Where To Stay In Perth: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide

Perth is a Western Australian city and a great place to go on vacation. On average, the city experiences about 3000 hours of sunshine yearly so you can spend many of your days relaxing outdoors. Perth is known for its incredible food and wine and has so many fun attractions for tourists and locals to enjoy.

The city has everything from pubs, art galleries, theaters, museums, markets, beautiful greenspaces and so much more. Everywhere you go you will find friendly locals that welcome you to their city, which also has an extensive history. The first inhabitants of Perth arrived from the North somewhere between 40,000 to 60,000 years ago, and for tens of thousands of years, these Indigenous Australians lived alone on the land until the Europeans arrived.

Anyone who is visiting Perth is in for a treat since it has a rich culture and beautiful streets for you to explore. The City Centre is made up of several neighborhoods and areas, and each place is like an independent town offering its own attractions and services. When you are coming here on vacation you might want to do some research on the different areas to decide where you want to stay. The neighborhood that you choose to stay in will have an impact on what kind of things you have access to on your vacation. But don't worry, if you ever feel like leaving your hotel in search of new accommodation, you can stow your luggage in a suitcase locker in Perth. Pick your belongings up later, once you've chosen your next neighborhood to explore.

Where to stay in the Central Business District

The Central Business District, or Perth CBD, is said to be the best area for tourists and first-time visitors to the city. This is where most of the best-known hotels are located and you will also be closest to the main tourist attractions so you will have no trouble finding fun things to do. Another bonus of staying in the CBD is that you will have easy access to the trains and buses, which means that you can get to the rest of Perth in no time.

While you are in the Central Business District, make some time for a walk along the waterway, or even go on a Swan River boat tour. If you need fresh air you can spend time by the Indian Ocean and admire the natural beauty of the landscapes. There is a pleasant pedestrian square called the Forrest Place which usually has something going on, and the Forrest Chase is a great shopping street located nearby. The Murray Street Mall is another fantastic place to shop and the surrounding area has some great restaurants and cafes, too. Central Perth has lots of galleries and museums that you should check out, like the sculptures at Elizabeth Quay.

This neighborhood is where some of the best luxury hotels are located, like the Ritz Carlton which has rooms with stunning views as well as a swimming pool. The Kangaroo Inn is a great budget hotel, and the Fraser Suites Perth is a nice mid-range option.

Where to stay in South Perth

South Perth is often described as the best destination for families traveling to Western Australia. It is not far from the Perth CBD which can be reached by a short ferry ride, and since it is situated on the shores of Swan River many say that it is one of the most beautiful areas in Perth.

This vibrant neighborhood has all sorts of family fun things to do, from kayaking down the river to spending an afternoon on the beach of South Perth Foreshore. This is also where you will find the Perth Zoo which has nearly 1000 species of animals for you to see, and the Sir James Mitchell Park where you can go for walks or jogs. We recommend visiting the Garden City Shopping Centre for all of your shopping and souvenir needs, and if you want to explore and learn a bit about the history of Perth you go on an adventure exploring the grounds of The Old Mill.

If you want to treat yourself to a luxury hotel then one of the best in South Perth is the Quest South Perth Foreshore. It is situated on the waterfront and has great facilities. The Perth City Apartment Hotel is cheap and affordable, and the Metro Hotel Perth has free parking and is a nice mid-budget choice.

Where to stay in Burswood and East Perth

Easily one of the quietest and most relaxing places in the city is Burswood and East Perth. This part of town has the benefit of being close enough to the top attractions while avoiding the buzz of the CBD, so you can relax and still enjoy your vacation in Perth to its fullest. The area has its own selection of entertainment complexes and attractions as well.

One of the things that you just have to do here is take a visit to the Perth Mint, which can teach you about how gold coins are made. People who appreciate architecture can admire the stunning Neo-Gothic Cathedral of St Mary of Perth, or take a slow stroll through the calm Queens Gardens to see the famous Peter Pan statue.

The area of Burswood has even more things for you to do and it is where you will find public golf courses and casinos. You can lose yourself in the fun at the Burswood Entertainment Complex during the day, and then enjoy local craft beers and wines in the pubs and restaurants along the waterfront in the evening when out on the town. Burswood also has some great sports stadiums, like the State Tennis Centre, the Belmont Park Racetrack and the Perth Stadium. You can get active yourself by taking a bike ride or jogging on the cycling and running trails along the Swan River.

If you are looking for a stylish hotel in this neighborhood consider the Luxe Spa on Kensington Boutique Suites. The Hyatt Regency Perth is another modern hotel that is a great choice and offers gorgeous views of the river. If you need to stay somewhere affordable you can check out the City Waters or the Pan Pacific Perth.

Where to stay in Fremantle and Scarborough

Vacationers who want to spend their days relaxing on the beach will love to stay in the Fremantle and Scarborough neighborhoods. These parts of the city have easy access to the ocean and are popular spots for surfers and swimmers to frequent. It also has an active and vibrant nightlife so you will see lots of the young locals and partygoers around here.

Since it is located northwest of the Perth City Centre, you will be a bit secluded from the rest of town, but if you want to get the most of your experience you can always take a bus into the Perth CBD. Scarborough has some good shopping options, mainly for beachwear and surfing gear, and at night you can spend time partying in the bars and clubs.

Fremantle is a small port town but it has a nice mix of culture and history as well. Some of the things to do here include a visit to the Fremantle Arts Centre and the Fremantle Prison. The Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour is a fun place to spend an evening since it has restaurants that double as live music venues and serve delicious fish and chips.

A nice luxury boutique hotel in this part of town is the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough which has a nice outdoor pool, spa, and fitness area. The National Hotel is a suitable mid-price range option, and a cheap but still great choice is the Western Beach Lodge which has stunning views of the beach.

Where to stay in West Perth and Subiaco

The neighborhood of South Perth and Subiaco is the luxurious part of town. The infrastructures and people that you will find here are often wealthy, so most of the area is filled with office buildings and high-rise residential houses. This upscale suburb also has terrific shopping and dining options.

If you choose to stay here you will still be within walking distance from the Central Business District so don't worry about missing out on any of the main tourist attractions. West Perth is where you will find the gorgeous Kings Park and Botanic Garden which are both nice places to go for a stroll. The Solidarity Park is also worth stopping by, and make sure that you save some time in your schedule to visit the Perth Observatory.

One of the most important buildings in the area is the Parliament House, and the Subiaco Arts Centre or Regal Theatre are great options if you want to see what the local arts scene is like. Visitors who feel like shopping should make their way to the City West Complex, Hay Street or Harbour Town.

If you stay in this part of the city you will have a range of hotels to choose from. The Quest on Rheola is a good choice for luxury travelers and is just a short walk away from the beautiful parks and gardens of the area. If you want something a bit more affordable you can consider staying at Tribe Perth which offers an affordable buffet breakfast, or Baileys Motel if you need to save some money. See our list of free things to do in Perth if your budget is tight.

Where to stay in Northbridge

If you still don't know where to stay in Perth you should consider getting a hotel in Northbridge. This place has a great nightlife but is even better known for its restaurants and cafes. This makes it the top destination for foodies in Perth. This neighborhood is a multicultural mix and with so many different nationalities in one place you can try all sorts of foods without having to leave the city.

This is where you will find the Perth Cultural Centre which displays all of the best literature, art, and theatrical talents of the local citizens. Take a couple of hours to explore an art gallery or museum, or see if you can catch a live presentation! This neighborhood is located north of the City Centre so you won't be too far away from the touristy areas and you can still have access to everything else that the Perth CBD has to offer. A fun thing to do is to spend an afternoon window shopping on William Street which is where all of the vintage stores, quirky boutiques and cocktail lounges are set up.

This small neighborhood has several hotels for you to choose from, whether you want luxury Perth hotels or budget hotels. Take a look at Attika Hotel which is within easy walking distance from central Perth and offers great services. The Perth City Apartment Hotel is a nice affordable option, or you can stay at the Doubletree By Hilton Perth Northbridge which has a prime location and is close to all of Perth's best bars and clubs.

The Best Neighborhoods in Perth, Western Australia

As the capital of Western Australia and its fourth most populous city, Perth is a fantastic place for a vacation either for leisure or business. If you want to venture out of the city limits you can sign up for one of the Swan Valley tours and wine tastings since Perth is also home to world-class wineries.

Other activities that Perth has to offer include great shopping and beauty salons, amazing public parks, markets selling fresh local produce, lively casinos and fantastic nightlife. Thanks to this Perth neighborhood guide you now know exactly where to find everything, and hopefully, it can help you decide where to stay in Perth. There are many hotels scattered around the city so no matter what your Perth accommodation needs are you can definitely find a place that works for you.

When in doubt you can always choose a hotel with a central location so you can move around the city easily to experience a bit of every neighborhood. Stations like Perth Station, Fremantle Station and also the Transperth Ferry can transport you all over Perth. No matter where you choose to stay we hope that you have an incredible time when you visit Perth and make the most of your vacation in Western Australia.