Perth City Riverside Segway Tour

Perth becomes easier to read from a Segway. This one-hour ride follows the Swan River from Barrack Street Jetty through Elizabeth Quay, past the Bell Tower, and toward Kings Park. I like the quick training session and the personal radio system, which lets you listen to your guide without stopping every few minutes.

I also like the choice of morning, lunch, or afternoon departures, plus the small group size of no more than 10 people. The main consideration is that one hour passes quickly, and the tour needs good weather. The safety briefing is thorough, so you should allow time to get comfortable before the sightseeing really begins.

The guides make a real difference here. Harriet is praised for her clear instructions and friendly manner. Jill is especially good at calming nervous first-timers, while Justin has helped families and beginners find their balance. Seth adds humor to his city commentary, and Erin has been singled out for her warm, relaxed approach.

Key points to know before you book

• Training comes first: You receive instruction, an assessment, and safety equipment before setting off.
• Elizabeth Quay is the main stage: Expect river views, restaurants, river boats, black swans, and modern waterfront development.
• The route reaches beyond the quay: You ride toward the Perth Bell Tower, St Georges Terrace, Kings Park, and John Oldham Park.
• The guide stays in your ear: Personal radio communication makes it easier to hear history and directions while moving.
• It suits first-time riders: Several beginners found the Segway easier to control than expected after the practice session.
• Check the restrictions: 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.

Starting at Barrack Street Jetty

The tour starts at Segway Tours WA, Shop 3 at Barrack Street Jetty in Perth. This is a useful meeting point because it places you right beside the Swan River and close to Elizabeth Quay, rather than sending you out to a distant suburb.

The listed start time is 12:30 pm, although the tour also offers morning and afternoon options. Check the time shown for your selected booking, since the choice of departure can help you fit the ride around lunch, sightseeing, or other Perth plans.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the jetty, and the activity finishes back at the same meeting point. That return makes planning simple, especially if you are fitting this into a short visit or a day in port.

At the start, you receive the Segway, a helmet and other safety equipment. You also get rider training and an assessment. This is not a rushed glance at a few controls. The early instruction is designed to help you stop, steer, and manage the machine before you join the public paths.

Learning to ride without panic

If you have never used a Segway, the first few minutes may feel odd. The machine responds to your body position, so small movements matter. The good news is that the training has been a major strength of this tour, especially for people who arrive nervous about balance.

Jill is particularly praised for helping anxious beginners relax. Adam has also been patient with first-time riders, including a parent and child learning together. That patience matters because a rushed lesson can make the whole ride feel tense.

The safety briefing is described as thorough. That may slightly reduce the sightseeing time, but I see it as money well spent. You want the guide to explain the machine clearly before the group moves near other people, paths, fountains, and city traffic areas.

The tour is not recommended for people with some mobility or motor control issues. Pregnant riders are not permitted because of the risk of falling. Most people can take part, but the age and weight rules are firm: you must be at least 12 years old, over 45 kilograms, and under 118 kilograms. Anyone under 18 must have a parent or guardian with them.

Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River foreshore

Once the group is ready, the ride centers on Elizabeth Quay, Perth’s major waterfront development on the Swan River. This is where the tour feels most useful for a first visit. You get a quick sense of how the city meets the river, where the restaurants and shops are, and where river boats depart.

The route also passes areas used by Perth’s famous black swans. They are part of the character of the Swan River foreshore, and the ride gives you a chance to see the waterfront as more than a row of buildings and pavement.

Elizabeth Quay works well on a Segway because it combines open views with several points of interest close together. You can cover ground without spending the whole hour walking, yet you still move slowly enough to notice the river and public spaces around you.

The trade-off is that this is an introduction, not a long waterfront outing. You will not have extended time at each stop. If you want photographs, you may need to be ready to take them while the group pauses or moves at a gentle pace.

The Bell Tower, St Georges Terrace, and the city edge

The ride continues west past the Perth Bell Tower and through the Elizabeth Quay development. The Bell Tower is one of Perth’s best-known landmarks, and seeing it as part of the waterfront route helps connect the riverfront to the city center.

The tour also heads along St Georges Terrace toward Kings Park. This section gives you a useful look at Perth’s central business district and the way the city is arranged between the river and the park. Commentary adds context about the city’s development, including decisions made by early settlers that shaped the business district.

That historical layer is one reason the tour offers more than a novelty ride. You are not only learning to control a Segway. You are also hearing how Perth developed and why particular public areas function as they do today.

The radio equipment helps here. Instead of trying to stay shoulder to shoulder with the guide, you can hear the commentary through your personal radio while riding. That is especially helpful in a city setting, where road noise and open spaces can make ordinary conversation hard to follow.

John Oldham Park and the quieter green spaces

Near the base of Kings Park, the route explores John Oldham Park. This is one of the more appealing parts of the itinerary because it moves away from the busiest waterfront sights and into a greener setting.

The park includes fountains, waterfalls, and tucked-away areas of parkland. Those details give the ride some variety. After the modern structures and river views of Elizabeth Quay, the water features and garden paths offer a calmer change of pace.

You should not expect a full Kings Park visit. The tour reaches the base of the park and explores John Oldham Park, but this is still a one-hour city ride. If Kings Park is high on your list, plan a separate visit so you can walk farther and spend more time there.

Still, this section helps explain why the route is popular with people short on time. You see riverfront development, a landmark tower, city streets, fountains, waterfalls, and parkland in one compact outing. It gives you a useful first map of central Perth.

What the guide adds to the ride

The Segway is the obvious attraction, but the guide shapes the quality of the hour. Clear instructions matter during training, and good commentary keeps the ride from becoming a silent circuit around the river.

Jill’s mix of patience, humor, and city information is especially useful for first-timers. Harriet has been praised for giving clear directions while keeping the mood light. Seth brings a comic touch to his commentary, which may appeal to you if you prefer history delivered with a few laughs rather than a formal lecture.

Justin has also been praised as both an instructor and a guide, particularly with families. Erin brings a relaxed style to the ride. The variety of positive comments about individual guides suggests that staff attention is one of the strongest parts of the experience.

The personal radio is a practical feature, not just a technical extra. You can hear the guide while keeping your eyes on the path. That makes the ride safer and helps you follow the story without constantly turning your head.

Is $70.29 good value for one hour?

At $70.29 per person, this is not a cheap way to move around Perth. You are paying for the Segway, equipment, instruction, assessment, guide, radio system, and a small group rather than simply paying for transport.

The value improves if you are short on time or do not want to spend an hour walking between the riverfront, the Bell Tower, St Georges Terrace, and the park area. You cover several central sights while saving your feet for the rest of your day.

The price is also easier to justify if you have wanted to try a Segway. The machine itself is the activity, not just a way to get from one attraction to another. Many beginners found it easy to learn after the initial practice, which reduces the risk of paying for an experience that feels too difficult.

The value is weaker if you already know central Perth well or want a long, detailed visit to each location. You are getting an overview, not admission to an attraction or a full guided walk. I would book it as a lively introduction to Perth, not as the only sightseeing you do in the city.

The tour is usually booked about 31 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last moment if your schedule is fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Perth Segway tour?

This ride suits first-time visitors who want a quick orientation. You will see the central waterfront, learn a little about Perth’s development, and get suggestions for restaurants, shops, landmarks, and places to return to after the tour.

It also works well for families with older children. The minimum age is 12, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian. Since the group is limited to 10 people, the ride should feel more manageable than a large organized excursion.

Cruise passengers can use it if they can reach Perth from Fremantle and have enough time. One person with limited time after a cruise stop wished for more hours in Perth, so you should check your port schedule carefully. The tour does not include transport from Fremantle or hotel pickup.

Locals can enjoy it too. The route offers a different view of familiar places, and the guide commentary may point out details you normally pass without noticing. It is also a good choice if you want to test a Segway before using one on a future holiday.

I would think twice if you dislike machines that respond to body movement, have difficulty with balance or motor control, or want a slow, stop-heavy walking tour. The ride is gentle in effort, but it still requires attention and control.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

Arrive ready to listen during the training session. The lesson is meant to build confidence, and the people who got the most from the tour appear to have treated it as part of the experience rather than an interruption.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that allow you to stand and steer for the full hour. The information provided does not specify a dress code, but you will be riding outdoors around the river and park areas, so check the forecast before setting out.

Keep your sightseeing expectations realistic. You will pass several appealing places, but the tour ends back at Barrack Street Jetty. Use the ride to note where you want to return for a meal, a closer look at the Bell Tower, or more time in Kings Park.

The weather matters. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can cause cancellation or a date change. If your Perth schedule is tight, a backup plan is sensible.

Should you book the Perth City Riverside Segway Tour?

I would book this if you want a fun first look at Perth and like the idea of moving between the river, city, and park without a long walk. The training is a real strength, and the combination of radio commentary, small groups, and patient guides makes the activity approachable for beginners.

I would skip it if you want deep sightseeing at each stop, cannot meet the age or weight rules, or have mobility concerns that make a fall risk troubling. For everyone else, $70.29 buys a compact city introduction and a memorable new way to see Elizabeth Quay.

The best reason to choose it is simple: you get the thrill of learning something new, then use that skill to see several central Perth sights in one hour.

FAQ

Where does the Perth City Riverside Segway Tour start?

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

Where does the tour finish?

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

How long does the Segway tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

What age do you need to be?

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

What are the weight requirements?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.