PERTH COMO insider's guide

A meticulous five-year restoration has seen Perth’s historic State Buildings transformed into a contemporary luxury hotel with 48 rooms, a COMO Shambhala Urban Escape wellness sanctuary and a 20m pool. Two restaurants – Wildflower and Post – offer modern Australian cuisine while The Treasury Lounge and Bar is the place for drinks and light bites. 1 Cathedral Avenue, WA 6000

+61 (0)8 6168 7888 comohotels.com/thetreasury

Opened by owner Tom Greene in 2013, this is what a coffee shop should be: friendly, independent and with a nicely done interior.

3/669 Beaufort Street, WA 6050

+61 410 348 641

Breakfast culture is big in Perth, where people start the day early. Boucla Kafenion is open from 7am for coffee, granola, and excellent spanakopita (filo pastry and spinach).

349 Rokeby Road, WA 6008

+61 (0)8 9381 2841 boucla.com

If you’re in Fremantle, try this café-restaurant, which won architecture firm Space Agency awards for its lofty brick renovation of an old warehouse. Enjoy the freshly baked bread and seasonal food menu. 43 Pakenham Street, WA 6160

+61 (0)8 9336 1032 breadincommon.com.au

Contemporary art, dance and theatre in a listed building in the lively Perth Cultural Centre.

51 James Street, WA, 6000

+61 (0)8 9228 6300 pica.org.au

uwa has a stunning campus on the Swan River, all lawns, trees and courtyards. 35 Stirling Highway, WA 6009

+61 (0)8 6488 6000 uwa.edu.au

Community radio at its best, broadcasting music and conversation for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Full Frequency show on Fridays presented by busy Perth DJ Rok Riley is essential listening.

92.1 FM and digital rtrfm.com.au

Perth is footy mad, whether it’s following the fortunes of the two big Australian Football League (afl) teams – the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles – or the local West Australian Football League (wafl) teams.

Unmissable views of the city from the edge of this 4 sq km park.

The beach is Perth’s democratic space: the city has 19 of them, each with its own atmosphere. In the summer residents head out to Rottnest, a car-free island with 63 beaches.