Travel Insider
From beautiful beaches to the most extreme milkshakes you'll find this side of The Nullarbor, pack your Perth holiday itinerary with our top tips for first-timers, read our article on 'First-timer’s Guide to Perth'.
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Seemingly endless sunshine, pristine sandy beaches plus great food and world-class local wines – there’s nowhere quite like Perth.
With the promise of an easy going lifestyle, stunning sandy beaches, world class wines and a sophisticated dining scene, the city attracts thousands of new residents every week. Plus just outside the city lies one of the most spectacular natural environments on earth waiting to be explored.
Here are a few things not to miss.
- Get a different view of the city and kayak along the Swan River
- Swim or snorkel at the iconic Cottesloe Beach then kick back on terraced lawns beneath the Norfolk pines
- Enjoy the newly opened Elizabeth Quay on the banks of the Swan River, with its stylish eateries, shops and riverside walk
- Get ahead of the curve and head to Maylands where you'll find some of the city's hottest dining and drinking spots.
Perth CBD
Alongside the Swan River, the CBD has great shopping, eating and bars tucked away in laneways and on rooftops. Look out for the new Elizabeth Quay development that snugly hugs the river.
Stroll the pedestrian friendly Hay and Murray Street Malls where city workers and retail therapists gather to snap up the latest high street bargains. With big name brands and boutique stores unique to Perth, the central shopping district is buzzing with creativity.
Adding to the ambiance of the central district are the bars, restaurants and friendly cafes all specialising in their own brand of chic. Head to the newly opened Elizabeth Quay and enjoy the riverside retreat with its wide open spaces, walkways and modern art installations.
Kings Park is nearby for walking, exercising and outdoor cinema - or take a public art walk.
Get ready for the benefits of a laid-back lifestyle plus the excitement of big city lights - all in the heart of the city.
Fremantle
30 minutes drive from Perth's CBD, a short train ride or a scenic ferry ride, 'Freo' as it's known by the locals, has a working harbour, colonial architecture and an artsy ambience.
Retaining its historic maritime charm, Fremantle is the perfect place to have a beer at the local pub and watch the ships cruise in and out of port. As a working port, this is also one of the best places from which to catch a ferry to the spectacular Rottnest Island, with it's enchanting bays, clear blue waters and exciting local wildlife.
Take your pick of things to explore, from markets, funky fashion, microbreweries or crafted wines, and be entertained by performers, artists and more than a few eccentrics.
The area is also renowned as foodie mecca, with beautiful old buildings, loads of charm and some seriously fresh, local produce. Expect freshly baked, crusty bread and other sweet treats, fresh seafood straight from the ocean combined with crisp and tender veggies, washed down with some of the finest wines from the surrounding regions.
Fremantle Prison is Western Australia's only World Heritage listed building, and is a premier heritage precinct that is conserving and interpreting the most intact convict era site in Australia.
Right on Indian Ocean's shore, the Western Australian Maritime Museum presents Fremantle’s past, present and future as a coastal city and port.
Northbridge
Just north of the CBD, multicultural Northbridge is the European quarter of Perth with vibrant pavement style cafes and small bars.
The area hosts the highest concentration of small bars, pubs and clubs in Western Australia.
Between Beaufort and William Streets, the Perth Cultural Centre is home to a number of cultural institutions where you can catch a gallery or museum exhibition, or see a live performance. William Street is lined with great coffee and brunch options, vintage stores, local fashion, homewares and small bars.
Restaurants on James, Lake and surrounding streets offer a multitude of cuisines including Asian, Italian, Mexican and Tapas – many with alfresco dining options.
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe Beach is midway between the CBD and Fremantle, and is one of the most popular Western Australian city beaches.
Cottesloe is renowned for its relaxed lifestyle and has been a popular seaside holiday destination for Perth locals for more than 100 years. It's easily accessibly from Perth CBD and a popular destination for locals looking for an after work swim. It's a 15 minute drive from the city or a short train ride and an easy walk from the station.
Choose from one of the many bars and restaurants and sit back with a cocktail and a taste of the delicious local produce and take in the spectacular sunsets day after day.
The village atmosphere and rich maritime heritage is sure to entice you to explore beyond its golden sands. It's one of the city's favourite beaches for swimming, snorkelling, surfing and watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean.
Subiaco
This upmarket inner-city suburb, only 10 minutes from the CBD, has a high concentration of fancy boutiques, funky bars and restaurants.
Mount Lawley
One of Perth’s most stylish suburbs this cultural hotspot has a village vibe and the full complement of idiosyncratic shops, coffee shops, delis, bars and restaurants centred around Beaufort Street.
Margaret River
Located 300 kilometres to the south of Perth, Margaret River is home to 120 wine producers producing award winning cabernets and sauvignon blancs.
Don’t miss top wineries such as Amberley Estate, the unique Annie Brook wine and flower emporium, Cape Mentelle Vineyards, or Devils Lair. Perhaps catch an outdoor concert at Leeuwin Estate, or stop at the founding wine estate of Margaret River, Vasse Felix.
After playing sommelier, you could head to the surf.
Currency
Australian Dollar (AU$)
Electricity
220-240V /50Hz
Population
2,020,000
Seasons
Perth has a Mediterranean climate with close to nine hours sunshine a day. In summer, the hot days are cooled when the 'Fremantle doctor' blows in from the south-west. The temperature average is 30°C during Perth’s long summer (December to February). In winter it is a cool yet mild average of 18°C.
From the airport
You can get from the airport to Perth easily via taxi, or a shuttle bus if you’re happy to find your way to your own hotel from a central place. Pre book a reasonably priced private transfer if you want to get straight to your hotel after your flight to Perth.
In and around the city
The best way to get around Perth cheaply and easily is on the buses, trains and ferries operated by Transperth. There are also free CAT buses that operate around the CBD at regular intervals. Ferries cross the river regularly between approximately 7am and 7pm and to Rottnest Island from Perth, Fremantle and Hillarys.
Nothing beats car hire in Perth so you can visit places like Margaret River, Wave Rock, York or even suburbs that are a little out of the way like Fremantle and Cottesloe. If you don’t fancy driving, you can take a tour, or get around Perth like a mining magnate on a helicopter tour.
Your flight with Qantas
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Important Information
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