Best Landscape Photography Locations in Perth
Perth is a city blessed with breathtaking landscapes, from its sparkling skyline and winding Swan River to its pristine beaches and historic landmarks. Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiastic hobbyist, Perth offers an abundance of stunning locations to capture the perfect shot. From iconic cityscape views at Kings Park and South Perth Esplanade to serene coastal scenes at Cottesloe Beach, there's something for every photography style. Sunset and blue hour provide incredible lighting opportunities, while wide-angle and telephoto lenses can help you frame the perfect composition. This guide highlights the best landscape photography spots in Perth, along with tips on the best times to shoot and recommended lenses.
As usually all these places and lookouts are easily accessible by foot, public transport or by taxi/car. I also provided links to Google Maps and The Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE).
Location 1: Kings Park (City View)
Perth CBD from Kings Park at Night, Perth, WA, Australia
Kings Park is one of Perth's most famous landmarks, offering panoramic views of the city skyline and the Swan River. The elevated vantage point provides a sweeping perspective, making it an ideal location for landscape photography. The park itself is a lush green space with native plants, walking trails, and lookouts that offer varied angles for photography. The combination of city lights, natural beauty, and clear skies makes it an excellent spot for both day and night photography. Kings Park is also a fantastic location for seasonal shots, with wildflowers blooming in spring, adding vibrant colours to your images. This location is perfect for shooting panoramas.
Best Time to Photograph:
- Sunrise: The soft morning light creates a peaceful, dreamy atmosphere.
- Sunset: The city lights up beautifully as the sun sets behind you, casting a golden glow over the skyline.
- Night: Perfect for long-exposure shots of the illuminated cityscape.
Recommended Lenses:
- Wide-Angle Lens (16-35mm): To capture the entire skyline and river.
- Telephoto Lens (70-200mm): To zoom in on the city's skyscrapers and finer details.
- Scenic Value:
- Photographic Interest:
- Road Difficulty:
- Trail Difficulty:
Kings Park on maps:
Location 2: South Perth Esplanade (City View & The Decoy Paddle Steamer)
Paddle Steamer P.S. Decoy with Perth Skyline, Mends Street Jetty, Perth, WA, Australia
Located across the Swan River from the city, the South Perth Esplanade provides one of the most iconic views of Perth's skyline. The Decoy Paddle Steamer adds a unique historical element to compositions. The riverbank provides a perfect foreground, with reflections of the city on the water creating a dramatic effect. This location is particularly popular for twilight photography, as the fading light enhances the contrast between the city and the river. It is also an excellent spot for capturing fireworks displays or special light events held in the city. This location is perfect for shooting panoramas.
Best Time to Photograph:
- Sunrise: The soft morning light creates a peaceful, dreamy atmosphere.
- Sunset: The city reflects beautifully on the river during golden hour.
Recommended Lenses:
- Wide-Angle Lens (16-35mm): For capturing the skyline and reflections.
- Normal Lens (50mm): To frame a balanced shot of the cityscape.
- Scenic Value:
- Photographic Interest:
- Road Difficulty:
- Trail Difficulty:
South Perth Esplanade on maps:
Location 3: The Old Swan Brewery
The Old Swan Brewery at Sunrise, Perth, WA, Australia
Situated along Mounts Bay Road, this historic building sits on the banks of the Swan River, offering a blend of heritage architecture and scenic river views. The Old Swan Brewery is an exceptional location for capturing Perth's rich history combined with modern urban beauty. The contrast between the red-brick building and the smooth water surface adds depth to compositions. Photographers can take advantage of leading lines from the pedestrian paths and bridges nearby. The brewery is also an excellent location for capturing reflections, especially when the water is still during sunrise or sunset.
Best Time to Photograph:
- Sunrise: Soft morning light highlights the textures of the old brickwork and surrounding water.
- Golden Hour: Ideal for warm, moody shots of the historic site.
- Blue Hour: Perfect for long-exposure shots with city lights beginning to illuminate the scene.
Recommended Lenses:
- Normal lens (35mm-50mm): For a balanced view of the brewery and its surroundings.
- Scenic Value:
- Photographic Interest:
- Road Difficulty:
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"Thread the Needle" on maps:
Location 4: The Blue Boat House (Crawley Edge Boatshed)
The Blue Boat House (Crawley Edge Boatshed) at Sunrise, Perth, WA, Australia
One of Perth's most famous photography spots, the Blue Boat House is a simple but striking structure located along Mounts Bay Road. Its symmetry and placement on the water make it a must-visit location. The boatshed's vibrant blue color contrasts beautifully with the natural tones of the river and sky, making it an eye-catching subject. The long wooden jetty leading to the boatshed adds depth and leading lines to your shots. With minimal distractions in the background, this location is perfect for creating minimalist compositions that emphasise the peaceful ambiance. Please note, this is a very popular spot for instagrammers with limited space for people.
Best Time to Photograph:
- Sunrise: The soft morning light creates a peaceful, dreamy atmosphere.
- Sunset: Captures a dramatic contrast between the sky and the boatshed.
- Golden Hour: Adds warmth to the blue tones of the boatshed.
- Blue Hour: Ideal for long-exposure shots with a tranquil water reflection.
- Daytime: Consider using ND filters for long exposure shots for creating minimalistic photo.
Recommended Lenses:
- Wide-Angle Lens (16-35mm): To capture the entire boatshed and its reflection.
- Normal Lens (50mm): For a straight-on composition without distortion.
- Scenic Value:
- Photographic Interest:
- Road Difficulty:
- Trail Difficulty:
The Blue Boat House on maps:
Location 5: Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe Beach, Perth, WA, Australia
Cottesloe Beach is renowned for its stunning sunsets, turquoise waters, and the historic Indiana Tea House. The beach offers plenty of opportunities for seascape photography. The soft white sand and crystal-clear waters provide the perfect setting for vibrant beach photography. Cottesloe's rocky groynes add interesting elements to foreground compositions, helping to frame the scene beautifully. It's also a great spot for long-exposure photography, where the movement of waves creates dreamy, misty water effects. This location is perfect for shooting panoramas.
Best Time to Photograph:
- Sunset: The vibrant colours of the sky and the reflections on the water create spectacular compositions.
- Golden Hour: Perfect for capturing soft light and long shadows on the sand.
Recommended Lenses:
- Wide-Angle Lens (16-35mm): To include the sky, ocean, and shoreline.
- Telephoto Lens (70-200mm): To capture surfers, waves, or details of the Tea House.
- Scenic Value:
- Photographic Interest:
- Road Difficulty:
- Trail Difficulty:
Cottesloe Beach on maps:
Location 6: Elizabeth Quay
Elizabeth Quay at Sunset, Perth, WA, Australia
Elizabeth Quay is a modern waterfront precinct with architectural highlights, including the pedestrian bridge, public art, and reflections on the water. The area offers a mix of urban and natural elements, making it ideal for photographers looking to capture both city and water reflections in a single frame. The quay is a hub of activity, with boats, fountains, and sculptures adding dynamic elements to compositions. The pedestrian bridge provides unique perspectives and leading lines for photographers. At night, the area comes alive with colourful lights, making it perfect for long-exposure photography.
Best Time to Photograph:
- Sunset: The golden glow enhances the modern architecture and reflections.
- Night: Long-exposure shots capture the city lights and water reflections beautifully.
Recommended Lenses:
- Wide-Angle Lens (16-35mm): To capture the sweeping views of the quay and skyline.
- Normal Lens (50mm): For a tighter composition of architectural details.
- Scenic Value:
- Photographic Interest:
- Road Difficulty:
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Elizabeth Quay on maps:
Final Tips for Perth Landscape Photography
- Use a Tripod: Especially for sunrise or sunset shots when light is low to avoid camera shake.
- ND Filters: Consider using ND filters for long exposure shots at the beaches and rivers.
- Experiment: Experiment with different perspectives to create unique compositions.
Ratings
|
Rating |
Scenic Value |
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Of no particular interest |
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Mildly interesting, visit if nearby and/or time permitting |
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Scenic location, worthy of a visit |
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Very interesting, scenic or original location |
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Remarkably scenic or rewarding location, a highlight |
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Word-class location, absolutely tops |
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Rating |
Photographic Interest |
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Of no particular photographic interest |
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Worth of quick photo |
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Good photo opportunity |
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Good photographic potential and scenic subjects |
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Outstanding photographic potential, highly original or scenic subject |
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Worls-class photographic location, "photographer's dream" |
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Rating |
Road Difficulty |
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Paved road, accessible to all normal-size vehicles |
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Dirt road accessible without difficulty by a passenger car (under normal conditions) |
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Minor obstacles, accessible by passenger car with caution (under good conditions) |
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High-clearance required, but no major difficulty |
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High-clearance 4WD required, some obstacles, no real danger |
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High-clearance 4WD required, some risk to vehicle & passenges, experienced drivers only |
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Rating |
Trail Difficulty |
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No or very little walking (close to parking area) |
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Easy short walk (<= 1h r/t), for everybody |
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Moderate hike (1 to 3hr r/t) with no major difficulty or short hike with some minor difficulties |
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Moderate to strenuous (3 to 6hr r/t) and/or difficulties (evevation gain, difficult terrain, some risks) |
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Strenuous (>6h r/t) and/or globally difficult (evevation gain, difficult off-terrain, obstacles, risks) |
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Backpacking required or for extremely fit dayhikers |
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