Welcome to Perth, one of the world’s most isolated cities. This laid-back coastal city is as geographically close to its Asian neighbours as it is to most of the other major Australian cities, and has undergone significant growth and spectacular change over the last five years. Join us on a 24 hour trip through the city that gets more hours of sunshine than any other city in Australia – Perth!
Friday Evening: Check in to your hotel. The recently opened Alex Hotel in hip Northbridge is beautiful inside and out. Take out one of the hotel bikes for a spin around the block and don’t skip the incredible view of Northbridge and the city from the hotel’s rooftop.
Saturday Morning: Head towards the coast, with a quick stop at Kings Park to admire the panoramic views of the city and river. Selfies with the city in the background are a must!
Breakfast at a coastal cafe is the secret to fueling yourself for a strenuous day of lying at the beach. Cottesloe Beach is one of the most iconic Perth beaches. We recommend heading to Il Lido Italian Canteen for breakfast; then take a stroll south towards Freo to check out which beach you like the look of most.
Saturday Afternoon: After getting some sun on your face and having a couple of dips in the Indian Ocean, it’s time to head back to the hotel for some afternoon activities. If you’re Australian, skip to the next paragraph. Overseas travelers read on! Get ready for your hot date with some cuddly creatures. At Caversham Wildlife Park you can meet some koalas and other native animals up close and even get your photo taken with them.
A bit of luxury retail therapy can be found on King Street in the CBD. Head down to the Murray and Hay Street Malls for high-street brands. Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall is a great place to stop for a quick lunch. This hybrid space houses the cafe, barbers and streetwear and sneaker store Highs & Lows. In need of a post-lunch caffeine pick me up? La Veen Coffee & Kitchen just a few doors on will sort you out.
Walk back over the Horseshoe Bridge and head to the Perth Cultural Centre, home to the State Library, WA Museum, PICA and the Art Gallery of WA. View the Art Gallery’s “Your Collection,” a rich array of Australian and international works.
Saturday Evening: After freshening up back at the hotel, pre-dinner drinks are just a stroll across the street at Lot Twenty. Enjoy the warm evening and the buzzing atmosphere of this nightlife precinct in their alfresco area. Reward yourself for all that sightseeing and shopping with one of their many local beers, wines or cocktails. Their best selling espresso highball topped with panela sugar foam is the perfect kick-start to your evening!
If you love Asian food, stick to nearby William Street for an overwhelming offering of Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai and Malaysian options. A 20 minute walk or $7 Uber will get you to the Highgate and Mt. Lawley strip along Beaufort Street, where you can choose from incredible Mexican, Spanish, Modern Australian and more. Those looking for an upscale dinner can head to the Yelper favourite St Michael. If you time your trip well, you might even be able to catch a gig post-dinner at The Astor, a breathtaking art deco theatre.
The only problem with this fun-filled weekend is that all good things must come to an end. Luckily there’s still plenty left to explore on your next Perth adventure.
Drop me a line if you’re heading my way – I might join you for a drink!
Laura D is Yelp Perth’s Community Manager.
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