Perth, Australia | Cruise port of call | CruiseBe
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Perth, Australia
(*cruise tour)

Perth, Australia

Perth is the capital and largest city of Western Australia. It is separated from Adelaide (the nearest city with over one million inhabitants) by the distance of 2,139km to the east that includes the Nullarbor.

Perth spreads out along on a flat coastal plain, dissected by the

Swan River

and it spreads over the Darling Scarp to the east and the Indian Ocean coastline to the west is the only real physical boundary.

Despite its isolation and relatively small population, Perth is a surprisingly culturally diverse city. Due to the high rate of migration to Perth, slightly less than half of Perth's residents were born outside Australia. Its proximity to Southeast Asia and Africa has led to an influx of migrants from countries such as Malaysia, South Africa, and Thailand, and this is reflected in the... Read more

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Perth, Australia

Destination:
Asia, Australia & New Zealand, South Pacific

Perth is the capital and largest city of Western Australia. It is separated from Adelaide (the nearest city with over one million inhabitants) by the distance of 2,139km to the east that includes the Nullarbor.

Perth spreads out along on a flat coastal plain, dissected by the

Swan River

and it spreads over the Darling Scarp to the east and the Indian Ocean coastline to the west is the only real physical boundary.

Despite its isolation and relatively small population, Perth is a surprisingly culturally diverse city. Due to the high rate of migration to Perth, slightly less than half of Perth's residents were born outside Australia. Its proximity to Southeast Asia and Africa has led to an influx of migrants from countries such as Malaysia, South Africa, and Thailand, and this is reflected in the diversity of cuisine available in Perth. If you wish to experience a cosmopolitan culture without the hustle and bustle of larger cities then Perth is worth visiting.

The City has a temperate Mediterranean type climate. Summers are hot and dry whilst winters are generally wet and mild. Summer temperatures average 30°C/86°F between November and April. Maximum temperatures during the height of summer can reach and sometimes exceed the 40°C/104°F mark. Very hot days tend to have very low humidity making conditions more bearable.
Spring (Sep-Nov) and Autumn (Mar-May) are ideal times in which to visit Perth. Spring (particularly October / November periods) is perhaps the very best to see the sights as after a decent winter's rainfall, the famous wildflowers around Kings Park and the Avon Valley bloom splendidly. 
Source:
Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
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Perth, Australia: Port Information


Cruise ships dock at the Port of Fremantle situated 10 miles from Perth (a 20-minute ride).
The cruise terminal is modern and has everything you need.
There is a railway station near the cruise terminal. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Perth on a train.
Taxis are available.
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Get around Perth, Australia


By public transport

The Perth metropolitan area has a fairly reliable and inexpensive public transport system operated by Transperth. Information about timetables, disruptions or service alterations can be found on their website, by calling 13 62 13 or at 'Transperth Infocentres' at the central train station and a couple of branches in the City.

Bus

A reasonably reliable network of public bus services run around the suburbs between bus and train stations.

Transperth also operates a free CAT bus service in Perth CBD, Northbridge, Fremantle and Joondalup. The large air-conditioned buses of different colors with the distinctive CAT logo run about every 10 min on various routes around major facilities and attractions. They are a great way of getting from one place to another.

The buses are free leaving and entering the city within the Free Transit Zone - it runs from Newcastle Street down and from the end of

Kings Park

when going towards Subiaco. This does not require a Smartrider, just get on.

Train

The suburban railway network is great for quickly getting to outlying suburban areas. All services stop at the central Perth station in the City on their way to or from the outlying terminating stations. The network consists of five rail lines, some reaching further into the outer metropolitan area:

  • Fremantle Line, servicing western Perth, to Fremantle.
  • Midland Line, servicing eastern Perth to Midland and offering transfers to regional and interstate rail services.
  • Armadale/Thornlie Line, servicing south-eastern Perth to Armadale, with a spur line to Thornlie.
  • Joondalup Line, servicing northern Perth, to Butler (Via Joondalup).
  • Mandurah Line, servicing southern Perth, to Mandurah.

All rail lines converge at Perth Station. Joondalup and Mandurah Line services utilize underground platforms at Perth Underground Station, which is directly connected to Perth Station, allowing transfers by foot to the other lines.

All lines connect to various bus services. The Wellington Street Bus Station, located in the CBD, is where many bus services can be boarded and are directly connected to Perth Station. The Esplanade Bus Port is another prime bus service location in the CBD and is directly connected to Esplanade Station on the Mandurah and Joondalup Lines. Most train stations across Perth have bus transfers that service the more local area of the station.

Train services run every 5–10 minutes (this depends on the line and station) during peak hours, with many trains running express. Off-peak and most of the day on weekends, trains run every 15min and 30min after 19:00 and weekends. The Armadale Line runs express at all times except late nights.

During peak hours (07:00-21:00.00 & 16:30-18:30) the Midland and Clarkson lines can become extremely overcrowded. Avoid these lines during peak if possible. Bicycles are not allowed on trains heading toward the city in the morning, or away from the city in the evening; they are also not allowed to enter or pass through Perth, Perth Underground or Esplanade stations. Passengers with bikes should use City West, McIver, Canning Bridge or Leederville stations during this time and then ride to the final destination from there.

Services commence around 05:00 and cease around midnight.

Remember to purchase a valid ticket or use your SmartRider card when traveling on the rail network. A good tip to remember is, if you have a SmartRider, to use one of the red fare gates to enter the station, so you can also be sure you have "tagged on". Do the same when leaving. Not all stations have these gates. If your station does not, look for a green pole with a SmartRider reader instead.

Late night service guide

On Saturday morning, extra services depart Perth at 1.00 AM and 2.00 AM, with three extra services on Sunday morning (1.00 AM, 2.00 AM) These services cater to people traveling home from night clubs in Northbridge. These services operate in one direction only, heading away from the city. The Armadale services run all stops during this time; there is no late night service to Thornlie.

Weekend travel

Weekend service frequency is 15 minutes on all routes. Trackwork can cause partial line closures on weekends, with buses replacing trains. It is rare for a whole line to be closed due to track work, but it does occur at least twice a year on the Fremantle and Midland Lines.

Also note that during special events, some extra train services may operate, such as the Perth to West Leederville shuttle, or the Mandurah to West Leederville special. It is best to avoid these trains if you can, as they are often overcrowded.

Ferries

Transperth operates a ferry shuttle service between the city, departing from Elizabeth Quay, and Mends Street Jetty in South Perth. Services are frequent throughout the day, and it is rare for a service to be canceled. From Mends Street, it is a seven-minute walk to

Perth Zoo

. The Blue CAT connects to the ferry, and the Elizabeth Quay (formerly known as Perth Esplanade) Train Station is adjacent to the ferry terminal. Fares are part of the bus and train Transperth system, with a 2-section fare needed to cross the river, or it can be part of a multi-zone bus or train ticket if it's taken within the time period as shown on the ticket.

Fares

For trains, buses, and ferries, the Transperth system is divided into 9 concentric zones, as well as the Free Transit Zone (city center and surrounds). The Free Transit Zone on the trains is only available to SmartRider (transport card) holders, passengers without a card have to buy a ticket. Tickets and passes are valid on all buses, ferries, and trains within a zone. Tickets are valid for two hours and can be used on your return trip.

Zone 2 extends as far as Fremantle and for most visitors, a two-zone ticket will suffice. Single trip, cash tickets can be purchased from bus drivers or coin-operated ticket machines located at train stations. The more convenient SmartRider cards automatically calculate your fare and deduct it from your card when you tag on and off upon boarding and alighting bus and train services. SmartRiders can be bought or recharged at Transperth Information Centres, major train and bus stations and/or from most Newsagents. Bus drivers can also charge your SmartCard for you, however, they will not provide change. SmartRider cards carry a 15% discount over cash fares.

Those passengers not holding SmartRider cards will need to present their paper ticket to the transit guard upon entering and leaving Perth Station and selected suburban stations.

By taxi

Taxi experiences in Perth can range from hassle-free to problematic. Extended waits during peak periods (5 AM-9 AM Weekdays and Weekend Evenings) are common, but outside these times, taxis are plentiful. If your journey is likely to be short, it is better to simply call for a taxi once you are ready to leave, or hail a taxi if you are in a busy area.

Two major taxi companies are Swan Taxis (13 13 30), who dispatch Swan, TriColor, 13CABS, Yellow and Coastal taxis, and Black and White Taxis (131 008). There are numerous smaller companies that operate mainly out of the Central Business District. Fares are regulated by the state government and all dispatch companies charge the same rate. Surcharges apply on designated holiday periods (New Year's Eve and Christmas Day) and on weekend nights between midnight and 5 AM. Tipping taxi drivers in Perth is not customary, but adding a small gratuity on top of the fare is common for exceptional service.

Catching a taxi from an entertainment precinct late on a Friday or Saturday night sees clubbers waiting at taxi stands up to 2 hours for a ride home. Drivers are known to avoid picking up drunken patrons from outside of pubs, clubs or from the entrance to Perth central station. There has been a recent spate of sexual assaults on female passengers so it is advisable to travel in groups. There are specially designated 'secure ranks' operating at these times where patrons can queue in (relative) safety. Another option is the late night Transperth trains and buses run specially for revelers after their night out.

Services at Perth Airport are generally reliable, but at offpeak times (1 am - 8 am), be prepared for a potential wait at the taxi-stand as the line of waiting taxis crawl in one by one. The frequency at night drops off but there should still be a few cars waiting to meet incoming planes.

By bicycle

Perth can be comfortably explored on foot or by bicycle as Perth has some of the best cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in Australia.

The Perth bicycle network features an ever-growing, metro-wide system of bicycle/pedestrian paths. The system features;

  • Principal Shared Paths (high standard shared paths that run adjacent to each railway lines and along major motorways).
  • Local Bicycle Routes (a series of on-road routes as well as some suburban off-road sections that run through parks - these paths provide a connection to such destinations as schools, shopping centers, and other recreational facilities.
  • Generic minor works (projects include general improvements to the cycling environment in local areas, such as on-road bike lanes and sealed shoulders).
  • End of trip facilities (including U-Rails, Cora bike racks, and bike lockers and change-rooms).

Cycle maps are available from most bike shops and at Planners Map. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure provides a range of guides, maps and brochures for bike riders. If you have a scenic route in mind, these brochures can take you to the coast, Kings Park, Armadale and the Hills or around the Swan River.

A favorite among seasoned local cyclists is the ride along the North side of the Swan River between the City and Nedlands. Allow 60 min for a round trip along this route, as you might encounter a strong headwind.

Bicycles are allowed on board Transperth trains but not during peak hour unless they can be folded up.

By foot

Perth city has at times had books and pamphlets for self-guided walking tours.

Two Feet and a Heartbeat currently has guided walking tours.

By car

Driving into Perth's CBD and Northbridge will mean paying to park. There is also congestion on roads leading to the CBD during peak hours. The other option is to park at a railway station and catch a train. Some stations charge a small fee for parking, and all-day parking can fill up. Once parked in the CBD, you can reach most destinations by foot or by a free bus.

Renting a car is the ideal means of transportation for traveling through the suburbs and to outlying attractions. Most major car hire companies have locations in or near Perth. Budget Rent a Car has 7 location in Perth, Avis, Hertz, and others have more than one location, as well. Perth's major freeways and highways are free from any tolls, and it is possible to be surrounded by beautiful countryside within minutes.

Car rental providers are located at the airport and in the city. There are some providers also in the suburbs.

The speed limit within built-up areas is 50 km/h unless otherwise directed by traffic signs.

Police are rarely seen out on the roads but speed cameras are very prevalent. Driving even 5 km/hr above the speed limit can incur a fine. Driving 40 km/hr above the speed limit means the car is impounded for 28 days even if it is not your car (hire cars excepted).
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What to see in Perth, Australia


There is plenty to see in the city center within wandering distance or on a free CAT bus. Hidden among the sprawl of the surrounding and metropolitan area are a few worthwhile attractions usually less than an hour away by car, or a bit longer on public transport.

Outside of the metropolitan area are some unspoiled national parks, unpopulated coastline, and other interesting locations.

Kangaroos

There is a designated area in the zoo for kangaroos where they can wander on visitors' paths and the animals are used to people so you can see them very close.

To see semi-wild kangaroos visit the Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park (a cemetery, but not European style) - it's a walking distance from Whitfords Transperth Train/Metro Station - just cross the highway, the highway exit and look for the entrance on the left. As there is plenty of space for them you may see them not only eating but also hopping.

In Whiteman Park, kangaroos come close to the parking areas in the main visitor areas of the Park. Kangaroos are also commonly seen on many golf courses, including at The Vines and Joondalup Resorts.

There are also kangaroos that occasionally come close to the Mundaring Weir Hotel and the car park above Mundaring Weir/Lake C Y O'Connor.

Spectator sports

  • Australian Rules Football. Perth, like Melbourne, is mad for its footy. Every weekend between (roughly) March and August, Subiaco Oval (currently known as Domain Stadium) fills to near-capacity with either West Coast Eagles or Fremantle Dockers supporters for Australian Football League (AFL) matches. Why not choose whose colors you like best and join in the fun? All games go on sale two weeks before each game, with the majority of seats having been pre-sold to club members. However, some tickets are always made available for opposing club members and then the general public. Average crowds are between 35000 and 40000. For a more intimate and accessible game, West Australian Football League (WAFL) games are held at numerous grounds around Perth during the same period. Crowds number only a few thousand, and you can even go on the field during the breaks to have a kick, or to listen to the coach address the team! Aussie rules football might be hard to understand at first, but it is quite exciting.
  • Other sports Other professional sports have a presence in Perth:
    • Perth Glory – If you prefer association football (generally known by Australians as "soccer") and find Australian Rules football too confusing, Perth Glory Football Club compete in the A-League, Australia's top level of football. The season runs over summer from October to March, with the possibility of qualification to the finals series (playoffs) running into April. They have a sister club, Perth Glory W-League, that competes in the women's W-League. Both teams play at Perth Oval, also known as NIB Stadium due to a sponsorship deal. The stadium is a 10 min walk from Northbridge or a 3 min walk from Claisebrook Train Station.
    • Western Warriors – Play cricket in Australia's main domestic competitions — the Sheffield Shield ("first-class"; matches run for four days), the Ford Ranger Cup (one-day cricket; matches last about 8 hours). Home ground is the WACA. The WACA also normally hosts one of the summer Test matches (over five days) and at least one One-Day International game against a touring international side.
    • Perth Scorchers - Play cricket the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash (matches last about 3 hours), normally in the last few weeks of December. Matches are played at the WACA, but it is renamed "The Furnace" to tie in with the Scorchers theme.
    • Western Force – Rugby union team in the Super 15, involving teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Season runs from February to late May. Western Force play at NIB Stadium. The Australian Rugby union team, The Wallabies, also play a game in Perth most years.
    • Perth Wildcats – Play in the National Basketball League. Home games are at the Perth Arena. Join the Red Army!
    • Perth Lynx – Play in the Women's National Basketball League. Home games are the Bendat Basketball Centre, Floreat.
    • Perth Heat - Play in the Australian Baseball League. Home games are at Baseball Park, Thornlie.
    • West Coast Fever - Play netball in the ANZ Championship. Home games are at the HBF Stadium, Mount Claremont (formerly the Perth Superdrome, and Challenge Stadium).
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What to do in Perth, Australia


  • Cycle. Perth has excellent bike paths and fantastic weather almost all year round which makes it perfect for cycling. The paths that follow the Swan River are very scenic and mostly flat. You can take your own bike, hire a bicycle from one of the bike hire providers located near the Swan River or take a tour with Bluetongue Bike Tours or Pedal OZ.
  • Watch a movie. In addition to the multiplexes showing Hollywood blockbusters at most major shopping centers, there are also some independent or European cinemas, including Paradiso in Northbridge and The Luna cinemas in either Leederville or Fremantle. These cinemas showcase a range of local, Bollywood, French and Italian productions as well as International film festivals and documentaries throughout the year. If you visit in summer, check out one of the many open air cinemas, located in Kings Park, Movies by Burswood, Luna Leederville, and Mundaring. There's even a rooftop cinema in Northbridge on top of a multi-story carpark! Perth has one remaining drive-in, located in Kingsley.
  • Get out. For a day in Fremantle; great for a walk around without a specific goal in mind or for some light shopping or why not enjoy a meal or coffee and cake whilst soaking in the atmosphere? Don't miss Fremantle Markets. Fremantle Prison, the Maritime Museum, the Round House and the Statue of AC/DC's Bon Scott are popular attractions.
  • Go Wine Tasting. Well renowned among locals and tourists alike, the Swan Valley in the hills boasts some of the country's best wineries and micro-breweries. Although the wine is perhaps not as highly regarded by seasoned wine buffs as that produced in regions such as Margaret River, the Swan Valley features the advantage of being close to the city.
  • Take a Day Trip. As with any traveling in a country with as low a density as Perth, you will become accustomed to spending a lot of time traveling between the sights. One of the best day trips in Perth is to visit the nature reserve off the coast of Fremantle, Rottnest Island. You can access Rottnest Island by a ferry, 30 min from Fremantle or a longer from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth. The trip can be expensive, but Rottnest Express has a “Telethon Tuesday” deal with half-price tickets every week for most of the year. Rottnest is a car-free island, but plenty of bikes are available for hire from the island or directly from the ferry company. There is a huge variety of wildlife to see (including the famous Quokka) and opportunities to see whales, dolphins and fur seals off the coast, but this will always depend on the season. Another (closer, cheaper but smaller) option is to visit Penguin Island, home of the "Little Penguins" or "Fairy Penguins", located five minutes off the coast of Rockingham, a 45-minute drive south of Perth.
  • Visit Weekend Markets. Sample local produce at Perth's weekend markets. Many weekend markets have appeared in recent years driven by demand by local Perth residents for quality goods. The markets normally consist of 20 to 50 individual stalls run by owners/producers/farmers and are often targeted as farmers markets (fresh produce), Hawkers markets (street food), general markets (handcrafted wares, clothes, music, gifts etc) and combinations of these. As opening hours and locations vary regularly, it is best to search online. Fremantle Markets are a "Fremantle institution" popular with tourists and locals for local crafts, fresh produce, food, and entertainment. Opens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and is an easy 8-minute walk from Fremantle train station. Manning Farmers Markets are popular with locals for fresh local produce, breakfast, and coffee. 50+ stalls and very busy before 10:00 am. Open Saturday 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. Regular public transport to Curtin University bus station (followed by a 15-minute walk through the uni grounds). Perth City Farmers Market focus on fresh organic and biodynamic produce. Open Saturday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. A 3-minute walk from Claisbrook train station. Twilight Hawkers Markets have 50+ food stalls in the center of the city. Open Friday night 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm over summer (October to April).

Beaches

  • Swim. Perth boasts some of the country's best beaches, which are ideal for swimming during the warmer months. Sunscreen is essential and insect repellent may come in handy during the evening. As the beaches are on the open ocean it is strongly advised that you only 'swim between the flags' at patrolled beaches. Probably the easiest beach to get to by public transport is Scarborough beach, which can be accessed by catching the Clarkson line from platform 1 at either Perth Underground or Esplanade stations, getting off at Glendalough station before catching the 400 bus. Alternatively, you can catch the 400 from the Wellington St bus station which is located down the far end of the central station - from any of its platforms, head west to the concourse, turn left and then head down the ramp. Cottesloe Beach, one of Perth's most famous, and a favorite among locals and tourists alike, it even easier to access by public transport. Take the Fremantle line to Cottesloe Station, exit the platform at the Perth end, and head west down Forrest Street for about 10 min. Or you can take bus 102 from Williams street or Esplanade station and it has a stop right by the Cottesloe beach. There is a shady grassed area as well as sand, and the beach is patrolled.
  • Swim Naked. There is only one beach in Perth that permits nude bathing: Swanbourne. Males sunbathing topless at other beaches is the norm, however, females will not usually get a police fine but will get stared at. The atmosphere at Swanbourne Clothing Optional Beach (about 500 m north of Swanbourne Beach) is friendly and relaxing. It is more of a sunbathing beach than a swimming beach, with a steep sandy descent into the water which gets deep quickly. There are no lifeguards or red-and-yellow flags at this beach and so it is essential to keep a close eye on children near the water. The nude beach is frequented by a variety of sun-seekers of all ages; couples, families, groups. The easiest way to get there is by car, however, there is a train station about 1km away. Alternatively, you can catch bus 102, which is heading to Cottesloe. The bus will go through some residential area before reaching the Cottesloe coast. As soon as you can see the ocean, get off the bus and Swanbourne beach is right across the road. Heading north down the beach, you can reach the nude beach.

Live music

Perth is well known for its indie music scene at established venues such as Amplifier Bar, Rosemount, Fly By Night, The Rocket Room and Mojos. The Big Day Out festival was held in early February every year. Visit YourGigs for upcoming gigs or Perth Indie Bands for a selection of good Perth bands.

  • Raves and Festivals. If dance music is your thing, many top DJ and electronic music artists will make the trip out to Perth between October and March. Visit 7 for upcoming dates. Perth is known as the Drum 'n' Bass capital of the southern hemisphere. There is generally a big name artist (or at least a big name local artist) to perform at least once a week.
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What to eat and drink in Perth, Australia


Eat

One of Perth's drawbacks is that its people have not embraced late night dining. Very few places will serve food after 22:00, even on Friday or Saturday nights. Most restaurants in Perth do not cater for vegetarians or vegans, and if they do - the range is extremely limited. If you are looking for a place that embraces vegetarian food, Fremantle is great.

Restaurants

There is an extensive array of restaurants in Northbridge. You will find a great selection of Southern European and Asian restaurants. Northbridge gets very busy on Friday and Saturday nights as Perth goes into party mode. Neighbouring Mount Lawley and Highgate also have some good options. Victoria Park has a stretch of restaurants along Albany Hwy which is a fairly steady location with the locals and has a few high-quality restaurants, although is lower key and more casual.

Fremantle is a good eating option. Famous for its cappuccino strip lined with cafes next door to one another popular with the yuppie crowd. On weekends, a local tradition is to visit the Fisherman's Wharf on warm, sunny weekend evenings for fish and chips. There are a couple of options to choose from close to the beach. Just follow your nose or the seagulls. Further exploring in Fremantle, or "Freo" as it is locally known, can reveal lots of trendy, alternative restaurants that cater for the "careful" eaters. If you care about knowing what it is you are eating, (vegan, preservative free, fair trade, organic), try exploring the Freo markets area, or just ask around, they are often not in the "touristy areas". Little Creatures is a decent brewery but is also a yuppie pub. If you are looking for a decent fish and chip or seafood dinner, it is typically far more expensive by the coast (where the tourists are), excellent seafood at a better price can be sourced in the central and eastern suburbs.

Subiaco is located just a couple of kilometers from the city center. It is a trendy but fun suburb which features some great food and entertainment, although it can be quite expensive.

Claremont is a suburb on the Fremantle railway line where you will find some good restaurants as well (including authentic Italian), although, again, it can be quite expensive and there is a limited range.

The Swan Valley, especially along West Swan Road contains various wineries, food producers and restaurants with stunning views over the vineyards. Particularly good are The Black Swan Cafe, Duckstein Brewery, Elmar's and The Mallard Duck Cafe.

Kalamunda and other Eastern hills suburbs offer hidden gems of cafes, small shops and food producers in beautiful countryside with stunning city views. Traditionally Perth locals used to go for picnics and produce festivals in these areas back in the 19th and early 20th century, however as the practice waned with fashions leading towards the coast, it is an excellent place to visit away from the touristy areas for a relaxing or peaceful trip to the bush with fine views and decent food not too far from the city. People often do DIY food tours to local orchards, vineyards, cheesemakers, bakeries, and other cottage industries, arts, and cafes as it's not really organized. It's usually best to visit during Spring or soon after the rains when the forest is at its best.

Guildford has many antique stores (although like all Australian antique markets are visited by many hundreds of tourists as well as locals, so real bargains can be rare), but you can get decent cafe morning teas and lunches in some fine old architecture. This area has some of Perth's oldest residential houses and grand building museums & cafes. The old theatre now houses a large Asian textile and artworks store worth a visit and a quirky taxidermy museum a few doors down. Alfreds Kitchen is a tiny but legendary burger bar to the locals, who amass in large crowds that opens at night.

Local specialties

A large Western Rock Lobster (known locally by its former name of crayfish) industry. Most of the crayfish is exported to Asia and USA for vast sums of money. However, crayfish prices in Perth can be relatively cheap, especially during summer in a good season. A chance to give it a try without breaking the bank.

Chilli Mussels are a popular local specialty, consisting of mussels cooked in tomato and chili jus, available in various restaurants.

Truffles are grown around Mundaring and Manjimup and hosts individual truffle festivals at different times in the year.

Wine Regions

The nearest wine region to Perth is the Swan Valley which has many wineries as well as distilleries and breweries. In addition to cellars where you can sample the wines, many wineries also have restaurants or cafés for meals. The second most recognized region is the Margaret River region (about a three hours drive away) which is extremely popular for wine tasting, delicious chocolate, and fresh, locally made food and produce. Lesser publicized regions include the Porongurup region which is recognized internationally for its Rieslings, Mount Barker region also produces fine Rieslings and Shiraz

Drink

Coffee

Perth has an abundance of Gloria Jeans, Miss Mauds and Dome stores mainly in the city center and suburban shopping areas. Clusters of independent European style cafes line the trendy streets of suburbs around the city center. The most well-known place for a decent espresso is the Cafe Strip in Fremantle closely followed by the districts of Subiaco, Leederville and South Perth. Although Perth culture has a high-quality taste for coffee and demands very high standards in product, in recent times Perth has the dubious honor of having some of the most expensive average coffee prices in the country.

Pubs and bars

Perth has bars scattered throughout the city but most bars are in the CBD, Northbridge, Subiaco, Leederville, Victoria Park, Mount Lawley & Fremantle areas. Bars usually become busy after 5 pm with the afterwork crowd, but most locals tend to go to bars on Friday & Saturday nights. The CBD bars, in particular, get very busy on Friday nights with many of the popular bars forming long entry lines. Most bars open from around 11 AM and close midnight (10 PM on Sundays), a few bars do have special extended liquor trading hours to either 1, 2 or 3 AM. There has been an increase in small bars and bistro dining in niche areas of the CBD. However despite the good quality, these are typically expensive, so browse around for a good value evening.

Clubs

Perth has a small but strong dance music scene which revolves heavily around drum & bass. Club nights and international gigs are held at a variety of venues across the city center, Northbridge and outer suburbs (check out local street press magazines such as Xpress for gig guides and further info) for a comprehensive gig guide).

Almost all clubs in Western Australia have very strict ID policies and it is highly unlikely that you will get in if you do not have your passport or an ID issued in Australia by a government agency (either an Australian driver's license or proof of age card) with you, even if you definitely look over the legal age. Also, most dance music bars/clubs close at 2 AM following Friday and Saturday nights and are subject to Police enforced lockdowns and lockouts (as is the case in Brisbane), so you will find yourself stuck in one place after 3 AM, and be stranded should you be short on money for a cab.

Alternatives

  • Drive Through Liquor Stores. These are usually open until quite late. It is considered polite to park your car outside and walk through if you are intending to browse and take your time. Many Australians enjoy drinking in the comfort of their own home or backyard as much as they enjoy drinking in their favorite pub.
  • Fremantle and Subiaco have many pubs and clubs.
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Shopping in Perth, Australia


The largest concentration of boutique shops is in the City center while adjacent Northbridge is the place for niche independent stores. Trendier suburbs such as Mount Lawley, Leederville and Subiaco have a number of offbeat designer fashion stores.

Most of the top end luxury brands like Burberry, Chanel and Louis Vuitton are located on or around King Street in the CBD.

Large shopping complexes located in the outer suburbs, such as in Morley (Galleria), Cannington (Carousel), Midland (Midland Gate), Joondalup, Booragoon (Garden City), Innaloo and Karrinyup have the usual department and chain stores.

Fremantle Markets offers an experience on its own with its over 150 independent stalls.

Hours

Shopping hours in the Perth metropolitan area for medium size shops to large supermarket/department stores are:

  • 8 am-9 pm Monday to Friday
  • 8 am-5 pm Saturday
  • 11 am-5 pm Sunday

Even at the larger shopping centers, many smaller stores do not open until 9 pm each night, but only on Thursdays, the traditional, and still busiest, night for "late night shopping" in Perth.

Small supermarkets such as IGA as well as other small shops can have more flexible shopping hours (some Petrol stations and small corner stores are open 24 hours).

A 10% Goods and Services Tax is included in listed prices. WaterTown (formerly Harbour Town) is where manufacturers have their factory outlets; some good deals are to be had there. It's walking distance from the center of Perth, or catch the free Yellow CAT bus.

After Christmas (and around July as well for many stores) is the best time to come to Perth for bargain shopping. Some Perth stores are open Boxing Day as well as the 27th December. Customers have been known to form a line across the street to even enter stores such as 'Guess' and Myer store entry and escalator movement are monitored by security guards to prevent floor crowding.
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Safety in Perth, Australia


Weather
The main dangers that an overseas visitor to Perth faces are sunburn and dehydration. Make sure you cover yourself with SPF 30+ sunscreen and a hat, and preferably a shirt. In the warmer months, beware of dehydration in the hot weather, and keep a bottle of water with you. An insect repellent such as 'Aeroguard' will be useful in summer evenings if you are outdoors.

Security
Perth is relatively safe, though it's best not to walk alone at night. Some areas such as Northbridge are also known to be 'trouble spots' on weekend nights and tourists should be careful. Perth citizens (as with most Australians) almost never carry firearms or other weaponry, therefore it is logical to avoid people and places whenever such things are observed and advise the local police service when safe to do so. Overall Perth is becoming safer, due to small alleyways and other niche problem zones being refurbished and unsuitable for loiterers.
Police are generally friendly and approachable. To contact the police, ambulance or fire brigade emergency service is "000" on the phone for emergencies. "131 444" is the recommended number for 24/7 Police assistance and general inquiries.

Transport
Trains are generally safe with transit guards traveling in pairs, patrolling most scheduled trains after peak hour. All train stations have time to next train and an emergency button which can be used to call transit guards should the need arise. All stations have live monitored cameras and these can be activated by the simple push of the emergency button. In the train, there are "talk to driver" buttons in every carriage, but some older trains do not have them on every door.
The bus network is generally safe, but after hours can be a little more dangerous than the train network. Some bus routes have limited security patrols available, and some routes have had more than their share of anti-social behavior.
If you have to travel by bus at night, sit as close to the driver as possible and if a problem develops, tell the driver. Often incidents on buses continue for much longer than they should because no one asks the bus driver for assistance.
Exercise caution when crossing the road at pedestrian crossings, walking along the footpath at the entry/exit point of parking lots or when crossing the street at a T-intersection.
Though pedestrians have the legal right of way, some motorists choose to ignore this rule. In the case of pedestrian crossings, cars should slow down for you though caution is advisable. If you do not notice a car slowing down, do not begin to cross. It is usually best to follow the lead of the locals and to move as a group.
Similarly, if you are driving a car, you can often encounter people crossing the road at traffic lights who make no allowances for waiting for the lights to be to their advantage, and who will walk across the road when it seems the most inappropriate time. Look out for pedestrians who walk in front of you when you have a green light.

Driving
Driving in Perth can be straightforward, as its highways tend to connect at various nodes making navigation easy. However, avoid traveling during business rush hour (07:00-09:00 and 16:00-18:00), particularly in summer or hot days. Many of Perth's major roads were not designed for the volume of traffic it now faces with rewith high population growth. Perth drivers are increasingly known for being inconsiderate to other drivers on the roads during these times, which has also caused increased delays due to accidents.
There are a few rules to take care of while driving in Western Australia. When stopped at a railway crossing, do not proceed until the flashing lights have stopped even if the boom gate has fully lifted as fines are issued. There is a lower tolerance towards speeding so even a small excess over the road limit may warrant in infringement and or fine. It is not mandatory or always observed, however, it is polite to keep a gap at an unmarked road crossing when stuck in traffic to allow access for turning vehicles. If you have noticed the lane next to you leave a gap in these places, it is polite to do the same. It is always wise to take great care during merging traffic lanes, especially during rush hour (as per the above paragraph). Buses do have right of way when entering traffic and occasionally often pull out with little warning.
Australians are allowed to overtake on the inside lane.
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Language spoken in Perth, Australia


The English spoken in Perth/Fremantle is much the same as in the rest of Australia.

LOCAL TIME

11:21 am
September 30, 2020
Australia/Perth

CURRENT WEATHER

18.77 °C / 65.786 °F
overcast clouds
Thu

17.79 °C/64 °F
light rain 		Fri

14.22 °C/58 °F
moderate rain 		Sat

15.03 °C/59 °F
light rain 		Sun

15.76 °C/60 °F
broken clouds

LOCAL CURRENCY

AUD

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