Emergency measures in the wake of Covid-19:

Australian border measures are in place with very limited flights available. Entry is restricted to Australian citizens, residents and their immediate family members only, and Australians may not travel internationally at this time. All travellers, including Australian citizens, must quarantine for 14 days at a designated facility.

See the Home Affairs and Travel Bans/Australia websites; plus the WA Government websites Roadmap and Updates.

-------------------------------------

Australia’s fourth-largest city, Perth is located in the southwest between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Range. It’s as far as you can get from the main gay cities of Sydney and Melbourne, but Perth has a thriving community of its own. Perth Pride Festival , which has been going strong for more than two decades, has taken place every October, and the Pride Parade is a mid-November annual event. Many LGBTI people also take part in the February/March Perth International Arts Festival with five weeks of film, theater, dance, writers, visual arts and more. Bears Perth have regular events each month throughout the year.

Perth is no rural outpost. The skyscrapers of its Central Business District are certainly impressive. It’s older buildings, some of the country’s most venerable, are equally eye-catching. This is a foodie haven, especially for lovers of seafood. It’s also a magnet for those who love the outdoors, as the beaches are beautiful and the national parks incredibly varied.

Spend days exploring hip port neighbourhood Fremantle; lounge on all 19 of the city’s beaches, including famed Rottnest Island; or picnic in the shade in the gargantuan Botanic Gardens. Make for the restaurants of downtown, Subiaco and Fremantle when you fancy sampling such local flavors as Manjimup black truffles, Ord River sweet papaya, Broome mangoes and local venison, berries and, of course, seafood. Liquid delights are on tap here, too; the wine regions of both Swan Valley and Margaret River are within easy reach, and state residents enjoy tasty varieties from over 50 local microbreweries. Stir in an influx of compact, specialist cocktail haunts, or “small bars,” that have sprung up in the city’s alleys and laneways and the city truly is a drinker’s delight. See more area destinations at our activities listings.

The local cultural scene offers year-round entertainment at a number of venues. The Blue Room presents contemporary independent theater performances. His Majestys Theatre (The Maj) Edwardian-era theatre, features West Australia Ballet and West Australian Opera productions; also with a cafe/cabaret. The State Theatre Centre of WA and Perth Theatre complex is home to the Black Swan State Theatre Company with world premiere productions and re-interpretations of international theatre classics; and the Barking Gecko Theatre Company. Perth Concert Hall presents performances by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. Perth Arena hosts big name international entertainment, music concerts, and sports.

 

Getting here

Perth Airport is the region’s principal gateway. It has many national as well as international flights. Unless you’re renting a car, there are taxis and shuttles to make your way downtown. Transperth operates inexpensive daily public transport on city bus number 40 from terminals T3 and T4 to Elizabeth Quay Bus Station in downtown Perth. If arriving at T1 (international) or T2, take bus route 380 which also has stops at Victoria Park Transfer Station and Burswood Train Station. A free terminal transfer bus links all terminals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. See Rideshare for Uber airport services.

 

Getting around

Since you’ll want to get to the nearby beaches and parks, a car is a good idea. But for getting around the inner city there are four color-coded no-charge Central Area Transit (CAT) bus routes within the Free Transit Zone. To travel outside the zone, buy a ticket from the driver or a SmartRider card at Transperth InfoCentres or other sales outlets. See their fares page. The Transperth website has all the information you might need about their buses, trains and ferries.

Urbi offers bike-share services at stations less than 400m apart throughout the metropolitan area. Bicycles are accessed via an app or rented at each station and include helmet and lock: at $3 for single rides; or daily, weekly or monthly access for as many 45 minute rides as you like (until 7pm) at $10 for a day, $20 for a week, or $40 per month.

 

Neighborhoods

Many of the gay venues are located in Mount Lawley and Northbridge.

Currency and Money

The local currency is the Australian dollar. You shouldn’t have trouble finding ATMs in most urban areas.

 

Media & Resources

DNA is the national glossy magazine with some very impressive photography.

Out in Perth is the city’s rainbow monthly, found at over 300 locations around Western Australia. Check it out for local articles and events listings.

Show Me Perth is a good general public information online source for events, dining options, and tourist attractions.

For map locations and website links to the businesses below, and more, see our gay Perth listings pages.

 

Lodgings

Pension of Perth (3 Throssell St; 61-419-477-954), French provincial decor, three-room B&B, Federation tuck-pointed home building circa 1897, overlooking Hyde Park, breakfast on the veranda.

Ningaloo Reef Holidays (13 Griffiths Way, Exmouth; 61-89-949-2269), offers a selection of up to 20 holiday homes in a unique coastline area that's a nature lovers' paradise.

Richard's of Northbridge (165 Brisbane St; 61-89-227-8303), gay-owned B&B, large en-suite bedrooms with city skyline views or private courtyard; short walk to restaurants/ pub, hearty breakfasts, spa baths, WiFi, lounge with fireplace.

The Cape Lodge (3341 Caves Rd, Yallingup; 61-89-755-6311), 22 five-star wine-country rooms and suites and fine dining in one of the most picturesque regions of the State. A rugged coastline and majestic native forest location beside by the Indian Ocean, surrounded by Margaret River Vineyards, just three hours drive south of Perth.

See more hotel and guesthouse suggestions at our map & listings pages.

 

Going out

Ambar (104 Murray St, Downtown), mixed crowd Friday/Saturday underground dance club, local and national DJs' sets.

The Aviary Restaurant & Bar (140 William St), gay-popular restaurant and lounge, pan-Asian cuisine, The Nest Rooftop Bar, DJs and live music, dancing, great views.

Blue Room Theatre (Perth Cultural Centre, 53 James St), contemporary independent theater performances include themes of LGBTQ interest.

C Restaurant (44 St Georges Terrace), bar & restaurant, 33rd floor city vistas, classic and modern cuisine, breakfast, lunch, dinner and high tea.

Connections (81 James St), big night out club, dancing, theme nights, drag shows, bingo, Mr Leather contest, go-gos, guest porn stars, kink nights, lesbian mud wrestling.

Court Hotel (50 Beaufort St), large gay and mixed club; pizza/pasta, burgers and seafood, drinks; weekend and special parties including foam events, quiz nights, outdoor patios/beer garden, show nights.

Geisha (135a James St, Northbridge), intimate gay-friendly upmarket weekend nightclub; wood/leather decor, DJ sets and live music.

His Majestys Theatre (825 Hay St), cafe and cabaret in last Edwardian theatre in Western Australia; Ballet & Opera performances.

Hula Bula Bar (12 Victoria Ave), Kitschy gay-friendly Tiki-theme cocktail bar, 50s and 60s HiFi and live music.

Loton Park Tennis Club (Lord and Bulwer Streets), tennis courts, gay/lesbian clubhouse nights, special events parties, live entertainment, popular Sundowner evenings; non-members welcome.

Lucky Shag Waterfront Bar  (Barrack Street Jetty), waterside bar and restaurant, lunch, dinner, sports on big screens, DJs and live bands.

Niche Bar (7/663 Newcastle St, Leederville Village), gay-friendly cocktail bar/lounge, dancing, DJs, RnB Fridays, garden courtyard.

Perth Steam Works (369 William St, Northbridge), bathhouse for men, 6-man heated spa pool, dry sauna & steam room, dark cruising area, regular & fetish cabins, bar and cafe; naked nights, free STI testing by MClinic, 2:30-4pm Thursdays.

Queens Hotel Bar & Bistro (520 Beaufort St), food and beer, breakfast through dinner, convivial crowd and staff.

The Sparrow's Nest (912 Albany Hwy, E Victoria Park), 3pm-midnight gay/lesbian-friendly café and espresso bar; fresh juices, Tuesday-Saturday big late breakfast/ Sunday brunch, toasties, burgers, sandwiches, veggie/vegan options.