Perth City Riverside Segway Tour

Elizabeth Quay is made for seeing at a gentle pace, and a Segway lets you cover the riverfront without wearing out your feet. You’ll glide past the Bell Tower, riverside gardens, fountains and waterfalls, with the Swan River and its black swans close by.

I like the careful training and the personal radio system, which lets you hear the guide while moving. I also like the choice of morning, lunch or afternoon departures. The catch is simple: one hour goes quickly, and the tour is weather dependent.

Key points to know before you book

• Start at Barrack Street Jetty: Meet at Shop 3, Barrack Street Jetty, in central Perth, then return to the same point.
• Training comes first: You receive instruction, a riding assessment and safety equipment before leaving.
• The route links several sights: Expect Elizabeth Quay, the Bell Tower, the Swan River foreshore, John Oldham Park and the approach to Kings Park.
• Personal radios improve the tour: You can hear the guide’s history and directions without needing to stay shoulder to shoulder.
• Small groups keep things manageable: The maximum group size is 10 people.
• Check the rules carefully: Riders must be at least 12 years old, weigh over 45 kilograms and under 118 kilograms, and be accompanied by a parent or guardian if under 18.

Why a Segway works well in central Perth

Perth’s center spreads along the Swan River, with Elizabeth Quay at its most accessible meeting point. You can walk this area, but the distances add up if you also want to reach the gardens and the lower approach to Kings Park. A Segway gives you more range in roughly an hour.

This is not a high-speed ride. The point is to move at a relaxed pace while taking in the riverfront and listening to the guide. You get the feel of an outdoor city tour, but without spending the whole time watching your feet.

The machines are easier to learn than many first-timers expect. That does not mean you simply step on and go. The tour begins with instruction and an assessment, and the staff take safety seriously. Jill, Justin, Adam, Harriet, Seth and Erin are among the guides named in customer feedback, with particular praise for clear teaching, patience, humor and useful local commentary.

That combination matters. A Segway can feel awkward for the first few minutes, especially if you are nervous about balance or turning. A calm instructor can make the difference between spending the tour tense and actually enjoying the ride.

Getting started at Barrack Street Jetty

You meet at Segway Tours WA, Shop 3 at Barrack Street Jetty, Barrack Street, Perth. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup or figure out where the tour finishes.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are already in central Perth, the meeting point is practical because the tour begins beside the river and Elizabeth Quay. If you are coming from elsewhere, allow time to reach the jetty before the stated start time.

The supplied departure information lists a 12:30 pm start, while the tour is also offered at morning, lunch and afternoon times. Check the exact option available when booking. The timing can make a difference in Perth’s heat and in how the ride fits around meals, sightseeing or a cruise visit.

The group limit is 10 people. That is small enough for the guide to keep an eye on new riders, give directions clearly and pause when needed. It also avoids the feel of a large convoy moving through a public park.

Training that settles first-time nerves

Before the sightseeing begins, you receive rider training, safety equipment and an assessment. This is the part to take seriously, even though the controls tend to become intuitive fairly quickly.

Your guide explains how to move, stop and steer, then gives you time to gain confidence. New riders have described the first lesson as enough to calm their nerves, including people who worried about balance before arriving. That is useful reassurance, but you still need reasonable control and motor ability to take part safely.

The tour is not recommended for people with some mobility or motor control issues. Pregnant people are not permitted to ride because of the risk of falling. Most people can participate, but the age and weight limits are firm: you must be at least 12 years old, weigh more than 45 kilograms and less than 118 kilograms.

Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian along. These details are easy to overlook when booking a family activity, so check them before paying.

Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River foreshore

Once training is complete, the ride moves into Elizabeth Quay. This is Perth’s major riverfront redevelopment, with restaurants, shops, river boats and open public areas gathered around the Swan River.

The Segway suits this setting because you can move between the main points without the stop-and-start rhythm of a walking group. Your guide points out new developments and explains how the area fits into central Perth. You also get views toward the river, where the city’s black swans are a distinctive part of the scene.

Elizabeth Quay is a useful first stop for anyone new to Perth. It gives you a quick sense of the city’s relationship with the Swan River, while also showing you places you may want to revisit after the ride. The restaurants and river boats make it easy to turn the tour into part of a longer afternoon in the city.

The main limitation is time. You are seeing the area from a moving platform, not stopping for long visits inside attractions. If you want detailed architectural study or a leisurely meal by the water, plan to return after the tour.

The Bell Tower and the city edge

The route heads west past the Perth Bell Tower. The tower is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, and seeing it as part of a broader riverfront route gives you useful bearings.

This portion of the ride also helps connect Elizabeth Quay with Perth’s business district and the road toward Kings Park. The guide’s commentary adds context about the city’s development and the decisions made by early settlers that shaped the central business area.

The personal radio system is especially helpful here. Instead of trying to hear a guide over city noise while riding, you receive the commentary directly through the provided equipment. You can pay attention to the surroundings while still catching the historical details and instructions.

The radio does not turn this into a formal history tour. The main attraction remains the Segway itself, with the commentary adding a layer of context. If you want a long, detailed account of Perth’s past, this one-hour format will feel brief. If you want a lively introduction, it fits the job well.

John Oldham Park, fountains and waterfalls

The route continues toward John Oldham Park, where the city becomes greener and quieter. This section is one of the best reasons to choose the ride instead of staying only around the quay.

The park includes less obvious areas of greenery, fountains and waterfalls. You get a change from the open riverfront and city streets, with paths leading through planted areas and beside moving water. The route gives you a look at a softer side of central Perth without requiring a long walk uphill or across several separate park areas.

The approach toward the base of Kings Park adds another useful perspective. You do not get a full Kings Park visit in this one-hour tour, but you reach the lower area and see how the park relates to the riverfront and central city.

Because the tour moves through public spaces, conditions can vary. You may need to follow the guide closely, slow down in tighter sections and pay attention to other people using the paths. The instructors are safety conscious, and the early assessment helps them judge how comfortable the group is before tackling the route.

What the guide adds to the ride

A good Segway tour depends heavily on the person leading it. The guide has to teach a new skill, manage a small group, watch the route and keep the talk interesting. This is where the experience appears strongest.

Harriet is described as friendly and clear with her instructions. Jill is praised for patience, professionalism and humor, particularly during the training and the ride through Elizabeth Quay and toward Kings Park. Justin helped nervous first-timers and families settle in, while Seth is noted for an informative style with a comic touch.

Those details tell you what to expect from the best version of the tour: practical coaching first, then relaxed local commentary. The guide is not simply pointing at landmarks. You receive directions through the radio, historical background and occasional humor while learning to handle the machine.

Guide quality can vary from one departure to another, as it does with any guided activity. Still, the range of positive comments about named instructors suggests that the operator puts real attention into training and presentation.

Is $70.29 good value for one hour?

At $70.29 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Perth. You can walk around Elizabeth Quay for free, and a self-guided stroll gives you more time at each individual sight.

The price makes more sense if you value three things: the Segway lesson, the compact route and the guide’s commentary. You are paying for the equipment, safety gear, instruction, rider assessment and a small-group guide, not simply for transport from one point to another.

I see the strongest value for first-time visitors with limited time. In one hour, you cover riverfront sights, a major landmark, gardens and the approach to Kings Park. It also works well after arriving from a cruise, when you want an organized look at Perth but do not have a full day in the city.

It is less compelling if you already know Perth well or prefer to linger. You could spend the same hour walking more slowly, photographing Elizabeth Quay or visiting a specific attraction. The Segway is the reason to book, not just a way to avoid walking.

The maximum group size of 10 helps support the price. You are not joining a huge crowd, and the instruction has room to be personal. The return to the starting point also saves you the cost and hassle of arranging transport at the end.

Who will enjoy this most

This tour suits first-time visitors who want quick orientation, families with eligible children and couples looking for an activity with a bit more character than a standard walk. It also works for locals who want to try a Segway and see familiar parts of Perth from a different angle.

It is a good choice if you are nervous about riding. The training is thorough, and several guides are noted for calming beginners. Wear practical clothing and arrive ready to listen, since confidence comes from following the instructions rather than trying to rush the lesson.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant people, anyone outside the weight limits or children under 12. It may not suit people with mobility or motor control problems, and you should not book it if you are unwilling to balance, steer and stop on your own.

Weather matters too. The activity requires good conditions. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Timing, cancellation and useful planning notes

The duration is about one hour. That makes it easy to fit before lunch, after a morning activity or ahead of dinner in Elizabeth Quay. If you want to eat at the quay or explore the Bell Tower area afterward, the central finish point is convenient.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with the average booking made 31 days before departure. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a useful sign for anyone planning a Perth visit around fixed cruise or holiday dates.

You receive confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile, so there is no need for a printed voucher. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted, and a late cancellation is not refunded.

Should you book the Perth City Riverside Segway Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, compact introduction to Perth and like the idea of learning a new way to move around the city. The strongest parts are the careful instruction, radio commentary, small group and route linking Elizabeth Quay, the Bell Tower, the Swan River foreshore, John Oldham Park and the lower Kings Park area.

Skip it if you want long stops, a full Kings Park visit or the lowest-cost way to see the riverfront. You also need to meet the age, weight and physical requirements.

For a first visit, especially with only a short window in Perth, I think the tour earns its price. You get a practical orientation, a memorable activity and enough information to decide where to return on foot afterward.

FAQ

Where does the Perth City Riverside Segway Tour start?

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

Where does the tour finish?

The activity finishes back at the Barrack Street Jetty meeting point.

How long does the Segway tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

What time does the tour start?

The supplied booking information lists a 12:30 pm start. Morning, lunch and afternoon ride options are also available, so check the exact departure when booking.

What sights are included on the route?

The route includes Elizabeth Quay, the Swan River foreshore, the Perth Bell Tower, John Oldham Park, fountains, waterfalls and the approach to the base of Kings Park.

Is Segway training provided?

Yes. The tour includes rider training, a safety assessment and all safety equipment.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A tour guide leads the experience and provides commentary through personal radio communication equipment.

How old must you be to ride?

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

Are there weight restrictions?

Yes. Riders must weigh more than 45 kilograms and less than 118 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted. If poor weather cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund.