Where to stay

Scarborough has the surfer's paradise of Scarborough Beach as well as affluent Cottesloe Beach with its scenic Marine Parade and Perth's City Beach neighborhood. These are the most central places to stay for beach lovers. The hotels in the northern coastal neighborhoods of Sorrento, Trigg and Hillarys Boat Harbour are also popular year round. Summers in Perth can get extremely hot, but the "Freo Doctor" usually gives some relief in the afternoons. These cool sea breezes will reach you first if your hotel is near the beaches, marina or port of bohemian Fremantle. From southern "Freo," vacationers can simply hop on public ferries, buses and trains to the northern beaches and riverside neighborhoods of inner Perth.

The Perth Central Business District (CBD) and also East Perth, West Perth and Subiaco are among the best Perth neighborhoods to stay for those who would love to combine sightseeing with shopping. The big malls and pedestrian shopping streets of St Georges Terrace, Hay Street and Murray Street as well the more upscale fashion and boutique shops of King Street will all be within walking distance of the most popular hotels in these inner-city neighborhoods. For something more alternative, the district of Northbridge has quirky little shops and discount stores aplenty, as well as cheap and cheerful accommodations for those on a budget.

Northbridge, behind the Perth Central Station, has a great variety of bars, nightclubs and Aussie pubs, and it's a more affordable neighborhood to stay in as well. From Central Station it's a 20-minute train ride to Cottesloe, a very popular nightlife hub. This western neighborhood has breezy clubs and hotel bars, as well as some wonderful beachside accommodations. The international chain hotels in East Perth have lounge bars and lofty rooms. Across the river in Burswood, the resort hotel of the pyramid-style Crown Perth casino complex is equally in demand. The Perth Central Business District (CBD) is an ideal place to stay for those who prefer an early night but still want to check out the city's bars and pubs. The nightlife here is about after-work drinks rather than dancing until dawn.

Families staying in Perth's Central Business District can walk to the Esplanade by the Swan River and from there take free CAT buses to tour the inner city. From the ferry terminal of the Elizabeth Quay entertainment island, sailing cruises and fast ferries go as far as the Swan Valley, Rottnest Island and Fremantle. Alternatively, find a hotel in West Perth or Subiaco for daily trips to Kings Park with its wealth of family attractions. Across the river, South Perth is home to the Perth Zoo and fun Foreshore park with playgrounds and barbecues, as well as many family-friendly accommodations. Lively Cottesloe and Scarborough Beach are great neighborhoods to stay with teenagers. With its busy boat harbour and aquarium, Hillarys is good for hours of family fun as well, although it's not as central. Those staying in Sorrento can stroll along the Sorrento Quay Boardwalk to Hillarys.