A first-timer's guide to the best of Perth

The Western Australia capital is a vibrant, multicultural city that relishes its position as the anchor for the largest state in the country.

The sparkling modern metropolis sits on the traditional Country of the Whadjuk Noongar peoples, with a history that traces a line through tens of thousands of years. Its enviable position on the edge of the Swan River and close to the stunning WA coastline means that its locals have a best-of-all-worlds lifestyle that includes jaunts to beaches the likes of Cottesloe and Bathers, bar-hopping through funky inner-city neighbourhoods, eating at some of the most interesting restaurants in the state, swimming with wild dolphins (and spotting penguins) in its outer suburbs, and heading beyond the city limits on easy day trips to places such as the Swan Valley, home of the state’s oldest wine region. Here, find a taste of the best places to stay, dine and explore in Perth.

Perth skyline, Western Australia — Witness the glittering Perth skyline. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Perth’s unique stays

Warders Hotel

The former residences of the warders of Fremantle Prison, this historic row of limestone cottages have been transformed into a funky boutique hotel that melds the (very) old with the new to pared-back, stylish effect.

The Alex Hotel

Tucked into a side street in Northbridge, the Alex Hotel houses 74 rooms (some with cool bunk beds), bright and breezy communal living spaces, a rooftop wine bar and open-to-all lobby cafe.

Alex Hotel, Perth, WA — The Alex Hotel houses 74 rooms.

Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle

Sitting behind an unassuming frontage, the rooms at Fremantle’s Hougoumont Hotel are constructed from shipping containers that have been styled up with sleek design and luxe touches.

The Melbourne Hotel

This heritage grand hotel has had a contemporary refit, with elegant rooms upstairs and interesting restaurants downstairs.

Grand Orient at Melbourne Hotel, Perth, WA — Visit the Grand Orient at the Melbourne Hotel. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Where to eat and drink

Hop between small bars

Perth has become renowned for its small-bar culture in the past few years, with cosy boltholes tucked behind skinny shopfronts and below-ground cellars in the likes of Northbridge, Fremantle, Mount Lawley and the CBD among other locales. The snug spaces might be small in stature but they are big in atmosphere and cool cred, with Mrs Brown’s (housed in a Fremantle Victorian terrace), Mechanics Institute and Joe’s Juice Joint in Northbridge and Bobèche in the city names to know.

Petition

Housed within the labyrinth of the State Buildings, Petition has a welcoming, casual feel, with helpful wait staff and a menu of interesting, flavoursome dishes that are perfect for sharing: we can highly recommend the broccoli and mixed grain salad, Cambray Cheese sheep’s feta and almonds.

Bread in Common

If you make it to Perth and do not make time to head to Fremantle you should hang your head. The food scene there is off the charts, so when a restaurant comes recommended by in-the-know locals you know it is good. Bread in Common , an expansive space with long communal tables and an open kitchen, is considered about everything it does, from its wood-fired, preservative-free bread to its pickling and fermenting and its menu of share plates and minimal-intervention wines.

Long Chim

David Thompson’s brand of spicy, flavour-engulfed Thai has made him internationally famous, and his Perth restaurant Long Chim (also tucked into the State Buildings) is a perennial hit with diners. The colourful space is bustling, noisy and aromatic and the menu is influenced by the market and street food of Bangkok, from mouth-warming curries to unctuous noodles to wok-fresh stir fries.

Hearth

Part of the Ritz-Carlton Perth, Hearth ’s lovely dining room is the backdrop for a menu that celebrates the produce and producers of the state, from the Kimberley to the fringes of the Great Southern region.

Heart, Perth, WA — Hearth’s menu draws from WA’s bounty.

Garum

Celeb chef Guy Grossi has collaborated with The Westin Perth to create Garum , a Roman osteria combining ancient traditional Roman cooking techniques and modern classics. The space is as appetising as the menu of handmade pastas, housed as it is in the historic Hibernian Hall in the city’s east end.

Old Young’s Kitchen

Having opened next door to Old Young’s Distillery, this Swan Valley eatery has proven quite a hit, with chef Rohan Park’s menu of share plates getting big kudos, as has the fresh, contemporary fit-out and long outdoor table sitting pretty under a canopy of dripping vines.

Luxe stays in Perth

COMO The Treasury

The understated sophistication of this property has garnered it multiple awards and many fans over the years. Housed in grand heritage buildings, the interiors by Kerry Hill Architects have a soft, minimalist vibe, with the clean lines made welcoming by the use of tactile natural materials such as leather and blond wood and muted neutral shades. Don’t miss the opportunity to dine at its signature restaurant Wildflower while in residence.

The Westin

The sleek design of The Westin , situated on Hay Street, also has a strong sense of place, with colours reminiscent of the WA landscape and arresting art that captures everything from the state’s swirling, Day-Glo-hued salt lakes to its startling blue waterways. Facilities include a Bodhi day spa, rooftop infinity pool and fitness studio.

The Ritz-Carlton, Perth

Situated on Elizabeth Quay, the Ritz-Carlton Perth is a grand and stylish offering, with its 205 rooms flooded in light through floor-to-ceiling windows, a chic interior style with lots of natural materials at play and top-notch additions including Hearth restaurant at ground level, and the lovely Songbird bar, with its cosy fire pit and outdoor terrace, up high. Also pay attention to the art in the soaring lobby (rendered in 10,000 blocks of Kimberley stone), which tells local and state stories, including a wall piece created from ephemera (old china and the like) found during the construction process.

Perth’s neighbourhoods

Northbridge

Perth’s original hip hood, the inner-city suburb of Northbridge has settled into its status as the go-to place for great coffee, interesting food and late-night drinks. The relaxed vibe on the street is fed by engaged locals, who shop in their favourite boutiques and eat out in local cafes and restaurants with pride. Don’t neglect to wander through dimly lit arcades and down laneways festooned with street art, as there are many hidden gems
to be discovered.

Mount Lawley

There’s much ado about Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley’s main thoroughfare, which has seen new hotspots popping up along its length including The Elford, Bar Rogue, and multi-level, multi-venue The Beaufort. A stone’s throw from the heart of the city, the neighbourhood is the perfect place to head on a Saturday morning for brunch and shopping,
or after dark when the area’s vibrant nightlife kicks into gear.

Join a walking tour

To really get a taste of Perth’s neighbourhoods, join a walking tour. Proud Whadjuk woman Kerry-Ann Winmar, owner of Nyungar Tours, conducts walking tours of Perth city, the ancient Country of the Whadjuk Noongar peoples, sharing traditional stories, imparting wisdom on medicinal plants and bush foods and discovering cultural sites of great significance. Her South Perth Walking Cultural Tour tracks along the south Perth foreshore, overlooking the city skyline and Swan River (known as Derbal Yerrigan in the Nyungar language) and includes interacting with Indigenous artefacts.

Perth’s top spots

Fremantle Prison

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison has a colourful and dramatic history, having been built by convict labour in the 1850s and housing prisoners for 136 years until it was shuttered in 1991. There are a range of tours with knowledgeable guides, including a spooky torchlight tour after dark and one into the labyrinth of tunnels located 20 metres below the prison.

Perth valley views, WA — Verdant views over the Chittering Valley. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Optus Stadium

Named the most beautiful stadium in the world, Perth locals are rightfully proud of Optus Stadium, which is an attraction in its own right with tours and activities on offer that range from delving into the Indigenous history of the area to diving off its roof. theozone.com.au

Kings Park

Beloved by Perth’s inhabitants, Kings Park is a vast patch of nature sitting in the heart of the thriving city. At 400 hectares it is actually 60 hectares larger than New York’s Central Park, which also doesn’t have a botanic garden sitting within it (that’s Western Australian Botanic Garden) or a 750-year- old boab tree.

Rockingham

This Perth outer suburb is all about the spectacular allures of its coastline, which looks out to the islands and reefs of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. If the penguins on the aptly named Penguin Island aren’t enough to hook you, swimming with wild dolphins (at a respectful distance and with no actual contact please) from September to early June is sure to do it.

The beaches

When people think of water views in Perth, it is usually the Swan River that springs to mind, but the WA capital actually boasts a total of 19 beaches. While the most famous of these is Cottesloe Beach, do pack your swimmers and head to Leighton Beach, Mettams Pool, Bathers Beach, and City Beach, near to the heart of Perth.

Leighton Beach, Perth, WA — Go to the lovely Leighton Beach.

Perth’s secret gems

Swan Valley wineries

Clocking in at an easy 30-minute drive from the heart of the city, the Swan Valley is the ultimate weekender for Perth locals looking for respite within reach, but its delights sometimes slip under the radar when it comes to out-of-towners. Rookie mistake people. The area is a powerhouse of artisanal makers and doers producing everything from art to chocolates to gin. It is also the state’s oldest wine region, with more than 180 years of winemaking heritage and knowledge sown into its rich soils. And what would an easy-to-access weekend escape/day-trip foodie enclave be without a destination diner or two? Prioritise Mandoon Estate, Funk 2.0 and Stella Winery.

Borrello Cheese, Swan Valley, Perth, WA — Borrello Cheese in the Swan Valley produces Italian-style cheeses.

The Chittering Valley

Bucolic doesn’t even begin to describe the Chittering Valley, with its idyllic rolling green countryside sprinkled with grazing cows and pretty wildflowers. Situated in the northern hills of the Darling Range, less than an hour’s drive from the city, the region boasts vineyards, orchards, farmers’ markets and Australia’s only monastic town, New Norcia, which is definitely worth the side trip.

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com