Perth's Best Bike Paths: A Local Riding Guide
Perth is a cyclist's city. Whether you're after a gentle family spin along the river, a serious weekend ride into the hills, or something iconic like the Rottnest Island crossing, there's a path for you. We've ridden most of them ourselves—sometimes in the heat, sometimes dodging the autumn wind—and here's what actually works.
Principal Shared Paths: The Backbone Network
The PSPs are Perth's best-kept secret. These paths run alongside the freeways and rail corridors, and they're genuinely quiet because most people don't realise they exist. They form a network that connects suburbs from the northern hills right through to the south, giving you long, uninterrupted riding without traffic lights or dodging pedestrians.
Our team rode the northern sections last month and were struck by how consistent the surface is, and how few people use them compared to, say, the riverside paths. You'll find the PSPs running parallel to Tonkin Highway, Mitchell Freeway, and the rail lines. They're flat, purposeful, and brilliant for longer distances.
- Best for: Distance riders, commuters, people who want proper riding without the social interruptions
- Surface: Sealed bitumen, well-maintained
- Traffic: Minimal to none
- Water/facilities: Variable—bring your own supplies
Check Trails WA for detailed PSP route maps and current conditions.
Swan River Loops: The Scenic Riverside Standard
If you're new to cycling in Perth or you want a guaranteed good afternoon with friends, ride the Swan. The river paths are flat, beautiful, and busy enough that you feel part of the city—but not so crowded you can't breathe. Two main loops dominate local riding:
The City Loop runs from East Perth through the CBD, around Kings Park, and back via the south side. It's roughly 12–14 km depending on your start point, and there are cafés, bars, and water fountains throughout. This is where you take visitors. This is where you ride on a Sunday morning and chat the whole way.
The Lower Swan Loop extends further out, taking you through river suburbs toward the northern reaches—Caversham, Guildford—or south to suburbs like Nedlands and Crawley. It's still flat, still well-maintained, and the river widens beautifully as you head north.
- Best for: Families, social rides, beginners, people who like scenery with their exercise
- Surface: Sealed paths, some shared with pedestrians
- Traffic: None (separate from roads)
- Cafés: Abundant around the city loop; fewer as you head further out
These paths tie beautifully into longer adventures too. Ride the Swan loop, then branch off onto the PSPs heading south, or head into the suburbs for quieter neighbourhood routes.
Rottnest Island: The Iconic Ride
Rottnest is different. It's flat, it's iconic, and it's surrounded by water. The circuit around the island is roughly 30 km—manageable in a morning or afternoon for most riders, but the heat and wind can test you. We've ridden it in autumn and spring, and both had their challenges.
The road is sealed, the views are extraordinary, and you'll share it with cars (mostly slow-moving tourists). Bring plenty of water, start early, and be ready for exposed sections where there's no shade. The riding itself is straightforward—it's the elements that can catch you out.
You'll need to take the ferry from Perth to get there. See our Rottnest Island destination guide for ferry details and what else the island offers beyond the bike ride.
- Distance: Approximately 30 km full circuit
- Best for: Intermediate to confident riders; a memorable day out
- Surface: Sealed road
- Exposure: High—plan for heat and wind
- Facilities: Small shops and cafés at Thomson Bay; otherwise bring supplies
Munda Biddi Trail: The Long-Distance Adventure
If you're seriously into cycling, the Munda Biddi Trail starts at the southern edge of Perth's metropolitan area and stretches about 1000 km through Western Australia's south-west forests. For a Perth perspective, you might ride the first section—say, 50–80 km—as a weekend adventure or a day trip with a friend driving support.
The first few sections are beautiful: rolling hills, native forest, and the sense of proper adventure. It's unsealed, so you'll want a gravel or hybrid bike with decent clearance, and it's more technical than the urban paths we've covered. But it's genuinely outstanding if you've got the legs and the time.
More details and trail notes at Parks and Wildlife WA (now DBCA), which manages the trail.
Picking Your Ride: Practical Advice
Flat family rides: Start with the Swan River loops. They're safe, scenic, social, and you can stop for coffee whenever you like. No surprises, no hills, no need for a fancy bike.
Longer weekend distances: The PSPs are your friend. Pick a section, ride out, turn around, and you've got a solid 40–80 km depending on your mood. Or link PSPs to swan paths for variety.
Serious cyclists: Combine the PSPs for consistent distance, test yourself on Rottnest, or head out to the Munda Biddi for technical, longer terrain. Perth's suburbs also have neighbourhood networks—quieter streets in places like Fremantle or the Swan Valley—that offer good intermediate riding without being on a dedicated path.
Time of year: Autumn and spring are best—the heat from December to March can be brutal, especially on exposed sections like Rottnest. Winter is fine, though you might catch a southerly wind that makes you work harder than expected.
Getting Around Perth by Bike
Beyond dedicated paths, Perth itself is quite rideable. The city isn't densely packed like Melbourne or Sydney, so there's space, and many suburbs have quiet streets perfect for a bike. If you're staying in Perth and want to explore on two wheels, the Perth walking and trails explorer often includes cycling notes, and our Perth city destination guide has more on neighbourhood routes and local spots worth pedalling to.
The parks section of this site also flags trails and rides through some of Perth's bigger green spaces—Kings Park, Bold Park, and others—which offer pleasant, shorter spins when you've only got an hour or so.
Final Notes
Perth's bike paths are genuinely good. They're not crowded (compared to east coast cities), they're well-maintained, and they take you to interesting places. Bring water, use sunscreen, check the forecast for wind, and go ride. You'll understand quickly why locals love getting on two wheels here.