Laura-Jane Adventures

A family trip to celebrate Avi’s 60th

April was an exciting month, but one filled with big changes: I left my first corporate job after accepting that it didn’t personally fulfil me, and a flatmate unexpectedly moved out. Whilst I initially brushed off the unsettling feeling that these changes brought, I have since let myself realise that these are big things! It left me with a feeling of uncertainty that wasn’t comfortable, and mixed with a few other things that happened at the start of the month, it led to a bit of existential dread. I couldn’t stop thinking about how fragile life is. However, I sat with the discomfort and allowed myself to feel what I needed. So, before I get into all of the fun things I did in Perth, Australia, let me first say that change is normal, it can be positive, and it is okay to not have it all figured out!

Now let’s dive in and let me tell you about all of the things you can do in Perth. Australia!

This was my second time visiting Perth, and this time around, I stayed in Perth’s Central Business District (CBD) with my parents. It was a great location for being close to the harbour, running along the river path, and trying out some coffee shops. However, if you are looking for more of a beach vibe whilst in Perth, opt for Scarborough or Cottesloe as those are coastal areas with beautiful beaches.

Perth was the first stop on a month-long trip. The highlights on this part of the trip included: eating at some lovely restaurants (the foodie in me was very happy) and taking things at a slow pace to enjoy quality family time together.

Restaurants

Perth’s food scene is amazing. They have lots of good restaurants and authentic cuisine. My all-time favourite type of cuisine is Italian, and I would be trying to convince myself otherwise if I said it was anything else. Perth, for being so far from Italy, does Italian very well. So my overall favourite was Gibney, but honestly, all of the restaurants listed below are good ones!

• Fraser’s: Located in Kings Park near the CBD, this restaurant has beautiful rustic indoor seating and also boasts an outdoor terrace. The menu changes seasonally, and it is a good lunch spot or even a date night location.
• Vin Populi: Surprise, it is Italian! This little restaurant is in Fremantle and is a lovely spot for small and shared plates paired with a nice glass of wine.
• Besk: This wine bar, bottle shop and kitchen was one of my parents’ favourites. They loved the steak, and the setting is perfect for a nice bite to eat and to hang out.
• The Shorehouse: A relaxed Mediterranean in Cottlesloe, overlooking the ocean. We went here on the night of my mum’s 60th birthday, and the food was delicious. The staff were attentive, accommodating, and made sure to help us celebrate the right way.
• Gibney: The decor of this restaurant in Cottesloe was breathtaking. We watched the sunset over Cottesloe Beach as a waiter brought over the drinks trolley to make us an aperitivo – a pinch me moment. The food here was delicious, the Caesar salad was prepared table-side, and the chocolate cake was heavenly!
• C Restaurant: If you want 360 views of Perth whilst enjoying High Tea, then the C Restaurant is where you need to head. This revolving dining experience was organised by my sister to celebrate my mum’s 60th birthday. I really liked how the food served for High Tea was the perfect amount and not too rich. The restaurant also offers a lunch and dinner menu.
• The Island at Elizabeth Quay: This restaurant and bar on the quay became our go-to spot when we didn’t know what to do for dinner. We would wander down to the quay and order some plates to share.
• Cooee: Along the banks of the Swan River is Cooee, and it is a beautiful setting for a long lunch or drinks as the sun goes down.

Cafés & coffee shop culture

I mentioned in my previous blog post on Perth that I did not have a bad coffee whilst I was there, and that remains true. The only difference this time is that I did more research and tried out more places! I have included my favourite coffee shops and cafés (from this trip) below with my thoughts on each of them:

• Deli Gabe: This place does some amazing bagels, as well as other breakfast and brunch food. The staff were so friendly, which made the experience better.
• Mount Street Breakfast Bar: A ten-minute walk from where we stayed, this breakfast bar was a recommendation from our Airbnb host. The food was fresh, it is a local hub, and they do good coffee!
• Playa Coffee: A coffee shop tucked between office buildings. I grabbed a coffee here after a run, and I cannot lie, I was sweaty and felt a little out of place amongst the office workers, but I’d say it was worth the looks. Playa Coffee also does bagels!
• Hylin: I loved the atmosphere of this neighbourhood café in West Leederville. I had the açia bowl and tried the protein smoothie. My sister had been before and tried the chicken croissant, which my mum loved.
• Smooth Operator Coffee: When I arrived at this coffee shop after a morning workout, it was jam-packed with office workers getting their morning coffee with colleagues, and I immediately knew the coffee was good!
• Howard’s Groove: This was a recommendation from the Barista at Smooth Operator Coffee, and is their sister café. Again, it was packed early morning with office workers getting their daily fix. I enjoyed a coffee here on my last full day in Perth, and it was a great way to kick off the day.

Day trips, tours and things to do

Perth is Western Australia’s capital, and on a visit, you are spoilt for choice with things to do and day trips to take.

Mandurah

One day trip that you can take from Perth if you have access to a car is to Mandurah. Mandurah is about an hour’s drive from Perth, and it is a coastal tourist town famous for its playful dolphins. It is a quiet town, but nice for a day trip and some long beach walks. Check out my video here for what to do and where to eat.

Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island is a day trip that you can do from Perth. Check out my first blog post on Perth for more details, or watch my reel here.

One place we dined at on Rottnest Island this trip that differed from the last was Isola. Isola is a delicious Italian restaurant on the Island. I had the Taglierini with blue crab, and it was everything I needed in that moment to refuel me.

Swan Valley Wine Tour & Cruise

This cruise and wine tour was one of my favourite parts of the holiday. My sister Sarah organised it as a surprise for my mum, as she really likes her wine, but we all loved it!

It was a full-day trip which was booked with GetYour Guide. Leaving from Elizabeth Quay in Perth’s CBD. You will board the boat and receive a glass of prosecco on arrival before setting off and cruising through the Swan River. We met a wonderful Australian couple whom we shared a table with and ended up chatting away to them the entire cruise journey.

The day trip includes a shared platter to eat whilst on the boat, before arriving at Mandoon Estate, where you will get the chance to experience a wine and macaroon pairing with some time to explore the Estate and bars.

Once back on board the boat, you will cruise back along Swan River with some afternoon tea, cheeses and all-inclusive wines. It would be fair to say that by the end of the trip, we had definitely drunk our fair share of wine!

If you are interested in the day trip, you can find out more information here on GetYourGuide.

Breweries

Perth has great wine, however, it also has great beer. Two of the breweries I would recommend visiting are in Fremantle. The first one Sarah and I visited in November 2024, when she first moved out there, is called Little Creatures Brewery. The brewery is a vast open space where you can experience the beer and enjoy some food.

The second is Gage Roads Brew Co. We visited here on Anzac Day, and it was packed with members of the Australian Navy who were celebrating the day which recognises those who have served in Australia and New Zealand’s armed forces. I tried a few of the pale ales at Gage Roads and really enjoyed them! It is another big brewery with lots to offer.

Where to try some spicy pilates classes

I knew before arriving that I wanted to find another good pilates studio. Heartbeat High, a studio with multiple locations in Perth, had one in the CBD where we were staying. So I hopped onto the website and found an amazing deal offering a two-week pass of unlimited classes for only $59! That is under £30, which is crazy! In London, you pay that for one class. Therefore, it was, of course, a no-brainer to go there.

I tried their Freeform and Mattitude classes, I liked both, but went to Freeform more because it was reformer pilates. All of the instructors I met were lovely and made you feel comfortable, making adjustments for you if needed. It was also a lovely studio, and one morning I went early enough to see the sun rise as we were taking class.

Our time in Perth, Australia, was all about reconnecting as a family and taking it slow. I felt lucky to have had the opportunity to visit again (so soon). It also eased that feeling of seeing uncertainty negatively. Instead of thinking about uncertainty as something to be worried about, it was rather an opportunity to discover.

I really do hope that in the years to come, if Sarah decides to stay in Perth, I get the chance to visit again and again. It is a beautiful part of Australia and one I don’t mind calling a home away from home.

If you would like my full list of places to explore in Perth, Australia, you can find them linked on Google Maps here.

Lots of love,

Laura-Jane x