Cottesloe Beach, Perth, Western Australia © Tourism Australia
Perth suburb guide
Beachside lifestyle or inner-city buzz? In Perth, you can have both.
By Ute Junker
It might seem like a simple choice. Perth is known for enjoying more sunny days than any other Australian capital city, so why wouldn’t you base yourself at one of its inviting white-sand beaches, such as Cottesloe?
However, inner-city neighbourhoods such as Northbridge and Mount Lawley offer an equally alluring experience, with their wine bars and museums, sprawling parks, restaurants and cutting-edge street art.
Whatever type of stay or play you’re after, this guide will help you find your perfect base.
Central Perth
Kings Park and Botanical Garden, Perth, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia
Fun fact
Perth’s Kings Park is one of world’s largest inner-city parks, even bigger than New York’s Central Park.
Where: City centre, Northbridge, Mount Lawley
Expect the unexpected in Perth’s most central neighbourhoods: heritage buildings reinvented as restaurants, laneways that double as alfresco bars and metres-high murals decorating the sides of office blocks. A natural escape is never far away, with the tranquil Swan River and the sprawling Kings Park easily accessible from the heart of town. For a dose of culture, head to Northbridge, where Perth’s best museums, theatres and galleries congregate. William Street is the heart of the Northbridge neighbourhood, lined with cocktail bars, Asian eateries, vintage stores and gay bars. Neighbouring Mount Lawley has a more intimate village vibe, with the heritage buildings lining Beaufort Street now housing an inviting array of shops and bars.
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Travel guide to Perth
Perth’s beaches
Travel tip
The CAT buses offer free transport along four routes in and around Perth’s inner city.
Where: Fremantle, Cottesloe, Scarborough
Any local will tell you: the beach is an integral part of daily life. Perth residents often start the day with a quick dip and return at the end of the day to watch the sun sink into the horizon from one of the beachside bars, as Perth’s beaches are easy to get to from the city. But there is more to its most well-known trio coastal hubs – Fremantle, Cottesloe, Scarborough – than just swimming, surfing and socialising, especially in historic Fremantle.
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