Perth’s illuminated city skyline across the Swan River at dusk

Australia · Destination guide

Perth, Australia

Best seasonMarch–April and September–November for milder outdoor exploring

CurrencyAustralian dollar (AUD)

Plug typesI · 230 VCheck adapter →

Time zoneAustralia/Perth (UTC+8)

Emergency number000 (police, fire and ambulance)

Destination guide

A first look at Perth

Pair London Court and Stirling Gardens with Elizabeth Quay. Save a separate morning for Kings Park’s botanic paths and city views, and take public transport west for Cottesloe’s beach and neighbourhood cafés.

Explore our Perth guides

Spanda sculpture and Perth’s central towers at Elizabeth Quay

A first weekend in Perth: gardens, river views and Cottesloe

Indiana pavilion and beachgoers on the sand at Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe: pavilion views, a beach walk and John Street Café

Elizabeth Quay’s inlet, ferry landing and Spanda sculpture beneath Perth’s towers

Elizabeth Quay: bridge views, the Bell Tower and a riverside lunch

Weather guide

Weather in Perth

Summers are hot and generally dry; winter brings cooler mornings and more frequent rain. Exposed river and coastal paths can feel windy even on sunny days. Carry water and sun protection, and keep an indoor alternative for extreme heat or wet weather.

24–28°C

Mild to warm days with cooler starts

April · representative month, not a forecast

Evenings: 12–16°C
Rain: Showers possible
Daylight: Keep outdoor plans flexible around daylight and showers

See weather details →

What this means for packing

April suits a mixed day of central heritage streets and river views. Bring a layer for an early start at Kings Park and rain cover rather than relying on summer’s dry pattern. Use this general list as a starting point, then download Packtricia for a detailed personal list and quantities based on your actual dates, trip length, luggage, weather, preferences and plans.

Choosing a season

The best-season badge suggests months for general sightseeing, using the typical daytime temperatures and rainfall in our monthly guides. Beach holidays, festivals, winter sports and northern lights trips may suit different dates.

Climate methodology

Packing bands extend about 2°C either side of the monthly mean maximum (26.0°C) and minimum (13.8°C), rounded to whole degrees. Bureau of Meteorology Perth Metro station 009225 uses all-years temperature observations 1994–2026, with 32 years available at review, rather than a fixed 30-year normal. Rain wording is qualitative; the rainfall series has a different record length. These bands are a planning aid, not daily limits. Heatwaves, wind and cold fronts can change how the day feels. Check your forecast.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

Bureau of Meteorology — Perth Metro station 009225, all-years statistics

About the climate in Perth

Packing guide

What to wear in Perth in May.

An example packing list for Perth in May

Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.

Clothing

Underwear
Bras (if worn)
Socks
Sleepwear
Short- and long-sleeved tops
Comfortable trousers
Warm jumper or fleece
Windproof outer layer
Comfortable walking shoes with grip
Rain jacket
Sun hat
Swimwear (if swimming)
Sandals (if visiting the beach)

Toiletries

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash or soap
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Skincare products
Hairbrush or comb
Shaving supplies (if used)
Menstrual products (if needed)
Contact lens solution (if used)

Essentials

Passport or travel ID
Travel tickets and booking confirmations
Wallet and payment cards
Phone
Charging cable and charger
Travel adapter (if needed)
Medication (if needed)
Glasses or contact lenses (if used)
Refillable water bottle
Small day bag
Sunglasses
Compact umbrella (if rain is forecast)
Quick-drying towel (if swimming)

Monthly weather and packing notes

May brings cooler starts and more rain. Wear layers for Stirling Gardens and save a café break for a passing shower before continuing to Elizabeth Quay. Use this general list as a starting point, then download Packtricia for a detailed personal list and quantities based on your actual dates, trip length, luggage, weather, preferences and plans.

Daytime: 21–25°C
Evenings: 9–13°C
Rain: Frequent rain and showers
Daylight: Keep outdoor plans flexible around daylight and showers
Packing style: Layers, rain cover and shoes with grip

Packing bands extend about 2°C either side of the monthly mean maximum (22.5°C) and minimum (10.6°C), rounded to whole degrees. Bureau of Meteorology Perth Metro station 009225 uses all-years temperature observations 1994–2026, with 32 years available at review, rather than a fixed 30-year normal. Rain wording is qualitative; the rainfall series has a different record length. These bands are a planning aid, not daily limits. Heatwaves, wind and cold fronts can change how the day feels. Check your forecast.

Outfit ideas for your outings

May Kings Park and botanic paths

Walking shoes with grip
Warm jumper
Sun hat
Refillable water bottle

London Court, Stirling Gardens and Elizabeth Quay

Comfortable trousers
Rain jacket
Small day bag
Phone with saved route

Cottesloe beach and café outing

Warm layer
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Swimwear (if swimming)
Quick-drying towel (if swimming)

What to leave behind

Only clothes for the monthly average: heat, rain and windy waterfronts call for flexibility.
Heavy hiking boots solely for paved central walks; choose comfortable shoes with grip instead.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

Bureau of Meteorology — Perth Metro station 009225, all-years statistics

Transport guide

Getting around Perth

Use the official Transperth app for metropolitan bus, train and ferry routes, live information where available and service alerts. The app can manage a linked SmartRider; planning a trip does not pay for it. Check your route and payment method before boarding.

Transperth — official app and download links
Download from the official iOS and Android links. Plan journeys, track services and manage a linked SmartRider and Autoload; live information depends on availability.
Transperth — contactless payment rules
Visa and Mastercard cards and digital wallets can pay contactlessly. Tag on and off with the same card or device for each leg. A physical card and its wallet version count as different payment methods. Contactless uses standard cash fares, not concession fares.
Transperth — mobile JourneyPlanner
Plan the actual station, bus stop or jetty and check disruptions. Cottesloe station is inland from the beach, so include the final walking leg or connecting bus rather than assuming the train ends at the sand.
Transperth — tickets and fares
Compare SmartRider, contactless and cash rules. Transperth metropolitan fares do not include private sightseeing cruises or Rottnest Island ferries.

Check the operator’s current service notices and ticket instructions before travelling.

Practical essentials

Language and calling code

Language: English
Calling code: +61

Useful essentials for Perth

Comfortable walking shoes
Breathable clothes
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Refillable water bottle
Light windproof layer
Rain jacket for cooler months
Phone charger
Travel adapter (if needed)

Do you need a visa?

Check travel-document and visa requirements for your passport, destination and transit stops.

Check your requirements on TravelDoc

Use the checker as a starting point, then confirm requirements with the relevant government or embassy before travelling.

Stay connected

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Photo: David / Pexels

A first look at Perth