Thinking about moving to Perth Australia for your working holiday?
This city is often overlooked by backpackers, but if you’re ready to swap the crowded cities of Melbourne or Sydney for world-class beaches, epic wine tours, and a laid-back lifestyle, Perth might just be your perfect match.
Sure, living in Perth has its pros and cons – it’s a bit isolated from the rest of the country, for example. But with more sunny days than any other Australian capital, a buzzing craft beer scene, and incredible surf spots, Perth will win you over in no time.
Let’s dive into why you should choose Perth for your Australia working holiday.
1. Stunning Beaches
Perth is a beach lover’s dream, and the beaches here really do put many of the more famous East Coast beaches (Bondi Beach, we’re looking at you) to shame. Think turquoise waters, white sands, and epic sunsets galore!
You really can’t go wrong when it comes to Perth’s beaches, but everybody has their favourites. Mine is Cottesloe Beach, where you can start your day with a coffee at Indiana and stroll along the shore or head for a swim.
Scarborough Beach is where the action’s at – surfing, beach volleyball, skateboarding, or just people-watching! It’s one of the busiest beaches in Perth but still far quieter than you’d imagine.
For a more relaxed vibe, City Beach offers a quieter spot to soak up the sun and sea, and for something unique to do, head to South Perth to go snorkelling at the Omeo Wreck.
2. Surfing, Surfing, Surfing!
If you’re a surf enthusiast or have always dreamed of learning to surf, you’re going to love living in Perth.
Trigg Beach is the go-to for surfers thanks to its consistent waves and buzzing surf community, but Scarborough Beach is another solid spot for beginners, with the Scarborough Beach Surf School happy to lend you a hand and give you a crash course.
If you’re looking to explore more challenging breaks, head down to Yallingup, just a short drive from Perth. Yallingup offers some of the best surfing conditions in Western Australia, attracting experienced surfers from all over the world.
3. FIFO Jobs
Perth is the gateway to FIFO (Fly-In, Fly-Out) jobs. These are the most popular jobs in Perth for working holiday visa holders since they pay well and include all sorts of roles.
The way FIFO works is that you’ll fly out to one of the many mines surrounding Perth, work there doing manual labour, cleaning, catering, or whatever it is you’re doing there for a few weeks, and then fly back to Perth for a week or two of time off.
The downside of this is that the cost of living in Perth is a little bit higher than many other cities in Australia, thanks to the high salaries from the mining industry.
FIFO is a killer way to make good money and still have time for adventures, and with rosters like 2 weeks on and 1 week off, you get plenty of downtime to explore the wonders of WA.
Check out my FIFO posts, podcasts and in my FIFO Mining resource page to help you get started in FIFO.
4. Epic Wine & Craft Beer
Life in Perth is heaven thanks to its epic local wine and craft beer. Just a short 25-minute drive from the city, Swan Valley is the best place to go since this area is jam-packed with some of Australia’s oldest vineyards and coolest breweries!
Sandalford Wines is where you can sip on some of the best wines in the country and enjoy stunning vineyard views. Next, head over to Lancaster Wines for a tasting session in their rustic outdoor shed. And don’t miss Houghton Winery, one of the oldest operating wineries in Australia.
In the city itself, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to incredible WA-produced wine and beer.
The massive Gage Roads Brewery in Fremantle is my favourite, and there’s nowhere better to sit on a sunny afternoon than in their beer garden overlooking Fremantle Port. Another solid option is Little Creatures Brewery, which is also in Fremantle and serves delicious food.
5. Sunny Weather
Perth has more sunny days than any other Australian capital, with an average of 8.8 hours of glorious sunshine per day. The Mediterranean climate means you can enjoy hot, dry summers and mild winters, perfect for outdoor adventures all year round.
Waking up to blue skies almost every day feels amazing! You can kickstart your morning with a jog along the Swan River or hit the beach for a quick swim before work. Weekends are made for barbecues, beach volleyball at Scarborough Beach, and picnics in Kings Park. With so much sunshine, even your laundry dries faster!
The sunny weather makes it easy to maintain an active, outdoor lifestyle. Plus, the constant sunshine will boost your mood and keep those winter blues at bay.
6. Great Road Trips
Perth is the perfect launchpad for some epic road trips!
This is one of the main perks of doing a working holiday in Perth – it unlocks the whole of Western Australia! Perth working holidaymakers often group together to hire cars and camping gear to do epic road trips on the cheap, and there are plenty of Facebook groups you can join to find other travellers to group up with.
Head south to Margaret River for world-class wineries, stunning beaches, and incredible surf spots. Going north? Be sure to visit Kalbarri National Park to marvel at the dramatic gorges and coastal cliffs.
The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park is another top road trip destination from Perth. These limestone formations, rising eerily from the desert floor, look like something out of a sci-fi movie!
Check out one of my blogs on creating your own Perth to Exmouth Tour.
7. Impressive Public Transport
Getting around Perth is a breeze thanks to its efficient and comprehensive public transport system.
Don’t get me wrong – if you’re living up by Clarkson or down near Fremantle or further south, heading to somewhere on the opposite side of the city on public transport can take you a long time, but you’ll get there eventually!
The Transperth network includes buses, trains, and ferries, making commuting a breeze. The CAT buses (Central Area Transit) are free and perfect for hopping around the city centre, and the rest of the city’s public transportation is very affordable and generally runs on time.
This is a big plus for anyone considering moving to Perth Australia for a working holiday. No need to worry about buying a car – the public transport here has got your back.
8. Less Time Difference
Keeping in touch with friends and family back home is way easier when you’re in Perth. The time difference is more manageable compared to the eastern states, especially if you’re from Europe or North America.
With a timezone of GMT +8, compared to Melbourne and Sydney’s GMT +10, those extra couple of hours can make all the difference when it comes to feeling connected back home. You won’t miss those late-night or early-morning calls you had to make on the East Coast!
Is Perth Worth Visiting?
Perth is absolutely worth a visit, and I promise that the long journey to get there is worth it once you arrive!
With the best year-round weather of any of the major Australian cities and major cash to be made with FIFO jobs, it’s a brilliant stop for any backpackers in Australia on a working holiday visa
Want to know more about working holidays in Australia? Check out our other working holiday posts here!
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