Strapped for cash? Us too. There was a time not too long ago when a takeaway latte would cost $3, a Bunnings snag was $2.50 and you could fill up your car without having to take out a loan. These days, after paying rent, HECS debts, buying groceries and obligatory desk treats in the form of French pastries, there’s not much left for life outside of your 9-5.
The cost of living is undeniably on the rise, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some frugal fun in Perth. Turns out there’s a lot you can do with not very much at all. Bookmark this page for next time you’re broke until payday—here’s 50 cheap and free things to do in Perth.
-
Head to Goody Two's to grab a Street Food Degustation for $35, including their famous fried chicken, dumplings, delectable Korean hot dogs, and ramen-spiced hot chips, as well as your choice of a highball or glass of house wine. It's on every Thursday throughout August.
-
Sweat it out in a beachside sauna, with an hour session setting you back just $20. They've got multiple locations across Perth, so just download the app to book.
-
Flex your general knowledge muscles with free pub trivia at Fenway on Mondays, The Leederville Hotel on Tuesdays, The Inglewood Hotel on Wednesday, and Cottesloe Beach Hotel on Thursdays.
-
Snap up free cheese tastings at Powells’ Tasting Thursdays from 4pm til 7pm.
-
Pack a picnic, charge up your UE Boom and wrangle your mates together to spend an afternoon on the lush green grass at Kings Park or any of these iconic Perth picnic spots.
-
Take a swing at Holey Moley, Perth’s larger-than-life pop culture-themed mini-golf course. $17 will get you 9 neon lit, pun-ridden holes of that will put your hole-in-one skills to the test.
-
Indulge on the tiny, briney, aphrodisiacs of the sea with $2 oysters at Si Paradiso every Sunday.
-
Wander around the Freo Markets. There’s dozens of stalls to browse and rotating buskers to keep you entertained for hours. Plus, it gives you an excuse to tuck into Viet Kite’s famous banh mi croissant.
-
Channel Ash Barty or Lleyton Hewitt and have a hit at Leederville Tennis Club, with $10 drop in social games if you're riding solo or $15 one hour court hire
-
Jump on your pushbike and explore the city on two wheels. With dedicated cycle paths peppered across Perth, there’re options for both leisurely Sunday bike rides and serious off-road riders. We’ve rounded up some of the best bike trails to help you out.
-
Watch the sunset in your winter woolies at the Scarborough Sunset Markets, happening every Saturday throughout winter. Entry is free and there’s snacks and stalls to suit every budget.
-
Hunt the Giants of Mandurah. Made from recycled materials world-renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo, the Australian-first art exhibition features five friendly giants hidden around Mandurah.
-
Down a zodiac-inspired cocktail at Goody Two’s where mixology meets astrology. The martini menu has taken the trademark traits of the twelve star signs and translated them into cocktails, going for just $15 each Friday.
-
Have a laugh with Perth’s funniest talent at a $10 comedy show. There’s one at Convenients in Northbridge every Tuesday and at The Federal in Freo each Thursday.
-
Slip, slop, slap and hit the beach. With some of the world’s best beaches right on our doorstep, you’d be mad not to put down a towel on the squeaky white sand and splash around in the turquoise waters.
-
Fill up on half price pizzas for dinner every Monday at The Leederville Hotel or every Wednesday at The Raffles in Applecross
-
Stock up on seasonal produce, artisan small goods and community spirit at your local farmers’ market.
-
Look for Nemo at one of Perth’s best snorkelling spots, Mettams Pool.
-
Get your game on Palace Arcade’s Super Session Wednesdays, with unlimited games for just $10 every Wednesday (with $10 wings and $10 sides on offer every Wednesday for sensible snacking, too).
-
Take a stroll around Lake Monger. Keep an eye out for turtles, swans and other local wildlife on the 3.5km flat loop.
-
For the ultimate thrifty lunch, grab a bargain Banh Mi. Take your pick from one of our faves, there’s a whole lot of authentic, affordable options to get your Vietnamese roll fix.
-
Spend a day in the Perth Cultural Centre. You can tick off the Art Gallery Of WA and PICA for free before settling in for the $28 steak sanga and wine deal at PICA Bar out in the amphitheatre. Afterwards, you can take a stroll through WA Museum if you're keen for a little more cultural action.
-
Get down and dirty Scarborough’s notorious live music pub, the Indian Ocean Hotel. You can pick up bargain tickets to lesser-known local bands for as little as $10.
-
Tear through the greasy paper and dig into some fish and chips, best enjoyed while watching the sunset with a cold beer. There is no shortage of the classic, battered dinner-time treat in Perth, we rounded up the top fish and chips shops to make it a little easier.
-
Grab a conti roll from the Re Store. Crunchy rolls, cold cut meats and pickled veg, these famed Italian sandwiches are a lunch staple in Perth.
-
Get your heart rate up and sprint the stairs at Jacob’s Ladder. The city skyline views at the top are absolutely worth the hike.
-
Snack on free aperitivo at Bar Loiter every Friday from 5pm-6pm.
-
Check out the latest exhibit at Fremantle Arts Centre. Constructed by convicts in 1860, the iconic site is worth a visit for the heritage architecture alone.
-
Catch a film at Planet Royale, showing cinema classics for free every Sunday.
-
Or if you’re after an arthouse or contemporary flick, head to independent cinema Luna Leederville on Wednesdays for some of the cheapest tickets in town at $13 before 6pm and $15 after 6pm
-
Drop by Hyde Park for a pay-what-you-feel yoga class. They run 9am every Saturday from October to May, with extra night classes on during summer.
-
Spend a day exploring Perth Zoo. Adult tickets cost $34.60 and you’ll be able to get up close and personal with animals from all corners of the globe.
-
Sip on a bargain afterwork drink at Lalla Rookh with $10 tap beers, wines by the glass and house spirits from 5pm-6pm, Monday to Thursday. Or head to Popeye’s Satay Hut in Leederville on a Wednesday or Thursday night for $10 mains and $7 drinks from 5pm-6pm.
-
Sneak of scoop of Perth’s best gelato. You’ll be able to find every flavour under the sun but Chicho Gelato’s Malt Milk Cornflake Cookie will always have our heart.
-
Join the Cold Nips community and start your day with an invigorating sunrise swim. The inclusive crew will take you through some grounding stretches before diving into the icy cold ocean, finishing with coffee, conversation and connection.
-
Nab tickets to a game at Optus Stadium. $39 will get you decent seats to one of Freo’s home games, while a Perth Glory game will set you back around $45. Whether you’re an AFL fanatic, soccer supporter or cricket fiend, it’s hard not to have a good time when the stadium is heaving. Go sports!
-
Chow down on a buttery, flaky croissant at La Galette during their famous Sunday happy hour, with croissants going for just $2 from 7am-9am.
-
Cross the Swan River via tender to The Raft, the floating bar and eatery with panoramic views of the city, tasty tipples and a modern Australian menu. Return tickets on the private tender to the party pontoon are FREE throughout winter or $14 during peak season.
-
Raise your pinky finger to a High Tea. Chinta’s own version starts from $39 per person, or make a day of it and head to the Swan Valley for Lavender Bistro’s Les Boissons et High Tea from $28. Here’s our top-pick high teas to find your perfect fit.
-
Test your balance with a one-hour stand-up paddle boarding session on the Swan River with SUP Central WA, starting from $30.
-
Browse through the books at Planet Books and pick up a few new reads for your weekend.
-
For the best (and best value) fish tacos in town, Clancy’s Fish Pub is slinging 2-for-1 tacos every Wednesday from 4:30pm
-
Grab a classic cheddar cheese toastie from Toastface Grillah for $5, or go all out with the Snoop Hogg—pulled pork shoulder, smokey bbq sauces, caramelised onion, slaw, cheddar and peri peri mayo for $13.
-
If bowling is up your alley, try for a strike at Rosemount Bowls, one of Perth’s original bowling alleys where one game will cost you $17 per person in the retro themed space.
-
Make the easy drive to Serpentine Falls to swim in the natural, rock-lined pool and hang out with the friendly Western Grey kangaroos that wander around the National Park. Entry $15 and worth every penny for this little slice of paradise.
-
For Perth’s cheapest parmi, head to Back Bar at Hylin on a Wednesday night. Choose from a classic chicken parmi or vegetarian alternative for just $12 with any drink purchase from 4.30pm.
-
Start the weekend with the ‘running optional’ run club 440 Cottesloe. Starting at 5.55am every Saturday morning outside of Indigo Oscar, join the friendly crew for a run (or walk), a dip in the ocean and a coffee catch up afterwards.
-
Feast on cheap-as-chips vegetarian food at Govinda’s Hare Krishna restaurant in Northbridge for a smorgasbord of sumptuous Indian including curries, dhal, papadums and custard.
-
BYO food and drink to the Jazz Cellar in Mt Hawthorn and get a little rowdy over some live jazz. Tickets will set you back $30.
-
For frugal fine-dining, spice it up with Long Chim’s Silom lunch. Featuring Long Chim’s renowned bold flavours and a good kick of spice, $44 will get an authentic two-course Thai lunch with an entrée and a main of your choice. This is fine dining on a fast food budget that will satisfy both your budget and your appetite.
Image credit: Alchemy Saunas