Smoke and meat make Perth feel like Kansas. This half-day BBQ food tour turns lunchtime into a guided, low and slow tasting route, moving through Perth neighborhoods and ending with a bar stop for a handcrafted cocktail. You’ll also get a close look at smoke and fire techniques, plus the chance to meet a Kansas-trained BBQ chef as part of the experience.

What I really like is the payoff: a long progressive lunch built around real American BBQ classics like brisket, burnt ends, and mac & cheese, not just small bites. I also appreciate the practical format for food lovers—small group (up to 11) with adult-only energy and comfortable transfers between venues. One consideration: there’s no vegetarian or vegan option, so plan your meal strategy if that’s important to your group.

Key Highlights You Should Care About

• Kansas-trained pitmaster connection: You’ll meet the chef behind traditional low and slow pit-smoking techniques.
• Progressive lunch format: You’ll eat your way through multiple BBQ smokehouses rather than one stop and done.
• Handcrafted cocktail included: A bar stop comes with a cocktail, and there’s a non-alcoholic option.
• Small adults-only group: Maximum of 11 people and it’s strictly 18+ for a more relaxed pace.
• Air-conditioned transfers included: Less time figuring out rides, more time focusing on smoke, sauce, and sides.

Perth at 11:00, and Then You’re Off to the Smoke

The day starts at 11:00am, with pickup from either the Perth CBD meeting point or Crown Perth. That timing matters because you’re essentially building your day around lunch, not squeezing BBQ into an already packed afternoon. You’ll also get a mobile ticket, and the tour runs in all weather, so you should dress for whatever Perth is doing that day.

The first stop is basically your on-ramp. You meet the group with Up Close and Local Tours, get oriented, and then you’re in the air-conditioned transport between venues. This is one of those setups that feels smarter than doing it solo: you get guidance on where to go, plus you don’t have to worry about moving from one BBQ spot to the next while hungry.

If your schedule is flexible but you want a clear plan, this tour gives you structure without feeling rushed. It also helps that the group stays small, so you’ll actually hear what the guide is explaining about the food.

What the Kansas-Trained Pitmaster Adds to Your Meal

A BBQ tour can be all about food, or it can teach you how the food works. This one does both, thanks to the Kansas-trained BBQ chef component. The point isn’t fancy theory. It’s about understanding what smoke does over time, and how low and slow cooking shapes texture and flavor.

You’ll hear about the secrets behind pit-smoking—how heat, smoke, and timing work together to build that signature BBQ profile. That matters when you’re tasting, because you start paying attention to things you might otherwise ignore: how the bark forms, how the meat stays juicy, and how smoky flavor spreads beyond the surface.

And it’s not just “chef talk.” Your guide also connects the meals to the places you’re visiting, including stories about the restaurants and owners when they share them. In the experience of one guide, Paul was particularly good at adding context beyond the food, which helps you remember the tour later.

The Progressive Lunch: How You Eat Through Perth’s BBQ Spots

This is a progressive lunch, which means you’re not sitting through one meal and calling it done. The tasting route moves along Perth neighborhoods, visiting American style BBQ smokehouses where you’ll sample pit-smoked meats plus sides. The goal is variety, so you can compare how different venues handle the same BBQ ideas.

You can expect classics like brisket and burnt ends, along with sides such as mac & cheese. The wording around the menu is clear that you’ll get a range of smoked meats and traditional sides, and lunch is included in the price. The big practical advantage here is that you don’t have to build a meal plan or figure out portion sizes at each stop.

Between tastings, your guide points out local sights and a few other Perth hidden gems worth coming back to. Even if you’re not the type to chase “what’s nearby,” it’s useful. It gives you a mental map of neighborhoods, and it often turns into a list of places you want to visit later.

The one pacing tip I’ll give you is simple: come hungry, because this tour is designed to be filling. One of the best pieces of advice you’ll get from people who’ve done it is to skip breakfast right before you go. If you show up already full, you’ll feel it fast.

Cocktail Stop Included: How Alcohol (or Not) Fits In

One of the nicest surprises here is the handcrafted cocktail included at one of Perth’s best bars. That’s not a random add-on. It’s a planned part of the food flow, so you get a change of pace after meat and sides. If you’re avoiding alcohol, you can substitute with a non-alcoholic option, and you should advise at booking so the team can plan properly.

In one account of the experience, the cocktail was so good that people planned for seconds. That’s the kind of detail that tells you the bar stop isn’t just for show. It’s meant to be part of the enjoyment.

You can also use the cocktail stop strategically. It’s a reset moment for your stomach and a chance to pace yourself. If you tend to rush tastings, give yourself permission to slow down here.

What the 4.5 Hours Really Feels Like

The duration is about 4 hours 30 minutes, give or take. In practice, you should expect a few things to run in parallel during that time: travel between venues, tastings, and short bursts of guide commentary while you eat. The air-conditioned transport helps smooth out the day, especially if Perth weather is warm or unpredictable.

The adult-only requirement (18+) also changes the vibe in a subtle but real way. It tends to mean calmer conversations, less distraction, and a more relaxed food-first atmosphere. This matters on a food tour because the whole experience relies on tasting and paying attention, not just collecting items.

With a maximum of 11 travelers, you’re not disappearing into a crowd. You’ll usually get more direct answers from the guide, and you can ask follow-up questions about why a particular BBQ technique changes the flavor.

Price and Value: What $87.46 Buys You in Real Terms

At $87.46 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to eat in Perth, but it’s also not priced like a luxury tasting extravaganza. The value comes from bundling multiple costs into one package: guided tour, lunch with smoked meats and sides, the handcrafted cocktail, and transfers in comfortable transport.

If you tried to replicate the tour on your own, the math gets messy quickly. You’d need at least a few BBQ meals across different venues, transport between them, and then a bar stop for a drink. Here, that whole structure is handled for you, and you’re paying for the guidance that explains what you’re eating and how low and slow works.

You’re also paying for the human component. A good guide doesn’t just point you at food. They help you taste with intention. Based on the way the tour is described, the guide adds context about restaurants and owners, and that’s what turns a lunch into something you actually remember.

If you like eating, want variety, and don’t want to plan a route, this price can feel fair. If you’re a light eater or have limited interest in BBQ beyond one dish, then it might feel like more food than you want.

Best Fit: Who Will Love This Tour (and Who Might Not)

This works best for adults who want a guided, food-heavy afternoon and don’t mind committing to the idea that lunch will be a full event. You’ll love it if your BBQ checklist includes brisket, burnt ends, and sides like mac & cheese, and if you want to learn the basics of pit-smoking while you taste.

It’s not a great fit if vegetarian or vegan options are required. The tour cannot provide vegetarian/vegan food options, though most other dietary requirements can be catered for if you advise at booking. So if your needs are more about allergies or preferences (and not strict vegetarian/vegan), you may still be able to make it work.

Also consider your drink preferences. Additional drinks can be purchased, but what’s included is a cocktail (or non-alcoholic substitute). If you tend to order multiple alcoholic drinks, you’ll want to budget a bit extra.

Practical Tips for Your Day in Perth

Plan your body and your schedule like a BBQ eater. Since lunch is filling and the tour spans about 4.5 hours, avoid heavy eating beforehand. Wear comfortable clothes because you’ll be doing short moves between venues and spending time in restaurants and bars.

Because it runs in all weather, bring a layer. Perth afternoons can shift fast, and this tour keeps going no matter what the sky is doing. Good shoes help too, even if you’re mostly moving by car.

One more practical note: it’s an adults-only tour and max size is small, so you’ll likely want to arrive at the pickup point on time. The start time is 11:00am, and the whole flow depends on everyone getting moving together.

Should You Book the Perth Smokin’ BBQ Food Tour?

Book it if you want a structured, delicious afternoon built around American BBQ classics, a Kansas-trained pitmaster, and a real progressive lunch format. The included lunch and cocktail make it easier to justify the price, and the small group keeps the experience from feeling like a factory line.

Skip it if vegetarian or vegan options are non-negotiable, or if you know you won’t enjoy multiple tastings across several smokehouse stops. Also skip the idea if you’re trying to eat lightly and stay on-the-go, because this tour is meant to feed you.

If BBQ is your thing, or you want to learn what low and slow means in real flavor terms, this is a strong bet for a half-day in Perth.

FAQ

What time does the Perth half-day BBQ tour start?

The start time is 11:00am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Perth CBD meeting points or from Crown Perth.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, a mobile ticket is used.

Is this tour adults-only?

Yes. It’s an adults-only tour for ages 18+.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 11 travelers.

What’s included with the price?

A guided food tour, lunch with all food included, a handcrafted cocktail with a non-alcoholic option, meeting a Kansas-trained BBQ chef, local guide, and air-conditioned transport between venues.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

No. Vegetarian and vegan food options cannot be provided. Most other dietary requirements can be catered for if you advise at booking.

Can I request a non-alcoholic drink instead of the cocktail?

Yes. Non-alcoholic drinks can be substituted, and you should advise at booking.

What about extra drinks during the tour?

Additional drinks may be purchased, but they are not included.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.