Categories > Guides and Tips
A Guide to Elizabeth Quay, Downtown Perth’s Riverside Gem
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Elizabeth Quay
- Where to Eat
- The Island at Elizabeth Quay
- Milky Lane
- Six Senses The Quay
- The Lucky Shag
- Hearth Restaurant & Lounge
- The Reveley
- Gusto Gelato
- What to Do
- Splash out at BHP Water Park
- Let the kids run wild at Island Playground
- Take a spin at the Elizabeth Quay Carousel
- Check out pearls at Willie Creek Pearls
- Roll through on a Segway with Segway Tours
- Stroll through the Barrack Street Jetty
- Cruise through the river with Gondolas on the Swan
- Learn the ANZAC Bell’s history at The Perth Bell Tower
Downtown Perth owes a fair bit of its pull to the Swan River, but Elizabeth Quay has really been making things extra magnetic since opening in 2016.
Taking full advantage of the foreshore’s beauty and space, this waterfront precinct has transformed the banks into a mecca for both action-packed fun and laid-back hangs. Think promenades, a water park, and even an island playground.
It’s 10 hectares of pure space though, and if you’re not careful, the quay might take you for a right turn. But don’t sweat it; our guide below will keep you on track.
Things to Know
Address: The Esplanade
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Website
How to Get to Elizabeth Quay
By Bus: Transperth buses 950, 41, 42, 980, 40, 43, and 950X all stop at the Elizabeth Quay Station. Once there, just turn south on William St, and enter Geoffrey Bolton AV on the east to reach the precinct.
By Train: To reach Elizabeth Quay by train, board Transperth’s Yanchep or Mandurah Line, stopping at the Elizabeth Quay Station.
By Car: Several car parks are near Elizabeth Quay, primarily the Terrace Road Car Park, Concert Hall Car Park, and Convention Centre Car Park.
By Taxi: Your fare will largely depend on the time and day. The table below breaks down fare details.
| Tariff 1 – 6 am to 5:59 pm | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $5.10 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
| Tariff 2 – 6 pm to 5:59 am (including all day Saturday and Sunday) | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $7.30 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
| Ultra Peak (12 am to 02:59 am on Friday and Saturday only) | |||
| Flagfall | Distance Rate | Booking Fee | Waiting Time |
| $7.30 + $4.30 | 2.04/km | $1.80 | $58/hr |
Where to Eat
The Island at Elizabeth Quay
From theislandelizabethquay
Address: 1 Valdura Pl
Contact Details: +61 427 463 007
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 11:30 am to 10 pm
- Sat to Sun – 11 am to 10 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Grabbing a feed at The Island at Elizabeth Quay has become a team ritual at this point. Can’t blame us, as this microbrewery has excellent bites, waterfront views, and the occasional live tune—quintessentially Perth.
The gooey chicken parmi with smoked ham is our fave, thanks to its clash of salty, sweet, and tangy flavours. But when everyone is in, it’s seafood platters all the way, with WA tiger prawns and grilled scallops piled high.
Milky Lane
From milkylaneofficial
Address: DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront, 1 Barrack Square
Contact Details: +61 456 663 745
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11 am to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11 am to 12 am
- Sun – 11 am to 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
For sky-high burgers and a dose of pop culture, you can’t go past the Hollywood-inspired Milky Lane. Their Kevin Bacon burger is a proper unit—quadruple smashed patties and maple bacon drenched in BBQ and high-melt cheese.
They apply the same ‘bigger-is-better’ philosophy across the menu. Think Biscoff pancake towers and Cinnamon sugar-coated churros, deep-fried and paired with an insanely thick and rich Nutella dip.
Six Senses The Quay
From sixsensesthequay
Address: 11 Barrack Square
Contact Details: +61 402 571 949
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 9 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 3 pm. 5:30 pm to 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Six Senses gave us authentic Thailand flavours smack dab by the Swan River. The papaya salad was a refreshing starter, boasting green papaya and soft-shell crab tossed in a zesty lime dressing.
For our main, we had the clean but hearty barramundi pak chee (coriander). The golden crust gave way to flaky, melt-in-your-mouth fish, while the coriander sauce infused the meat with a herbaceous zing that’s easy on the palate.
The Lucky Shag
From theluckyshagwaterfrontbar
Address: Old Perth Port, Barrack Square
Contact Details: +61 8 9221 6011
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 11 am to 9 pm
- Fri – 11 am to 10 pm
- Sat – 7:30 am to 10 pm
- Sun – 7:30 am to 9 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Relaxed and riverfront, The Lucky Shag is a bonza haunt for pub lovers who don’t mind a bit of a view with their pint. Naturally, pub grub sells best, including the fire-kissed, 150 g steak sandwich leaning on a BBQ-ish and herby profile.
That said, international dishes sell fast too, like the intensely savoury nasi goreng with fried shallots and earthy peas. There’s even something for kiddos, namely the no-frills fish and chips and nuggets.
Hearth Restaurant & Lounge
From hearthperth
Address: 1 Barrack St
Contact Details: +61 8 6559 6822
Operating Hours: Daily – 6:30 am to 10:30 pm
Pricing: $$
Website
Hearth Restaurant & Lounge is all about putting an innovative spin on Aussie food, with a side of local vino that’s just as impressive.
Take the Pardoo Wagyu, for example, a robust, buttery cut that slides well into sweet black garlic and salty Kalamata olives. It’s coupled with Margaret River’s Cape Mentelle Zinfandel, a fruit-forward red famed for ripe berries and oaky, spiced undertones.
The Reveley
From thereveley
Address: Eastern Promenade The Towers at Elizabeth Quay, Ophir Walk
Contact Details: +61 8 6314 1350
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 11 am to 8 pm
- Wed to Thu – 11 am to 10 pm
- Fri to Sun – 11 am to 11:30 pm
Pricing: $$$
Website
The Reveley wows punters with its rooftop setting and seasonal lineup of international bites. Headlining is Margherita, a no-faff medley of mozzarella, tomato, and basil.
For lighter munchies, chips with aioli or freshly shucked oysters covered in a fiery tabasco kick are the best picks. Washing it down with the bar’s classic cocktails, bubbles, or rosé is almost a no-brainer.
Gusto Gelato
From gustogelatoau
Address: 5 Geoffrey Bolton Av
Contact Details: +61 468 723 512
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 10 pm
Pricing: $
Website
As big artisan gelato enthusiasts, we couldn’t resist Gusto Gelato’s handcrafted scoops. Choosing a flavour was a mission, though. There were over 20 on offer, from salted caramel to apple pie!
In the end, we went classic with dark chocolate and strawberry; the choccy was rich and bittersweet, while the strawberry was light and zesty. Meanwhile, our vegan pals had the sour cherry, a zinger with its tart, fruity-sweet character.
What to Do
Splash out at BHP Water Park
From threelittlefaures
Address: The Esplanade
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 9 pm
Facebook
The BHP Water Park was a total hit with our little tackers, keeping them cool and entertained for an entire arvo. How it works is simple: every 15 minutes, water jets spring to life from 3 spots, starting gently so folks can steer clear if they want to stay dry.
Then the water cranks up, letting the kids go bonkers while you relax on shaded stone benches.
Let the kids run wild at Island Playground
From elizabethquay
Address: Elizabeth Quay
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Website
Our kiddos didn’t just have a blast at the water park; the shaded Island Playground had them happy, too. With a nod to the maritime industry, this side of the quay has sandpits, log steppers, a water play area, and even a ship’s bell for immersion’s sake.
Most of our littlies, though, focused their attention on the beautifully designed pirate stronghold. They loved how the climbing ropes and wobbly bridges were no walk in the park!
Take a spin at the Elizabeth Quay Carousel
From rebzo
Address: Geoffrey Bolton Av
Contact Details: +61 415 269 822
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 10 am to 9 pm
- Thu – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Fri to Sun – 10 am to 9 pm
The Elizabeth Quay Carousel looks like it has been plucked straight out of a fairy tale. With its hand-painted Venetian horses and carriages, the entire thing oozes with old-world charm that both kids and kids at heart love.
However, it comes with a price—$8 for a ride or $20 for three. On the plus side, it’s wheelchair-friendly and welcomes almost anyone, so long as they’re with a grown-up, not pregnant, and have no injuries or heart conditions.
Check out pearls at Willie Creek Pearls
From williecreekpearls
Address: Western Pavilion, Barrack Square
Contact Details: +61 8 9241 6565
Operating Hours: Daily – 9:30 am to 5 pm
Website
You don’t need to splash the cash to enjoy the brilliance of Willie Creek Pearls. For instance, their wallet-friendly pearl discovery experiences will let you have a stickybeak at stunning jewellery inside while enjoying the river scenery.
It’s the perfect chance to get schooled on all things pearls—how they’re harvested, cared for, and turned into head-turners. Even better, the showroom is open daily, so you can go anytime.
Roll through on a Segway with Segway Tours
From segwaytourswa
Address: Barrack Street Jetty, Shop 3 Barrack St
Contact Details: +61 1300 808 180
Operating Hours: Daily – 8:30 am to 5 pm
Website
Why slog your way from Point A to Point B when you can zip around with Segway Tours? As the name suggests, they do trips on Segways—self-balancing, 2-wheeled gizmos that are easy to learn and ride.
You’ll get a solid hour of taking in the sights, such as The Bell Tower, Barrack Square, and the lush parklands—all while avoiding any sore calves. Plus, guides will fill you in on Perth’s culture and landmarks, making the trip more than just sightseeing.
Stroll through the Barrack Street Jetty
From anne215
Address: Barrack Street Jetty
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Website
For those after some R&R without emptying the wallet, a wander through Barrack Street Jetty is more than enough.
Facing the Swan River, the panoramas here are immaculate, especially at sunset. And as night rolls in, the place only gets better, with all the nearby buildings and cafes lighting up like Christmas.
Cruise through the river with Gondolas on the Swan
From thebelletraveller
Address: Geoffrey Bolton Av
Contact Details:+61 414 746 867
Operating Hours: Daily – 11 am to 5 pm
Website
Who needs to fly to Venice when Gondolas on the Swan is right at Elizabeth Quay? For anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour, you’ll hop onto a posh Venetian gondola, chill to mandolin tunes, and cruise the river, often during the magic hours of sunrise or sunset.
Things get more romantic if you have money to burn. The pricier cruises offer more perks like French sparkling, gourmet chocolates, and even your personal gondolier!
Learn the ANZAC Bell’s history at The Perth Bell Tower
From thebelltowerperth
Address: Barrack Square, Riverside Dr
Contact Details: +61 8 6210 0444
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 4 pm
Website
The Bell Tower had us all learning and hearing all things bells, and unsurprisingly, the main star was the historic Anzac Bell, the biggest swinging bell in Australia. Close behind are the original bells from St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church.
There were also hands-on bell-ringing demos that had us giving the ancient art a go. The cherry on top was how we wrapped up the trip in sky-high fashion—taking in Perth and the Swan River’s full glory atop the sixth-floor observation deck!
