Things to do and places to visit

• Cottesloe Beach: A short bus ride from UniHall takes you to Cottesloe’s breathtaking white sandy beach and stunning sunsets. If it’s too crowded, go further down the coast (towards Fremantle) where you will find Leighton Beach, which is just as beautiful.
• Kings Park and Botanic Garden is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world with more than six million people visiting each year. You can casually stroll along the Federation walkway or the ‘glass bridge’, climb up the 101 steps of the DNA tower, admire the 750-year-old boab tree or reflect at the State War Memorial Cenotaph precinct. Our favourite is to look out over the Perth city skyline at night.
• The Swan Valley is a vast highway of wineries, chocolate factories and stunning rural sights.
• Serpentine Falls: Just an hour’s drive south of UniHall, this makes for a great daytrip through Perth’s more rural landscape, whether you pack a picnic, relax by the waterfall or set out along one of the walk trails. It’s best to go in the wetter months so you can see the waterfall in all its glory.
• Caversham Wildlife Park is brimming with animals and creatures. Our favourite part is the huge roaming area for kangaroos that you can pat and feed.
• Hillarys Boat Harbour: This marina is lined with a great range of eateries and stores – you’re sure to find yourself overindulging in delicious food or some retail therapy. No matter where you sit, you will face a stunning seaside view and it’s definitely one of the best spots to watch the sun set.
• Blue Boat House: An iconic Perth spot that every tourist comes to take a photo of! Located just down the road from UniHall, we often run, ride and walk along the river where we pass the Boat House and Eliza. Eliza is the statue just off the foreshore that is always dressed by locals in something wild and wacky.
• Fremantle Weekend Markets: One of the main attractions in Fremantle, the markets are definitely worth a visit! With so much to offer from fresh fruit and veg, local clothing and gifts, to natural soaps and food stalls, you will walk away with something.

IGA's independent grocery stores are usually open for longer hours than other retailers, making it easier to go shopping around your studies. The 24-hour IGA along Stirling Highway is perfect for late-night study snacks – we can highly recommend their freshly baked muffins! While there are other IGAs in the area, the closest is Broadway Shopping Centre – only a small detour if you’re already on campus and want to call in as you walk back to college.

Farmer Jacks is a great grocery store in both Subiaco and Claremont Quarter that specialises in locally sourced produce with more gourmet options.

Angry Almond: With shops in both Dalkeith and Subiaco, this store is great for your health-food needs, with a range of seeds, nuts, grains, dried fruit and more alternative accompaniments.

Perth City: It may be hard for some of you to believe that all our city life is contained within three streets, but it’s true! A short bus ride into the city will take you to everything you need, including the major supermarkets and department stores. Note that while late-night shopping is Thursdays in the suburbs, it is Friday in the CBD where shops stay open until 9pm instead of the usual 5.30pm.

Leederville is home to a selection of hipster cafés, funky little bars and beautiful street art. Standouts include Gusto Gelato, with some of the best homemade fresh gelato in WA, and Greens & Co with its laid-back vibe, posters covering every wall, super-comfy couches, delicious coffee and amazing selection of cakes.

Northbridge is Perth’s Chinatown by day and nightlife hub by night. Home to the majority of Perth’s clubs and bars, as well as dozens of Asian supermarkets and restaurants, it is beautifully vibrant and a great place for any time of the day.

Cottesloe is home to one of the most popular beaches close to UniHall. With a range of cafes and restaurants along the water and more in amongst our favourite boutiques in the township, you will fall in love with the heritage vibe in this area. It’s definitely a favourite destination among UniHallers for sunset fish and chips by the beach or a picnic under the shade of the Norfolk Island pines.

Fremantle: Affectionately known as Freo, come and experience the lively ambience in one of Perth’s most highly rated suburbs. You can enjoy a coffee or a meal along the Cappuccino Strip, potter your way through the captivating Fremantle Markets, go underground on the fascinating Fremantle Prison Tunnel Tour and so much more! Check out the gorgeous street art by Graeme Richards on the wall of East West Design – it’s the biggest mural in Freo. And don’t miss Anya Brock’s famous zebras mural on the side wall of Ootong & Lincoln. Fremantle is one of the easiest places to explore by foot, bike or the free City Area Transit (CAT) bus that does regular circuits. A guaranteed good time, Fremantle is a must-see place in Perth.

Rottnest Island: A small island about 20km off the coast of Perth, Rottnest is accessible by ferry. There is plenty to do here, whether you swim or snorkel, hire a bike, explore the beach or settle down at one of the cafés or pub for some food and drink. It’s a rite of passage to get a selfie with the quokkas, the island's native marsupials.