeing a bit of countryside all without driving yourself. You know?

Tours commonly cover a handful of boutique wineries where you get to sample a variety of wines, more or less. So you might start with a bubbly white, maybe like a Chenin Blanc, and work your way up to some robust reds, such as a Shiraz. As I was saying, often the wineries will offer up cheese boards or tasting platters, so there will definitely be a lot of sampling going on! Is that OK? It sounds absolutely perfect.

Quite a few tours also blend in stops at local producers, basically places where they create stuff like chocolate, nougat, or even beer, maybe to cleanse the pallet in between wine tastings. If you are wanting to learn about how wine is made, anyway, some tours go that route and have behind-the-scenes looks at the whole wine-making thing. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Swan Valley Wine Tour)

Read our full review: Swan Valley Wine Tour Full Review and Details

2. Fremantle Highlights: History and Harbor Charm

Fremantle, fondly known as “Freo” by locals, is the harbor city of Perth and that is just overflowing with history, rather a cool vibe, and, also, great fish and chips. A half-day tour really gives you a great little insight into this unique place. The first must-see? Arguably it’s the Fremantle Prison. Built by convicts in the 1850s, this prison comes with a fair bit of stories, and that is where tours tell you, too. If it is what you are looking for, then definitely go for one that includes a guided tour, where the stories of the inmates come to life. Creepy, I know, but very interesting as a matter of fact.

There are any old colonial buildings that can be pointed out as you wander through the streets and discover more or less the maritime history of the area. Now, what about lunch? Because that’s essential, obviously. And it would be rude not to taste local fish and chips at the harbor. Most tours give you some leisure time so you can experience the many cool cafes and shops too. Now, if you like beer, Little Creatures Brewery is basically the spot, and so is a cold beer.

If you are the kind that likes market shopping, then make it there on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday when the Fremantle Markets are open. Find local art, produce, clothing, so many good things here. So if history, food, and shopping are something that is of interest to you, the Fremantle tour is the one for you. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Fremantle Highlights Tour)

Read our full review: Fremantle Highlights Tour Full Review and Details

3. Caversham Wildlife Park: Meet the Aussie Animals

Do you wish to meet an Aussie animal without going into the Outback? Because you can! So grab a half-day tour to Caversham Wildlife Park, because this is an absolute must-see spot, too, especially if you are coming with kids or just have a passion for animals, too, just as I do! Here, it’s almost like you can get really close to koalas, kangaroos, wombats, as well as all your Aussie favorites, that are so fluffy, yet also so fierce. Many tours here provide entry into the park, just like a fast pass, also included in it is the transportation.

What could one do here, maybe if they get bored, which would almost be impossible? Now you can watch the interactive shows, where you can actually see sheep shearing, so, like, herding demonstrations, too, because that’s also really cool. You can walk around and get to feed the kangaroos, also known as the “Skippy”, though do so gently! A photograph with a koala is something that shouldn’t be missed for you. Because why wouldn’t you? If you really want to get something that stands out from what is normal for your vacation, get up close and personal with some local critters. Caversham is the spot where you can experience them all in a relaxed, protected setting, in some respects.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Caversham Wildlife Park Tour) Read our full review: Caversham Wildlife Park Tour Full Review and Details

4. Penguin Island: A Coastal Encounter

Alright so, ever thought of getting a selfie with a little penguin? Anyway, just south of Perth happens to be Penguin Island, so you will find lots of adorable penguins, also some beautiful coastline too, more or less. If I had to pick, the stars of Penguin Island? Definitely little penguins are high on that list. You can, it turns out, watch these tiny little guys be fed at the Penguin Discovery Centre. If you’re lucky enough to take a cruise, that is a tip! Keep your eyes out for dolphins and sea lions because they sometimes, too, like to show off for the cameras.

It also works as a nice walk along the beaches as there’s a lot to explore too! Swimming? Snorkeling? Yeah why not give that a shot too! A trip over here happens to be just the ticket whether you want the kiddos to adore cute little penguins, enjoy coastal scenery, and explore some unique Aussie wildlife.

So you like that idea? Right? Book your half-day tour for sure, for the fun and cute memory making! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Penguin Island Tour)

Read our full review: Penguin Island Tour Full Review and Details

5. Perth City Sights: Discover the Heart of the City

Maybe if you want to know more about Perth City proper? Tours will be around to hit up the key points and be told a bit of history along the way. They may cover places like Kings Park and Botanic Garden, where you can experience sweeping views of the Perth skyline as well as Swan River. A cool fact about the plants that grow there and its history, anyway? Listen up.

They tend to make sure the major highlights in the Central Business District (CBD) are noted too, as they can. So they might go through places such as the Perth Town Hall as well as St. George’s Cathedral as well. It really is interesting actually, once you have some context. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Perth City Sights Tour)

Read our full review: Perth City Sights Tour Full Review and Details