Perth East Foreshore and City Segway Tour

Perth is made for moving outdoors, and this tour gives you a quick, easy way to cover its riverfront without wearing out your feet. You learn the Segway at Barrack Street Jetty, then glide beside the Swan River toward East Perth, with city landmarks and open parkland along the way.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which gives guides time to help new riders. I also like the personal headset: you can hear the commentary while riding instead of trying to catch a few words over traffic and wind.

The main catch is the price, $99.70 per person for about 90 minutes. That is fair if you value the equipment, instruction, and personal guiding, but it may feel steep if you mainly want a ride and a few photo stops. The quality of the commentary also depends on your guide, so a lively leader such as Seth, Erin, Justine, or Andy can make a real difference.

Key points to know before you book

• A short training session comes first: You practice steering, stopping, and balancing before leaving Barrack Street Jetty.
• The route follows the Swan River: Expect river paths, East Perth, Claisebrook Cove, wetlands, and views toward Optus Stadium.
• You hear the guide through a headset: This is useful when the group is moving and the riverfront is open and windy.
• The group is capped at 10 people: You get more help than on a large sightseeing bus or crowded walking tour.
• The tour suits first-time riders: The Segway is described as easy to use, but you still need comfortable closed-toe shoes and a minimum weight of 45 kilograms.
• It runs in all weather: Dress for Perth conditions, including sun, wind, or rain.

Why a Segway works well in Perth

Perth’s best outdoor sights are spread along the Swan River. Walking lets you notice more detail, but a 90-minute walk would cover less ground. A Segway gives you a middle option: you stay outside, move at a useful pace, and avoid sitting inside a vehicle.

That matters here because the route links several different parts of the city. You begin around Barrack Street and Elizabeth Quay, then move through the riverfront toward East Perth. Along the way, you get views of Kings Park, the University of Western Australia, wetlands, city parkland, and Optus Stadium.

I would not book this as a substitute for a full Perth history tour. It is better understood as an active introduction to the city. You get a sense of how the river, central Perth, parkland, and sporting precinct fit together, with commentary added as you go.

The Segway itself is electric, quiet, and simple to operate once you get the feel of it. You control your movement by shifting your weight. The first few minutes can feel odd, especially when stopping or turning, but the orientation is designed to help you get comfortable before the tour leaves the meeting point.

Starting at Barrack Street Jetty

The meeting point is Segway Tours WA, Shop 3, Barrack Street Jetty, Perth WA 6000. The scheduled start time is 2:00 pm, and the experience finishes back at the same place.

This is a useful starting point because you are already near the Swan River and central Perth sights. You do not need hotel pickup, so plan your own way to the jetty and allow time to arrive before the start. Your booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile.

The first part is practical rather than scenic. Your guide introduces the Segway, supplies the required equipment, and gives you time to practice. Helmets and safety vests are included. You should wear flat, comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Sandals, high heels, or loose footwear would be a poor match for a machine that responds to your balance.

A small group helps here. New riders may need a little extra time to get used to the controls, and the guide can watch how each person is handling the Segway. The experience is not limited to experts. The minimum age is 12, and anyone under 18 must ride with a parent or guardian.

The Bell Tower and Perth’s riverfront beginning

One of the early points of interest is the Bell Tower, home to the Bells of St Martin in the Field from the United Kingdom. From the outside, it gives the route an immediate landmark and a connection between Perth and older British traditions.

The Bell Tower also helps you place the city. You are not starting in a remote park and being driven toward Perth. You begin right beside the central riverfront, where modern development and older civic features meet.

You should expect a sightseeing stop or passing view rather than a long visit inside the tower. The tour is built around riding, so the guide keeps the group moving. If the Bell Tower is important to you, treat this as an orientation point and plan a separate visit if you want a longer look.

Gliding beside the Swan River

The river is the heart of this outing. The route uses paths beside the Swan River, giving you open views and a different angle on Perth than you get from city streets.

I like this section because the Segway keeps the ride active without turning it into hard exercise. You can watch the water, city buildings, boats, bridges, and parkland while your guide explains Perth’s past and present through the headset.

The personal headset is one of the more useful inclusions. On a walking tour, a guide’s voice can fade when the group stretches out. On a Segway, you may be focused on riding, so clear audio helps you follow the commentary without needing to stop every few minutes.

The riverfront is also where weather matters most. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you need to dress for the forecast. Perth sun can be strong, while an afternoon breeze near the water can make the ride feel cooler. There is no food or drink included, so bring what you need for the 90-minute outing.

East Perth, Claisebrook Cove, and wetlands

The ride heads toward East Perth, a part of the route that gives the tour its local feel. Claisebrook Cove and the nearby riverfront show a quieter side of the city, with paths, water, and areas that feel removed from the central business district.

The itinerary also includes wetlands. This is a useful contrast with the Bell Tower and city development. You see how Perth’s river edge is not only a row of buildings and major attractions. There are natural areas and open spaces woven into the urban route.

One stop is described as feeling like a small European village. That likely refers to the more intimate character of parts of the East Perth waterfront, but the exact impression depends on the route and conditions that day. Think of it as a change of mood rather than a formal European-themed attraction.

This stretch is especially good for anyone who wants more than a quick circuit of the central city. You cover the riverfront at a steady pace and get a broader idea of Perth’s layout. The tradeoff is that the tour cannot linger at every site. You are seeing a collection of places, not taking detailed visits to each one.

Bridges, cricket, and Optus Stadium views

The route includes a bridge connection toward Perth Optus Stadium and a view across the Swan River to the stadium. These points add modern Perth to the tour.

The stadium is also linked with cricket in Western Australia, giving the guide a chance to explain the sporting role of the area. You may not stop for a stadium visit, but the views help show how the river is used as both a scenic corridor and a route through important city districts.

Bridges are good Segway stops because they provide a clear sense of direction. Looking across the water, you can understand the relationship between Perth’s central area, East Perth, and the stadium precinct. It is a more useful city lesson than simply ticking off one building after another.

The bridge sections may be less appealing if you want a slow, highly detailed architecture tour. The attraction here is movement and broad views. You get a look at how Perth works as a city, with the river shaping the route.

Kings Park, the university, and open parkland

The ride also offers views toward Kings Park and the University of Western Australia. These sights help explain Perth’s unusual balance between a compact city center and large areas of greenery.

You should be clear about the wording: this is not a full Kings Park visit. The route gives you views and context rather than the time to explore the park’s paths, gardens, and lookout points in depth. If Kings Park is high on your list, reserve separate time for it.

The same applies to the University of Western Australia. You may see it from the riverfront route, but the tour does not present it as a campus walking visit. Its value is as part of the wider view across the city and river.

The final stop is relaxing parkland overlooking Perth. That makes a sensible closing point. After the more active riding sections and city sights, an open view gives you a chance to pause, take photographs, and absorb the city from a distance before returning to the jetty.

How the guides shape the experience

The best part of a guided Segway tour is not only the machine. It is the person leading you. A guide must teach a new skill, keep a group together, point out sights, and make the commentary easy to follow while everyone is moving.

Several guides are named in the tour feedback, including Seth, Erin, Justine, and Andy. Seth is described as friendly and well informed. Erin is praised for being lively, patient, and tolerant while people learned to ride. Justine is described as friendly and helpful, while Andy made a point of remembering names and using them during the tour.

Those details matter. A first-time rider may feel awkward during the opening practice, and a patient guide can turn that uncertainty into fun. Remembering names also makes a small group feel more personal rather than anonymous.

The quality of the commentary can vary. One very unhappy participant felt the explanations were too thin and that the guide was not prepared. That criticism is worth taking seriously because the price depends partly on the guiding. Most of the available feedback is highly positive, but you should book this with the understanding that the guide’s energy and preparation are part of what you are paying for.

What $99.70 gets you

At $99.70 per person, this is not a cheap way to move around Perth. The price includes the Segway, helmet, safety vest, local guide, headset, instruction, and about 90 minutes of route time.

I think the value is strongest if you are curious about trying a Segway and want a guided introduction to Perth at the same time. You are paying for equipment and supervision as well as sightseeing. The small group, with no more than 10 people, also makes the price easier to justify than a large, impersonal tour.

The value is weaker if you already know Perth well, dislike guided activities, or want long stops at major attractions. In that case, a self-guided walk along the riverfront may give you more time and cost less.

The tour is booked, on average, 25 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last afternoon of a short Perth stay, especially if your schedule is tight. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, with the local start time used for the cutoff.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this to active families with children aged 12 or older, couples who want an unusual city introduction, and first-time Perth visitors who like being outdoors. It also suits anyone who wants to cover more ground than a walk without committing to a long bike ride.

The tour works for mixed ability levels because the guide provides training before departure. Still, riding a Segway requires balance and attention. Most people can participate, but the minimum weight is 45 kilograms, and the age rules are firm.

It is less suitable if you have trouble standing for 90 minutes, do not feel comfortable on small personal transporters, or are hoping for a museum-style history lesson. The experience is active, open-air, and dependent on your guide’s running commentary.

Should you book the Perth East Foreshore Segway Tour?

Book it if you want a fun first look at Perth that combines the Swan River, East Perth, city landmarks, wetlands, parkland, and Optus Stadium views in one outing. The training, headset, and 10-person limit make it approachable for beginners, while the route covers more ground than a standard walking tour.

I would choose it early in your Perth visit. You will get a useful sense of the city’s riverfront, then know which places deserve a longer return visit. At $99.70, it is a splurge, but a reasonable one if the Segway experience itself appeals to you.

Skip it if you want deep visits inside the Bell Tower, Kings Park, the university, or Optus Stadium. This is a moving overview, not a series of extended admissions. For the right person, though, it is an easygoing way to see Perth from the river’s edge and have a bit of fun along the way.

FAQ

Where does the Perth East Foreshore Segway Tour start?

It starts at Segway Tours WA, Shop 3, Barrack Street Jetty, Perth WA 6000, Australia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 2:00 pm.

How long does the Segway tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes back at the Barrack Street Jetty meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the Segway, helmet, safety vest, local guide, and headset.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I wear?

Wear flat, comfortable, closed-toe shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. The tour operates in all weather conditions.

What is the minimum age and weight?

The minimum age is 12 years, and the minimum weight is 100 pounds, or 45 kilograms. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.