South Perth riverside view of Perth CBD skyline reflecting over the Swan River

Perth

South Perth & Applecross

Unsplash / Unsplash

Trade-off

Riverside Perth — Mends Street ferry, postcard CBD-skyline view, family suburbia.

Across the Swan from the CBD, South Perth (the Mends Street precinct) and neighbouring Applecross hold the iconic Perth postcard view — the city skyline reflected over the river. A 7-minute ferry connects Mends Street jetty to Elizabeth Quay; the Perth Zoo, Coode Street and Heirisson Island are all walkable. Quiet, residential and family-skewing.

Scores

8/10

Walkability

7/10

Transit

5/10

Price

8/10

Local feel

4/10

Nightlife

9/10

Family-friendly

7/10

Centrality

What you gain

  • Mends Street ferry to Elizabeth Quay — 7 min commute, Perth skyline view
  • Perth Zoo, Sir James Mitchell Park and Coode Street foreshore all walkable
  • Quieter than CBD with riverside cafes (Bell Tower views from this side)

What you sacrifice

  • Bars close 10pm — no nightlife to speak of
  • Limited hotel inventory; mostly apartment rentals

Best for

familiesphotographers wanting the postcard viewover-50 couples

Avoid if

nightlife travellersCBD-business stays

Know where to stay — now find when to go.

Best time to visit Perth