Perth - Eat, Stay, Do

1 April 2015

Enjoy our guide to the capital of Western Australia

There’s a bit of a Wild West feel to Perth, a city of nearly two million inhabitants that’s about as far away from the rest of the world as you can get. The capital of Western Australia sits on the ocean, a five- or six-hour flight away from Sydney, Melbourne, and the rest of the continent’s biggest cities. The distance has allowed Perth to develop in its own unique ways. 

The city, which dates to the 1820s, has smart cafes, beautiful beachside restaurants, a vibrant ocean scene, and many other amenities that you’d expect from a metropolis its size. Like Melbourne and Sydney, Perth is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, and it’s a pleasure to visit as well. While it might not have the sheer number of high-quality hotels, restaurants and lounges found in the larger Australian capitals, there is more than enough to keep you busy for the duration of your stay. And you could be happy hitting up the many and varied beaches for an entire month or more.

Eat

Swallow Bar
Former Melbourne dwellers Meredith Bastian and Zoe Roy bring the experience they gained in the east to this cosy restaurant. The decor is nostalgic – think ancient cars, railway booths and vinyl records. Make sure to visit the open-air backyard to mingle on sunny days, and check their schedule for live music performances.
swallowbar.com.au

Print Hall
Old-school service meets modern Australian cuisine and hospitality at Print Hall. The restaurant, like the surrounding neighbourhood, is formal without being stuffy, just like Perth itself. After dinner, walk off your meal with a relaxed stroll around nearby Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
printhall.com.au 

Halo Restaurant
Sit over the Swan River, dining on the freshest seafood at one of Perth’s finest restaurants. The service is refined but unobtrusive, with the staff boasting a wealth of local knowledge about the food they are serving and the surroundings you’re seeing.
halorestaurant.com.au

Stay

The Richardson
The Richardson is widely known as one of the very best hotels in Perth. You’ll have to dig deep (rates start at US$435), but the combination of beautiful rooms, celebrity sightings, and easy access to the city’s best shopping and entertainment makes it worth splashing out.
therichardson.com.au 

Miss Maud
Swedish Hotel A boutique hotel that’s a five-minute walk from Perth city centre and offers guests a complimentary Smörgåsbord Breakfast from the restaurant downstairs every morning? Sign us up. The rooms are small and on the older side, but tidy, clean, and completely acceptable.
missmaud.com.au 

Duxton Hotel Perth
The five-star hotel in the centre of Perth provides a platform from which you can launch yourself out on a quest to see the sites. The modern rooms (from AUD$180) are expertly decorated and look out over the nearby Swan River.
perth.duxtonhotels.com

Do

Stroll the Cappuccino Strip
The port of Fremantle sits on the south side of the city, and the cafes of the Cappuccino Strip (Wray Avenue) are the best place to grab a brew (or three). It’s just a short walk from Perth’s famous Fremantle Markets, so it’s great for taking a breather after browsing the 150 outdoor shops and stalls. 

Head to the Beach
Don’t visit Western Australia without hitting the beach. Perth has some of the best white sand beaches in the country – 19, to be exact. Cottlesloe is a particularly good pick, and there are a few others to explore less than half a day’s drive from the city centre. 

Aviation Heritage Museum
Check out more than 30 historical airplanes collected and curated by the Royal Australian Air Force Association. The collection’s gems range from an Auster J5B to the Wirraway CA-5, and every type of flying machine in between. Watch as history flies before your very eyes.
raafawa.org.au/museum

Emirates Staff Tips

Rottnest Island
“Rottnest Island is great for sightseeing. Enjoy a bike ride up to the lighthouse. There’s some great fishing and diving spots, or you can just relax on one of the island’s many beaches. This place is also perfect for a family getaway.” 
- Darren Tyrrell, Regional Manager, Western Australia 

Lalla Rookh
“There’s no escaping the influence of Western Australia’s rich Italian heritage, and one of the best places to enjoy this is Lalla Rookh in the city centre.”
- Marc Shedden, Cargo Manager