I’ve been to Perth twice now and have enjoyed it v much both times. The first time I stayed in the CBD and the second time in the waterside neighborhood of Fremantle (aka Freo), which I deffo prefer. Perth is a lovely city with loads of good restaurants, shops and things to do. But by far my favorite thing to do here is just a few miles off the coast: Rottnest Island! Rottnest Island is home to 10,000 quokkas — the small marsupials that have no predators on the island and therefore are bizarrely friendly with humans. They roam freely on the island so you can walk up to them as you please for selfies, hang time or cuddles.

Things to do:

• Rottnest Island: you can take the ferry here as early as 7:30am in the morning, last ferry leaves at 6:30pm. You can technically stay overnight on this island but it books up fast during Oz’s summertime (which is when I went both times I visited) so just book in advance if you’d like to stay a night or two! While here, rent a bike and cycle all over — check out the beautiful beaches and meet all the quokkas! They are all over the island. Just squat down when you see one and say hi (some are shy but many are curious and friendly). Oh and beach-wise, I particularly liked Parakeet Bay, Salmon Bay and The Basin.

• Fremantle: this waterside town/neighborhood is about 40 minutes from Perth CBD by train (super easy commute) and is worth spending time in. I stayed here for a week and was so glad I did. Lots of great shops, cafes and restos to enjoy. Fremantle Market is a cool spot to check out. You also must go to Little Creatures Brewery while there. And spend an afternoon on a beach lounger at the cafe on Bathers Beach. Also, the Rottnest Island Ferry takes off from this hood!

• Cottesloe Beach: this is one of the main beaches in Perth and it is a great place to watch sunset. Then grab dinner at either Il Lido or Canteen Pizza.

• Art Gallery of Western Australia: this is a very nice, small art museum located in Northbridge (one of the central Perth neighborhoods). I really enjoyed walking around for about an hour, exploring the colorful pieces on display.

• Walk around Northbridge and CBD (Central Business District): there are tons of good restaurants and shops in these two neighborhoods. I’d suggest some aimless wandering to get yourself situated.

Freo

Where to eat:

• Bread in Common

• Moore & Moore Cafe

• Little Creatures Brewery

• Cos Baby Freo

• Duck Duck Bruce

• Kakulas Sister

• High on 55

• The Attic

• Hush Specialty Coffee

• Strange Company (for drinks)

• Bathers Beach House (to hang for the afternoon on the beach)

Where to shop:

• Compendium Design Store

• New Edition Bookshop

• Bill Campbell Books

• Fremantle Markets

• The Chart & Map Shop

Cottesloe Beach

Where to eat:

• Il Lido (fantastic gnocchi and aperol spritzes)

• Canteen Pizza

CBD/Northbridge

Breakfast/coffee/lunch spots:

• Tiisch

• La Veen Coffee

• Recess

• Max and Co

• Mary Street Bakery

• Little Willy’s

• Holmes & Co

• Flora & Fauna

• Small Print Baker & Coffee Maker

• Panache

Dinner/drink spots:

• Tiny’s

• Market Grounds

• Baby Mammoth

• The Moon

• Mela Indian Sweets & Eats

• Shy John Brewery & Yum Cha

• Sauma

• The Standard

• Bivouac Canteen & Car

• Lot Twenty

• No Mafia

• Aisuru Sushi

• Francoforte Spaghetti Bar

• The Hummus Club

Ramen spots:

• Ippudo Kings Square

• Hiraku Ramen

• Noodle Forum

• Nao Japanese Ramen (most highly suggested)

• Ramen Ichiraku