The Best Areas to Stay in Perth, Australia
The Best Areas to Stay in Perth, Australia

Best Areas to Stay in Perth, Australia

Where to Stay in Perth – A Guide to the Capital of Western Australia

Perth is the capital of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in the country. Located on the Swan River, this Australian metropolis is famous for being the most isolated major city in the world. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Perth, WA.

Many tourist attractions in Perth are located in the city’s centremost districts. The CBD is home to the main cultural institutions, museums, historic buildings and city parks. Some of the most visited sites in Central Perth include the Bell Tower, the WA Museum Boola Bardip, AGWA Art Gallery, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, the Perth Mint, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, and the Western Australia State Buildings. See accommodation in the CBD.

On the other side of the Swan River, centrally-located South Perth offers incredible views of the city skyline, as well as a few landmarks such as Perth Zoo and Sir James Mitchell Park. See accommodation in South Perth.

Further south, the port town of Fremantle is home to Swan Valley, Fremantle Prison and the popular Fremantle Markets. See accommodation in Fremantle.

Due to its location next to the mouth of the Swan River and west of the Indian Ocean, this city has a Mediterranean climate and has more sunny days a year than any other city in Australia. During the summer, the temperatures can reach 36ºC. Meanwhile, winters are mild but rainy, temperatures typically oscillate between 18 and 21ºC in the day. The best time to visit Perth is during the winter (December – March) to avoid the suffocating heat waves.

To get to Perth by air, the city is served by Perth Airport. Located some 10 km east of the city centre, Perth Airport is the fourth-busiest in Australia. It offers daily connections to virtually every corner of the country, as well as medium and long-haul international flights to New Zealand, South Africa, Asia and Europe.

To move around town, Perth offers regular urban buses and a central Free Transit Zone with buses running in loops around the city. A network of commuter train services also serves Perth. All lines intersect in the Central Business District and connect the outlying suburbs.

The city also offers regular taxis and mobile apps like Uber. You can also choose to rent a car during your stay.

The best area to stay in Perth is the Central Business District. This Historic area is home to Perth’s main cultural attractions, best public transport connections and some of the best hotels and apartments in town. See accommodation in Perth CBD.

On the other hand, Northbridge, Perth’s hipster neighbourhood, is a good area to stay if you want to enjoy the city’s lively nightlife, hang out at the coolest cafés or enjoy international cuisine. See accommodation in Northbridge.

Other great areas to keep in mind when choosing the best location in Perth include Subiaco & West Perth, East Perth, South Perth and Scarborough.

Keep reading to find out more about the best areas to stay in Perth, WA.

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Best Location in Perth, Australia: A Quick Guide

Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Perth according to your travel style and preferences during your trip. Keep reading this article to find out more info about each particular area mentioned here.


Best Hotels in Perth, Australia by Theme

If you have a specific theme in mind, we bring you a list of some of the best accommodations in Perth. No matter your reason for visiting the city or style, you’ll find it here!


The Best Areas to Stay in Perth, Australia

The Central Business District (CBD) of Perth is, as the name implies, the financial and commercial epicentre of the city. Walking through its streets, you will find different office complex and important tourist attractions.

Located west of Kings Park (a 400-hectare park offering incredible views) and southeast of the Swan River, this district is considered the heart of the so-called city of lights.

Mandatory stops within the perimeter of the Perth CBD are the St. Mary Cathedral, with its Gothic-style architecture, and the Bell Tower.

Because of its relevance to Perth’s economy, the CBD is also the best connected area of ​​the city, with rail stations such as Perth just a few steps away.

The CBD is one of the best areas to stay in Perth for shopping, with streets like King Street that put at your disposal designer shops and boutiques of all kinds. However, accommodation in the CBD is not exactly the cheapest in the city.

CBD - Best areas to stay in Perth
CBD – Best areas to stay in Perth. Courtesy of Tourism Western Australia
Accommodation in CBD - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in CBD – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, WA:

  • Central location
  • Shopping area
  • Kings Park

2. Northbridge

Northbridge is located north of the CBD in Perth and is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in the city thanks to its wide cultural offer, its alternative entertainment options and, especially, its vibrant nightlife.

In addition, Northbridge is also considered the hipster district of Perth par excellence, as it features William Street, where a large number of vintage stores are located.

Northbridge is also home to the Perth Cultural Centre, where art galleries, theaters and museums coexist. In the same way, in the cultural center there are live presentations that will show you the artistic movement of Perth.

This neighbourhood connects with the rest of the Western Australian city through rail and bus. On the other hand, it is a pedestrian-friendly area and, due to its central location, it is easy to move to other attractions and districts.

Northbridge is one of the best areas to stay in Perth, Australia, if you want to know the alternative facet of the city without sacrificing a good location and transport connections.

Northbridge - Where to stay in Perth
Northbridge – Where to stay in Perth. Photo Credit: Christian Schmitt/CC BY 2.0
Accommodation in Northbridge - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Northbridge – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, WA:

  • Great food
  • Nightlife
  • Perth Cultural Centre
  • Pedestrian-friendly

3. Subiaco & West Perth

Subiaco (called “subi” by the Perth people) and West Perth are located, as its name suggests, west of the CBD. It is a quiet, mostly residential area, but it has a privileged location, just minutes from the main attractions of the city.

This district stands out for its great gastronomic and cultural offer that includes the Regal Theatre, an impressive building of Art Deco architecture that is the venue for comedies, musicals and all kinds of plays.

All of western Perth (especially Subiaco) stands out as one of the greenest districts in the city, as it has different parks and gardens that contribute to the peaceful vibe that is perceived in this area.

As far as transportation is concerned, Subiaco has its own rail station, from which you can move to other suburbs. Other West Perth stations are Daglish and City West.

Subiaco and West Perth are among the best areas to stay in Perth if you want peace of mind during your stay, but without getting too far away from the most popular points of interest.

Stay in West Perth - Australia
Stay in West Perth – Australia
Accommodation in Subiaco & West Perth - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Subiaco & West Perth – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, Western Australia:

  • Peaceful
  • Great food
  • Regal Theatre

4. East Perth

East Perth is located, as its name suggests, east of the Central Business District of Perth and has become one of the favorite areas of tourists, thanks to attractions as important as Perth Mint, where you can witness the whole production process of gold coins.

In East Perth you will also find the Cathedral of St. Mary of Perth, a Neo-Gothic building located within the Victoria Square. In addition, this district hosts Queens Gardens, an English-style park containing a replica of the famous Peter Pan statue of Kensington Gardens in London.

The leisure options in eastern Perth include a wide range of bars and restaurants that make it one of the best areass to stay in Perth for nightlife.

The closest rail stations are East Perth and Claisebrook. However, the central location of the area and its pedestrian-friendly streets makes it possible to walk to other points of interest.

East Perth - Where to stay in Perth, Australia
East Perth – Where to stay in Perth, Australia
Accommodation in West Perth - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in West Perth – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, WA:

  • Perth Mint
  • Connected through rail
  • Cathedral of St. Mary of Perth

5. South Perth

Technically, South Perth is considered an independent city in Perth, called City of South Perth. However, it is a district that gathers the southern suburbs of the city and is only 4 kilometers from the CBD.

In this district you will find the Perth Zoo, with more than 1000 species of animals from different corners of the world, including Asian elephants, lions and giraffes, among others.

On the street Angelo Street of South Perth are restaurants and shops that make this area a good accommodation choice if you are aiming for shopping or leisure.

Although this district does not have a central location, it has several bus stops that make moving to other suburbs not a complicated task.

South Perth is among the best areas to stay in Perth, as it has incredible views of the Swan River and the CBD.

Stay in South Perth - Perth, Western Australia
Stay in South Perth – Perth, Western Australia. Photo credit: robcl75/CC BY 2.0
Accommodation in South Perth - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in South Perth – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, Western Australia:

  • Perth Zoo
  • Great views of the city
  • Connected through bus

6. Scarborough

Scarborough is one of the best areas to stay in Perth for those who want to visit the beaches of the capital of Western Australia. It is known as the favorite district of surfers and anyone visiting the city to enjoy the sun, the sea and the sand.

In Scarborough you will also find some of the most important nightclubs and pubs in Perth, making the area a good accommodation option if you want to enjoy the nightlife of the city. Similarly, the district is ideal for shopping, with shops with all kinds of clothing and beach items.

This area is located northwest of the CBD and, although it is a little away from the rest of the city, has many bus stops that keep it connected to the main attractions of Perth.

Scarborough is also one of the best areas to stay in Perth to discover the cuisine of the city since it has a large number of restaurants of all kinds.

The cost of accommodation in Scarborough suits your budget and includes hotels in international chains, cheap hotels and apartments.

Best areas to stay in Perth - Scarborough
Best areas to stay in Perth – Scarborough. Courtesy of Tourism Western Australia
Accommodation in Scarborough - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Scarborough – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Perth, WA:

  • Beach area
  • Great nightlife
  • Amazing food

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