Jason Dundas loves the party scene and having fun with his friends. He knows the hot spots in Australia's major cities, and recently heard about a trendy locale in Perth he just had to check out.
Mt Lawley is an inner-city suburb and is the hot spot for trendy clothes, excellent bars and restaurants and great places to stop for coffee. It's quirky and artsy and has a strong community feel. It's multi-cultural and has attracted loads of international students living in older-style flats. It's also the gay capital of Perth.
Mt Lawley has become quite affluent over the past decade. There are excellent examples of architecture from 1900 to the 1950s, including federation and colonial styles and some examples of English vernacular revival, art deco and Californian bungalows. The Astor Theatre is a fine example of art deco.
Billie & Rose
This quirky boutique has been open since 2003. It promises fearless fashion, with shoes and accessories making their own statements. The Gothic look of winter has been replaced by thigh-skimming skirts and dresses which fit like a second skin. They have designer labels for guys and girls.
Highs and Lows
If you're into sneakers and casual hats, Highs and Lows is the place for you. It's devoted entirely to everything for feet and heads and specialises in reproduction vintage styles. New stock is literally walked out the door.
Planet Video
This is just the place for movie buffs and bookworms. It's been around for 18 years and if you have a favourite movie, chances are you can buy the DVD, the book, soundtrack and poster. They have a rental library of more than 30,000 titles — the most extensive range in the country.
Queens Tavern
When you're ready to kick back and enjoy a cool drink, Queens Tavern is the place. It was built way back in 1899 as a coach house and has been thriving ever since. Enjoy a snack, full meal or a huge breakfast on weekends. It has a wide range of beer and wine and the new upstairs bar has DJs playing from 8pm between Wednesday and Saturday and 5pm on Sunday. On Thursdays, the music is funk, soul and jazz.
Luxe Bar
This is Mt Lawley's cocktail central, with whatever you fancy on the menu, whether it's sparkling, short, long, martini, shooters, beer and wine. Hand-squeezed juices and purified water ice-cubes are used, and all mixers are from bottles, not post-mixers. Décor is plush and Luxe has won plenty of awards. There are three areas: Main Bar, Red Room and BamBOO, which is spectacular at night. Listen to jazz on Wednesday, DJs on Thursday and live bands and DJs from Friday to Sunday.
GoGo's Madras Curry House
Owner Govindarajalu Govardan has combined his two great loves: curry and cricket. He says 10 years ago, Indian food was not popular in Perth, but he has changed that, and helped to create the Beaufort Street gourmet strip. When the Indian cricket team visited in January they wouldn't eat anywhere else — during the test match Govindarajalu sold 1040kg of lamb curry! Food was even being sent to the players' rooms. GoGo has been a caterer at the WACA cricket ground for eight years so Govindarajalu enjoys his two loves to the max.
Location
Mt Lawley, 10 minutes from the centre of Perth.
Cost
Europcar car hire starts at $70 a day.
Virgin Blue has flights to Perth.
One-way fares from:
- Adelaide $149
- Sydney and Melbourne $219
- Brisbane and Darwin $279
There are limited seats which may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Fares quoted are one-way booked on the Internet. An extra $15 will be charged for phone bookings. A credit card surcharge of an additional $2 per person per one-way flight is applicable. Fares are correct at November 5, 2009 and are subject to change.
For further information
Virgin Blue
Ph: 136 789
www.virginblue.com.au
Astor Theatre
659 Beaufort Street
Mt Lawley 6050
Ph: (08) 9370 1777
Billie and Rose
Shop 3, 672 Beaufort Street
Mt Lawley 6050
Ph: (08) 9371 7776
www.billieandrose.com.au
mtlawley@billieandrose.com.au
Highs and Lows
1/672 Beaufort Street
Mt Lawley 6050
Ph: (08) 9272 9893
www.highsandlows.net.au
hal@highsandlows.net.au
Planet Video
634-646 Beaufort Street
Mt Lawley 6050
Ph: (08) 9328 7464
www.planetvideo.com.au
Queens Tavern
520 Beaufort St
Highgate 6003
Ph: (08) 9328 7267
www.thequeens.com.au
Luxe Bar
446 Beaufort Street
Mt Lawley 6050
Ph: (08) 9228 9680
www.luxebar.com
GoGo's Madras Curry House
556 Beaufort Street
Mt Lawley 6050
Ph: (08) 9328 1828
Europcar
Ph: 1300 131 390
www.europcar.com.au
