Book cheap flights to Perth

Perth boasts a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, making it a genuinely year-round destination with over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually — more than almost any other Australian city. Spring (September to November) is widely considered the best season to visit. Mild weather, clear blue skies, and the spectacular wildflower bloom — for which Western Australia is world-famous — make this an exceptional time to explore the city and surrounds. The Perth International Arts Festival runs from February to March, transforming the city into a hub of world-class performance, visual art, and music — one of the best times to experience Perth’s cultural life. Autumn (March to May) is another excellent window — warm and settled weather, the Margaret River wine region’s harvest season, and significantly fewer tourists than summer. For the best value on cheap flights to Perth, the low season runs from May to early June and from late July to mid-September — late autumn and winter respectively — when temperatures are cooler but the city remains very much open for business. Summer (December to February) is peak season with long sunny days, busy beaches, and higher accommodation rates.

South African passport holders require a visa to enter Australia, including Perth. The most common option for tourism is the Visitor Visa (subclass 600), which may allow stays of up to 3, 6, or 12 months depending on the visa granted. South African passport holders are not eligible for the eVisitor (subclass 651) visa and must apply online through the ImmiAccount portal on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

Apply well in advance of your travel date, as processing times can vary from several days to a few weeks or longer during busy periods. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay; however, at least 6 months’ validity beyond your travel dates is strongly recommended.

See this guide on how to apply for your Australian visa for a full step-by-step breakdown.

South African High Commission in Australia:

State Circle, Yarralumla ACT 2600, Canberra, Australia

Tel: 61 2 6272 7300

No specific vaccinations are required to enter Australia. Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date before travelling, including MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, and influenza. Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are also recommended as a precaution. There is no malaria risk in Perth or Western Australia.

Sun safety is critically important in Australia. Western Australia has some of the highest UV radiation levels in the world — apply high-SPF (50 ) sunscreen generously and frequently, wear a hat and sunglasses, and limit direct sun exposure during peak hours (10am–3pm), particularly at the beach and during outdoor activities.

Australia has an excellent public healthcare system, though as a South African visitor you will not have access to Medicare benefits. Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical expenses, emergency treatment, and trip cancellation is strongly recommended.

Perth is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in Australia and the world. Standard city precautions apply — keep valuables secure, remain aware of your surroundings in busy nightlife areas after dark, and use metered taxis, Uber, or DiDi rather than accepting rides from strangers. If attending a major sporting event such as an AFL derby, be aware of large crowds after the game and plan your transport in advance.

Perth’s accommodation scene has grown significantly in recent years, with options spread across several distinct and characterful neighbourhoods.

Perth CBD is ideal for first-time visitors — central, well-connected, and close to Elizabeth Quay, the Swan River, and the main shopping and dining precincts. Northbridge, adjacent to the CBD, is the city’s entertainment and arts hub — home to galleries, restaurants, bars, and some of the best street food in the city, with a wide range of accommodation from boutique hotels to well-priced hostels. Well-regarded CBD hotels include the COMO The Treasury and the Pan Pacific Perth.

Fremantle is the most characterful base for visitors who want a slower pace — close to the Fremantle Markets, the prison, excellent seafood restaurants, and a short ferry to Rottnest Island. For beach lovers, Cottesloe and Scarborough both offer accommodation right on the Indian Ocean.

Ready to book? Search and book accommodation in Perth at Travelstart and find the best deals across all budgets.

Public transport in Perth is operated by Transperth — an integrated network of trains, buses, and ferries that covers the city and surrounding suburbs efficiently. The most cost-effective way to use the network is with a SmartRider card (available for A$10 at the airport and major stations), which gives you a 10–15% discount over single-trip fares and works across all Transperth services.

The CAT (Central Area Transit) bus service is free within the Perth CBD and inner suburbs — an excellent option for exploring the city centre, Elizabeth Quay, and Northbridge without cost. The Fremantle train line connects Perth CBD to Fremantle in approximately 30 minutes and is one of the most useful routes for visitors.

For flexible door-to-door travel, Uber and DiDi both operate extensively throughout Perth and are widely used by locals and tourists alike. Metered taxis from 13CABS and Swan Taxis are also reliable options throughout the city.

Perth is a sprawling city and a car gives you the most freedom to explore. If you plan to visit Rottnest Island, Margaret River, the Swan Valley, or further into Western Australia, search, compare, and book a car hire in Perth at Travelstart. Car hire desks are available at Perth Airport, including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Europcar.