Shopping

The City of Perth has over 900 specialty shops, with plenty to tempt the adventurous shopper. Choices range from designer fashion to children's toys, gourmet cuisine and high tech goods.

The Central Business District is a compact shopper's paradise. Walking from the Perth Railway Station to St Georges Terrace, shoppers can devour the fashion and food offerings of the central city without even hitting the streets. A system of covered overpasses and colourful arcades protects pedestrians from the elements.

Originally created to help pedestrians transverse the wide city blocks, arcades including Carillon City, Piccadilly, Plaza, Trinity, Wesley and Paragon Arcades, together with the shopping areas of Raine Square and Forrest Chase, have each developed a distinctive character. London Court, with its Tudor facade and ornate clockfaces, continues to be a popular drawcard for visitors and locals alike.

The city's major department stores - David Jones, Myer and Target - are complemented by boutiques specialising in everything from eveningwear to specialist teas. David Jones has added an extra temptation to Perth's shopping scene with a gourmet food hall on its lower floor.

The "West End", centred on the heritage streetscape of King Street, is fast becoming known as the area for shopping sophisticates and adventurers. If you're after the latest in Australian or international fashion, home design or unique artwork, the West End is the place. Hay Street also abounds in outdoor adventure stores to kit you up for your next foray into the wilderness.

Most souvenir shops are found in Barrack Street and the Hay Street Mall. Specialist craft, Aboriginal and modern art can be found around King Street and the west end of hay Street.

As well as the most comprehensive range of shops, the city has the most convenient shopping hours in the metropolitan area with seven-day shopping all year round, excluding public holidays.

Extended shopping hours apply for the Christmas period.