Crawley Edge Boatshed (Blue Boat House), Perth WA — Is It Worth the Queue?
Perth’s most photographed landmark sits on the Swan River — and yes, you will queue for it.
We parked our rental car along Hackett Drive and walked about ten minutes to reach the boatshed. It was mid-August — a crisp, cool winter’s morning in Perth — and the sky was doing exactly what Perth winter skies do best: brilliant blue with dramatic white clouds rolling over the city skyline. The scene looked almost too perfect, like a postcard someone had left on the Swan River. We arrived around 1 pm and joined a queue of about fifteen minutes just to walk down the jetty and take our photos. Honestly, we expected it to feel a bit touristy and tick-box. It did. But the boatshed is genuinely photogenic, and the kids were entertained watching other families attempt their best “walking casually on the jetty” poses. We spent about half an hour in total. Would we go back? Probably not as the main event — but as part of a riverside morning walk, absolutely yes.
What Is the Crawley Edge Boatshed?
The Crawley Edge Boatshed — universally known as the Blue Boat House — is a small private boathouse sitting on timber piles over the Swan River at Matilda Bay, in the suburb of Crawley, Perth, Western Australia.[1] Despite its modest footprint, it has become arguably the most photographed landmark in Perth, drawing visitors from across Asia, Europe, and beyond who come specifically to take a photo in front of it.
The structure is privately owned. It is not a museum, not a café, and not a public facility — it is simply a boatshed on a jetty. There is no entry fee, no guided tour, and nothing to do once you get there except take your photo and move on. That is precisely the point.
The classic straight-on jetty shot — the most sought-after angle at the boatshed.
A Brief History Worth Knowing
The original boatshed was constructed in the 1930s.[1] In 1944, Roland and Joyce Nattrass purchased the land behind it as the site for their family home. The real estate agent insisted the boatshed be included in the deal for an additional £5 — equivalent to approximately A$405 in 2022.[1] That incidental purchase would prove to be one of the most consequential real estate add-ons in Western Australian history.
The boatshed changed hands several times over the following decades before returning to the Nattrass family in 2001, when Peter Nattrass — son of Roland and then Lord Mayor of Perth — purchased it.[1] By that point, the structure was severely dilapidated: asbestos cladding was fraying, planks were missing from the jetty, and government authorities were seriously considering demolition.[2]
The family chose to rebuild rather than abandon it. During the restoration, a family friend — Julie Bishop, then the local federal member of parliament and later Australia’s Foreign Minister — suggested painting the exterior in a bold blue colour.[2] The refurbished boatshed was officially re-launched on 6 February 2004.[1] A further facelift in 2015 included repainting and replacing the original wooden jetty with a new one on steel pylons.[1]
The rest, as they say, is social media history.
How a Boatshed Became a Global Icon
The boatshed’s rise to global fame was largely organic and driven by Asian social media and travel blogs. According to owner Tom Nattrass, images of the boatshed have been used in marketing material for Singapore Airlines, Qantas, and Japanese advertisements.[2] Tourism Western Australia also featured it prominently in international campaigns targeting Asian markets.
By June 2019, the hashtag #blueboathouse had tens of thousands of Instagram posts, and a CNN article that month described it as the most photographed travel attraction in Perth — ahead of Elizabeth Quay, Cathedral Square, and the Bell Tower.[1] A Huawei smartphone sold in Vietnam was even found to come pre-loaded with a stock wallpaper photo of the boatshed.[2]
The volume of visitors became significant enough that in 2019, the City of Perth resolved to spend $400,000 on a new solar-powered public toilet at nearby Quarry Point to accommodate the crowds.[1]
The jetty walk is part of the experience — expect to share it with other visitors.
Visiting with Kids: What to Expect
This is a quick stop, not a half-day activity. For families with children, the honest assessment is this: the boatshed itself offers very little for kids to engage with beyond the photo opportunity. There is no playground, no café on-site, no interactive element. What it does offer is a pleasant riverside setting, a short walk, and a photogenic backdrop that will look great on your family travel album.
Younger children tend to enjoy the novelty of the jetty and the water views. Older kids — particularly those in the Gen Alpha bracket who are already social-media-aware — will understand the cultural significance of the spot and may actually enjoy the queue ritual. The walk from Hackett Drive takes approximately 10 minutes each way, which is manageable for most ages.
Plan for 30 to 45 minutes total, including the walk and the queue. Combine it with a visit to nearby Kings Park or a stroll along Mounts Bay Road for a more complete family outing.
The best light for photography is early morning (golden hour after sunrise) or late afternoon approaching sunset. Midday light — which is when we visited — produces harsher shadows and a higher volume of tourists. If your priority is a clean, crowd-free shot, aim to arrive before 8 am on a weekday. The boatshed faces roughly east, so morning light hits the front facade directly.
Best Time to Visit
Perth has a Mediterranean climate, meaning summers are hot and dry (December to February) and winters are mild and cool (June to August). Mid-August, when we visited, sits at the tail end of winter: expect daytime temperatures in the range of 13–18°C, low humidity, and often clear blue skies with dramatic cloud formations — as visible in our photos.
Winter is actually a pleasant time to visit the boatshed. The cooler air makes the walk comfortable, the light is softer than in summer, and the Swan River tends to be more dramatic in appearance. The trade-off is shorter daylight hours, which limits the golden-hour window in the evening.
| Time of Day | Light Quality | Crowd Level | Recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Morning (before 8 am) | Soft golden light, front-lit facade | Low | ★★★★★ Best |
| Mid-Morning (8 am – 11 am) | Good, building crowds | Moderate | ★★★★ |
| Midday (11 am – 2 pm) | Harsh overhead light | High | ★★ |
| Late Afternoon / Sunset | Warm golden tones, side-lit | Moderate to High | ★★★★★ Best |
The foreground planting adds a natural frame — worth finding this angle from the eastern bank.
Parking along Mounts Bay Road is limited and competitive, particularly on weekends and public holidays. We parked on Hackett Drive, which adds a 10-minute walk but is generally more reliable for finding a spot. Do not expect to pull up directly adjacent to the boatshed. If you are using public transport, Transperth buses run along Mounts Bay Road from the Perth CBD. Also note: traffic on Mounts Bay Road moves fast — exercise caution when crossing with children.
Getting There
The Crawley Edge Boatshed is located on the Swan River foreshore at Matilda Bay, Crawley — approximately 3 km from the Perth CBD. The most straightforward approach for families with a rental car is to park on Hackett Drive (free street parking, generally available) and follow the riverside path south for approximately 10 minutes.
For those using public transport, Transperth bus routes along Mounts Bay Road provide direct access from the city centre. The boatshed is also within cycling distance via the Swan River foreshore path.
| Official Name | Crawley Edge Boatshed, Matilda Bay, Crawley, Perth WA |
| Also Known As | Blue Boat House |
| Address | Hackett Drive, Crawley WA 6009 |
| Entry Fee | Free (no admission charge) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30–45 minutes (including walk from Hackett Drive) |
| Parking | Hackett Drive (free, ~10 min walk) or Mounts Bay Road (limited) |
| Public Transport | Transperth bus along Mounts Bay Road from Perth CBD |
| Google Maps | View on Google Maps ↗ |
Family Visit Checklist
- Park on Hackett Drive and allow 10 minutes to walk to the boatshed
- Arrive early morning or late afternoon for the best light and shorter queues
- Bring a jacket in winter — the riverside is exposed and cool
- Charge your phone or camera before you go — you will use it
- Supervise children closely near the water’s edge and on the jetty
- Combine with a visit to Kings Park or the Old Swan Brewery for a fuller outing
- Use public transport on weekends to avoid parking stress
- Be patient with the queue — it moves steadily and is part of the experience
References
- Wikipedia contributors. “Crawley Edge Boatshed.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawley_Edge_Boatshed
- Leaver, Kate; De Poloni, Gian. “How a little blue boathouse in Perth became the hottest selfie spot on Instagram.” ABC News Australia, 30 June 2019. abc.net.au
- “Crawley Edge Boatshed.” Tourism Western Australia. westernaustralia.com
