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suburb of Perth, Western Australia
Oceania > Australia > Western Australia > Perth > Perth/City

Perth City or Perth CBD is the central business district in Perth, but there are plenty of other things to see than just tall buildings and busy men in suits.

Understand

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Perth from Kings Park at night

The centre of Perth metropolitan area is the City or CBD, Central Business District, located on the Swan River around 10 km (6.2 mi) inland. It's the main business and shopping centre, and together with adjacent Northbridge, forms the entertainment centre.

The City extends about 1 km north-south and 2 km east-west. The pedestrianised Forrest Place, and Murray Street and Hay Street malls are interconnected through arcades, and have a range of shops and services.

At Forrest Place you will find the General Post Office (GPO, open Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM and Saturday 9AM-noon), the Tourist Information Centre, Perth Train Station and the Forrest Chase shopping centre including Myer Department store.

The main east-west streets are Wellington Street (northern boundary), Murray and Hay Streets (which become pedestrianised shopping malls in the centre), St Georges Terrace/Adelaide Terrace and Riverside Drive (which runs along the Swan River and forms the southern boundary of the CBD). The main northbound street is Barrack Street which runs along the eastern end of the central shopping district, and the main southbound street is William Street to the west.

Get in

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By train, bus and car

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The City has the main transport hubs for the metropolitan area, and the airport buses run downtown along Adelaide Terrace to Elizabeth Quay. See Perth#Get around for more information.

By ferry

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Ferry wharf

A ferry makes the short hop across the Swan River, running between Barrack St Jetty on the City bank and Mends St Jetty in South Perth. This is the most direct route across the river to South Perth, the Old Mill or the Zoo - however the Zoo is a bit of an uphill hike from Mends St jetty, you may prefer the bus. Ferries run every 15 min weekdays and 30 min on weekends. You will need a 2-section ticket for $2.20 to go one way across.

Get around

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Transperth info-centres provide timetables and journey advice for all its services at the central train station, Wellington Street bus station, the Esplanade Busport (south of St. Georges Terrace, near the bell tower), and Plaza Arcade in the city centre (the Plaza Arcade can be found between the Hay and Murray St malls - if walking from St. Georges Terrace, walk up London Court and across the Hay St mall; the Plaza Arcade is located directly opposite the exit to London Court).

By bus

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Perth CAT

Transperth buses are free within the city centre Free Transit Zone. The zone is bounded to the north by Newcastle Street, to the west by Thomson Street, to the east by the loop beyond Plain Street, and to the south by the river. In addition there are four CAT bus routes that are free throughout, every 5 to 15 min from around 6AM to 7PM. You don't need a permit or Smartrider for any of these, just get on. The bus stops have route maps and show arrival time of the next bus. See www.transperth.wa.gov.au for timetable and a detailed route map.

The five lines are:

  • Red CAT runs an east-west loop and stops at Royal Perth Hospital, WACA cricket ground, Perth Mint, Wellington Square, the Murray St Mall/Perth Underground train station, His Majesty's Theatre, Parliament House, King St and Wellington St bus station & central train station.
  • Yellow CAT runs east-west from Thomson Street, past City West metro train station, along the length of Wellington Street past central bus & train station to WACA, then Claisebrook metro station.
  • Blue CAT runs north from Elizabeth Quay up Barack Street past Murray Street mall and the art gallery and museum, then curls through northern streets before returning south past the central bus & train stations.
  • Green CAT (Monday-Friday only) runs from Elizabeth Quay west past King's Park and the Botanic Gardens, then heads north to City West and Leederville metro stations.
  • Purple CAT (every day) runs from the Elizabeth Quay bus station up St George's Terrace, past King's Park, past the QE2 hospital to the university of Western Australia and stop by the Abraham's reserve by the river. It runs as a loop service, every 10 minutes in peak hours and wvery 20 minutes at other times and weekends. No tickets needed.

By train

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You're unlikely to use the train for journeys just within the city centre, the bus is generally more convenient. Train journeys within the Free Transit Zone (eg the loop from central station via Perth Underground to the Esplanade) are free only if you have a Smartrider or other valid ticket; otherwise you will need a 2 section ticket for $0.60 to go one way.

Train is a good way to reach other districts such as Fremantle, see those districts "Get in / around".

  • 1 Kings Park & Botanic Gardens (2 km west of CBD, follow St George's Terrace onto Malcolm St). 24/7. Ranged along the ridge of Mount Moira, this large and lush park is the perfect place to escape the city and enjoy a panorama of the Swan River and surrounds. Multiple paths wind through gardens showcasing flora from different regions of WA including a boab tree brought down on the back of a truck from the Kimberly. The striking War Memorial and Flame of Remembrance are also here. It's a hot, uphill, 2-km walk from downtown, but its northern boundary at Kings Park Rd is within the Free Transit Zone. Handiest bus is the Green CAT, M-F only, to Stop 16. Red CAT (7 days) also runs nearby, use Stop 19 on Ord Street. Free. (updated Nov 2017)
  • 2 Barracks Arch, Cnr of Malcolm and Elder Sts (E end of St. Georges Tce). Equally loved and loathed by residents this arch is all that remains of the 1866 Tudor style accommodations for soldiers of the Enrolled Pensioner Guard. The two wings were demolished in 1966 to make way for the Mitchel Freeway but public protests held back the wrecking ball from dispatching this part of Perth's history. Free. 
  • 3 Kangaroos in the City, Cnr Barrack St and St Georges Tce. If you don't get the chance to see some real ones, do like everyone else and take a photo with these friendly Roos. The larger than life size bronze kangaroo sculptures were installed in 1997, and have become a magnet for international visitors, who are subsequently disappointed with the diminutive size of their real life counterparts. Free. 
  • 4 Heirisson Island. Five to six wild kangaroos roam around this island in the Swan River. They are usually hiding in the bushes, but can come out so have your cameras ready. You can even get close and pet them! Take Red Cat bus to Queen's Gardens and walk to the Causeway bridge. Cross the bridge, then turn right for the kangaroos. Free.. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 5 Perth Mint, 310 Hay Street. The nation's oldest operating mint and one of the oldest mints in the world. Even today it still produces coins and gold bullion from its original premises. You can buy and sell gold, jewellery and souvenirs, see the mint in operation and watch molten gold being poured to create gold bars. (Walk from City Centre along Hay Street east or catch the red CAT) $19. 
Swan Bells Tower
  • 6 The Swan Bells. A bell tower is at the foot of Barrack Street, in front of the ferry wharf. The bells are from the church of St Martin-in-the-Field in London, and were a gift from the London to the people of Perth. The bell tower has a modern design, and is somewhat controversially regarded by locals. Inside the tower you get a view over the river and city or you can look around the outside of the tower, and hear the bells at noon. $11, child $7. 
  • 7 Crown Perth Complex (Crown Perth Casino), Great Eastern Highway Burswood, ☏ +61 8 9362 7777. An all-in-one entertainment precinct. The casino offers all games, the theatre provides a venue for some of the best touring productions, while the Dome is a 20,000 capacity arena that regularly hosts tennis tournaments and international concerts. Also included within the complex are a number of bars and pubs, including Paddy Hannan's (named after the first person to strike gold in West Australia) and the infamous nightclub The Eve. Take the Thornlie line (platform 4) from the central station, McIver or Claisebrook (platform 2). 
  • 8 Claisebrook Cove. A major urban redevelopment area on the Swan River, on the fringe of the city centre. Spend an hour or so wandering about the brightly coloured, modern and strikingly unusual architecture before you wind down with a meal and a hot or cold bevy. Views of the city centre from the footbridge that runs above the cove are particularly stunning at night. (Take the yellow CAT to the Haig Park Circle stop during daylight hours or take the Midland, Armadale or Thornlie line to Claisebrook transfer station which is located within the Free Transit Zone). 

The city riverfront is a popular spot for walking, running and cycling. But for most physical activities you'll want to head to other parts of the metropolis: to the coast for beach & water sports, to Rottnest Island for more of the same, and to the hills for hiking.

Festivals and events

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  • Perth International Arts Festival, ☏ +61 8 6488 2000, . A month-long annual festival held around February is Perth's biggest arts event, offering local and international acts of every artful stripe. Most performances are ticketed but a number of free exhibits or street performances may be worth catching. 
  • Fringe World Festival, ☏ +61 8 9227 6288, . A month-long annual festival held from late January to late February, Fringe World is Perth's fringe festival. It offers diverse shows from Australia and overseas performing across dozens of venues in Perth. Many performances are free, and those that are ticketed are affordably priced. 
  • Many local festivals occur in the suburbs of Perth and in Perth itself throughout the year - best to check current information from the Perth Tourist Information centre

There are three major supermarkets located in the city:

  • 1 Woolworths, 166 Murray St (on the Murray Street mall near Barrack Street). Open 7 days and until 9PM on weeknights. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 2 Woolworths, 100 St Georges Terrace (on St Georges Terrace in the enex100 development). Open until 9PM weeknights and 5PM on Saturday. Open Sunday 11AM-5PM.. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 3 Coles, Raine Square (on William Street in the Raine Square development). (updated Jun 2017)

These supermarkets accept all forms of payment including Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

King Street has some of the more expensive shops in Perth, including Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

But at the Northern end of King Street from Murray Street to around the corner of Wellington Street you will find a mix of fantastic locally owned boutique stores with more afforable designer Australian clothing and interesting designer imported clothing and a great coffee shop. Some of the best shops to visit are Love in Tokyo, Billy and Rose, Cult Status, Zekka, Mame and Dilettante.

Hay Street and Murray Street malls are the main shopping precinct of Perth. They have a number of chain music, clothing and department stores. The two are connected by several arcades, including Carillon arcade, Plaza arcade and Picadilly arcade. These have a number of off-beat Asian fashion stores, unique jewelry shops, and even a shop which specialises in gourmet teas. Basement level of Carillon arcade has a large food court. You can go and have a free Didgeridoo Lesson at Creative Native in Forrest Chase.

Murray Street, Perth

People seeking alternative clothing with a dance/street bent might want to check out Narcissist clothing (located along Barrack St - just listen out for the drum & bass oozing from the stairs that lead down to this basement level shop) and Red Rover clothing (Murray St east), the former of which also sells 12" vinyls, CDs, DVDs and a small selection of DJ equipment.

Elizabeth's secondhand bookstores - along Hay St (west) near King St. There is also one located along the cappuccino strip in Fremantle which is open 'til late on weekdays, are one source of old books - Fremantle has a number of other stores as well.

Harbour Town located on Wellington Street in West Perth (Yellow Cat to Harbourtown or Train, Fremantle line to City West, within Free Transit Zone) is good for a budget shopping spree, and contains primarily outlet stores.

Budget

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  • Croissant Express, Various outlets. M-F 7AM-4PM. You can't walk too far without passing one of these stores that are a good place for a cheap lunch. Ready made salad Baguettes, wraps and bagels are usually quite fresh since they have a high turnover. Some stores have seating in store or alfresco. The one in Carillon Arcade is nice. Baguette $6-9. 
  • 1 Taka, 150 Barrack St (on Barrack and Wellington St, and in Shafto Ln btwn Barrack and Wellington), ☏ +61 8 9221 4771. Extremely cheap Japanese food. 

Mid-range

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Splurge

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  • 2 C Restaurant Lounge, St Martins Tower, Level 33/44 (top of the AAPT building, or St Martin's Tower), ☏ +61 8 9220 8333. Has amazing views of the entire city including Kings Park. The food is good but the view is most definitely the defining feature. 

Drink

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Coffee

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Perth is home to a thriving, European-style cafe culture, influenced by the large number of Italian migrants. There are a number of stylish cafes.

Bars

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  • 1 Belgian Beer Cafe Westende, 347 Murray St, CBD (cnr King and Murray Sts), ☏ +61 8 9321 4094, . Daily 11AM-10PM, later on weekends. Has an impressive selection of imported and local beers on tap, with specialised glassware to match. 
  • 2 Prince Lane Bar, 356 Murray St, CBD, ☏ +61 8 9481 3222, . The motto of this very impressive pub/bar is "The Spirit of Rock" and, as such, the music policy leans towards contemporary rock and pop music (when the resident DJ isn't spinning, punters can select from a wide range of tunes from a state of the art video jukebox). The towering liquor cabinets are almost two stories high and as one might imagine, the draft beer, cocktail and "shooter" list is equally as monumental (Carnegie's has the longest cocktails list in Perth according to local press) and it is all complemented by a friendly and outgoing team of bar-staff. Tuesday night is quiz and $6 pints night whilst Wednesday nights feature half-price cocktails from 6PM. 

Clubs

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  • 3 Amplifier Bar/Capitol Nightclub, 393 Murray St. Head here late on a Saturday night for some indie dance hits and an eclectic crowd. 
  • 4 Ambar, 104 Murray St. Friday or Saturday night. This unpretentious bar/club serves some very tasty cocktails to complement its uber-cool music policy. The crowd has a friendly and "up for it" attitude. 
  • 5 Magnet House (Maggie's), 393 Murray Street (head south from Perth train station and then west along Murray Street). Probably the most popular nightclub in Perth. Magnet House is full every weekend - usually plays quite mainstream music. $20 entry fee. (updated Dec 2023)

Sleep

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Budget

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Mid-range

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Splurge

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Connect

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Internet

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Internet cafes can be found mainly in parts of the CBD, and Northbridge

Internet news sites directly linked to local newspapers are:

  • The local daily The West Australian a locally owned tabloid newspaper, with the Australian more as a national paper, it is linked with the local Sunday newspaper the Sunday Times.
  • The site 'Watoday' is not linked to a newspaper.

Go next

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The top day-trips within Perth are to Fremantle and to Rottnest Island.

See main Perth page for out-of-town options, ranging from day-trips to weekend getaways to great Australian expeditions.

This district travel guide to City is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.

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