Ride the Swan River without breaking a sweat. This Perth City Riverside Segway Tour is a low-effort way to tour Elizabeth Quay’s foreshore and nearby CBD highlights, with a guided loop that mixes parks, viewpoints, and riverside sights. You get Segway training and safety gear before you roll out, so it’s built for first-timers.

I especially like the way the guide keeps you informed while you ride. You’ll hear commentary through personal radio headsets, which means you can actually enjoy the scenery instead of craning your neck at group members. The route also ties together landmarks that feel spread out on foot—like Perth’s Bell Tower area and the walk-up toward Kings Park—without exhausting you.

One thing to consider: it’s no hotel pickup, and the ride depends on good weather. Also, it’s not for everyone—pregnancy isn’t permitted, and some mobility or motor-control issues may rule it out.

Key points worth knowing

• Training that targets confidence first: you get an assessment and safety equipment before the tour starts.
• Radio gear for clear commentary: you hear your guide without shouting across a group.
• A compact CBD-to-foreshore route: see Elizabeth Quay, Swan River spots, and major landmarks in about an hour.
• Small group size: capped at 10 travelers, which helps the experience feel controlled and personal.
• Concrete sights, not just scenery: Bell Tower area, Elizabeth Quay Bridge area, and Kings Park base are part of the loop.
• Weather matters: the experience requires good conditions to run smoothly.

Elizabeth Quay on a Segway feels like cheating (in a good way)

Elizabeth Quay sits on Perth’s Swan River foreshore, right in the CBD, so it’s ideal for a quick “get my bearings” outing. The big advantage of a Segway here is effort: instead of spending your limited time fighting hills and distance, you slide past the riverwalk and major precincts at a pace that still feels fun.

You’ll also get a tour that’s tuned to what people actually want to see right away. Guides point out the newest developments around Elizabeth Quay and the surrounding foreshore, so you’re not just watching pretty water—you’re learning what’s been added and why it matters to the area’s layout and vibe.

And yes, the Swan River is the star. The tour includes time around spots where black swans nest, so if you’re the kind of person who wants at least one real “Perth moment” instead of only buildings, this checks that box.

The one-hour route: Barrack Street Jetty to the Kings Park edge

Your tour starts and ends at Segway Tours WA, Shop 3, Barrack Street Jetty (Barrack St, Perth). Start time shown is 12:30 pm for at least one departure, and you can typically choose a morning, lunch, or afternoon ride slot depending on availability.

From there, you’ll begin with your training and then glide west past Perth’s Bell Tower. That stretch is useful because it links two different sides of central Perth: the institutional landmark feel around the Bell Tower and the modern waterfront experience around Elizabeth Quay.

Next, the route moves through the Elizabeth Quay development area and around the riverfront. You’ll pass by the kind of things that are easy to miss if you only walk—restaurants, river boats, and riverwalk sections that look great from a distance but don’t always make sense until you’re on them in sequence.

From the foreshore, you head toward Kings Park’s base area. This is where the Segway pacing helps. Kings Park is a “you could spend all day here” place, but this tour gives you a fast orientation: what’s where, where viewpoints typically connect, and how the foreshore and park areas line up.

You’ll also spend time in John Oldham Park, where the tour highlights hidden areas of parkland plus features like fountains and waterfalls. That’s a smart mix: CBD landmarks outside, then a quick breath of greenery without needing to plan a bigger hike.

Finally, you roll back to the meeting point. It’s a tight loop, not a half-day expedition, which is exactly why it works as a first-timer tour.

Training and safety: how first-timers get comfortable fast

The tour is built around an easy-to-learn setup. Before you ride, you get rider training and a safety briefing, plus all the safety equipment you need. There’s also a rider assessment, which matters because the guide can spot balance issues early instead of letting the group struggle later.

The rules are clear, too, so you can judge fit before you book:

• Minimum age is 12 years.
• You must weigh over 45 kg and under 118 kg.
• Pregnant guests aren’t permitted due to fall risk.
• It’s not recommended if you have some mobility or motor control issues.

If you’ve never been on a Segway before, this kind of structure is the difference between a fun ride and a stressful one. The reviews you’re going to find about this tour also line up with that idea: people repeatedly credit the instructors for being patient and confidence-building when the initial balance feels awkward.

Names that come up in the guide praise include Harriet, Jill, Justin, Adam, Seth, and Erin. What they have in common across the feedback is clear instruction, calm coaching, and a friendly, sometimes funny tone—exactly what you want when your brain is busy learning a new way to move.

Your guide’s narration: radio headsets make it click

One of the best features here is that you don’t have to choose between scenery and information. You’ll hear your guide’s commentary through personal radio communication gear, so the guide can talk while you ride, and you won’t miss key points because of wind or distance.

The narration itself is aimed at making the area feel understandable quickly. You’ll connect modern development around Elizabeth Quay with older city choices—how early settlers’ decisions shaped where things sit today. You’ll also hear practical landmark context, including major references like the Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay Bridge area, and the approach toward Kings Park.

Guide style seems to vary, but the common thread is engagement. Some instructors are praised for humor along with history and practical facts. If you like tours where you’re not being lectured, the radio headset format helps because you can listen closely without straining.

And because the group is capped at 10, the guide can keep the pacing steady while still explaining what you’re seeing.

Parks, fountains, and waterfalls—why the route includes more than the river

A lot of waterfront tours stop at the waterfront and call it a day. This one adds John Oldham Park and nearby greenery, which gives you a sense of how the Swan River foreshore connects to Perth’s larger public spaces.

The John Oldham Park segment is highlighted for fountains and waterfalls, plus those quieter pockets of parkland that don’t always feel “on the map” until you’re actually there. That’s what I’d look for if you’re trying to avoid a tour that only shows postcard edges of a place.

You also get lush parks and gardens referenced as part of the ride, which matters because Perth’s summer heat can turn a walking tour into a slog. On a Segway, you still experience the greenery, but you don’t burn time and energy on repeated stops and restarts.

Even the timing and length help. At about one hour, you’re not over-committing to one neighborhood. You can do this early in your trip and then return later on foot for anything that grabbed you.

Price and value: what $70.29 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At $70.29 per person for about an hour, you’re paying for more than a vehicle. The price includes:

• Rider training and assessment
• A knowledgeable tour guide
• Personal radio communication
• All safety equipment
• Use of the Segway

That package is where the value is. If you tried to DIY this route on foot, you’d trade away the training, lose the guide’s context, and likely spend more time walking than you planned. This tour also saves your feet. Instead of wearing down your shoes circling the CBD and river precincts, you’re using your energy for other parts of your day.

What it doesn’t include is just as important: there’s no hotel pickup. That means your real “value math” depends on how easy it is for you to reach the Barrack Street Jetty meeting point. If you’re already near the CBD, it’s straightforward. If you’re staying far out, you’ll want to plan transport so you don’t arrive rushed.

Also, it’s a weather-dependent experience. If skies are bad on the day you book, you may need to reschedule. For value, that’s not a dealbreaker, but it does mean you should keep your schedule flexible.

Who should book this Segway tour in Perth

This tour is a strong fit if you want a fun, low-stress way to see Elizabeth Quay and major nearby sights in a short amount of time. It’s also a good first-timer Segway experience because the training and safety briefing are part of the core structure, not an afterthought.

It’s especially suitable for:

• First-time visitors who want quick orientation to the CBD and river foreshore
• People who’d rather conserve energy than walk all day
• Anyone who likes guided facts paired with real-time scenery (radio headsets help a lot)

It may not be the right choice if:

• You have mobility or motor-control concerns (the tour isn’t recommended for some of these situations)
• You’re pregnant (fall risk restriction)
• You prefer long, slow sightseeing with lots of stops (this one is about an hour)

Small group size also helps. With a maximum of 10 travelers, you get a controlled experience and a guide who can keep everyone moving safely.

Practical tips before you roll at Barrack Street Jetty

Start by being ready for the training portion. The tour includes rider assessment and safety gear, so give yourself a little extra time to settle in and focus on the instructions rather than rushing straight onto the Segway.

Since it ends back at the meeting point, plan your post-tour plans nearby. You’ll likely want to grab a meal, keep exploring Elizabeth Quay, or head toward other CBD sights without needing a long transport puzzle afterward.

Also, treat the weather like part of the itinerary. This tour requires good weather, so if Perth is giving you wind or heavy rain, it can affect whether the experience runs.

Finally, if you’re traveling with family or friends, know the minimum age is 12, and under-18 riders must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. That matters for planning who can ride and how the group composition works.

Should you book the Perth City Riverside Segway Tour?

Book it if you want a fast, fun way to understand central Perth—especially Elizabeth Quay, the Swan River foreshore, and the approach toward Kings Park—without spending hours walking. The value is strongest when you can easily get to Barrack Street Jetty and you want guided storytelling through personal radio headsets.

Skip it (or look for another option) if you need hotel pickup convenience, if your mobility or balance is a concern, or if you’re visiting during a time when you can’t risk weather changes. With a tight one-hour format, it’s best as an opener to your trip or a focused half-day add-on.

If you do book, do it with the right mindset: this is an activity tour where the ride experience and safety coaching are the main event, and the landmarks are the payoff.

FAQ

How long is the Perth City Riverside Segway Tour?

The tour runs for about 1 hour.

Where is the meeting point, and is there hotel pickup?

You meet at Segway Tours WA, Shop 3 Barrack St, Perth WA 6000 (Barrack Street Jetty). Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included.

Do I get training before I start riding?

Yes. The experience includes rider training and assessment, along with all safety equipment and use of the Segway.

What sights do you pass during the ride?

You’ll ride through the Elizabeth Quay area on the Swan River foreshore and pass major landmarks like the Perth Bell Tower. The tour also references Elizabeth Quay Bridge, the base of Kings Park, and John Oldham Park with fountains and waterfalls.

Can kids or teens ride?

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

What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.