The Top 10 Neighborhoods to Explore in Perth

For most of its history, Perth was a sleepy city in the middle of nowhere. Surrounded by pristine beaches and national parks, its residents cultivated an outdoorsy lifestyle that made the most of the plentiful sunshine.

Since the 1980s, though, Perth's population has doubled to over 2 million, and the city has developed a thriving inner-city culture of food and nightlife. Local cafes, boutiques, parks, and beaches attract visitors to the coastal suburbs, while the urban center hosts trendy museums, restaurants, and bars.

01 of 10

Perth City

Foliage and roads near highrises, Perth, Western Australia, Australia — Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd / Getty Images

The city center, also known as the Central Business District or CBD, looks out over the pretty Swan River. Here, you can visit the Elizabeth Quay waterfront precinct and check out the public art, or take a cruise along the river.

We recommend grabbing a coffee at Tiisch to start the day, before exploring the Art Gallery of Western Australia or the Government House gardens, and strolling down St George's Terrace, the city's main thoroughfare. For shopping, head to Forrest Chase, Hay Street Mall and the pretty Tudor-style London Court arcade.

At the Reveley, three seperate levels offer casual dining, a riverside restaurant and a rooftop bar. For fine dining, you can't go past Wildflour, which is inspired by the six seasons of the Indigenous Noongar calendar. For something more intimate, try modern Italian eating house Lalla Rookh.

02 of 10

South Perth

The Perth city skyline over the Swan river — tmprtmpr / Getty Images

Across the river, South Perth is made up of leafy parks and tree-lined streets. The South Perth foreshore is much quieter than its northern counterpart, but it does have impressive views of the city skyline. There's lots of open space for recreation, as well as cycle paths, picnic tables, barbecues, toilets, cafes and four children’s playgrounds.

For a hearty brunch, join the locals at Gusto Food or the Little Banksia, or make a dinner reservation at Red Cabbage to experience contemporary Australian dining. The Perth Zoo and the Royal Perth Golf Club are also nearby. You can reach South Perth via a 10-minute drive or a 20-minute bus ride.

03 of 10

Victoria Park

stone building with arched windows in perth, australia — Courtesy of Broken Hill Hotel

Just to the east of South Perth, Victoria Park is a hub of inner-city arts and culture. Since 1898, the regal Broken Hill Hotel has presided over the Albany Highway shopping strip. Here, you'll find craft beer institution Dutch Trading Company and Harvest Espresso serving up some of the best coffee in town, as well as alternative bookstore Crow Books.

Unassuming Thai restaurant Red Basil is a great value lunch spot, while Neho focuses on chic Asian fusion dishes. After a day of sightseeing, take a break at John MacMillan Park or John Bissett Reserve. Victoria Park is a 10-minute drive or 20-minute train ride from the city center.

04 of 10

Northbridge

Outdoor view of PICA during Fringe World festival — Courtesy of PICA

In the past decade, Northbridge has become Perth's coolest neighborhood. Although it remains a little rough around the edges, this area just north of the city center is full of hidden bars, vegan eateries, and designer boutiques. The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is a good place to start.

Flora and Fauna may be the city's most Instagrammed cafe, while visitors to Sneaky Tony's rum bar are required to provide a password on Friday and Saturday nights (it can be found on the bar's Facebook page.) Ezra Pound is all about the cocktails, while Frisk specializes in gin. For local fashion, visit William Street.

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05 of 10

Leederville

Outdoor view of the Garden — Courtesy of The Garden

The tiny neighborhood of Leederville is popular with students and young professionals, thanks to its eclectic vibe and proximity to the city and Lake Monger. We love Pixel for coffee and the Garden for cocktails, as well as Low Key Chow House for Asian-inspired share plates.

If you're in the mood for some retail therapy, stop by Hunter Store, Urban Records or Varga Girl, then settle in with a glass of wine and an independent film at the Art Deco-style Luna Cinema. In summer, Luna also hosts outdoor cinema sessions in the courtyard. Leederville is just a 10-minute drive or 25-minute train trip away from Perth's city center.

06 of 10

Mount Lawley

Stylish yet relaxed, Mount Lawley sits on the Swan River north of the city center. It is known for its restaurants, nightlife, and fashion. The easiest way to explore is to take a walk along Beaufort Street, where you can eat pasta by the meter at Solo Pasta, vegan snacks at Veggie Mama or pan-Asian delights at Dainty Dowager. Down Beaux Lane, you'll find some of Perth's hottest foodie destinations.

Down by the river, Banks Reserve has a playground and shady picnic tables. Plus, Mount Lawley is home to the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, where you can catch music, theater, and dance performances. You can reach Mount Lawley in around 25 minutes via train or 10 minutes driving from the city center.

07 of 10

Fremantle

Fremantle is a revitalized port city south-west of Perth that has become an integral part of the capital's fabric. You can easily spend a day here, taking a tour of the Little Creatures Brewery and relaxing at Leighton Beach, or learning about Western Australia's history at the Round House and Fremantle Prison.

When it comes to food, Fremantle is packed with both quirky and classy options along the bustling Cappuccino Strip. During the day, you can carb-load at Bread in Common or soak up the sunshine at Port City Roasters, then at night, head to Paris-style Whisper's Wine Bar or the relaxed Mrs. Brown's for a drink. You can get to Fremantle via public transport in under an hour or half an hour driving from Perth's city center.

08 of 10

Guildford

Make sure to stop in at Guildford on your way to visit the wineries of the Swan Valley. This quaint neighborhood in north-western Perth is brimming with history, from the taxidermy wonders of the Museum of National History to Retrofind, a top-notch vintage homewares store.

The Rose and Crown pub is the oldest operating hotel in Western Australia, with two restaurants, a small bar and a gorgeous outdoor beer garden. The recently renovated Guildford Hotel caters to a younger crowd, with quiz nights and a menu featuring burgers and barbecue. Guildford can be reached by train or car in around 20 minutes from Perth.

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09 of 10

Cottesloe

Cottesloe is a picturesque coastal strip just north of Fremantle. The beach stretches for over half a mile, offering snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. The iconic Indiana Tea House and huge Norfolk pines give the foreshore a unique appearance.

For the best views of the sunset over the ocean, book a table at Barchetta, or enjoy a relaxed Italian feast at Il Lido. In March, visitors can enjoy the renowned Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. It takes around half an hour to reach Cottesloe on the train or 20 minutes by car.

10 of 10

Subiaco

Light pink vintage style theatre — Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

This inner-west neighborhood experienced an economic downturn in the mid-2010s, but the Rockeby Road strip is now showing signs of renewal. Boucla is a beloved Mediterranean-style cafe, Refuge Small Bar is perfect for a craft beer, and Juanita's is a cozy bar and restaurant where you'll feel instantly at home. Subiaco is also the location of Perth's very own cat cafe.

Other essential landmarks include the Regal Theatre and the Subiaco Arts Centre, where you can see comedy, theater, dance, and music performances. On Saturday mornings, the Subi Farmers Market is a great spot to pick up some baked goods, snacks, and fresh produce.