- Northbridge
Northbridge is a cultural feast for the senses within minutes of Perth's city centre. Showcasing local, national and international art, fashion and history, it's also a multicultural melting pot of flavours blended together with a lively mix of bars and nightclubs.<br/><br/>You can walk to Northbridge from Perth Underground Station in just four minutes along William Street. Or, hop on the free Blue CAT bus if you're out and about in Perth's central business district.<br/><br/>Make a beeline for the cultural precinct and you can easily spend the day feeding the mind and soul for free with visits to museums, the State library and craft markets.<br/><br/>The Art Gallery of Western Australia brings more than 15,000 works by renowned Indigenous, Australian and international artists before your eyes. The contemporary State Theatre Centre, home of the Heath Ledger Theatre, plays host to an array of high profile productions by the Black Swan State Theatre, as well as dance, music and fashion shows. You'll also find original visual, performing and media arts presented at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts.<br/><br/>Western Australian Museum shares a collection of stories and artefacts of the State's social and natural history, from dinosaurs to the Katta Djinoong. From here, you can explore more of the city's history, following heritage walks to some of Perth's oldest architecture.<br/><br/>For a little retail therapy, browse the boutiques of William Street for vintage, hip and quirky fashion. Take your pick from a kaleidoscope of cuisines, from Italian, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai to modern Australian. Then wash it down with any beverage imaginable, from coffees to cocktails.<br/><br/>The nightlife menu is just as impressive, with a buzzing bar and club scene offering live music, comedy and DJ sessions, plus regular performances, festivals and other cultural activities at the Northbridge Piazza. <br/><br/>With a wide variety of backpackers, bed and breakfasts, self-contained accommodation and hotels, it's easy to make Northbridge your base for a city break and catch one of the many annual events, such as the Perth International Arts Festival, Carnival Latino, Perth Food and Wine Festival and the Pride Parade.
- Leederville
Leederville is a culinary and cultural melting pot brimming with cheap eats, cafes, fine dining restaurants and delicatessens, all blended with a lively bar and club scene and a string of hip fashion boutiques.<br/><br/>Sitting just three kilometres from Perth's central business district, Leederville's Oxford Street hub has a buzzy inner-city village vibe. A seven-minute ride by train or car from Perth will get you there, and if you're taking the cycle path, it's an easy 15-minute ride away.<br/><br/>Some of the icons of Leederville's cafe and bar scene today have been part of local life since the late 19th century, including the fully revamped Leederville Hotel and the former Post Office building. Cross the street and you can catch a movie at the original 1920s theatre and outdoor picture gardens.<br/><br/>Sip coffee at a street-side table and do some people watching, or embark on a culinary tour of world cuisines. Head along to Newcastle Street on a Sunday morning and you'll also get to sample and buy some of the best fresh local produce and gourmet artisan goodies at the Leederville Farmers Market.<br/><br/>Accommodation-wise, your options in and around Leederville include backpackers and apartments.
- Maylands
Maylands is home to some of Perth’s best restaurants and cafes, the cutest small bars and the coolest fashion boutiques. It’s little wonder its town centre is buzzing on weekends and its picturesque river foreshore is a favourite hangout for families and watersports fanatics.<br/><br/>It’s a 12-minute drive east from central Perth to the foodie and fashion hubs of Maylands - Whatley Crescent and Eighth Avenue - but it’s just as easy to get there by train. The eight-minute ride from Perth Train Station drops you right at the heart of the district. Cycling the scenic riverside trail from central Perth will get you there in around 20 minutes.<br/><br/>Spend a morning brunching and browsing the gourmet delis. Go hunting for collectables and new wardrobe additions in the vintage clothing and fashion boutiques, and antique and homeware stores. <br/><br/>Take high tea in the riverside gardens, or take your mobile on a mural search through Maylands' streets and alleyways, where many walls have been transformed by the works of celebrated local and national artists.<br/><br/>Walk along the Maylands Foreshore Reserve, lay your blanket in a shady spot and enjoy a lazy picnic or barbeque (public barbecues available). <br/><br/>You can also take in those sweeping river and city views while casting a line from one of the jetties, canoeing the river, chartering a boat, or testing your skill on the par 71 course at Maylands Peninsula Golf Course.<br/><br/>Families will also find plenty of fun in the warmer months at nearby Maylands Waterland, and foodies should make a beeline for Maylands on Saturday night in summer when the balmy night air is filled with the sensational beats and aromas of the buzzing Hawkers Market.
- Mount Lawley
Mount Lawley is one of Perth's most stylish suburbs and buzzing cultural hotspots. Beaufort Street, the suburb's main thoroughfare, is a long string of unique shops, award-winning restaurants, cool bars and chilled-out coffee shops where you can enjoy the village vibe and full calendar of festivals, concerts and entertainment.<br/><br/>Mount Lawley is located a mere five minutes drive north of central Perth or else a short bus or train ride from Perth's main station. <br/><br/>The best way to experience the suburb is by walking the length of Beaufort Street. You'll find big brand shops and boutiques selling everything from fashion and homewares to music, books and memorabilia. <br/><br/>Besides several gourmet delicatessens, there's a huge selection of restaurants to cater to any budget or hankering. You can transport your tastebuds to all four corners of the globe while you sit and watch the world go by.<br/><br/>Mount Lawley gains even more vibrancy at night. The numerous bars in the area range from relaxed pubs and lively clubs to classy late-night bars. <br/><br/>Art and art history buffs will also be struck by Mount Lawley's fine examples of architecture from the first half of the twentieth century, including Federation, Colonial, English Vernacular Revival, Art Deco and Californian Bungalow style dwellings. The Astor Theatre - a multi-purpose venue built in 1919 - is well known for its fine art deco designs.<br/><br/>For those looking to make Mount Lawley their base camp for a city break, there are plenty of motels, bed and breakfasts and holiday apartments.
- South Perth
One of the top spots to take in Perth's stunning city skyline and sweeping Swan River views, South Perth is beloved for its buzzing cafes, sophisticated restaurants and scenic river foreshore that hosts concerts, local fairs and markets.<br/><br/>From the city, South Perth is a short drive or bus ride over Narrows Bridge. Or, for a more scenic and leisurely route, there's the public ferry that runs from Barrack Street on the city side of the river to the Mends Street and Coode Street jetties, which depart (approximately) every 30 minutes. <br/><br/>Against the magnificent city and river backdrop, you can cycle the foreshore footpaths, hire a surf cat, walk through the parklands, or enjoy a picnic or barbecue using the free facilities that dot the riverside.<br/><br/>Mends Street tempts you with a variety of cafes and restaurants, while bustling Angelo Street provides the perfect shopping pit stop, with its boutiques selling everything from homewares to fashion to gardening accessories, interspersed with a growing number of bakeries and cafés.<br/><br/>Within easy walking distance from the jetty and Mends Street, the award-winning Perth Zoo brings you face-to-face with more than 1,300 native and exotic animals, many set in their natural habitats.<br/><br/>For other family-friendly activities, check out the local calendar of events, featuring the annual City of South Perth Fiesta (usually in March) - a two-week-long festival of live music, art, craft markets, food and sporting activities. It's also a great spot to watch the Australia Day (26 January) fireworks display.<br/><br/>Many visitors choose to stay in South Perth for its proximity to the city, panoramic views and relaxed atmosphere. Accommodation options range from four-star hotels to budget motels and self-serviced apartments.
- Fremantle
<p>Fremantle (Walyalup) has a way of drawing you in and making you want to stay forever. Its charm is found in narrow streets lined with historic buildings, a seagull-scattered port bobbing with fishing boats, one-off shops, unconventional breweries and quirky buskers. It can be reached from central Perth via a 25-minute train ride, or half hour drive along Stirling Highway.</p>