Today’s Perth City Guide is from Perth locals Jelena Maticevic and Claire Trolio. Jelena works in the medical field by day but appreciates a good coffee and loves exploring the local bars and eateries by night. Claire owns her own boutique clothing and gift store, Ruck Rover General Store, along with her sister, Isabelle. The two love their city so much that they have launched their own web-based guide to Perth, We Love Perth, in an attempt to promote their town’s hidden gems and wonderful places. Today, these two ladies share some of that love in an extensive city guide of this coastal Australian city. Thanks, Jelena and Claire! — Stephanie

Read the full city guide after the jump . . .

Perth is the only city in the vast expanse of the State of Western Australia and one of the most isolated cities in the world! It’s pretty small in terms of population, but it is spread out over the flat land around the picturesque Swan River. It’s well known for its beautiful weather, pristine beaches and the laid back and friendly attitude of the locals.

Perth may not be famous for being bustling and vivacious, but it is lively in its own way, with plenty to discover whilst exploring small nooks and crannies of the city and its surrounds. We also love it for the small things: having a beer on a beautiful, sandy beach under a clear, blue sky with very few people around; the blistering hot days where the sun just about melts the pavement and burns your skin, and you can’t think of being anywhere other than in the water; the balmy evenings best enjoyed with an outdoor movie and picnic with friends.

Check out this Google Map with all of the below listings!

Stay

There aren’t many flashy hotels in Perth, and most accommodations are found around the city, Fremantle and along the coast. The city centre is, unsurprisingly, the most central and the easiest to get to and from, but each area has its merits. Below are a few places we recommend.

The Richardson: A boutique hotel in West Perth, near the outer limits of peaceful Kings Park and walking distance to the CBD.

The Rose & Crown: This heritage-listed building is the oldest hotel in Western Australia and still serves as a pub downstairs. This is a bit out of town, being a 30-minute train ride away from Perth city. The quaint hotel rooms are decked out in ornate, 19th-century furnishings, and they also offer more economical motel accommodations on the same grounds.

Cottesloe Beach House Stays: Choose from an array of beach house, apartment and villa accommodations right on the beach.

MOUNT LAWLEY & HIGHGATE

Mount Lawley is a small-business haven. Here you’ll find independent boutiques, watering holes and eateries centred around Beaufort Street. It’s an easy 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk from the city centre.

Shop

Ruck Rover General Store: A clothing and gift store stocking independent labels for guys, girls and babies, too. Think 50s-style polka-dot frocks for the gals, printed tees and checked shirts for the guys and all sorts of accessories and homewares. Stock up on Polaroid cameras and film, and check out the Mini Art Mart, showcasing quirky and affordable art that rotates monthly.

Test Tube Objects: This is a high-end design store with a twist. Their motto is “the ordinary: less ordinary,” so you’ll find functional items that are innovatively and beautifully designed.

Eat & Drink

Must Winebar: On one side, it’s a fine-dining restaurant headed by a top Western Australian chef who is passionate about fresh, local produce. On the other, there’s a wine bar with carefully selected drops on a changing list, with a great many available by the glass.

The Beaufort Street Merchant: It’s part wine store, part produce shop — a top-shelf restaurant in the evening with a more relaxed, café vibe during the day, and the mishmash works to create a one-stop shop for gastronomic pleasure.

Clarences: This small bar encompasses Perth at its best. There’s compact, restaurant-style seating at the front with a selective, seasonal menu on offer. Head down the back for a glass of wine or a cocktail to go with your bar snack or step into the courtyard and enjoy the sunlight streaming in as you sip on a sweet cider.

Lincolns 102: Here you will find absolutely delectable homemade cakes in an old corner store and house, just down from the main drag of Mt Lawley. 102 Lincoln Street, Highgate, 9228 1759

Cantina 663: Home to the best coffee in Mt Lawley, Cantina also serves up tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner with a focus on organic and free-range produce. Look out for their long table dinners that showcase a seasonal ingredient.

See & Do

The Astor: Built in 1919, this is one of Perth’s original Art Deco cinemas. Nowadays, it plays host to a variety of rock gigs, comedy tours, theatre productions and a few film festivals.

FREMANTLE

Fremantle, or Freo, as it is affectionately known, is a port town about a half hour southwest of Perth. It has a rich migrant history, which is still reflected in the buildings and businesses of today. Upon hosting the America’s Cup in 1987, Fremantle was developed into a tourist destination and remains a favourite spot with visitors and locals alike. The easygoing attitude of Freo and its residents is unmistakable and refreshing.

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Remedy: Filled with wares from celebrated Australian designers, they stock a great range of cleverly created homewares, cute jewellery and decadent skincare products.

Store: Everything just looks so bright and cheerful in this store! They fuse beauty and kitsch and line their shelves with items for every room in the house, plus toys and clothes for the little ones.

New Edition Bookshop: Housed in an old bank building, you can browse in this beautiful bookstore for hours trying to narrow down your short list of desired titles. Don’t miss the section dedicated to local publisher Fremantle Press.

Eros: Bright colours, patterns and textures bounce off the racks in this women’s clothing store. Go here for a decadent selection of threads. 79 Market Street, Fremantle, 9335 2141

Eat & Drink

Little Creatures Brewery: Fremantle’s much-loved microbrewery that is situated on the waterfront. Sip on a pilsner or a pale ale outdoors or overlook the working brewery inside. The neighbouring Creatures Loft caters for an evening tipple with comfortable couches and a bit of dancing if the night allows.

Moore & Moore Café: In one of our favourite cafés in Perth, mismatched vinyl chairs fill the bare concrete floors of the laneway-style interior. Sun umbrellas provide shade in the courtyard, which plays host to live music on weekends.

Gino’s: This Italian coffee shop is a Fremantle institution, encompassing its history as a popular migrant town to its bustling footpaths of today. Gino’s planted the seed for what has now become the Freo Cappuccino Strip, and it still thrives.

Gypsy Tapas House: Enjoy warm homemade tapas in a convivial and accommodating setting. We recommend the banquet!

See & Do

Fremantle Prison: This World Heritage Listed building was erected to hold convicts and shortly afterwards, became a maximum-security prison for many years. A tour of this haunting premises is fascinating, ranging from informative walks during the day to nighttime tunnel tours on foot and by boat.

Fremantle Arts Centre: When you’re feeling tired from the Freo crowds, wander up to the Arts Centre to recuperate. Explore the gallery and current exhibitions, have a bite to eat in the café, then trawl through their delightful gift shop filled with brilliant examples of local art and design. They also run art workshops and play host to some great gigs in the summertime, if you fancy taking in some tunes outdoors.

PERTH CBD

Until recently, the Central Business District was a bit of a ghost town outside of business hours, but the new barrage of small bars and trendy eateries sprouting up all over the city are playing a pivotal role in reviving the city centre and drawing people back in.

Shop

Aspects of Kings Park: This vast store showcases the best in Australian jewellery, art and gifts. It is the place to pick up presents for those at home, with a focus on fusing Australiana with top design and aesthetics.

Venn: A design shop/café/bar/gallery/studio space that is housed in an old flour mill factory, in the heart of the CBD. Functional design pieces fill the shelves, alongside jewellery, stationery and other bits and pieces.

Eat & Drink

Tiger, Tiger Coffee Bar: Tiger, Tiger is a hip, laneway café serving seriously tasty coffee to both the uber trendy and the suits. It doubles as a bar in the evening with occasional live music and other events.

Greenhouse: The design of this building is fascinating: The focus is on sustainability and functionality, but aesthetics come into play, as well. It is made from recycled and recyclable materials, which are covered with hundreds of potted plants. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner here, or stop into the rooftop bar for a beverage.

Helvetica: Hidden down a lane, this whisky bar is ideal for a secret sojourn after dinner. The whisky menu is extensive, and you can even buy the bottle and keep it behind the bar for next time. There are, however, other offerings if you prefer a different nip.

Hula Bula Bar: Just what every town needs, their very own Tiki Bar! Sip on classic cocktails or some elaborate, new concoctions, all served up with umbrellas, swizzle sticks, plastic snakes, eyeballs and other gruesome novelties. Slip into their island paradise and groove to the beach party tunes.

Devilles Pad: This hell-themed cocktail lounge is the ultimate in kitsch, with mesmerising stage acts, caged dancers, a tempting cocktail list and great tunes. It is for over 25s only and a dress code applies, so make sure you don some sharp threads.

See & Do

Kings Park: A definite must-do in Perth is to visit Kings Park and the botanic gardens atop Mt Eliza. You’ll find a huge expanse of native flora in the grounds that span 400 hectares. Go on a tree top walk and enjoy the sweeping view of the city, river and surrounds. The perfect spot for a picnic!

Moonlight Cinema: During the summer, Kings Park comes alive in the warm evenings with an outdoor movie screen that showcases popular and arthouse films.

FORM: FORM is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at developing and promoting creativity in Perth. One of the best ways to enjoy what they do is to visit their city gallery, which showcases some of the best art coming out of this country.

His Majesty’s Theatre: Enjoy a performance by the WA Opera, WA Ballet
or a touring comedian in this most majestic of settings, which is a stunning example of Edwardian architecture. Once inside, don’t forget to check out the roof!

NORTHBRIDGE

While Northbridge still carries a bit of a reputation for dirty clubs and rowdy teens, there have always been a few hidden gems in this area, and it is now filled with small boutiques, bars and cafés housed in lovely old buildings. It sits just north of the major Perth train station at Wellington Street.

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Outré Gallery: Australia’s home of alternative artworks, Outré specialises in pop, lowbrow and underground art. They feature a range of national and international artists with originals, prints, books and knickknacks for sale.

Eat & Drink

Dragon Seafood Chinese Restaurant: This is our pick from a good bunch of Chinese restaurants in the area for incredible dim sum on a weekend morning. Eat until you can eat no more!

399: Drop in for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap. These mixologists have a large repertoire and aim to please.

Little Willy’s: A hole in the wall café, Little Willy’s offers you the best coffee on the William Street strip. 267 William Street, Northbridge, 9385 5000

The Ellington Jazz Club: Offering live jazz and contemporary music gigs, you can choose to book a table downstairs or lurk in the standing room behind. Don’t come here unless you are prepared to keep quiet during the set. You’ll appreciate others’ respect for the musicians and fellow patrons.

See & Do

Perth Cultural Centre: A real cultural hub with the Art Gallery of WA, the State Library of WA, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art and the WA Museum, all within a stone’s throw from one another.

The Bakery: Run by Artrage, a not-for-profit arts organisation, the Bakery plays host to a diverse range of up-close-and-personal gigs. The music genres that are represented here are wide ranging, so check out the bill and see what takes your fancy.

Cinema Paradiso: This venue forms part of the Luna Palace group of local cinemas. They show a real mix of independent releases, foreign films, art house titles and cult classics. Cinema Paradiso screens many of the international titles in its four intimate theatres.

NORTH PERTH

A compact area that is worth popping up to!

Shop

Future Shelter: They offer all sorts of items for you and your home featuring really excellent design work, most of which are completely produced in their studio in the back.

Eat & Drink

The Flying Taco: This cheerful restaurant is home to fresh and delicious Mexican food, where even the tortillas and corn chips are made from scratch. Bring along your own drinks to guzzle with your burrito and chipotle salsa.

Milkd: Our top pick of the bunch of cafés nestled on this cute, suburban street.

See & Do

Rosemount Hotel: This grungy pub hosts a great number of local bands as well as some international acts. If it gets too hot and sweaty indoors, you can recline in the beer garden while chugging down a few cold ones.

DON’T MISS . . .

There are some places outside the above neighbourhoods that shouldn’t be missed. Here they are!

The Beach: Naturally, one of the best parts of our city is the seaside. Cottesloe is a top destination for those wanting a dip where there’s a bit more than just the stunning coastline on offer. Whilst Cottesloe Beach is the most well known and generally the busiest, you don’t have to head far south or north to find a stretch of sand to yourself. We also spend a lot of time at the quieter South, Leighton and City Beaches.

The Loose Box: Definitely the best restaurant in the west, and arguably one of the best in the world. Chef Alain Fabregues’ impeccable menu of French cuisine offers a degustation but with many options and variations. This is fine dining, but you are made to feel right at home with welcoming wait staff and a cosy set up. Although it’s a fair distance away, they also offer accommodations on site. If you are going to treat yourself to a nice meal while in Perth, make it here.

Caversham Wildlife Park: If you’re going to come all the way to Australia from overseas, then hand-feeding a kangaroo is a must! Get up close and personal in an open park setting with these friendly roos and other native animals. It’s quite a drive, but tour buses head up there as well.

Swan Valley: A renowned wine region on our doorstep. While it’s not as scenic as the Margaret River Wine Region and its surrounding forest, it is still home to a raft of amazing wineries and breweries. There are plenty of places to taste some local drops or to sit back for a long lunch whilst overlooking the picturesque vineyards.

The Margaret River Wine Region: About a 3.5-hour drive south of Perth lies a world-class wine-producing area and incredible surrounding forest. Margaret River, Dunsborough and Busselton are the most popular holiday destinations down south, with a huge range of places to stay and drops to sample. We are partial to the dense forest of Pemberton!

NOTABLE LOCALS

Heath Ledger: actor
Sam Worthington: actor
Megan Gale: model
Rolf Harris: wobbleboard player (!) and artist
Tim Winton: author
Edith Cowan: politician
Aurelio Costarella: fashion designer
Mark McEntee: musician

Lots of people born elsewhere settle in Perth, such as Ben Elton (comedian/author/playwright), Nick Sheppard (musician) and Melanie Greensmith (fashion designer).

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