Exploring Perth, Australia
Neither of us had much background knowledge or expectations in place when we boarded our flight from Melbourne to Perth. We’d heard that we should stay in Northbridge if we wanted to party (so obviously this is where we booked our hostel) and that we absolutely had to check out Fremantle and Rottnest Island.
After our week long stay in the coastal city, the two of us agreed that, given the chance, we could’ve happily stayed in Perth for many more weeks. The early November weather was hot, sunny, and dry, much to my joy and MJ’s dismay (she’s recently compared herself to a penguin that’s been dropped in the West Australian desert).
Going Out in Northbridge
We stayed at a hostel called Bambu Backpackers, which is located in the heart of Northbridge and is a short walk from both the train and downtown Perth. We loved our time and the people we met there. Needless to say, if you’re looking to meet other backpackers then Northbridge is the place for you.
Our first night out was a Thursday and consisted of bar hopping to three or four different backpacker bars all within a 5-10 minute walk from each other. Our favorite by far was Brass Monkey, which features an outdoor patio, indoor bar, and substantial dance floor that we took full advantage of.
Exploring Downtown Perth
Northbridge is a seriously convenient location as it’s just a quick walk into the heart of Perth. We had glorious weather and spent at least two days just walking around the city, people watching at outdoor cafes and doing a little (seriously unneeded) retail therapy.
Pick a Beach, Any Beach
Perth was also the location of our first beach day, which I was awaiting with great expectation. There are a number of beautiful beaches around Perth that are easily accessibly by train. We went to Cottesloe on a friend’s recommendation and loved it, but heard great things about Scarborough as well.
If you’ve got the time and the weather is in your favor, grab a six pack, pick a beach, and park it for a day. You won’t regret it (unless you think you’re too good for sunscreen).
Fremantle
A trip to Perth is absolutely not complete without at least one day spent exploring Fremantle. Appropriately referred to as the Brooklyn of Perth, Fremantle is a charming and beautiful coastal town with a lively market, some kickass breweries, and hidden gems around every corner. From Perth it’s an easy and cheap 45 minute train ride to get straight to the heart of Fremantle. In other words, there’s no excuse to miss this amazing place!
Rottnest Island
You can hardly say you’ve explored Perth without spending a day, or even a night, on Rottnest Island. This amazing island is a quick ferry ride from either Perth or Fremantle and is famous for its unbelievable beaches, snorkeling, and the quokkas - the friendliest marsupials on the planet. The island is absolutely crawling with these furry creatures and they are not shy, especially when it's lunchtime.
We absolutely loved Perth and would have happily stayed there if we didn’t have a camper van to deliver in Darwin in just three short weeks. If you’re heading to Western Australia, there’s no better place to start or end your adventure than Perth.
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