The Perth metropolitan area has a wide range of shopping facilities. As well as hundreds of local shopping centres, major shopping precincts are located in Perth, Fremantle, Subiaco and Claremont.
Generally, trading hours in Western Australia are as follows:
- Monday – Friday 8.00 am to 9.00 pm;
- Saturday 8.00 am to 5.00 pm; and
- Sundays and public holidays 11.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Tipping is generally not expected in Australia and the recommended retail price is normally not negotiable. Bargaining is not common practice.
Shopping in Perth city
The city and suburban shops are easy to access with public transport or by car.
Once you are in the city, you can travel free on any bus or train within the city boundary. There’s also a special free bus service, the Central Area Transport (CAT) which runs approximately every six minutes until 6.00 pm. Details of routes are available from the Transperth website.
Murray and Hay Streets have traffic-free malls, and the city centre is criss-crossed with arcades – a few of them underground. The malls and arcades are linked by walkways and overpasses that extend as far as the city train and bus stations. Forrest Place is the open space accessible from Wellington Street, opposite the train station. Forrest Chase is the shopping precinct that borders one side of Forrest Place.
Opposite Forrest Chase you will find Perth’s General Post Office, which is also the location of the Migration Services office.
Shopping in the suburbs
There are a large number of major shopping centres located both north and south of the city. The list below covers the major metropolitan centres.
All centres house major department and grocery stores as well as many speciality stores. Some have a cinema complex. Centres are air-conditioned and offer bus services, taxis and free parking.
Westfield Carousel (12 km south-east of Perth CBD)
1382 Albany Highway
Cannington WA 6107
W: westfield.com.au/carousel
Garden City (14 km south of Perth CBD; 15 minutes from the city; between Leach Highway and Canning Highway)
125 Riseley Street
Booragoon WA 6154
W: gardencity.com.au
Karrinyup Shopping Centre (14 km north of Perth CBD; near the Karrinyup Road exit off the Mitchell Freeway; towards the coast)
200 Karrinyup Road
Karrinyup WA 6018
W: karrinyupcentre.com.au
Westfield Whitford City (25 km north of Perth CBD; Hillarys)
Cnr Marmion Ave and Whitfords Ave
Hillarys WA 6025
W: westfield.com.au/whitfordcity
Galleria Shopping Centre (9 km north-east of Perth CBD; Morley)
Cnr Collier Road and Walter Road
Morley WA 6062
W: galleriashoppingcentre.com.au
Grocery stores
Grocery stores are usually located in shopping centres. Typically, these stores are located in most major suburbs and are open seven days a week. Many of these stores have extended opening hours. You will find all your normal grocery items in these stores.
Online shopping
Like other parts of Australia and the world, online shopping is increasing in use in WA, with a whole range of products available for purchase online.