Perth Riverside Segway Tour

Perth’s riverfront is made for a Segway. In one hour, you can cover the Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay, the Swan River edge, John Oldham Park and the Elizabeth Quay suspension bridge without wearing out your shoes. The best part is the mix of easy sightseeing and mild adventure: you are moving fast enough to see plenty, but slowly enough to hear the guide.

I like the small groups of up to 10 people, which should make it easier to get help during the training and ask questions along the way. I also like the radio headsets, since you can hear the guide while moving instead of stopping every few minutes. The main consideration is that a Segway still requires balance and control, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility or motor-control issues, or anyone outside the weight limits.

Key points

• One-hour riverfront route: See the Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay, John Oldham Park and the suspension bridge in a compact tour.
• Training comes first: You receive instruction, an assessment and safety equipment before setting off.
• Small English-speaking group: The tour is limited to 10 participants and includes a radio headset.
• Good guide support: Guides including Harriet, Winona, Jill, Erin and Adam have been praised for patient teaching and useful Perth stories.
• Clear age and weight limits: You must be at least 12 years old and weigh between 45 and 118 kilograms.
• Useful first-day activity: The guide points out other things to do in Perth, helping you plan the rest of your visit.

Starting at Barrack Street Jetty

The tour begins at Shop 3, Barrack Street Jetty, across from pier 2. This puts you right beside Perth’s central riverfront, so the setting feels local from the first minute rather than like a bus excursion that starts far from the action.

Allow time to find the meeting point and get ready. You will be fitted with safety equipment, introduced to the Segway and given rider training. The training and assessment are included in the price, and that matters because many people arrive having never used one before.

The Segway responds to your body movement. You lean forward to move, shift back to slow down and use the controls to steer. That can sound awkward, but the repeated praise for clear, patient instruction is useful here. Guides such as Harriet, Erin, Adam and Winona have helped first-time riders get moving with confidence.

You should not treat the training as a formality. Listen closely, practise stopping and make sure you are comfortable before the group leaves the jetty. The tour is short, so time spent learning is time well spent. It helps prevent nerves from taking over once you reach public paths.

Cruising past the Bell Tower and along the Swan River

Once everyone is ready, the route heads past the Perth Bell Tower and along the Swan River. This is where the Segway earns its place over a walking tour. You cover more ground with less effort, while still moving slowly enough to notice the water, city buildings and riverside spaces.

The Swan River is the visual thread of the outing. Instead of seeing Perth only as a collection of downtown streets, you get a sense of how the city works around its waterfront. The ride also gives you a different view of familiar sights. A long-term Perth resident could still learn something from the route, especially with a guide adding local context.

Your radio headset is a practical touch. You can keep moving and still hear the guide’s explanation of Perth’s past and present. This avoids the common problem on outdoor tours where the people at the back miss half the commentary.

The ride is not presented as a thrill course. It is a guided city outing, with the fun coming from the unusual way you move through Perth. You will still need to watch your path and follow instructions. If you want a fast, free-form ride, this may feel too controlled. If you want an active sightseeing tour with guidance, the format makes sense.

Elizabeth Quay brings the city and river together

The route continues into the Elizabeth Quay development, one of the main attractions of the tour. The area gives you a chance to see how Perth’s central city connects with the Swan River through public spaces, paths and modern waterfront construction.

A Segway works well here because you can pass through the area without committing to a long walk between separate points. The tour does not simply take you to one viewpoint and turn back. It uses Elizabeth Quay as part of a wider loop, linking the Bell Tower, riverfront and parkland.

Your guide also talks about current events and other things to do in Perth. That makes this more useful than a simple ride. If this is one of your first activities in the city, pay attention to those suggestions. You may leave with ideas for the rest of the day or for another part of your visit.

The attraction here is the contrast. Elizabeth Quay feels planned and urban, while the next section at John Oldham Park brings trees, water and a quieter setting. That change of mood gives the one-hour route a good rhythm.

John Oldham Park adds a splash of nature

John Oldham Park is the most relaxed section of the ride. The park is known on this route for its waterfall and fountains, giving you a welcome break from the hard surfaces of the city center.

This is also one of the reasons the Segway tour reaches places a short walking visit might skip. A person walking from one downtown sight to another may not bother making the extra trip, especially in warm weather. On a Segway, the park becomes part of the natural loop.

Do not expect a long nature outing. The whole activity lasts one hour, and the park is one stop within that time. Its value is the change of scenery and the chance to see a softer side of central Perth.

The park section also highlights a practical truth about this tour: you are not just paying to use a Segway. You are paying for a planned route that combines city attractions, river views and greenery in a limited amount of time. That is useful if your Perth schedule is tight.

Crossing the Elizabeth Quay suspension bridge

The return leg crosses the Elizabeth Quay suspension bridge before heading back to the starting point. This gives the tour a clear shape rather than a simple out-and-back ride.

A bridge crossing is also a fitting final piece of the route. You have seen the river from its edge, visited the quay and passed through parkland. Now the route carries you across the waterfront before returning to Barrack Street Jetty.

The bridge is likely to be one of the more memorable photo spots, so bring a camera as suggested. Still, keep your attention on safe riding and the guide’s instructions. The tour is designed to keep the group together, not to stop for a long photography session at every attraction.

What the guides add to the experience

The guides are a major part of the value. The operator uses accredited guides, and the strongest pattern in the feedback is not just friendliness. It is the combination of clear Segway teaching, patience and Perth information.

Jill is praised for adding small historical details while keeping the outing friendly and entertaining. Winona is described as a supportive instructor with an upbeat manner, while Harriet helped nervous first-time riders feel comfortable. Erin offered the same kind of reassurance to an older participant who began the tour apprehensively.

Other guides, including Adam, Justin, Amy, Leanne, Dave and Seth, have also been praised for clear instruction and useful local facts. You should not expect the same person every time, but the guide’s role is consistent: teach you how to ride, keep the group safe and explain what you are seeing.

The radio communication helps make that work. You can hear instructions and commentary without crowding around the guide. For a small outdoor group, that is a real advantage.

Is $69 good value for one hour?

At $69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look around Perth. A walk along the riverfront costs nothing, and you can visit several of these areas on your own.

The value comes from combining equipment, instruction, safety gear, a guide and a planned route. You are also paying to cover more ground than a walking tour, without arranging your own route or researching the city in advance.

I think the price makes the most sense if you are new to Perth, have only a short time in the city or want an activity that is more active than a standard sightseeing walk. It is also useful for families with teenagers, couples and adults who enjoy trying something different.

For a local who already knows the riverfront well, the cost is harder to justify unless the Segway ride itself is the main attraction. The one-hour duration keeps the commitment manageable, but it also limits the amount of time available at each sight. You are sampling several areas, not touring them in depth.

The high rating and repeated praise for the instructors suggest that the teaching is an important part of what you receive. That matters most if you are a first-time rider. A poor lesson could ruin the activity, while patient instruction can turn an unfamiliar machine into a simple way to get around.

Who should book this Perth Segway tour?

This tour suits you if you:

• Want to see several central Perth sights in one hour
• Prefer active sightseeing to a standard walking tour
• Are visiting Perth for the first time
• Like learning local facts while moving through the city
• Are travelling with teenagers aged 12 or older
• Feel nervous about a Segway but are willing to follow instructions

You may want to skip it if you have mobility or motor-control problems, are pregnant or dislike activities that involve a risk of falling. The operator also requires riders to weigh at least 45 kilograms and no more than 118 kilograms. Anyone under 18 must be with a parent or guardian, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Wear flat, covered shoes and clothing suited to the weather. Do not arrive after drinking alcohol. These are simple rules, but they affect both comfort and safety.

Booking and cancellation details

The tour runs in English and is limited to 10 participants. You can reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if you are still arranging your Perth plans. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The meeting point is central, at Barrack Street Jetty across from pier 2.

FAQ

How long is the Perth Riverside Segway Tour?

The tour lasts one hour.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $69 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

It meets at Shop 3, Barrack Street Jetty, Barrack Street, Perth 6000, across from pier 2.

What sights does the route include?

The route passes the Perth Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River, then visits John Oldham Park before returning across the Elizabeth Quay suspension bridge.

Is Segway training included?

Yes. Rider training and assessment, safety equipment, an experienced guide and a personal radio communication system are included.

What age must participants be?

Participants must be at least 12 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Are there weight or health restrictions?

Participants must weigh between 45 and 118 kilograms. Pregnant women cannot take part, and the activity is not recommended for people with mobility or motor-control issues.

Should you book it?

I would book this if you want a compact introduction to Perth that mixes river views, city landmarks and a little adventure. The strongest reason is the teaching: first-time riders are given training, a small group makes support easier, and the radio headset lets you hear the guide as you move.

The $69 price is reasonable for the equipment, instruction and guided route, but it is not a bargain if you only want to see Elizabeth Quay. Book it for the experience of riding through Perth, not just for a checklist of sights. If you meet the age, weight and health requirements and want an active first look at the city, this is a smart one-hour choice.