Each with its own unique flavour, the Urban Villages surrounding Perth City are growing exponentially with exciting new things to see and do. Café’s, restaurants, bars, and retail outlets add to the existing character instigated by old heritage buildings and the distinct layout of each precinct. Leederville Always bustling with people out for dinner, drinks, or a night on the town, Leederville has it all. Expect to find independent film theatres, record stores and endless good places to dine. It's a funky precinct lined cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops. You’ll get some of the best coffee in Perth here at one of the many alfresco cafes where you can sit outside, enjoy the sunshine and the people watching. There’s plenty of cuisine choices from tapas, seafood, burgers or quality pub food. Leederville has a grittier feel than Subiaco, with edgy local designer stores and a laid b... More

When there’s less opportunity to enjoy Perth’s best world renowned beaches in the winter, exploring natural beauty elsewhere while bushwalking is the ideal activity for the cooler weather. All you need is a wind breaker and a bottle of water before heading on a one hour or half day trail without even leave the city. Bells Rapid Walk Trail Swan Valley This 5.5km circuit trail lines the Swan River, providing views of the of Bells Rapids and the coastal plains where you can spot grey kangaroos at certain times of year. With a bridge crossing the white water rapids, made famous for the annual boat race the Avon Descent, you’ll find wandoo, flooded gums, wildflowers and native locals like the little pied cormorant along the way. Bushland Nature Trail Kings Park For an easy half-hour walk just minutes away from the CBD, Bushland Nature Trail features Western Australia’s f... More

With world class wine country just an hour or three South, it’s no surprise that Perth is home to some equally upstanding venues passionate about good wine. From ever evolving wine lists that explore new and old wine making techniques and knowledgeable staff to help you find the right glass to have on its own or with a meal, here’s a list of reliably good wine focused bars and restaurants that provide all of this and more: Mayfair Lane West Perth A gastropub and dining room taking cues from a traditional British pub, there’s duck fat roast potatoes and mushy peas on the menu, but the wine list is more to write home about. Set under pressed tin ceilings and a mixture of modern and vintage interiors, Mayfair Lane is the baby of one of Perth’s most distinguished wine enthusiasts and there’s nothing but passion on their list, showcasing reliable picks of both Australian and int... More

Home to some international exports from ACDC, Tame Impala and John Butler, Perth is a breeding ground for some world renowned international talent. From local, national and international acts, Perth is home to some world-class music venues, from casual hangouts, nightclubs and dedicated jazz venues, here’s some of the best; The Astor Theatre - Mount Lawley Nearly 100 years since it opened as The Lyceum, The Astor Theatre has been a popular venue over the years, for theatre, dancing, orchestra, karate, silent movies and more, but nowadays, it’s become one of the best live music venues in Perth. Its vintage red velvet chairs and art deco aesthetic make for a great atmosphere to host local, national and international acts — you’ll find more info about what’s on at the Astor here.  Jack Rabbit Slims - Northbridge From fries and alcoholic milkshakes, Jack Rabbit Slim’s is ... More

Perth’s winter is typically mild, but when the weather’s isn’t warm enough for the usual trip to the beach, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore Perth’s best markets, cafés, bars, restaurants, museums, galleries, classes and hiking trails. Here are some suggestions for things to do during the winter; Hike one of Perth’s Trails Perth often has temperate winter days between 18 to 23 degrees where the sun is out but the air is still cool, making it the perfect weather to explore one of the many scenic trails around Perth. From the Kings Park Law Walk Return 2.5k Loop trail to the 9km Dell to South Ledge trail in the Perth Hills, all you need is a bottle of water, a pair of sneakers, a wind breaker and a map and you’ve got the perfect winter outing. Try a Hot Yoga Class Otherwise known as Bikram Yoga, Perth is home to many world class hot yoga studios that keep the room at... More

Surrounded by national parks and pristine coastlines, Perth offers plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal to its native wildlife. For those that prefer to spot wildlife in its natural setting, there are plenty of options only a short car, or boat ride away. If you’d rather experience a close encounter, there’s a variety of parks surrounding Perth that offer unique opportunities to learn about and get close to native wildlife. Without further ado, here are our top wildlife experiences in Perth; Caversham Wildlife Park A family owned venture featuring over 200 different species of animals, Caversham Wildlife Park is a unique opportunity to get up close to native Australian wildlife. From feeding Kangaroos and Penguins to hanging out with Koalas and Wombats up close, there are endless things to see and do at Caversham. Open from 9am — 5.30pm daily, the park attract... More

If you didn’t take a selfie, it didn’t happen, right? But you need to make your backdrops count. Here’s our list – some iconic, some quirky – of places to point your selfie stick when visiting Fremantle. Under the Rainbow Fremantle’s new entry statement – a 9 metre high rainbow arch made from sea containers – is shaping up to be the most photographed public artwork in the neighbourhood. Find it on Canning Highway, between the bridges. Be inventive with your angles here. Extra points for wearing rainbow coloured clothing or bringing your own props. At the warehouse by the sea Not just any warehouse. The vast frontage of East West Designs in South Fremantle is festooned with a magnificent trompe l’oeil mural, brimming with lush scenes, quirky characters, elephants, dogs, and even the occasional alien. It’s Where’s Wally on speed, and it adorns dozens of metres across tw... More

‘Made in China’ is not what you want to see on the tag when shopping for a memento of Perth. What you’re after is the genuine article; something dreamed up, mapped out and created right here in Perth. From small batch spirits to artworks, jewellery, skin care, home wares and clothing, here are some shops that will satisfy your yearning for unique, authentic gifts from right here. Found at Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Representing artists from Fremantle and wider WA, this little treasure trove at Fremantle’s main arts hub is laden with art prints, paper cuts, jewellery, textiles, stationery, books and ceramics. You can’t really go wrong shopping here; gravitate to what you fancy and find a price point to fit. 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle  Angove Street Collective, North Perth. A swag of independent creative small businesses have joined forces to make a big impac... More

The weather has warmed up and with summer now here, it's finally balmy enough at night to do everything you’d normally do indoors, outdoors. If you’re stuck for something to do of an evening, Perth has an extensive list of outdoor cinema’s, on rooftops, among pine trees and at drive in’s – here’s our top picks; Rooftop Movies | October - April If you look up at the rooftop of Roe St Carpark you might notice a glimpse of palm trees and a bright pink caravan. Catch the elevator up to the top story and you’ll happen across an oasis run by the organisers of fringe-world in their signature style; with striped deck chairs, fairy lights, a big projector screen and panoramic views of the Perth skyline. With plenty of food and drink available to satiate your appetite during a film, you’ll find more details of showing times here https://www.rooftopmovies.com.au/ Moonlight Cinema |... More

With frequent blue skies and warm, sunny days, you don’t need to spend much money in Perth to make the best of the good weather. Whether you’re in the mood for a picnic, bike riding, sand boarding or wine tasting, we’ve compiled an easy list to help you make the most of Perth this summer. Watch the Sun Go Down at the Civic Gardens One of Cottesloe’s hidden gems - even for the locals here in Perth - is the elusive Civic Gardens. Like a secret garden from a mid-century story book, the cascading tiers of green grass shaded with Cottesloe’s quintessential pine trees are the perfect vantage point to watch the sun go down over the Indian Ocean. You can access the Gardens from all sides, with lots of parking available on Napier and Broome street – we recommend bringing a picnic as you’ll want to spend some time here. Free Live Music Every Sunday at the Fremantle Arts Centre In c... More

With the largest collection of wildflowers in the world, Western Australia is famous for holding an abundance of 12,000 species, 60% of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world. From June to November, 2.5 million square kilometres colourful wildflowers begin blooming up North before spreading their way down South later in the season. Here are our Top 6 places to see wildflowers around Perth. Kings Park Botanic Gardens The first stop on our wildflower tour is one of the largest inner city parks in the world, Kings Park Botanic Gardens is home to 1,700 species of native plant species from across the state, you can navigate your own way with a map from the Information centre or join a free guided walk to explore the 400 hectares of park strewn with wildflowers. From the famous Kangaroo Paw to Australian Everlastings, if you make it in Spring you can see a spectacle of 30... More

With the winter solstice just gone, the days are getting longer and the incline to warmer weather means crisp days with a bit of sun to take the edge off; a perfect time to check out some of Perth’s most beautiful parks. We’ve compiled some of Perth’s favourite parks from the urban to the parks a little-out-of-town; Kings Park - www.bgpa.wa.gov.au One of the world’s largest inner city parks, Kings Park is renowned for its Aboriginal and European history and huge array of happenings within the park. Home to 400 hectares of Western Australian Botanic Gardens, it boasts over 3,000 species of WA’s unique flora. Two thirds of the park is protected by bushland providing a natural habitat for native biodiversity to thrive. With panoramic views of the Swan and Canning River, Perth’s iconic skyline and the Darling Ranges to the east, Kings Park ticks all the boxes, it is a feast for... More

The phrase “high tea” is commonly taken to be an upper class tradition. Surprisingly though, its origins began in the working class and industrial areas of the UK and was named high tea, as it was taken standing up or sitting on a stool. Gradually, this afternoon meal became known as an important event on the social calendars of the upper class, before playing cards or attending the theatre. These days, high tea is an occasion enjoyed all over the world with a glass of champagne and some good company. With our own a broad variety of world-class high tea spots North and South of the River, these are our Top 5 picks for a memorable high tea in Perth:  C Restaurant – 44 St Georges Tce, Perth, Open 12pm-11pm Monday to Sunday Western Australia’s only revolving venue, C Restaurant is perched atop the 33rd floor of St. Martins Tower on St Georges Terrace, where you can find their... More

The Markets; often overlooked as just a place to visit when your relatives are in town once in a blue moon; there is a lot of value to be gained from visiting your local market on a weekly basis. A lifestyle alternative to rushing through artificially lit supermarkets with there cold isles of ambiguous branding, it is surely much more enjoyable to meander leisurely at your local market on the weekend, soaking up the sun and the atmosphere. From local handmade clothing and leathers to local produce, we have listed our five favourite markets from Fremantle to Kalamunda. Fremantle Markets – Corner of South Terrace and Henderson Street, Fremantle, Open 8am-8pm Friday and 8am-6pm Saturday and Sunday The famed Fremantle Markets are an icon of our port town; an indoor market teaming with beautiful colours and smells from local farmers stalls, you can find anything from the finest ... More

One of the oldest surviving cultures on earth, Aboriginal culture is a truly fascinating part of our history, dating back an estimated 40,000 years. Many of their customs were still practiced well into the 1960’s in some regions, including the technique for making tools and weapons by chipping away at rock. With no permanent way to record their traditions, each community has relied on oral communication to pass down their stories and customs. In keeping with this tradition, we have created an adventure driven to-do list of the best ways to connect with this beautiful culture, from tours, public art walks or learning to play traditional instruments. Learn to play the Didgeridoo at The Didgeridoo Breath, 6 Market St, Fremantle, Open 10.30am-5pm everyday. There is no better way to learn about and appreciate Aboriginal culture than to experience their customs first hand. Thank... More

Perth is home to a buzzing art scene that can be found not only in traditional galleries but a wide variety of venues, whether you enjoy viewing your art from a café chair sipping a coffee, or strolling past expertly curated works in our very own national gallery, there is something for all types of enthusiasts. While international cities like Berlin, London and New York are known for their well-established art world, our lesser-known Perth is home to an equally lively and engaging scene. Perhaps a little spread out and hard to find, we’ve done the work for you and picked our five hidden gems around Perth City and Fremantle. The Art Gallery of Western Australia – Perth Cultural Centre, Open 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Monday We begin our journey in the centre of the city. Home to our State Art Collection, The Art Gallery of Western Australia, houses historic Modern British, Au... More

If you are anything like me, a visit to a museum or two is always on my list to do when I travel to a new city. I've always enjoyed a love of history and a good museum helps to shine a light into the past and provide a sense of place and understanding about the country you are visiting. I must admit I am bemused when someone moans about Perth having little history, which I have heard many times. They are obviously talking about white settlement history dating back officially to 1827 when Captain James Stirling sailed into the Swan River, leading to the foundation of the Swan River Settlement in June 1829. In my response I am very quick to point out that the Indigenous Cultures of Australia are the oldest living culture in the world with the first inhabitants arriving from the north approximately 40,000 to 60,000 years ago. That's a long time ago! So during your stay in Perth i... More

Rockingham Wild Encounters south of Perth usually shut their doors over the winter months but thankfully over the past two winters have started a new winter tour - the Three Islands Wildlife Cruise. Although winter in Perth does see colder weather and rainy days, we are blessed to also experience many crisp, sunny days devoid of rain where getting on a boat doesn't seem such an unattractive prospect. It was on one of these sunny, winter days that Rockingham Wild Encounters invited me to experience their winter wildlife tour, knowing my love of wildlife photography. Wildlife of any kind, whether in the wilderness of Africa, the snowy beaches of the Antarctic, or along the rugged reefs in the Shoalwater Island Marine Park, showcases nature in all her unique beauty and getting up close is a joyful experience. The glass bottom boat had not even left the jetty before we were joined... More