Perth is the bustling capital of Western Australia with cultural landmarks surrounded by stunning views. There is so much to see and getting around on foot would be a real challenge. As we only had two days we thought the best way to explore this city was to go on the hop on hop off bus Perth to see more of the tourist attractions. Here we will share our experience of Perth Hop on Hop off bus, what we saw and catching the bus.
Understanding Hop On Hop Off Bus Perth Tours:
The outstanding feature of the hop on hop off bus Perth is flexibility. As a passenger, you are free to get off where you like, explore an area, and then get on the next passing bus. This is extremely helpful when you’re trying to plan an itinerary based on individual interests.
As we were staying at the Novetel on Murray, we caught the bus close to our Motel. You can get on at any stop where the buses stop to pick up or drop off.
There are usually two buses that go around the route, which means that every hour you have the choice to get back on the bus. The day we went one of the buses was broken down so that meant a two hour wait.
The hop on hop off bus Perth provides an ongoing audio commentary available in many languages. This gives the passenger a lot of interesting information on the landmarks, history, and stories relevant to where you are at any given time. This takes the sightseeing experience to the next level and it’s a great way to learn about the culture and history of the city.
The hop-on hop-off bus tickets are usually valid for a set time period, such as 24 or 48 hours. This gives a visitor plenty of time to get some use out of the ticket before it expires. To make this deal even sweeter some tour operators even have discounted rates for family, senior, and child tickets too.
Hop On Hop Off Bus Perth-Route Options and Itineraries:
300 Murray Street Perth Bus Stop 11
The hop on hop off bus Perth system offers an easy connection to every major attraction in Perth. I will work through the bus stops from 300 Murray Street where we hopped on the bus. This stop is in the city and close to the Train Station, Bus Port and the Shopping Mall.
You can either sit down stairs or up on the top deck of the bus. We chose to sit up top and although a bit windy it gave us a good view of everything.
A couple of things to be aware of when sitting on the top deck.
- The wind may blow off your hat, as happened to Leo, he was very lucky as another tourist was quick to grab it as it flew by.
- The other thing was that there were a couple of streets we drove through that had low branches. So, be on the look out so as to duck under these branches.
Tip 1: Print off the Time Table that shows you the Stop times for Bus 1 and Bus 2 so as to Plan Drop off and Pick up Times.
50 Williams Street- Bus Stop 12
This is the shopping Malls. If you want to stop off for some shopping.
Barrack Street Jetty Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower Bus Stop 1
Driving through the city we ended up at Barrack Street Jetty and Bell Tower. We stopped here for about 15minutes, enough time to get off and have a walk around and take a few photos. It is from Barrack Street Jetty, where the previous day we had caught the ferry to Rottnest Island, with a cruise along the Swan River before heading across to Rottnest Island for the day to see the Quokkas.
471 Hay Street Bus Stop 2-for the Hop on Hop off Bus Perth
We stayed on the bus at this stop to continue the journey around Perth. As our journey continued the audio continued to point out points of interest and the history of the area. This commentary was interesting and added a lot to the trip around Perth.
If you don’t have access to a car, then going on Hop on Hop off Bus to see Perth is a good idea. It also allows you to sit back relax and see the sites of Perth.
Cultural Centre Beaufort Street Bus Stop 3
At this stop is the Northbridge, Art Gallery, and Cultural Centre. We Stayed on the bus to continue on to Optus Stadium.
Optus Stadium Perth Bus Stop 4
At Bus stop 4, Optus Stadium, we all got off and as it was the day before an AFL game we decided to go on the 90 minute tour of the Stadium. The bus driver had told us about the tour times, and that helped us make the decision to get off here.
We were lucky and just made it in time for the next tour. It was one of the biggest groups the tour guide had ever shown through Optus Stadium at the same time.
The tour is worth going on as they show you out onto the playing field and the interchange bench. We also walked around the stadium, media room, team change rooms and the briefing room for the players before going out to play. Optus Stadium is the home ground for the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantal Dockers two AFL teams.
There is a lot of walking up and down stairs, although there was a few times where we were able to use a lift. The tour guide gives you a lot of information about the area the stadium is built on, plus explaining each of the different rooms that you go into and the history.
The Camfield Pub Perth
As the tour went a bit longer then expected we had missed the next bus and so we had a bit of time. As it was lunch time we ended up going to have lunch at The Camfield. It was an incredible experience to relax together over lunch and a drink. I have never been into such a big venue with so many bars. Even though it was a week day there were still a lot of people there having a lunch time meal.
The Camfield is Australia’s largest sports bar and one of the city’s premier entertainment venues. Situated in the vibrant Burswood precinct, just a stone’s throw from Optus Stadium, it offers a one-of-a-kind experience for sports enthusiasts and social revelers alike. With a massive indoor and outdoor space, it can accommodate thousands of patrons, making it the perfect spot to catch live sporting events on their giant screens or enjoy a casual drink with friends.
The Camfield’s diverse menu, extensive beverage selection, and lively atmosphere make it a popular destination for locals and visitors looking for a memorable and energetic gathering place in the heart of Perth.
Crown Casino Riverside Entrance-Bus Stop 5
After lunch we got back onto the hop on hop off bus and we headed off to bus stop 5 Crown Casino. As it was stating to get late we stayed on the bus as it went pass Crown Casino. If you get off at this stop you can see Restaurants, Crown Casino, Hotels and Burswood Park. There is a lot of interesting things to see around this area, with parks and walking tracks.
Perth Mint Hay Street-Bus Stop 6
The Perth Mint is a prestigious institution located in Western Australia, recognized worldwide for its exceptional craftsmanship and history of producing high-quality precious metal products. Established in 1899, it was originally created to refine and mint gold extracted from the Western Australian goldfields during the late 19th century gold rush.
Today, the Perth Mint is renowned for its impeccable standards in producing gold, silver, and platinum bullion coins and bars. Notably, it is the sole producer of the Australian Gold Kangaroo series and the highly regarded Australian Silver Kookaburra coins.
Tourists and collectors visit the mint to explore its fascinating exhibits on the history of Western Australian gold mining, and to witness the meticulous process of transforming raw precious metals into exquisite coins and bars. The Perth Mint stands as a symbol of excellence in the field of numismatics and is a testament to Australia’s rich mining heritage.
We did not get off at this stop as we were hoping to get off at the next stop.
Kings Park Wadjuk Car park- Bus Stop 7
At this stop is Kings Park and Botanical Garden which offers some tranquil relaxation in the heart of the city. Here is where the Park Tour Departure, City Views, Federation walkway and Restaurant.
Roe Gardens- Bus Stop 8
At this stop is the Tree top walk, Swan River and City Views. Which I was looking forward to. But at the time we were there the area these areas were closed due to a light festival, but I have heard that is a lovely area.
Blue Boat House-Bus Stop 8a
Walk the short distance to the Crawley Edge Boatshed. Then on the Swan River is the Eliza Sculpture.
May Drive Parkland- Bus Stop 9
This is a park for the family to enjoy. Have a picnic and time for the kids to play in the playground.
Water Town- Bus Stop 10
This is where Discounting Shopping Centre.
The duration of the journey will vary depending on the traffic, the number of stops, and the specific route. But most routes take up to 2½ hours to complete the entire continuous loop with no time for stopping and exploring. The hop on hop off bus Perth route completion time will be largely determined by how many stops you make and how long you spend at each destination.
The frequency of the buses will vary depending on the specific route from 30 minutes up to a full hour. Once you understand how the system works, relaxing and exploring is easier until you’re ready to catch the next available bus.
Planning Your Sightseeing Before Going on Hop On Hop Off Bus Perth:
The best way to get the most out of the hop on hop off bus Perth is to research the routes. From there you can find the landmarks and attractions that are a priority for your trip. Then make a note of the stops along the route and the bus frequency times. This should give you sufficient data to create a very rough itinerary outline.
Remember to Include Outside Factors when Planning Your Itinery
Once you add the time that you need for sightseeing, you can divide this time by the number of stops and you will know how much time you have for each attraction.
Next, look at the opening and closing of the attractions and factor in the waiting times to catch the next bus.
As you can see, this process can become complex and there are a lot of variables that can slow down the sightseeing experience. So, some flexibility is necessary to make sure that you’re not becoming stressed when you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself.
To get the best out of a hop on hop off bus Perth trip start early in the morning. If you start to fall behind, consider skipping a destination to make sure you get to a higher-priority attraction. When you start earlier, you’re less likely to hit crowds and this can make it easier to stay on track later in the day.
Listen to the Audio Commentary on the Hop on Hop off Bus Perth
When you’re traveling on the bus, use the audio commentary system to get some information about the areas you’re passing through. This will improve the experience and you may be surprised at how much you can pick up along the way.
Don’t forget to factor in some time for eating during the day and carry bottled water and snacks for on-the-go refreshments. There are scenic spots along the routes for picnics and plenty of cafes and restaurants to eat something more substantial.
If you’re in Perth for multiple days, you can always retry a route to visit an attraction you skipped. Or you can go back to that special place again and spend more time there.
On-Board Amenities and Services of the Hop on Hop off Bus Perth:
The hop on hop off bus Perth has a number of amenities available depending on the specific tour operator or bus used on that route. Some of the more common advantages include:
- The Seating: The seats are comfortable with a combination of regular forward and side-facing seats. These are orientated to give the passenger the very best views throughout the entire route.
- An Open Top Deck: Certain buses have an open top deck where passengers can get stunning panoramic views of Perth as they travel from stop to stop. This deck is a fantastic place to take photographs and get the best views. As you might imagine, demand for these seats can be high, and early starters are more likely to get the best seats.
- AC and Heating: The buses are equipped with AC or heating systems to keep the internal bus temperature comfortable for passengers.
- Audio Commentary: The audio commentary is available in multiple languages. This information is accessed via personal headsets or speakers depending on the specific bus.
- Mobility Challenges: Most buses have ramps or lifts to assist passengers with mobility challenges.
Conclusion: Hop On Hop Off Bus Perth
With the hop on hop off bus Perth, visitors can explore the city in a convenient and flexible way. All the major attractions are covered, but some planning is needed in advance to try and get to the places you want to visit. Customizing your itinerary will help to make the trip go smoothly but be prepared to adapt as the day goes on. Waiting, eating, and exploring times can all add up and catch you off guard if you don’t keep an eye on the time.
We found that the hop on hop off bus Perth was worth it. We had a good day, learnt a lot and would recommend it as a way to see Perth. Next time we visit Perth I would like to spend some more time there as there is so much to see. Hopefully this helps you, when considering whether or not to go on the hop on hop off bus Perth.