Long celebrated as one of the world’s prettiest and most livable cities.
Perth is now striding confidently on to the international stage as a leading player in Australia’s cultural, hospitality and events scene. New attractions, accommodation, wining and dining offerings and cultural and entertainment precincts have flourished, and complement the city’s natural beauty. So what’s new, and what’s to come?
Perth
Connecting the Swan River and city – the vibrant waterfront precinct of Elizabeth Quay opened in 2016. Look out for GoCultural’s Indigenous walking tours, river cruises, public art, pop-up events, kids play areas and restaurants. Multiple development projects are taking shape, including the Ritz-Carlton’s first WA property.
Connecting the CBD and Northbridge – as part of the Perth City Link project, two new public precincts have been unveiled. Kings Square is a short walk from Perth Arena, Northbridge and the Perth Cultural Centre where visitors can have a bite to eat or relax in the gardens; while Yagan Square is the flagship public space. Designed to celebrate WA with a strong Aboriginal narrative, Yagan Square is a hub of activity during the day and night, with a digital tower and digital canopies for light, art, and video projections, native gardens, public art, and a market hall, featuring around 20 food vendors.
Contemporary influence – heritage buildings and laneways are now home to bustling bars and street art. More than 80 walls across Perth and surrounding suburbs have become a canvas for local, interstate and international artists. Reviving Perth’s heritage – opening at the end of 2015, the State Buildings has become one of Perth’s most popular wining and dining precincts.
Situated in the centre of the city, the former government buildings have been reinvented and as well as housing luxury boutique hotel COMO The Treasury, visitors will find David Thompson’s Long Chim, celebrated Perth chocolatier Sue Lewis, Rohan Jewellery, COMO Shambala, Widlflower restaurant (with a menu revolving around the six Indigenous Noongar seasons) and much more. Recently opened Hibernian Place is home to the 368-room, five-star Westin Perth as well as Guy Grossi’s Garum restaurant (his first foray out of Melbourne), much-loved WA wellness spa Bodhi J, a coffee roaster, rooftop bar and new eateries. New
Perth by night
Luxury Hotel Options
New Hotels
Perth now offers some of the best value hotel and short-stay accommodation in Australia following the raft of new and refurbished properties that have opened in the CBD and surrounding urban and coastal areas. Not only are visitors enjoying more choice in accommodation with a broad selection of boutique, big name and luxury accommodation options, Perth hoteliers are also offering up some great deals.
Since 2012, 25 new or redeveloped hotels have opened in and around Perth, adding more than 2,600 new rooms to the local market with names such as COMO The Treasury, Crown Towers, Alex Hotel, Intercontinental, Aloft and Tribe among the mix. By 2020, a further 14 new or redeveloped hotels will come online, adding another 2,600 new rooms. Among the names still to come are The Westin (April 2018), QT, Doubletree by Hilton and the Ritz-Carlton, which will be its first Australian property in 10 years. COMO
Top Things To Do
Perth Stadium Western Australia
Kings Park and Swan River
Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the largest inner city parks in the world offering stunning views and the opportunity to see a snapshot of WA’s native flora species. The Swan River and its cycle-friendly foreshore is a great place to enjoy the weather. Pack a picnic, go for a twilight sail or try your hand at fishing.
Kings Park and Swan River
Cottesloe Beach with Indiana Teahouse in the background.
Hit the beach
Watch the sun melt into the ocean at dusk from the iconic white sands of Cottesloe or surf hotspot and recently redeveloped Scarborough, just two of Perth’s 19 sensational inner-city beaches just 20 minutes from the CBD.
The Swan Valley
Just 20 minutes east of Perth, the Swan Valley is the state’s oldest wine growing region, a world away from city life. There are a range of guided or self-guided tours available of Swan Valley, with over 40 wineries, gourmet produce and a large number of restaurants and cafés to discover.
Swan Valley Winery
Rockingham – Perth
Rockingham
Pods of wild dolphins regularly visit the coastal waters near the seaside town of Rockingham, a 40 minute drive or train ride south of Perth. You can swim in ocean waters with wild dolphins or watch from a viewing platform as they frolic beneath your feet. A short ferry ride away on Penguin Island you can meet, feed and find out more of some of the island’s 1,200 fairy penguins as well as see sea lions and seals
Fremantle
A quick train ride away is the port city of Fremantle where fascinating maritime history blends with an open, multicultural energy. You can visit the Western Australian Maritime Museum or the World Heritage listed Fremantle Prison. Or just enjoy soaking up the energy of the cosmopolitan Cappuccino Strip or the bustling Fremantle Markets.
Fremantle Harbour
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island
Famous for its laid back atmosphere and beautiful beaches, Rottnest Island lies just a 30 minute ferry ride from Fremantle. It’s hard not to relax in this car-free zone where hiring a bike is the best way to get around. Hop between pristine white beaches, snorkel nearby shipwrecks or just enjoy the unique ecosystem where the friendly local marsupial, the friendly quokka, thrives. With a range of tours or self guide options available for this day or overnight retreat.
Optus Stadium
With 60,000 seats and a fans-first approach in design and technology, Optus Stadium is a multi-purpose venue that hosts AFL, cricket, soccer, rugby union, rugby league and entertainment events. The Stadium also offers daily yours as well as a range of fantastic dining options.
Optus Stadium – Perth
When to visit
With clear blue skies and comfortable temperatures Perth is a great holiday destination year round, but the best time to take advantage of the natural landscape and coastline is October – May.
Getting here
Perth is the only Australian city offering direct flights to the UK via Qantas, with other international carriers also flying daily. Perth is serviced by the transcontinental train service, the Indian Pacific. Fremantle is Perth’s major port facility for ocean liner cruising, which is located 30 minutes from the centre of Perth
How to get around
For road trip visitors, Perth is a depot for all major rental cars and motor homes. A regular and reliable metropolitan train and bus system runs through Perth city and surrounding suburbs and there are free ‘CAT’ buses that circuit the inner city
