Three of the best historic attractions in Perth, WA

The best historic attractions in Perth, Western Australia, are the Perth Mint, Fremantle Prison and the Roundhouse.

Perth isn’t generally seen as Australia’s history hotspot – it’s a shiny, gleaming, modern place. But there are a few historic attractions in Perth worth visiting.

Top historic attractions in Perth: The Perth Mint

Modern day Perth’s development boom is funded by mineral mining in the north of Western Australia, but the original mushrooming came about in the 1890s gold rush. Gold is still mined in Kalgoorlie to the east, and the Perth Mint has historically been where much of it has been processed.

The commemorative coins and Olympic medals at the Perth Mint are pretty enough, but the exhibition on the history of gold in the state is much more interesting. It’s followed up by the world’s largest collection of gold bars, and a gold-pouring demonstration where a bar is melted down in a furnace, put in a mould, dunked into water and formed into a bar again. Make sure there’s space at your preferred time by booking tours online.

DON’T MISS OUT! 9 fabulous Perth experiences to book today ✅

✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.

Perth historic attractions: Fremantle Prison

Western Australia’s only World Heritage building makes for a commendably engrossing visit. The standard Behind Bars tour looks at the often grim life in a prison that only closed in 1991, despite being chronically ill-suited to the task by then. This Fremantle Prison tour finishes by the gallows, where the clunk of the dropping trapdoor provides a real lump in the throat moment.

For something decidedly non-standard, there’s a tour of the convict-dug tunnels beneath the prison. That involves protective suits, helmets, harnesses, vertigo-baiting descents down ultra-long ladders and subterranean tin boat rides once down there.

Fremantle Prison entrance — Fremantle Prison is undoubtedly one of the most touristy spots in Australia. But the tours are really, really good. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Things to book in Fremantle before you arrive

Your Rottnest Island ferry tickets and bike hire.
A best of Fremantle two hour walking tour.
Whale-watching cruise tickets.
A street art and beer tour.
A half day sailing cruise to Carnac Island.
A sunset sailing cruise.
A four venue Fremantle bar tour.

Best historic attractions in Perth: The Roundhouse

The Fremantle Prison is old, but it has an ancestor. The Roundhouse is the oldest still-standing public building in Western Australia. Once used as a makeshift prison, the Roundhouse is now a mini museum – and, at 1pm on the dot, volunteers still fire the One O’Clock Gun that sailors used to set their chronometers by.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.