Where to stay · Perth · Australia
Where to stay in Perth
8 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: The Logical Positivist, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay. Riverside business district of hotels, the Bell Tower and Elizabeth Quay's ferries. Best alternatives — families: Cottesloe; budget: Northbridge; nightlife: Northbridge.
Key facts
- First visit
- Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay
- Families
- Cottesloe
- Budget
- Northbridge
- Nightlife
- Northbridge
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay | Riverside business district of hotels, the Bell Tower and Elizabeth Quay's ferries |
| Families | Cottesloe | Upmarket beach suburb of Norfolk pines, the Indiana pavilion and Indian Ocean sunsets |
| Couples | Fremantle | Port city of Victorian streetscapes, markets, breweries and the convict-built prison |
| Budget | Northbridge | Bars, small restaurants and the Perth Cultural Centre just north of the railway |
| Luxury | Cottesloe | Upmarket beach suburb of Norfolk pines, the Indiana pavilion and Indian Ocean sunsets |
| Nightlife | Northbridge | Bars, small restaurants and the Perth Cultural Centre just north of the railway |
| Food lovers | Northbridge | Bars, small restaurants and the Perth Cultural Centre just north of the railway |
| Solo travellers | Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay | Riverside business district of hotels, the Bell Tower and Elizabeth Quay's ferries |
| Shopping | Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay | Riverside business district of hotels, the Bell Tower and Elizabeth Quay's ferries |
| Quiet stays | Subiaco | Leafy inner-west suburb of cafés and boutiques near Kings Park |
| Beach | Cottesloe | Upmarket beach suburb of Norfolk pines, the Indiana pavilion and Indian Ocean sunsets |
Perth neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and solo travellers
Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay
The CBD runs from the riverfront at Elizabeth Quay, with the Bell Tower and ferries to South Perth, up through the Hay Street and Murray Street malls to Perth station. Free CAT buses and the Free Transit Zone cover the centre, and Kings Park is a 20-minute walk west. It is the most practical base, though quiet on weekend evenings.
- Good
- Central for trains, ferries and buses; Walk to the river and Kings Park; Wide range of hotels
- Watch out
- Quiet in the evenings and on weekends; Office-district feel
- Nearby
- Elizabeth Quay, The Bell Tower, Kings Park, Northbridge
$$ · Best for nightlife, budget, food lovers and solo travellers
Northbridge
Across the railway from the CBD, Northbridge holds the Perth Cultural Centre — WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the State Library — alongside the city's densest concentration of bars, clubs and inexpensive Asian restaurants around William and James streets. It has hostels and mid-range hotels.
- Good
- Liveliest nightlife and cheap eats; Museums on the doorstep; Short walk to the CBD
- Watch out
- Noisy and rowdy late on weekend nights; Some streets feel gritty
- Nearby
- WA Museum Boola Bardip, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth station
$$$ · Best for culture, food lovers, couples, nightlife and first-timers
Fremantle
Fremantle, about 30 minutes by train from Perth, keeps a remarkable set of 19th-century buildings around High Street and the Cappuccino Strip on South Terrace. Fremantle Prison, the Fremantle Markets, the Maritime Museum and Little Creatures Brewery are all walkable, and ferries leave for Rottnest Island from B Shed. Many visitors prefer it to the CBD as a base.
- Good
- Strong character and history; Ferries to Rottnest; Good pubs, breweries and cafés
- Watch out
- 30 minutes from the CBD; Some streets quiet on weekday evenings
- Nearby
- Fremantle Prison, Fremantle Markets, WA Maritime Museum, Bathers Beach
$$$$ · Best for beach, couples, families and luxury
Cottesloe
Cottesloe is Perth's best-known beach, with calm swimming in summer, grassy terraces under Norfolk Island pines and the Indiana beachfront pavilion. Hotels and apartments along Marine Parade overlook the sand, and the Fremantle train line stops a 10-minute walk inland.
- Good
- Swimming beach and sunsets on the doorstep; Calm, polished atmosphere; Train to the city and Fremantle
- Watch out
- Expensive and limited accommodation; Few evening options
- Nearby
- Cottesloe Beach, North Cottesloe, Fremantle
$$ · Best for beach, families and budget
Scarborough
Scarborough's broad surf beach is backed by a redeveloped esplanade with a beachfront swimming pool, skate park, playgrounds and amphitheatre, plus beach bars and resort hotels. It is livelier than Cottesloe and about 25 minutes by bus or car from the CBD.
- Good
- Surf beach and foreshore facilities; Good-value beachfront rooms; Sunset views
- Watch out
- No train line; Afternoon sea breezes can be strong
- Nearby
- Scarborough Beach, Trigg Beach, Hillarys Boat Harbour
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and families
Subiaco
Subiaco lies just west of Kings Park, with Rokeby Road's cafés, pubs and boutiques, quiet streets of Federation-era homes and its own station on the Fremantle line. It is a calm, convenient base for walking into Kings Park.
- Good
- Walking distance to Kings Park; Train link to city and Fremantle; Good cafés
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Quiet evenings
- Nearby
- Kings Park, Rokeby Road, Lake Jualbup
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife and budget
Leederville
Leederville, a short train or bus ride northwest of the CBD, centres on Oxford Street with the art-deco Luna cinema, pubs, small bars and a wide spread of affordable restaurants. It has a younger crowd than Subiaco and a few apartment hotels.
- Good
- Lively but relaxed evenings; Affordable restaurants; Close to the CBD
- Watch out
- Limited accommodation; Few sights
- Nearby
- Lake Monger, Northbridge, Mount Hawthorn
$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and nightlife
Mount Lawley
Mount Lawley, northeast of Northbridge, is a heritage suburb whose Beaufort Street strip is lined with cafés, small bars, restaurants and the Astor Theatre. It suits travellers wanting a local base with evening life but less noise than Northbridge.
- Good
- Good restaurants and bars; Local atmosphere; Bus links along Beaufort Street
- Watch out
- Few hotels; Bus-dependent
- Nearby
- Beaufort Street, Hyde Park, Northbridge
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay | $$$ | Elizabeth Quay, The Bell Tower, Kings Park, Northbridge |
| Northbridge | $$ | WA Museum Boola Bardip, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth station |
| Fremantle | $$$ | Fremantle Prison, Fremantle Markets, WA Maritime Museum, Bathers Beach |
| Cottesloe | $$$$ | Cottesloe Beach, North Cottesloe, Fremantle |
| Scarborough | $$ | Scarborough Beach, Trigg Beach, Hillarys Boat Harbour |
| Subiaco | $$$ | Kings Park, Rokeby Road, Lake Jualbup |
| Leederville | $$ | Lake Monger, Northbridge, Mount Hawthorn |
| Mount Lawley | $$ | Beaufort Street, Hyde Park, Northbridge |
Getting to your hotel
Perth Airport is about 12 km east of the CBD. Airport line trains from Airport Central station, beside Terminals 1 and 2, reach Perth station in about 20 minutes. Taxis and ride-hails take about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Perth for first-time visitors?
Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay. The CBD runs from the riverfront at Elizabeth Quay, with the Bell Tower and ferries to South Perth, up through the Hay Street and Murray Street malls to Perth station.
+Where should families stay in Perth?
Cottesloe: Swimming beach and sunsets on the doorstep.
+Which area of Perth is best for a budget stay?
Northbridge ($$): Bars, small restaurants and the Perth Cultural Centre just north of the railway.