Perth (Australia) * A coffee in every city *

A coffee in every city is a travel post series giving an overview of different areas, including things to see and do if you visit. And of course the most important thing when exploring a new place is where to find a decent cup of coffee. This is just my experience of these areas and this post does not contain any #spon or #AD material.

Perth, WA, Australia. Picture source: Google Maps

From October to December last year I spent ten weeks exploring Perth and the surrounding areas. This was a nice time to visit as it is the end of Spring and the beginning of Summer, which really messed with my head, seeing as it's the complete opposite in Britain. The weather was warm and there was a lot of things going on for Halloween and Christmas.



Perth captured my heart from the start, where as it took my travel buddy and younger sister Amy a while to appreciate it as much as I did. Having said that, we were ready to leave by the end, but if you are working or studying it would be a great place to set up base. Perth is very laid back and quite quiet for a major city, which is something that appealed to me. It's quite quirky and artsy, but without being pretentious. There's lots of random sculptures and street art around and lots of green park areas to chill out in.

L-R: Elizabeth Quay; Cottesloe Beach; Aberdeen Street; Museum Street

So where can I get a decent cup of coffee?

• San Churo - They have these all over Australia but this is where I first found out about it. It's a chocolate cafe, and it is pure heaven. The first time I went, I had a milk chocolate mocha made with real chocolate and I don't think any other mocha will ever live up to it. Dramatic, I know, but you have been warned.
• London Court Cafe - London court is a small 'ye olde England' style street almost hidden in the centre of Perth with lots of small shops and a cafe. 

San Churo

If you fancy a bite to eat

• Toastface Grillah - If you appreciate unique style, you will love this tiny cafe snuck in the side of a street art lined alleyway. Whilst you wait for a delicious toastie or an iced coffee, why not take a few snaps of the Pinterest and Instagram worthy decor.
• Kat's Snacks - This vegan eatery is in Raine Square and does a rather yummy Mac N Cheese.
• Zambrero - Mexican with a mission. This chain of restaurants serve great tasting food whilst also donating food to those in need. 
• Annalakshmi on the Swan - An Indian restaurant run by volunteers offering a buffet of vegetarian food. You pay what you think the food is worth or whatever you can afford, so it's perfect for any budget. It's definitely worth a visit. 

Street art on Grand Lane

Looking for something a bit stronger?

• Mustang - A great bar that hosts live music every night. The first time I went was a Thursday and a band called Frenzy were playing. As soon as they started the first few notes of 'The Middle' by Jimmy Eat World, I knew it was going to be a good night. If you get a chance I'd strongly recommend going on a Saturday night to see Milhouse play a variety of classic rock and pop songs. They put their own mark on the tunes and put on an excellent show.

L-R: Pictures 1-3 Kings Park; Picture 4 James Street Mall 

Things to do in Perth

• The Nostalgia Box - This is a must for anyone who's ever played a video console. They've got loads of consoles throughout the decades and there's some you can even play on.
• King's Park - King's Park is a great place to spend a day. There's lots of different parts to walk around and there's free guided walks as well if you want to learn more about the park and the plants there. There's also a restaurant and a shop as well as plenty of space to sit down with a picnic.    
• The blue boat shed - You can find this well photographed shed on Mounts Bay Road, next to King's Park. 
• Heirisson Island - Have a walk or a cycle around this tiny island and keep an eye out for the Kangaroos in the reserve (please treat them with respect and keep your distance). 
• The Bell Tower - Perth is quite proud of it's bell tower and if your going to visit make sure you go when they're ringing the bells. It also boasts great views of Elizabeth Quay.
• Hyde Park - A lovely green area with a pond and outside gym equipment. The perfect way to spend a warm afternoon with a good book.
• Elizabeth Quay - This is a relatively new area in Perth and is still being developed. There's lots to see and plenty of restaurants.
• Supreme Court Gardens - Another green space to relax in away from the buzz of the city.
• Forest Place - A nice square to chill and soak up the sun. There's plenty of seating, free wifi and various events going on throughout the year.
• Go on a street art walk - There's plenty of interesting artwork and sculptures around Perth so grab your camera and go explore.

The Nostalgia Box

The blue boat shed

Nearby places to explore
All of the following places can be reached using Transperth buses and trains.

• Cottesloe Beach - A pretty beach to relax at and walk along. Also a good place to go and watch the sunset. 
• Fremantle - A smaller town that has some great weekend markets. The prison is also worth a visit; I'd recommend the Torchlit Tour if you want to hear about ghosts and gore. 
• Rottnest Island - This is a must see for anyone in the area. A small island that you can cycle around in a day if you want a big but rewarding challenge. It is also home to the adorable quokkas (please don't feed them or grab them). The ferry will need to be booked in advance and it is a lot cheaper to travel on Tuesdays.
• Kalamunda - If you want to experience the more rural side of Perth, head to this small village in the Perth Hills. It's the start of the Bibbulmun Trail and has a fantastic pub. For more information on things to do in Kalamunda, read my blog post here. 
• Mandurah - If you want to go on a mini adventure, consider heading to this seaside town and going on a boat trip. I went on the dolphin cruise and really enjoyed it. There's also lots of very big houses to noisey at.
• Rockingham - Another seaside town. You can also do boat trips from here and there's also a ferry to Penguin island.
• Cockburn - If you need something to take your mind off the heat, why not head over to Cockburn Ice Arena and have a go at ice skating. If you've got a bit of time before hand, go for a pleasant stroll along Bibra Lake. It's also home to Adventure World theme park.

Cottesloe Beach

Fremantle Prison

If you have any questions or have any advice about visiting Perth, leave a comment down below.

J :)