Perth City Riverside Segway Tour

Perth’s Swan River foreshore is made for a Segway. You can cover Elizabeth Quay, the Bell Tower, St Georges Terrace, leafy parks, fountains, and waterfalls in about an hour without spending the whole day on foot. The ride itself is the main event, not just a way to get from one sight to the next.

I like the careful rider training and the personal radio system, which lets you hear the guide while moving. I also like the compact group size, capped at 10 people, and the mix of city sights, river views, and quiet park paths.

The main consideration is that this is still a balance-based activity. The safety briefing takes time, and some parts of the route can feel tricky at first. You must be at least 12 years old, weigh between 45 and 118 kilograms, and be comfortable with the physical demands of standing and steering.

Key points at a glance

• A one-hour route from Barrack Street Jetty: Start beside the Swan River and return to the same meeting point.
• Elizabeth Quay is the focus: Ride past restaurants, river boats, public spaces, and Perth’s famous black swans.
• The route reaches beyond the waterfront: Expect the Bell Tower, St Georges Terrace, John Oldham Park, fountains, waterfalls, and the base of Kings Park.
• Training comes before sightseeing: You receive instruction, a rider assessment, and safety equipment before setting off.
• Guides make a real difference: Jill, Justin, Harriet, Seth, Adam, and Erin are among the guides praised for patient instruction, humor, and useful commentary.
• Small groups keep it manageable: The maximum group size is 10, with morning, lunch, and afternoon departure choices available.

Starting beside the Swan River at Barrack Street Jetty

You meet at Segway Tours WA, Shop 3 at Barrack Street Jetty, Perth WA 6000. This places you right by the river and close to Elizabeth Quay, so the tour begins in one of the city’s most useful central locations.

The meeting point works well if you are already exploring the Perth CBD. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way there. The tour ends at the same spot, which makes it easy to continue with lunch, a river cruise, shopping, or a closer look at Elizabeth Quay after you finish.

The listed start time for this departure is 12:30 pm. Other tour choices may include morning or afternoon rides, giving you some control over how the activity fits into your day. Since the experience is often booked about a month ahead, I would reserve early if your Perth dates are fixed.

Learning to ride before the city tour begins

If you have never used a Segway, the first few minutes matter more than the sightseeing. You receive rider training, a safety assessment, and the required safety equipment. The aim is to help you control speed, direction, and stopping before you ride near other people or along the riverfront.

The machine responds to your balance and body movement. That can feel odd at first, especially if you are worried about falling. The instruction is designed to settle those nerves, and several guides receive specific praise for being patient and clear. Jill is noted for building confidence quickly, while Adam is praised for taking his time with first-time riders. Justin also receives credit for strong coaching.

You should not treat the training as a formality. It is part of the experience and takes up some of the one-hour tour. That is a fair trade. A short lesson at the start gives you a better chance of enjoying the rest of the ride instead of concentrating only on your feet.

Some riders find the first turns or uneven sections tricky. That is normal, but it means this is not the right outing if you want a completely passive sightseeing trip. You are standing, balancing, steering, and paying attention for the full ride.

Elizabeth Quay and Perth’s black swans

Once you are comfortable, the tour moves through Elizabeth Quay, Perth’s major riverfront development in the center of the CBD. You pass restaurants, river boats, public spaces, and the broad Swan River foreshore.

Elizabeth Quay is useful as a first stop because it gives you a quick sense of modern Perth. Instead of seeing only isolated buildings, you get a feel for how the city meets the river. The area also serves as a practical place to return after the tour if you want to eat or continue sightseeing.

Look toward the water for Perth’s well-known black swans. The route explores parts of the foreshore where they make their nests. Their presence adds a distinctly local touch to what could otherwise be a standard city-center ride.

The riverfront can also be busy. You need to steer with care around people and other activity, and you may not always move at the speed you expect. That is one reason the small group limit matters. A guide can keep the group together and offer instructions through the personal radio system.

Passing the Bell Tower and crossing the Elizabeth Quay Bridge

The route heads west past the Perth Bell Tower and through the Elizabeth Quay area toward the Elizabeth Quay Bridge. These are some of the clearest visual markers on the ride, and they help you understand Perth’s central waterfront layout.

The Bell Tower is especially useful as a city landmark. From a Segway, you can take in the structure without committing to a long walking route between sights. The tour does not present itself as a full architectural visit, so expect to see the landmarks from the route rather than spend long periods inside them.

The bridge and quay also show the contrast between Perth’s river edge and its business district. The ride connects open waterfront space with the streets and buildings around the CBD, then moves toward the greener area near Kings Park.

Your guide’s commentary adds context as you go. Seth is praised for combining useful information with a playful style, while Jill is noted for informative and humorous commentary. The radio equipment is a small but important feature here. You can keep your eyes on the route while listening, rather than stopping every few minutes to gather around the guide.

St Georges Terrace and the route toward Kings Park

The tour continues along St Georges Terrace toward the base of Kings Park. This section gives you a look at Perth’s central business district and the way the city was planned around the river and nearby parkland.

One of the more useful parts of the commentary concerns the decisions made by early settlers and how those choices helped shape Perth’s business center. You are not simply gliding past buildings. You get some explanation of why the city functions as it does and how its public spaces developed.

The route toward Kings Park also gives the hour a sense of movement. You begin beside the river, pass major city sights, then reach a greener setting without needing a bus or taxi. I like that change of scene. It makes the tour feel broader than a short circuit around Elizabeth Quay.

Still, do not book this expecting to explore all of Kings Park. The description places the ride at the base of the park and includes John Oldham Park, rather than promising a full park tour. The time limit keeps the experience focused and manageable, but it also means the ride offers an introduction rather than an exhaustive look at Perth.

John Oldham Park, fountains, and waterfalls

John Oldham Park brings the quietest and most scenic section of the tour. Here you ride through parkland and see fountains, waterfalls, and less obvious corners away from the main waterfront.

This is where the Segway earns its keep. You can cover more ground than on foot while still moving slowly enough to notice the plants, water features, and changing surroundings. The park section also provides a break from the more built-up parts of the route.

The fountains and waterfalls give the guide natural points for commentary and photographs, although the experience is primarily a moving tour. If you want long, quiet stops for pictures, you may find the one-hour format a little brisk. If you want a broad first look at Perth, the pace works well.

The park also explains why the tour is useful early in a Perth visit. You see the riverfront, a key landmark, the business district, and public gardens in one short outing. That gives you a map in your head for later walks.

What the guides add to the ride

The machine may get you to book, but the guide shapes the quality of the hour. You might be led by Harriet, Adam, Seth, Justin, Jill, Erin, or another member of the Segway Tours WA team. The specific guide is not guaranteed, but the guide feedback points to a consistent need: clear instruction and a relaxed manner.

Harriet is praised for friendly, direct coaching. Adam is noted for patience with new riders. Justin receives credit for making the lesson fun while still explaining the controls. Jill is singled out for professionalism, humor, and the ability to calm nervous riders. Seth brings a comic touch to the commentary, and Erin is remembered for her enthusiasm on an evening ride.

That range matters because beginners often need reassurance more than a long lecture. The best guides help you stop worrying about balance so you can notice Perth around you.

The personal radio is another practical advantage. You can hear the guide’s history and route information without standing shoulder to shoulder. It also means commentary can continue while the group is moving, though you still need to focus on steering and surroundings.

Is $70.29 good value for one hour?

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

The value comes from combining instruction, equipment, a guide, and a route that links several parts of central Perth. You are paying for the experience of riding a Segway as much as for the sightseeing. If you have always wanted to try one, the price is easier to justify. The training removes much of the guesswork, and the small group keeps the outing personal.

It is also useful if your time is limited. In one hour, you can cover ground between the riverfront, Bell Tower, St Georges Terrace, the Elizabeth Quay Bridge, and the parkland near Kings Park. A walking route covering the same range would take longer and require more energy.

The value is weaker if you dislike balance-based activities or prefer to stop often. In that case, a free walk or longer guided city tour may suit you better. I would choose this ride for the combination of novelty and orientation, not as a substitute for every major Perth attraction.

Who should book, and who should think twice?

This tour suits first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to Perth. It also works for families with older children, couples, and locals looking for a different way to see familiar city spaces. The 12-year minimum keeps it aimed at older children and adults, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

It can be a good choice before a longer Perth sightseeing day because it shows you where the riverfront, CBD, and park areas connect. It also suits cruise passengers with limited time in the city, though you must allow enough time to reach Barrack Street Jetty from your arrival point.

You should think twice if you have mobility or motor-control difficulties. The activity is not recommended for some people with those concerns, and pregnant people cannot take part because of the risk of falling. Weight rules also apply: you must weigh more than 45 kilograms and less than 118 kilograms.

Weather matters, too. The tour requires good conditions, so poor weather can lead to a date change or a full refund. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, refunds and changes are not accepted.

My verdict on the Perth Riverside Segway Tour

I would book this if I had one free hour in central Perth and wanted something more active than a standard walking tour. The best parts are the confidence-building lesson, the riverfront route, and the shift from Elizabeth Quay to John Oldham Park.

The ride offers more than a quick novelty. You get a practical introduction to Perth’s layout, useful local commentary, and a chance to see black swans, the Bell Tower, public gardens, fountains, and waterfalls in a compact outing.

Book it if you are open to learning a new balance skill and want a lively first look at the city. Skip it if you need a slow, stop-and-study sightseeing experience or have concerns about balance and motor control. For the right rider, $70.29 is a reasonable price for a small-group introduction that saves your feet and adds a little adventure.

FAQ

Where does the Perth City Riverside Segway Tour start?

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

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the Barrack Street Jetty meeting point.

How long does the Segway tour last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour.

What time does the listed tour start?

The listed start time is 12:30 pm. Morning, lunch, and afternoon ride choices are also available.

Is Segway training included?

Yes. Rider training and assessment are included, along with safety equipment and use of the Segway.

Do I hear the guide while riding?

Yes. Personal radio communication is provided so you can listen to the guide during the tour.

What age must I be to join?

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 over 45 kilograms and under 118 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.