Have you every played tourist in your own city? It’s been on my Western Australia bucket list to have a “staycation” in the Perth CBD. In this guide, I’ll share my tips and suggested itinerary for a weekend Perth staycation, suitable for for locals and tourists alike.
Where to Stay for your Perth Staycation
To start off your staycation, make your way to your home for the next couple of nights, the QT Perth. Located centrally at the end of the Murray St Mall, the QT Perth opened in 2018. I had visited the rooftop bar and restaurant before, but never had the chance to stay here.
We booked the Deluxe king room with city skyline views on the 11th floor of the hotel, with a great deal through Luxury Escapes. Our room had a black marbled bathroom with freestanding bathtub and luxe gold tap wear. I felt instantly relaxed just entering the room! I loved the moody, glam vibe of this hotel.
In addition to the location, it makes a perfect base for your weekend of adventures ahead.
Want to extend your Perth staycation? I’d recommend heading over to Rottnest for the day. Check out my guide on how to plan the perfect Rottnest Island day trip.
Check out Rooftop Bar at the QT
After checking out our room, we headed up to level 18 of the hotel. Get into the holiday mood with a cocktail at the QT Rooftop Bar.
I’d recommend getting here early to snag a seat on the outside terrace!
Dinner at Santini Grill
Located on Level 2 of the QT Perth, this restaurant is a must for any visitors to Perth. We had the most amazing Italian dinner here! The food is incredible, the drinks list extensive and the service very polished!
The entrée’s were amazing so definitely don’t skip these. If you are after something lighter, the pizzas looked yummy too. We left Santini with full bellies and slept well, ready for a full day of adventuring the next day.
How to Spend a Day Exploring Perth
Visit Matagarup Bridge and Claisebrook Cove in East Perth
After an early breakfast at the QT, we were ready to set off for the day.
Walk down to Wellington St to catch the free CAT bus over to East Perth to check out Matagarup Bridge. We spent some time walking over the bridge, taking a few pictures and walking around the Optus Stadium.
The new zip line over the river (opening in March 2021) looks like such a fun experience! The bridge climb at Matagarup Bridge has recently opened too.
We spent about 40 minutes here before heading off on a short 10 minute walk to the nearby Claisebrook Cove.
It was a sweltering 38 degree day, we stopped in at Toast for a fresh juice and coffee. The brunch menu looks good and comes recommended too.
Utilising the free CAT bus again, we headed back into the city to do a spot of shopping in the Murray St and Hay St Malls.
Tip: The CAT buses are a free service that you can hop on and hop off at (at designated stops) as often as you like. There are four lines across the city and Northbridge: the red, blue, green and yellow lines. At each stop there will be a panel telling you how long until the next bus. The schedules are also synced up to Google Maps making it super easy to navigate around.
Perth City Malls
Walking down the mall, there are a few attractions to see.
Get off the bus at Forrest Place, you will walk past “The Cactus,” a 6.5m high statue before arriving at one of Perth’s main shopping malls on Murray St. Walk through one of the connecting arcades to get across to the Hay St Mall.
Check out the iconic London Court located off Hay St and connecting through to St Georges Terrace. Built in 1937, this three to four level shopping arcade looks like something out of Harry Potter!
Lunch Stop at Hifumiya
After walking around for a few hours, we were in need of a lunch stop. We were craving noodles, and so headed further up Murray St to a little alleyway which hides Hifumiya Udon House.
This place reminds me of being back in Japan and feels very authentic with Japanese speaking staff and handmade noodles.
Dane opted for the hot spicy pork noodles and I went with the cold beef udon noodles. You can also pick bayonet items for side dishes like kaarage or tempura.
Afternoon of Putt Putt and Craft Beer
Walking over to Northbridge side of the city, we headed to Holey Moly Mini Golf and Putt Putt. We didn’t have a booking, but managed to squeeze in between some big groups. I’d recommend booking if possible as it was very busy with a bit of a wait at some holes.
For those that haven’t been, Holey Moley is touted as “Australia’s craziest and most unique mini golf experience.” Each hole is designed around a theme or a movie – there was Games of Thrones, The Simpsons and Back to the Future inspired holes to name a few! This place is licensed too so you can enjoy a drink whilst working your way round a 9 or 18 hole course.
We then headed to Northbridge Brewing Co for a few craft beers. Head upstairs and sit outside on the balcony, people watching over the Northbridge Piazza. After a few drinks we were ready for some chill out time back the hotel before getting ready for dinner, so walked back to the city, going through Yagan Square and checking out the bustling square.
Catch the sunset at Elizabeth Quay
Make sure you visit Elizabeth Quay during your time in Perth. We came around sunset before dinner. You can walk around the entire Quay, doing a loop from the Spanda sculpture around and across the bridge.
There are a lot of food and drink options at Elizabeth Quay. You can stop here for a drink or meal at the Island Brew House or the Reveley, some oysters at the Oyster Bar, a burger from V Burger or even a sweet treat from Gusto Gelato.
Besides from the Spanda, there is some other amazing public art on display with the First Contact sculpture down near the bridge.
More information on the Attractions at Elizabeth Quay here. Make sure to stop by and check out the Carousel too!
Dinner at Long Chim Perth
A short five minute walk away you will find the State Buildings, connecting three iconic heritage buildings into one bustling venue with a wide range of food and beverage options.
Petition Kitchen, Petition Beer Corner and Post are all highly recommended (we love the beer corner for their wide range of craft beers!), but we headed downstairs for dinner at Long Chim. Go with the Chef’s Menu to get a taste of everything – you won’t regret it!
Night Cap at Alfred’s Small Bar
After dinner, head across down a long flight of stairs to the prohibition inspired Alfreds small bar.
Serving up a wide range of drinks including top shelf spirits and late night pizza, this place is worth checking out at the start, middle or end of your night.
Sunday morning coffee fix in Perth CBD
Enjoy your last few leisurely moments in the luxurious king bed at the QT, before heading down for breakfast.
After breakfast, we had a few more hours before our late checkout so we walked down the mall again to grab a coffee from Voodoo Coffee on Wellington St (part of the Raine Square complex).
TIP: a lot of places in Perth CBD don’t open till 10 or 11am on Sunday mornings. Voodoo Coffee and La Veen are two places that I would recommend and are open from 7/8am on a Sunday if you need a serious coffee fix!
Wrapping up your Perth Staycation
All too soon, it was time to pack up and check out of the QT before jumping in an Uber back home. I enjoyed our little Perth staycation so much, it truly felt like we were on holiday! Plus I love exploring places in the city I wouldn’t normally and seeing it from a new perspective.
If you are looking at staying longer in Perth, why not venture up to see the Instagrammable Pink Lake of Hutt Lagoon or the unique Gnomesville in the Ferguson Valley?
Wow, so many fun things to do. I live in the states, but hope to make it to Australia soon. Saving this for when I do!
Wow! Seems like so many great places to see and eat in Perth! Looks like a fun staycation!
The Matagarup Bridge is so pretty although I don’t think I have a nerve to do the bridge climb. Your food at Long Chim look delicious. I miss that saute morning glory veggie.
Dinner at Santini Grill has surreal views!
Oh a wonderful staycation guide! We were hoping to visit Perth a few months ago but alas our plans changed in 2020! Hoping to get there this year and would love to visit Elizabeth Quay! Looks so pretty!
I love the idea of staying overnight to explore your home city. It definitely gives you a different perspective. I used to do it loads. I live 20 minutes from London but would love to stay for a couple of nights to discover different areas & make the most of the nightlife. I look forward to getting back to Perth…when Australia allows us back in 😉
Wow looks like a great place to relax and enjoy.thanks for sharing
I loved that you had a staycation while living in Perth. Mine is due for a long time and I still haven’t been to Holey Moley.
Perth is such an exciting city for a staycation. Thanks for the inspiration.
I’m yet to make it to Perth despite having family there AND now residing in Melbourne. Looks like a great place to visit!
Wish we had made it to Perth, looks like there’sloads to do and the zip line sounds like it’s going to be so fun! QT looks like a beaut place to stay!
Desperate to come back to Aus one day, stop in Perth and explore some of WA! Loved all the photos in this post – the roof top bar, Elizabeth Quay and London Court building all really stood out to me!
I have such trouble trying to look at my country with fresh eyes (Because we’re such a smalllll place) but you did a phenomenal job of it! Giving me inspiration to have another go with touristing in our own country!
I absolultely love your post and all the ideas of where to go and I have to say that carousel looked amazing! Did you get to ride it? 🙂