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.

Blend the addictive energy of dance, creative cinematic movies, captivating theatre, and energising music during Perth Festival.

Perth Festival has extraordinary roots. Born as a summer community experiment back in 1953, the brainchild of Professor Fred Alexander, it’s now Australia’s longest-running international art-based festival. From its first event at University of Western Australia, it now spans across Noongar Boodjar country (Perth City) bringing worldclass performances into the hearts of ardent festivalgoers. Hundreds of curtain calls, including numerous free events, are set to linger and leave a lasting impression on those who seek thrills that fill life’s in-between spaces. Featuring unmissable highlights from 6^th February to 1^st March, we’ve done the legwork for you – here’s what’s on, and where:

1. East Perth Power Station

East Perth Power Station during Perth Festival — See East Perth Power Station come alive. (Image: Jessica Wyld Photography)

Abandoned, run-down and shutdown in 1981, East Perth Power Station , located on the banks of the stunning Swan River, was reinvented in 2025 as an entertainment venue for the Perth Festival. Pack a picnic, bring the family and kick back under paperbark trees at Casa Musica – a free event featuring a melting pot of world-class musicians from Australian shores and around the globe. The diversity will have you bopping until the final encore.

A decade after David Bowie’s passing, his powerful music lives on in the electrifying show, Rebel Rebel . Powerhouse vocalists join Perth Symphony Orchestra for one incredible night showcasing the singer-songwriter’s iconic hits. Illuminate your world through the eyes of First Nation Noongar artist, Lance Chadd Tjyllyungoo in a free event. His distinctive paintings and Dreamtime stories decorate the Power Station’s walls depicting spiritual beliefs. Or settle in to watch British indie pop singer-songwriter, Nilüfer Yanya .

2. St Mary’s Cathedral

Take in Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth. (Image: Anja Schutz)

Step into the lofty ceilings of Perth’s grandest cathedral, St Mary’s, and soak up choral harmonies. Dating back to 1865, the stained-glass reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper are a talking point, add talented maestros, and the stage is set to enthral.

The international line-up is impressive. Master Irish fiddler, Martin Hayes takes to the stage with exquisite lyrical compositions from his native land. Åkervinda , an award winning Swedish quartet, weave stories of love, loss, and resilience into harmonious Nordic folk songs. The USA Grammy Award-winning vocal group, Roomful of Teeth , break all the rules. Hear their voices echo through the arched vaulted ceilings.

3. Lotterywest Films

guests at Lotterywest Films as part of Perth Festival — Discover the Lotterywest Films program. (Credit: Jessia Wyld Photograpghy)

One of the festivals longest-running favourites, Lotterywest Films run a rich tapestry of cinematic features showing until 29th of March. Pack a picnic, cushions, popcorn and pop a cork under a Somerville Pine Tree as the sun sets and screenings begin. Cinema lovers, choose your poison from thrillers, deep-dive documentaries, tearjerkers, raunchy rom-coms and side-splitting comedies. The program is fantastically full, the filmmakers the best in the business, and the outdoor setting, unequalled.

4. The Embassy

guests at The EMbassy as part of Perth Festival — Step into the old world glitz of The Embassy. (Image: Franz Bato)

Modelled on Perth’s historic Embassy Ballroom, a devilish dance venue that operated in the 1900s, The Embassy in Perth Town Hall , serves sophistication in its A-list shows. Set your sequins a’sparkle at the, What’s TINA Got to Do With It extravaganza where guest artists play tribute as they belt out the glitzy star’s hits. The returning act, Ali Bodycoat & The Embassy Big Band, will have you jiving as you take to the dance floor reimagining a bygone era. Who doesn’t like chocolate? Black-bearded drag sensation, La Gateau Chocolat puts the raw in cacao. World-renowned for his feisty range of storied songs, he reveals the inner-man come artist through his deliciously sweet and intimate act.

5. Unusual locations

still from The Trial theatre — Watch a star-studded cast in The Trial. (Image: Cole Baxter)

We’ve all heard of the hit show, The Office, but a spinetingling operatic thriller acted out in disused office space? Philip Glass’ nail-biter, The Trial , has a star-studded line-up. Together they deliver a dramatic ordeal showcasing Oscar-winner Christopher Hampton’s libretto; the suspense lingers after the final bow.

Sit back under starry skies and soak up dynamic dance at Ballet at the Quarry: Incandescence . Four exclusive classical and contemporary acts illuminate the amphitheatre’s stage as Perth City twinkles at nightfall. Mystery excites the mind. West Australian Opera returns again with another ‘secret opera’. Be led from an undisclosed meeting point and let the music lead to the secret.

6. A View From A Bridge

A View From A Bridge special event at Perth Festival — Share your innermost thoughts at A View From A Bridge.

Free, connecting strangers, and inclusive to everyone, artist, Joe Bloom’s collaborative project, A View From A Bridge has one prop – an old red telephone. Talk into the receiver , share thoughts, innermost feelings, memories, hopes and dreams as Bloom captures you from afar. The freedom to speak through the telephone movement has a worldwide following. A range of clips will be shown online.

What else to do in Perth

Shadow Wine Bar in perth — Taste the best of Perth at eateries like Shadow Wine Bar.

Endless blue skies crown Perth during February, making it the perfect time to explore Australia’s most western capital city. The city might be compact, but it packs a punch when it comes to what’s on. Perth Cultural Centre houses the city’s art-scene venues: Western Australian Art Gallery, WA Museum Boola Bardip and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA).

After exploring the city’s alleyways, hidden corners, and main hub, savour worldclass food in Perth’s vibrant eateries. Award-winning restaurants, rooftop bars, and cafes can be found throughout; the leisurely eat-and-drink scene is literally mouthwatering, so book extra nights.

Start planing your 2026 trip to Perth Festival at perthfestival.com.au .