Inside Look: How We Would Spend The Ultimate Perth Day Trip

Perthites have long known the understated magic of the City of Light. And while the destination’s famed drawcard is its natural beauty, Perth boasts a colourful arts and culture scene that’s often forgotten but deserving of discovery. WA’s picture-perfect capital lies along the estuary of the Swan River, on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people. A place where Aboriginal Australians have lived for at least 45,000 years.

Perth Day Trip Itinerary

From browsing local boutiques and art exhibitions to café pit stops and wine bar happy hour, there are so many ways to while away the hours in Perth. Here’s how to spend the perthfect day trip.

9:00 am: Coffee and breakfast at Arrival Hall

Start your morning at Arrival Hall, an eatery that blurs the line between neighbourhood café and restaurant. The seasonal menu reflects traces of Japanese, Scandinavian, South American, and Southeast Asian cuisine — all inspired by the places the chefs have lived and travelled. While you’re there, browse the Northbridge showroom — a lovingly restored 19th-century house and former backpackers lodge — packed with beautiful wares. 

10:30 am: Check out the local boutiques 

Perth and its surrounding areas are dotted with gorgeous boutiques aplenty. If you’re partial to a little retail therapy, Hay Street Mall is a shopper’s paradise with everything from fashion to jewellery and footwear. The boutiques, bookstores, and vintage shops on Beaufort Street are also worth a gander.

1:00 pm: Grab lunch at Wines of While

If you’re feeling peckish, head to Wines of While for lunch.

When it comes to this place, you’ll rarely find an empty seat — and for good reason. This casual bar brings you a stellar menu of Mediterranean-inspired fare with crowd-pleasers like nduja mussels, Rottnest scallops, and duck ragu. To pair, expect natural, handmade wines sourced from France, Spain, Italy, and Australia. Each bottle is a product of organic and biodynamic vineyards, made without chemicals or preservatives. Delicioso! 

3:00 pm: Head to the Art Gallery of Western Australia

Spend some time exploring the colourful and imaginative works at the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Situated in the heart of Perth’s Cultural Centre, the gallery was founded in 1895. It houses the State Art Collection with works by renowned local and international artists from the 1800s to today.

From now until the end of September, you can experience an immersive art exhibition by acclaimed street artist, RONE. The Time Rone exhibition offers a beautiful and emotive snapshot of mid-century Australia.

5:00 pm: Grab a sunset cocktail at Shadow Wine Bar

Head to Shadow Wine Bar for a happy hour cocktail or two. Set behind a classic 1950s façade, it’s one of the Perth greats. With a show-stopping wine list, gorgeous aesthetic, and mouth-watering eats, the bar offers an escape from the flurry of Northbridge. It’s a place where you can lean into the evening with classic Italian fare, cocktails, and a cleverly assembled wine list.

And if you’re keen for something small, Shadow’s modern Italian and European snacks and share plates showcase the state’s best local and seasonal produce. 

7:00 pm: Dinner at alba

The newly redeveloped Stories mega-venue at Yagan Square is home to Perth’s newest Italian restaurant, alba. The name is synonymous with the cuisine of Piedmont — a region of Italy bordering France and Switzerland — and modern Italian cuisine.

With options to dine both indoor and alfresco, the aesthetic is contemporary, bright, and airy. We’re talking hanging pendant lights, blush and olive tones, and sprawling CBD views. Guided by the capable hands of head chef Adam Szymankiewicz and executive chef Sundoo Kim, the gorgeous open-plan kitchen also blurs the line between diners and chefs. It’s a fantastic place to stop for dinner as you salute a day well spent.

8:00 pm: Watch a show at The Ellington Jazz Club

Swing into one of Perth’s most popular and established jazz haunts for a toe-tapping night of soul. A CBD staple, The Ellington is renowned for starring the crème de la crème of Australian talent — both local and interstate — in more than 500 shows per year. Expect top-notch music in a warm, intimate environment that’s earned a reputation for getting a little rowdy. There’s a reason everybody raves about it.