Take a direct morning flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Perth Airport; the flight is roughly 5½–6 hours, and you’ll gain no time-zone difference. Allow about three hours at KLIA before departure, then budget extra time at Perth for immigration and baggage. From the airport, the train from Airport Central to Perth Station takes around 18 minutes; a taxi or rideshare is usually 20–30 minutes to the CBD, depending on traffic. Check Boxing Day service details and your hotel’s check-in arrangements before you fly.
After checking in and dropping your bags, head to Elizabeth Quay for an easy 45-minute leg-stretch beside the Swan River. Wander the promenades and take in the city-and-water views, then walk over to The Bell Tower—about 30 minutes is enough to admire it from outside and enjoy the waterfront. The tower’s visitor hours may differ on Boxing Day, so treat this as an exterior stop rather than counting on entry.
Walk or take a short taxi ride to Petition Kitchen in State Buildings for modern Australian cooking; allow about 1½ hours and budget A$35–60 per person. Boxing Day is a public holiday, so confirm the restaurant is open and reserve ahead—holiday hours can differ from its usual service. If you’re arriving late, keep the afternoon relaxed and check your flight and transfer timings before committing to a dinner booking.
Start early at Kings Park and Botanic Garden while the air is still relatively cool; late December is summer, and the paths can feel exposed by midday. Give yourself 2–3 hours for the city-and-river views from Fraser Avenue and a wander through the Western Australian Botanic Garden. Entry is free, though some guided tours or special experiences may cost extra. From central Perth, take the 935 bus towards Kings Park or a taxi/rideshare; check Transperth for the Sunday timetable and current fares. Bring water and sun protection.
Head back into the city for WA Museum Boola Bardip in the Perth Cultural Centre. Allow about two hours; general admission is free, while some exhibitions may require a ticket. Check the museum’s current Sunday hours and exhibition listings before setting out. Afterwards, stroll to Northbridge Piazza for a low-key, roughly 30-minute pause among the public spaces—an easy walk from the museum, with cafés nearby if you fancy a cold drink.
Finish at Long Chim, inside State Buildings in the Perth CBD. It’s a lively spot for Thai food, with a budget of about A$40–70 per person and roughly 1½ hours for dinner. Book ahead for a Sunday evening, especially during the holiday period; from Northbridge Piazza, it’s an easy walk south into the CBD.
Take the Fremantle Line from Perth Station to Fremantle Station; the ride is about 30 minutes, plus time to reach the platform. It’s a public holiday, so check Transperth for the day’s timetable and current fares before setting out. Head to Fremantle Prison for a guided tour, allowing 1½–2 hours. Tour times and access can be limited on public holidays, so book ahead and confirm the day’s schedule.
From the prison, walk about 15–20 minutes down toward Fremantle’s waterfront to the Round House, Western Australia’s oldest public building. Allow around 45 minutes to explore and enjoy the harbour views; check its holiday opening hours before you go. Then stroll to Bread in Common, a relaxed restaurant in a converted warehouse, for a leisurely meal. Budget about A$30–55 per person and check whether it’s open on the public holiday before making it your lunch stop.
Book an early sailing from Fremantle’s B Shed terminal; arrive at least 30–45 minutes before departure for check-in, and confirm the seasonal timetable and whether your ticket includes the island admission fee. After the 25–30-minute crossing, spend about 45 minutes in Rottnest Island Settlement around Thomson Bay: pick up water and snacks, check the island map, and hire a bike if you’re comfortable riding. Bikes are a handy way to cover the distances, but bring sun protection—the island is exposed and late December is hot.
Ride or walk north to The Basin for a swim and a relaxed 1½–2 hours by the sheltered turquoise water. There are limited facilities, so bring your own water and snacks, and take care on the rocks when entering the sea. Next, continue inland to Wadjemup Lighthouse for about 1½ hours, including the ride or walk and time to enjoy the island-wide views. Check ahead for guided-tour times if you’d like to go inside; otherwise, you can appreciate the lighthouse and its maritime setting from the grounds.
Return to Hotel Rottnest by Thomson Bay for a meal before sailing. Budget around A$30–60 per person and book ahead if possible; leave enough time to get back to the ferry terminal and check in, rather than cutting it close after lunch. Keep an eye on the time throughout the day: the return sailings are limited, and you’ll want a comfortable buffer for the ride back from the lighthouse.
Allow roughly 1–1¼ hours from the island arrival to reach Perth, so aim for a late-morning tour at Perth Mint rather than cutting it fine. The guided tour takes about 1½ hours and covers the historic mint and gold exhibits; check the tour schedule and book ahead, especially over the holiday period. Admission and tour prices vary, so confirm the current rate when reserving.
From the mint, head into the city for an hour at State Buildings: take in the grand heritage interiors and pause for coffee or a snack. Then walk a few minutes to Mary Street Bakery for lunch or a pastry and coffee; allow about 45 minutes and budget A$15–30 per person. Check holiday trading hours before setting off, as they may differ from usual.
Leave the city by mid-afternoon for Scarborough Beach—the 990 bus from the city takes around 40 minutes, while a taxi or rideshare is usually quicker. Give yourself 2–3 hours to stroll the beachfront, swim if conditions are safe, or simply settle in for the sunset, which is around 7:25 pm in late December. Bring water, sunscreen and a light layer for the sea breeze, and check bus times for the return.
Start with breakfast at Sayers Sister in Northbridge. It’s a relaxed neighbourhood café, with brunch usually around A$20–35 per person; check its New Year’s Eve hours before setting out, as holiday service may differ. Allow about an hour, then walk south toward Yagan Square for an easy final stroll. The square is a handy place to pause for half an hour and enjoy the city-centre atmosphere.
Keep the rest of the morning deliberately flexible in Perth city centre: return to your accommodation, pack, check out and collect your luggage. Leave at least 1–2 hours for those logistics, then aim to depart for the airport at least three hours before your international flight. A taxi or rideshare to Perth Airport typically takes 20–30 minutes, traffic permitting; alternatively, take the airport train from Perth Station. Check your airline’s terminal and allow extra time for New Year’s Eve traffic and airport queues before flying back to Kuala Lumpur.
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