Oszea Coastal Sand sneakers on a wet Swan River path in Perth

Wet-Weather Guide to Perth: Winter Rain and What to Wear on Your Feet

Perth's rain is concentrated in winter. At the Bureau of Meteorology's Perth Metro station, the monthly averages for May to September add up to about 559 mm, roughly three-quarters of the 727 mm annual average, while December to February together average under 40 mm. July is the peak, with about 144 mm falling over nearly 15 rain days. So if you live in Perth or are visiting between May and September, plan for regular showery days, cool mornings and wet footpaths, then enjoy a summer that is almost bone dry.

What the numbers say

The table below uses BoM climate averages for Perth Metro (site 009225). Rainfall averages are based on about 30 years of data and rain-day averages on 34 years, both between 1993 and 2026. A rain day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain.

Month Mean rainfall Rain days (≥1 mm)
January 15.9 mm 1.6
February 12.5 mm 1.2
March 21.6 mm 2.6
April 35.2 mm 4.7
May 84.5 mm 8.5
June 126.9 mm 11.7
July 144.3 mm 14.6
August 124.3 mm 13.1
September 78.7 mm 10.6
October 40.0 mm 6.0
November 24.0 mm 3.8
December 9.6 mm 1.8
Year 726.9 mm 80.2

June, July and August alone account for about 395 mm, more than half the year's rain. Winter is mild rather than cold, with July averaging an 18.5°C maximum and an 8.1°C minimum at the same station, compared with a 31.4°C maximum in January. That means rain, not cold, is the main thing to dress for. Perth's rain pattern is quite different from the east coast. Our look at rainy days in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shows how much more evenly those cities' rain is spread.

Kings Park and the river foreshore in the wet

Kings Park is free to enter and open every day, and its bushland walk trails are lovely after rain, when the paths are washed clean and the bush smells fresh. The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority also runs free guided "Discover Kings Park" walks at 10am and 1pm daily. On a showery day, stick to the sealed paths near the main precinct and the gardens, and save the longer bushland trails for a break in the weather. The escarpment views over the river and city are often at their most dramatic when a winter front is rolling in.

The Swan River foreshore works well between showers. A simple loop is to walk the city side around Elizabeth Quay, then take the Transperth ferry across Perth Water to Mends Street Jetty in South Perth and walk the South Perth foreshore. The ferry gives you a covered break mid-walk, and you can catch it back if the next band of rain arrives. Expect puddles and wet grass along the foreshore reserves.

Cottesloe and Scarborough in winter

Perth's beaches are quieter and moodier in winter, which is part of their appeal.

  • Cottesloe stretches about 1.5 km between North Cottesloe and Mosman Park, and is reachable by train. The Indiana Tea House, built in 1996, is the landmark on the beachfront. A winter walk along the sand or the grassed foreshore is a classic Perth outing between fronts. Keep an eye on the sky over the ocean, as showers arrive quickly from the west.
  • Scarborough, about a 20-minute drive north-west of the city with regular buses, has a long beach, regular swell and a busy foreshore of cafés and restaurants. Its trump card for winter is the Scarborough Beach Pool on the promenade: geothermally heated and open year-round, with the main lap pool kept at 27°C and a shallow leisure pool at 32°C. A swim on a grey July day is surprisingly pleasant.

Damp sand and wet grass are the main hazards for your shoes here. Shake them out, rinse off any salt, and let them air dry rather than leaving them in a hot car.

Fremantle on a rainy day

Fremantle is one of the best places in the metro area to spend a wet day, because so much of it is indoors and walkable from Fremantle Station.

  • Fremantle Markets (74 South Terrace), running since 1897, open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday Mondays. The Hall opens 9am–6pm and the Yard 8am–6pm.
  • Fremantle Prison, described as Western Australia's only World Heritage-listed building, runs a range of guided tours including the Convict Prison, Behind Bars and Tunnels tours. Book ahead and check tour conditions.
  • WA Maritime Museum on Victoria Quay, open 9:30am–5pm daily (with some public-holiday closures), home to the America's Cup-winning yacht Australia II. The museum notes external cladding works running from April to September 2026, with the museum and café staying open.

Between them, the cappuccino strip and the historic West End streets are good for short, puddle-dodging walks.

Commuting in Perth's wet season

Winter showers in Perth often come in bursts, so the trick is to stay flexible and minimise long exposed walks.

  • Use the free options in the city. Transperth's CAT buses are free, high-frequency services in central Perth and Joondalup. There is also a Free Transit Zone: bus trips that start and finish within the zone are free, and train trips between City West, Elizabeth Quay and Claisebrook stations are free with a SmartRider or contactless payment, as long as you tag on and off.
  • Know your indoor stops. The Art Gallery of Western Australia in the Perth Cultural Centre is free (a voluntary donation is invited) and open 10am–5pm daily, a good place to wait out a downpour.
  • Keep a change of socks at work and let your shoes dry fully between wears. Our guide to drying wet shoes without damaging them has the details.

What to wear on your feet

For Perth's winter, which means showers, wet footpaths, foreshore puddles and damp grass, but rarely real cold, a waterproof everyday sneaker is a practical middle ground between a summer runner and a heavy boot. We make Oszea, so weigh this accordingly: our Tasman Essentials and Urban Essentials use our ZEA-TEX 4-layer construction, a breathable knit outer over a waterproof membrane, a flexible elastomer layer and a soft lining. They are designed for rain, puddles and wet grass, are lightweight and vegan-friendly, and wipe clean and air dry. Because Perth's winter days can still reach the high teens, breathability matters; we explain how waterproof shoes stay breathable.

The honest limits: they are not running shoes, hiking boots or trail shoes, and they are not for wading at the beach or standing in the shallows. If you are heading out on longer bush or hill walks beyond the city, a proper trail shoe or hiking boot is the right tool; see our hiking and trail shoe guide. Fit is true to size and neutral, so size up for wider feet. Every pair has a 30-day trial and our 1-year Dry-Socks Guarantee covering waterproofing and manufacturing faults under normal everyday wear.

FAQ

When is the rainy season in Perth?

May to September. At BoM's Perth Metro station those five months average about 559 mm of the 727 mm annual total, with July the wettest month at about 144 mm.

How many rainy days does Perth get?

About 80 days a year with at least 1 mm of rain, according to BoM's Perth Metro averages. July has the most, at about 14.6, while January and February average fewer than two each.

Is Perth cold in winter?

Not by southern standards. July averages an 18.5°C maximum and an 8.1°C minimum at Perth Metro. Mornings are cool, but the bigger issue is the rain.

What can I do in Perth on a rainy day?

Fremantle Markets (Friday to Sunday), Fremantle Prison tours, the WA Maritime Museum, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and a heated swim at Scarborough Beach Pool are all good choices.

Are Perth beaches worth visiting in winter?

Yes, for walks rather than swims. Cottesloe and Scarborough are quieter and dramatic between fronts. Just watch for incoming showers and expect damp sand and grass.

Sources

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