Blessed with an average of eight hours of sunshine a day year-round, a scenic river running through its center and beaches on the nearby Indian Ocean, Perth has become Australia’s fastest-growing city.
What may surprise visitors is that this clean, green and culturally vibrant city owes much of its transformation from a quiet provincial town into a dynamic urban center to the extraction and export of natural resources — iron ore, coal, oil, nickel, bauxite, copper and gold.
Western Australia supports roughly 500 commercial mineral projects, about 800 mining operations and 64 operating oil and gas fields. Although many resource sites lie hundreds or even thousands of miles from Perth — the state of Western Australia is vast, roughly four times the size of Texas — the executives, workers and capital connected with these industries largely pass through the capital.
China’s strong demand for iron ore and coal, combined with global appetite for liquefied natural gas, oil and minerals, fueled a boom for Western Australia’s resource sector. In 2012 mining investment accounted for a significant share of Australia’s economic growth. Hotels in Perth’s Central Business District reported high occupancy rates, and passenger numbers at Perth International Airport rose at an average rate of over 9 percent per year for five years, prompting terminal expansion plans.
Average household incomes in Perth increased substantially in recent years, and new hotels and upscale restaurants have opened across the CBD to serve business travelers. Boat sales remain strong, with marina berths along the Swan River in high demand. In The Economist’s City Livability Survey, Perth ranked eighth out of 140 world cities, scoring perfectly in health care, education and infrastructure.
“There’s an increasing sophistication in Perth. We’re not just attracting construction workers but professionals as well. We’ve seen global law firms come in, global consulting firms and many more large companies,” said Mark Barnaba, chairman of The Macquarie Group in Western Australia. “All of a sudden we’ve got a destination that’s become a natural resource hub, comparable with Houston and Aberdeen.”
The rapid growth has a downside: Perth is now one of Australia’s most expensive cities. Prices have climbed for everyday items and services, and housing and rent increases have been steep. Average weekly rents rose dramatically over five years, and property values in affluent suburbs can rival those in Sydney; for example, the median house price in Peppermint Grove is notably high.
With nearly 2 million residents across metropolitan Perth, Australia’s fourth-largest city still holds the title of the world’s most isolated capital because of its location on the continent’s far west coast. That isolation hasn’t stopped many Australians from moving west in search of skilled work and higher wages tied to the resources sector.
Major energy and mining companies placing staff in Perth have driven demand for office space: vacancy rates in the CBD are low. Even after the completion of several new towers, including the 45-story City Square development, Perth hosts more listed companies than any other Australian city.
Perth’s work culture often balances focused weekday productivity with long, sunny weekends filled with outdoor pursuits — surfing, sailing, riverside recreation, and team sports. Short overnight or multi-day trips into Western Australia’s rugged outback offer hiking and biking adventures for residents and visitors alike.
To support its faster-growing corporate and visitor economies, Perth is undertaking major construction projects. Elizabeth Quay is a multibillion-dollar redevelopment that will convert riverfront land into residential, hotel and commercial space with public waterfront amenities, opening in stages beginning in 2015.
Artist’s rendering of Queens Riverside © Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority
The Queens Riverside project will revitalize nearly 100 acres along the Swan River with a new inlet, residential towers, finger wharves and landscaped boardwalks that include cafés, bars, accommodations and commercial space alongside wetlands, green areas and public art. Completed early phases include Sovereign Place townhouses and Fraser Suites Perth, while a luxury residential tower offers sweeping river and city views.
Perth City Link is a regeneration program reconnecting the CBD with Northbridge by lowering a busy rail corridor and bus interchange to create 35 acres for mixed-use redevelopment and the enhancement of the Perth Cultural Centre. The cultural precinct houses venues such as the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and the State Theatre Centre.
A dedicated urban light rail network is planned to begin construction in 2016 with trains running in later years, adding to existing suburban and regional rail services. Other major projects include the new Perth Stadium, a large publicly and privately financed sports and events venue, and the expansion of hotel and convention facilities in the former Burswood entertainment area, anchored by a new Crown Towers resort and convention complex.
King’s Park © Minyun Zhou | Dreamstime.com
Things to Do in Perth
Perth’s climate and natural setting make it an outdoors city. For an immediate introduction, walk from the CBD up to Kings Park, one of the world’s largest inner-city parks with extensive gardens, sweeping river views and a skyline outlook.
Northbridge, just north of the CBD, is a lively neighborhood with cultural institutions clustered around the Perth Cultural Centre. It’s a good area to browse boutique shops, vintage and Art Deco stores, and sample a variety of ethnic restaurants.
The Perth Mint is one of the oldest mints still operating on its original site and displays significant gold bars and coins, including record-breaking bullion examples. Ferries operate from Barrack Street for scenic trips on the Swan River, while separate services run to Rottnest Island, a protected island known for snorkeling, diving and cycling.
The Pinnacles at Nambung National Park © Lau Sang Tan | Dreamstime.com
For daytrips, drive north along Indian Ocean Drive to the fishing town of Cervantes and the Pinnacles at Nambung National Park, or head south to seaside towns such as Rockingham and Mandurah for beaches, windsurfing, whale-watching and opportunities to see wild bottlenose dolphins in Shoalwater Marine Park.
Perth’s annual calendar includes major cultural and sporting events, such as international art exhibitions, film festivals, fashion weeks and golf tournaments that attract local and international audiences.
Checking in with Stephanie Buckland
CEO, Tourism Western Australia
Perth is vibrant, modern and changing rapidly, driven by several major projects valued at several billion dollars. These developments include tourism-focused amenities that will enhance both business and leisure visitor experiences and contribute to a growing social and cultural vibrancy across the city.
The city’s dining and nightlife scene has expanded with many new small bars, cafés and restaurants, alongside refreshed retail, entertainment and cultural venues. Combined with Perth’s natural attractions and outdoor lifestyle, the city offers a wide range of experiences. Tourism WA’s Eventscorp actively attracts sporting, cultural and culinary events to boost visitation across the state.
Although Perth’s strong economy can make it feel expensive, the city provides accommodation, dining and shopping options for a wide range of budgets. Business travel to Perth has been rising, and conventions contribute significantly to the local economy through delegate spending and event activity.
For one-day excursions, recommended destinations include Fremantle for maritime history and multicultural dining, Rottnest Island for snorkeling and cycling, and the Swan Valley wine region, just a short drive from the city and known for wineries, restaurants and galleries.
Perth: Just the Facts
Time Zone: GMT +8
Phone Code: Country code: 61, City code: 8
Currency: Australian dollar
Entry/Exit Requirements: All visitors must have a valid passport and appropriate visa to enter Australia; specific visa requirements depend on nationality and purpose of travel.
Official Language: English
Key Industries: Mining, property and business services, finance and insurance, construction, manufacturing, communications, tourism and health services
Perth Info to Go
Perth International Airport (PER) sits about 10 miles from the CBD. The international and domestic terminals are a short drive apart. Ground transport options include shuttle services and taxis, and car rental companies operate counters at the airport.
Where to Stay in Perth
Crown Metropol Perth — A large deluxe property near the CBD and airport overlooking the Swan River, offering casino and entertainment complex access, a pool, meeting facilities and multiple dining options. Great Eastern Highway, Burswood $$$$
Fraser Suites Perth — A 19-story, five-star serviced-apartment property opened in 2012 with amenities tailored to business travelers, including meeting rooms, a gym and an indoor pool. 10 Adelaide Terrace $$$$
The Richardson Hotel & Spa — A five-star boutique hotel in West Perth with luxurious rooms, fine dining and spa services, about 10 minutes from the CBD. 32 Richardson St. $$$$
Restaurants in Perth
The Heritage Brasserie Bar & Boardroom — Housed in a restored historic building, popular with business diners and evening crowds; known for seafood and lamb and private meeting rooms. 131 St. Georges Terrace $$$$
Matilda Bay Restaurant — Set on the Swan River with an emphasis on Western Australian seafood and local wines in a warm timber-and-stone setting. 3 Hackett Drive, Crawley $$$$
Restaurant Amusé — An award-winning fine-dining venue offering a changing multi-course tasting menu tailored to guests; advance reservations are recommended. 64 Bronte St., East Perth $$$$