Where to stay in Perth
Where Is Perth, Australia?
Located in Western Australia’s remote west coast, the state’s capital of Perth is the largest city within hundreds of miles, thereby making it the most isolated city of its size anywhere in the world. Perth Airport is on the eastern outskirts of the city, only 20 minutes from downtown, also known as the Central Business District. The city can be navigated by bus or train; the Transperth bus is free within the city. Sydney and Melbourne are each a four-hour flight from Perth.
What Is Perth, Australia Known For?
Perth is sun-soaked, laid back, and typically serves as a jumping point for scenic adventures outside the city. Western Australia consists of one third of the Australian continent, but maintains only one tenth of the total population at 2.5 million — with more than half of residing in Perth. The region was developed as a penal colony for the British Empire in the mid-1800’s and there are many colonial vestiges found all throughout, including Rottnest Island and the Fremantle Prison. Perth has recently seen increased infrastructure development due to a mining boom and increased cultural development, thanks to its youthful population. Once a sleepy city with little nightlife, it now comes alive with street art, craft bars, and international cuisine. The city is located along the Swan River which feeds into the Indian Ocean to the west and is bordered by a strip of forests and huge swaths of desert to the east. Due to its distance from the more famous eastern Australian cities and location on the Indian Ocean, international delights like Bali, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Madagascar are favorite destinations for both locals and globe-trotters.
Attractions to Visit in Perth
- Kings Park and Botanic Gardens: Offering some of the best views of the city and surrounding areas through the elevated Lotterywest Federation walkway, this urban park spanning for nearly 1,000 acres contains a plethora of gems including a 3,000-specimen botanic garden of plants native to Western Australia, the State War Memorial, a cafe, a gift shop, playgrounds, a restaurant, and numerous walking or jogging trails. Free walking tours depart from the Visitor Centre.
- Fremantle Prison: Built by Federation convicts in the 1850’s, this expansive, maximum-security prison was not decommissioned until 1991. Today, it serves as a museum with guided tours — including an extra-eerie torchlight tour in the evenings and an underground tunnels tour. Tours include stops at gallows, cells furnished as they were during different times of use, and exhibits illustrating the interesting history of a prison built with limestone mined from the hill it sits on, by its own slave labor of imported convicts. Fremantle Prison is the only UNESCO World Heritage building in Western Australia.
- Cottesloe Beach: Accessible from many points via bus or train, this long stretch of beach is known to be family-friendly due to the safety of its natural design and being well-patrolled. Aside from access to tennis courts and gold clubs, the area is popular for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. This neighborhood is dotted with accommodations, bars, trendy shops, and restaurants with many near to the beach on Marine Parade. It is a ten minute walk from the Cottesloe Train Station to the beach.
- Elizabeth Quay: An intentionally developed commercial area surrounding a square-shaped river harbor abutting the Central Business District, Elizabeth Quay is known for eateries, ferries, and a nice place to wander or take in the views of the river and the city. The Bell Tower can be found at the end, near the jetty.
Popular Destinations Near Perth
- Rottnest Island: A 90-minute ferry ride from Fremantle is a protected island reserve and community known for its white sand beaches, tight coves, and the adorable marsupials known as quokkas. The east end of the island provides the most amenities including accommodations, casual dining, and activities such as historical landmarks, a golf course, and a skydiving outfitter.
- Swan Valley: Western Australia’s oldest wine region is along the Swan River and close enough for a day trip, or longer. The quaint towns are filled with colonial architecture, antique shops, cafes, and restaurants. Margaret River is the other famous nearby wine region, located three hours south of Perth.
- Nambung National Park: Two and a half hours north of Perth is a national park known for limestone pinnacles, in a region known as Batavia Coast. Take Indian Ocean Drive for the most scenic view, where Jurien Bay Jetty and Dynamite Bay provide peaceful beach stops along the way. Small towns such as Cervantes, Geraldton, and Kalbarri offer sights and amenities as you push north along the coast.
Best Neighborhoods in Perth
- Perth City Central Business District: The city center is buzzing with activity of all kinds — from finance and administration to cultural stops like The Perth Mint, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Elizabeth Quay. The city center is relatively small, but densely packed with designer shops, international restaurants, trendy clubs, and bars. King Street, Forrest Place, Murray Street, and Hay Street is where you’ll find most of the shopping and eating. The city hugs tightly to the Swan River, lined with many parks and green spaces.
- Northbridge: The nightlife hub of Northbridge is a suburb in central Perth near several train and bus lines, directly adjacent to Perth Central Business District. It has options for all budgets and tastes in a variety of posh nightclubs, casual pubs, and upscale lounges. The area is centered around a green space called Russell Square with most of the attractions on the southeast side. It is less than half a mile to the banks of the Swan River or Kings Park & Botanic Gardens.
- Leederville: Small and quirky with a youthful, alternative vibe, Leederville is known for its eclectic and independent boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. Only a short ride from the Central Business District, the neighborhood is just across the freeway from Lake Monger, which is encircled with a popular biking and jogging trail.
- Subiaco: A chic and cosmopolitan small city adjacent to Kings Park on the northwest side, Subiaco was originally settled by Benedictine monks and still maintains some European flair. The area is rich with tree-lined streets, heritage homes, accommodations, and some of the best shopping and dining in Western Australia. It is often called “Subi” by the locals.
- Fremantle: A further suburb of Perth, these two regions have been inextricably linked since the early colonial days when explorers landed in the port city of Fremantle before traveling up river to Perth. Highlights include Fremantle Market, WA Shipwrecks Museum, Fremantle Prison, and “Cafe Strip” — a stretch of town densely packed with cafes.
Home-types in Perth
Perth has a variety of property types for you to consider when booking a trip. Here are the most popular property types in Perth:
- House: 618 vacation rentals
- Hotel: 332 vacation rentals
- Bed and Breakfast: 59 vacation rentals
- Private Room: 33 vacation rentals
- Hostel: 28 vacation rentals
Points of interests in Perth
Perth has several popular points of interest for you to check out when visiting the area. Here are the most popular points of interest in Perth:
- State War Memorial: 13,150 vacation rentals
- Saint Mary's Cathedral: 13,150 vacation rentals
- The Perth Mint: 13,150 vacation rentals
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden: 13,150 vacation rentals
- Art Gallery of WA: 13,150 vacation rentals
- Elizabeth Quay: 13,150 vacation rentals
- Hyde Park: 6,097 vacation rentals
- Supreme Court Gardens: 6,097 vacation rentals
- The Nostalgia Box Museum: 6,097 vacation rentals
- Old Mill: 6,097 vacation rentals
Popular rental amenities
Price trends in Perth
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Nearby destinations
New South Wales Victoria Queensland Melbourne Western Australia Sydney South Australia Manly Sunshine Coast Gold Coast Tasmania Brisbane Adelaide Surfers Paradise Cairns Byron Bay Port Douglas Townsville Bondi Beach Hobart Palm Cove Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory Lorne Surry Hills Airlie Beach Darwin Saint Kilda Launceston Batemans Bay Canberra Springbrook Cape Tribulation Alice Springs
