There is nowhere in Perth that gives you a more stunning view of the city than Kings Park. One of the largest inner-city parks in the world, it is home to a vast and outstanding collection of Western Australia flora. The park’s elevated and strategic location overlooks Perth city and provides a good vantage point to capture the vibrant blue waters of the Swan River and the Darling Ranges beyond.

Apart from sweeping city views, the sprawling park features both curated gardens and wild bushlands. If you plan to visit, pack a picnic basket, pick a spot of the grassy lawns and wait for dusk to settle to capture a breathtaking view of the city on your DSLR or smartphone camera. 

Still feeling energetic as twilight falls? Train your cameras (preferably on a tripod) on the mesmerising twinkling lights across the river. And yes, this is one of Perth’s favourite local night activities.

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Stroll along the river at the Elizabeth Quay and enjoy a slice of peace and tranquillity. Along the way, you may snap an Instagrammable shot (or 10) as you admire the wide open spaces, public artwork and shopping promenades on the banks of the Swan River. It is also one of Perth’s local night spots to hit with its wide range of bars and restaurants. 

Named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, the highlight of the quay is the curve bridge, a popular spot for photo-taking. To capture the bridge in all its glory, get ready your wide-angle lens and hang around until dusk. You will be able to snap a brilliant shot of the bridge in the foreground with the Perth cityscape in the background, with the sun’s setting rays sprinkling a coat of gold dust on your photo. 

If you cannot get enough of the scenic view the quay offers, hop onto one of the river cruises, which take you from Barrack Street Jetty to the Swan Valley, Fremantle and Rottnest Island. Along the way, train your cameras on the banks to shoot serene images of riverine life.

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This once rundown boatshed located along the Swan River is the most photographed travel attraction in Perth, according to CNN. Apparently, the 90-year-old blue Crawley Edge Boat Shed located at the end of a jetty is a big hit on Instagram! The hashtag #blueboathouse trended in 2019, attracting thousands of Instagram posts. 

The basis of its appeal lies in its simple yet surrealistic setting—a bright blue lonely boatshed seemingly in the middle of nowhere, exuding calm and relaxation. Ironically, the other side of this photographic hot spot is Mounts Bay Road—one of the busiest streets in Perth. Thanks to its popularity on Instagram, the state of Western Australia pooled funds to install a public toilet nearby to accommodate the flocks of tourists descending on this spot for their perfect social media shot! 

Get directions to the Crawley Boatshed

Take a walk down nostalgia lane with the heritage buildings dotted around Fremantle, a mere 30 minutes drive from Perth. Take special notice of the colonial Roundhouse and the Fremantle Prison—it is the first permanent building in the area and the oldest building still standing in Western Australia. 

Beyond the heritage buildings, the bustling Fremantle Markets also make an ideal location for Instagram-worthy and Pinterest-pretty shots. Designed in Federation Romanesque style, the best spot for a picture is found at the main entrance—look out for the ornate stone arches that give off an old school feel.

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Go for a scenic drive at the Mundaring Weir and stop for a picnic or idyllic walk in the natural bushland. Then, marvel at the engineering wonder that is the Mundaring Weir. Completed in 1903, the Weir—a low dam built across a river to raise the level of upstream water—supplies water some 700 kilometres away to the Kalgoorlie goldfields. The dam walls and its ornate observation building make a popular Perth photo spot, especially on a clear day, with the water reflecting the dam gates. 

Apart from this photo-worthy spot, head up to the Golden View Lookout for a bird’s eye view of the Weir, as well as the surrounding forest scene. If you feel up for some physical activity, go for one of several walking trails that take you deep into the bushland. 

Get directions to Mundaring Weir

Perth’s gem in the Indian Ocean is a haven of Australian fauna photo opportunities. From picturesque beaches and bays to towering lighthouses, it is easy to go trigger-happy here. The island offers a wide variety of water sports such as diving, fishing and swimming. If you are not fond of getting wet, relax on the beach and soak in the surroundings, or arm yourself with a camera to capture the breathtaking views around you. 

One of the must-capture shots here is to take your very own Quokka picture (or even a selfie with the cheeky marsupial if you are fast enough). Quokkas are short-tailed scrub wallabies found on the island that are very friendly and naturally inquisitive. To catch an adorable image of a quokka, you do not need to approach or offer it food. Just get down to their level and wait for them to come to you. Their smiles are apparent when they tilt their heads up, so wait for them to look up towards the camera to snap your photograph. If you feel confident enough, get right next to them, and they will gamely pose with you for a selfie. And yes, you have not been to Rottnest Island if you did not snap a picture of a Quokka.

Get directions to Hillarys Boat Habour for Ferry to Rottnest Island

Address: Western Australia 83449, Australia

Rolling vineyards are the perfect photography spots and Swan Valley—one of the most famous wine regions in Western Australia—is just waiting to be photographed.  It also gives you the perfect excuse to pop into different wineries for some wine tasting. 

One of the best ways to explore the Swan Valley is to go on one of seven themed trails. These trails cover more than 40 wineries, six breweries, two distilleries, three cideries, a meadery and countless gourmet producers. You will not only enjoy a visual feast but be treated to an actual feast!  

Get directions to Swan Valley

An ideal staycation in Perth starts with your hotel stay. Pan Pacific Perth makes a convenient base for your photographic exploration of the city. Book in advance to enjoy 10% savings from the best available rate, and enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi.