Hostelworld Guide for Perth

The Essentials Getting There

By plane: Perth International Airport 7.5 miles northeast of the city centre. The easiest way from the airport to your accommodation is via shuttle bus. By train: Perth has two main train stations - Perth Railway Station on Wellington Street and East Perth Railway Terminal on Summers Street. Both have good connections with the rest of Australia. By bus: Most buses travelling to Perth from long-haul destinations terminate at East Perth Terminal on Summers Street.

Climate
Perth has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot dry summers. The sunniest capital in Australia, she is blessed with an average of eight hours sunshine a day. The summer months are hot, averaging temperatures of 29C during the day. Warm summer days are cooled down in the afternoon with the "Fremantle Doctor", a strong sea breeze that blows in from the ocean. The winter months in Perth are from June to August and are mild, with temperatures rarely dipping below 15C.

Getting Around
Western Australia's key city is famous for many reasons. It's the state's capital, it's the gateway to Australia's breathtaking west coast, and it's the most remote city in the world. This doesn't mean there's nothing to do though. Perth has one of Australia's most instantly recognisable skylines, a climate other cities can only dream of, a host of beautiful beaches and enough bars, restaurants and cafs to keep all walks of life occupied for the duration of their stay. On foot: Walking is the best way to experience Perth. The city is very pedestrian friendly, and all the sights are easily reachable on foot.

Good to know...
By train: Operated by 'Transperth', the city has an excellent, efficient rail network. While you won't need them to get around the city centre, they enable access to the city's suburbs. By bus: 'Transperth' also run the bus service in Perth, and buses are frequent and reliable. Language: English Currency: Australian Dollar Electricity: 220-240 AC/50Hz. 3-pin plug, although different to those in the UK and Ireland so adaptors may be required. Area Code: +61 (Australia), 08 (Perth) Emergency Codes: Ambulance/Fire/Police 000 Time Zone: Western Daylight Time (GMT +8hrs) Central Post Office: Ground Floor 3-7, Forrest Place Main Tourist Office: Corner of Wellington Street and Forrest Place

In this Guide...
Useful Information After Dark Places to Eat Top Attractions Budget Tips Where to Shop

There is also a free bus service called the 'CAT' (Central Area Transport Service). For more information on the CAT see 'budget tips' below.

Perth facts
Name: Perth is sometimes referred to as the 'City of Lights'. Location: This city is found on Australia's south west coast. It lies on the Swan River beside the Indian Ocean. Population: Approximately 1.6 million people live here in Perth. Founded: Perth was founded in 1829 by European settlers. Before this it was the home of the Whadjuk Noongar people.

Consulates
USA: +61 (0)8 9202 1224 UK: +61 (0)8 9224 4700 Canada: +61 (0)8 9322 7930 South Africa: +61 (0)8 9321 0355 Ireland: +61 (0)8 9385 8247 Germany: +61 (0)8 9325 8851 Spain: +61 (0)8 9225 5222 Italy: +61 (0)8 9322 4500 New Zealand: +61 (0)2 6270 4211* France: +61 (0)8 6263 4455 *Number is for High Commission in Canberra www.hostelworld.com

Hostelworld Guide for Perth

Cheap Eats
Golden Tandoori, 130 James Street, Northbridge Located in Perth's backpacker quarter, Golden Tandoori suits the needs of those who walk the streets here as it offers good food at affordable prices. Here 'kormas' and 'tikka masalas' can be found on the menu along with more adventurous mains too. Open daily from 5.30pm-11pm. Belgian Beer Caf, 347 Murray Street, Downtown Perth While size isn't everything, it matters here as two people can feast over one portion of 'moules et frites' ('mussels and fries' for those of you confused) and leave full to brim. Whether you'll want to share is another thing. Open Mon & Tues 11am-11pm, Wed-Sat 11am-12am & Sun noon-10pm.

After Dark
The Rock Nightclub, 361 Newcastle Street, Northbridge Inhibitions go right out the window once you step inside this nightclub, which is also regularly referred to as 'The Bog'. Every night has a theme - Tuesday is Irish night, Friday night is original band night, while Wednesday is cheekily known as 'Why Not'. It's been attracting backpackers for years and always guarantees a good night. Open nightly from 9pm-4am. The Shed, 69-71 Aberdeen Street, Northbridge Playing host to different bands almost every night, The Shed is one of the best places in Perth for live music. It is also popular with overseas backpackers for major sporting events. Open Thurs & Sun 12pm-12am, Fri & Sat 12pm-2am, closed Mon-Wed.

Don't Miss
Aussie Rules game in Subiaco Oval While Aussie Rules football may be more associated with the Australian state of Victoria, Western Australia's teams have been getting more and more successful over the last number of years. The state's two AFL teams are Perth's 'West Coast Eagles' and Fremantle's 'Fremantle'. Both teams play at Subiaco Oval just west of the city centre. Season runs from late March-late Sept; ticket prices vary. Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, Kings Park Rd, West Perth Overlooking the Swan River and Darling Range, Kings Park is one of Australia's most charming city centre parks. Covering 4 square kilometres, this park on the fringe of the city centre showcases 319 species of native plants and around 80 bird species. It is also famously known as the best place in the city to take photos of Perth's celebrated skyline.

Budget Tips
Take the ferry across the River Swan Costing a measly $1.70, a return ticket from the jetty on Barrack St in Downtown Perth to Mends St Jetty across the River Swan is a good investment. Not only do you get a bird's-eye view of the city's famed skyline while enjoying the ferry ride...you also get to use the ticket as many times as you want within the two hours after you buy it. Go to the movies on a Tuesday If there's a movie released when you're in Oz and you really don't want to miss it, do your best to catch it on 'Tight Arse Tuesday'. On this day cinema tickets are up to 50% cheaper than any other day of the week. A good place to catch a movie in Perth is either in Hoyts Cinema on Hay St in the city centre or Greater Union Cinemas (57 Liege St). Bring your own alcohol when eating out A host of Perth's restaurants are 'BYO' restaurants. This stands for 'bring your own', meaning you can bring your own wine or beer when eating out. As casks of wine in Australia hardly ever cost more than $15, bring one with you when eating out with friends and the bill won't be that expensive.

A taste of Asia Gay / Lesbian Perth

While it is one of Australia's smaller cities, Perth has an active gay scene. The city's premier gay venue is The Court Hotel (50 Beaufort Street) where there's something on every night of the week, such as 'Amateur Drag' on Wednesdays. Connections (81 James St., Northbridge) is the city's premier gay club, while Heaven (Stirling St, Northbridge) is also popular. Cottesloe Beach Hotel, 104 Marine Parade, Cottesloe This well-known hotel in the beach suburb of Cottesloe is famous for one thing - its 'Sunday Session'. Each Sunday from 2pm onwards a selection of DJs play an eclectic mix of house, electro and breakbeat tunes in four different bars the Verandah Bar, the Back Bar, the Upstairs Bar and the Garden Bar. Not to be missed. Open daily from 11am-11.30pm Carnegie's, 356 Murray Street, Downtown Perth Located in the heart of Perth's city centre, Carnegie's has reputedly the largest selection of spirits in Perth. Those not looking for hard liquor can sample one of over 20 draught beers while listening to the sounds of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Open daily from 11am-close. Rosie O'Grady's, Cnr James & Milligan Streets, Northbridge Open to the public since the beginning of the 19th century, Perth's token Irish bar (one of them, anyway) has been attracting backpackers to its counters for over 15 years now. Regularly hosting live music, it is also one of the most popular places in the city to catch live sporting events from overseas. Open Mon 12 noon-midnight, Tues-Thurs 11.30am-1am, Fri-Sun 2pm-2am.

Under lock and key

Here kitty cat...

Old Shanghai Food Court, 123 James Street, Northbridge Northbridge's only food court specialises in (primarily) Asian cuisine, surprise surprise. While the name might lead you to believe you'll only find Chinese cuisine, here you can also try Malaysian, Indian and Thai food. There's even a Mexican restaurant in the middle of it all. Open daily from 10am-10pm. Fast Eddy's, 454 Murray Street, Downtown Perth Open since way back in 1979, this diner is where to go when you find yourself asking your friends 'Does my bum look small in these' Burgers, steaks and sandwiches are available, as are sundaes and other such niceties to beef you up. It's notable in Perth for being the first restaurant in the city centre to open all day, every day. Open daily 24 hours. Hydrant on Hay, 485-489 Hay Street Perth, Downtown Perth Named 'Hydrant' due to its proximity to the fire station across the road, this is a relaxed diner/restaurant with reasonable prices. They also have a take-away section if you fancy lunch on the run. Open daily from 7am-late. Hostelworld Guide for Perth

Fremantle Prison, The Terrace, Fremantle Fully operational until 1991, the City of Fremantle's prison first opened its gates to the country's convicts in 1855. Over the next 136 years the prison housed convicts from both Australia and overseas. Today visitors can choose to join either day or night tours. Open daily from 10am-5pm; entry to gatehouse free, admission varies for different tours. Rottnest Island 11km long and 4.5km wide, Rottnest Island off the coast of Perth has been an idyllic island of retreat for people on the west coast of Australia since the turn of the 1900s. Those who travel there do so to bask in the sun on its idyllic beaches and witness all types of wildlife in its wildlife preserve. The island is also an extremely popular diving spot, and just under 100 tropical fish can be found in the waters around the island. For tour information contact your local tour operator.

Use the free 'CAT' bus service Starting at 6am and continuing until 11.30pm, 'Transperth' operate free buses in the city centre known as the CAT (Central Area Transit). There are three lines in operation - the blue CAT, the red CAT and the yellow CAT. Between all three lines many of the city's suburbs and attractions are passed. Make sure to use it during your stay. Visit the Art Gallery of Western Australia Part of the Perth Cultural Centre on St Georges Terrace, WA's premier art gallery houses over 15,500 works of art. Open daily Wed-Mon 10am-5pm, closed Tuesdays; admission free (donations welcome). www.hostelworld.com