*See updated version here 20 Awesome Things to Do & Discover in West Leederville (2020 Edition)
1. The Wine Thief
Positioned conveniently on the corner of Woolwich and McCourt Streets, this fab little independent family-owned wine and liquor store sells the sweet nectar from the Grape Gods from many regions. Pop in and see Damian, sign up for a tasting and even sample some their wares in the adjourning park on their pizza nights…perfect!
2. Lights on Holyrood
These amazing images that light up the ficus trees on Holyrood Street (the only heritage listed street in West Leederville) are worth a look. One side projects images pre – 1915 and the other from that time onward. Get down to have a look between 7.30pm and 10.30pm each night!
3. Hylin
With an ethos of `Coffee, Chow and Cheer’, how could you go wrong?! Located at 178 Railway Parade and architecturally designed with sleek bi-fold windows and botanic-inspired décor…I highly recommend the breakfast burger on a pretzel bun…amaaaazing! And for something a little stronger, they now they also have the Back Bar at Hylin open for a cocktail or two!
4. Nowhereman Brewery
Rambunctious, Free, Unjudging! Over at 25 Harrogate St, it’s the new kid on the block providing a timely and different watering hole option for the area. Check in with Reece and his dream team for some tasty brews and pizza from Weds to Sun (Mon & Tues reserved for beer making and sampling of course!), no bookings required and serviced by some of THE nicest bar staff you could hope for….cheers bigears!
5. Butter’s Place
Penny and son Matt started this fantastic eatery in 2017 at 29 St Leonard’s Ave serving coffee, cakes and other baked goodies – and with a background in professional catering, it’s definitely worth a looksee. You can even SMS your coffee order ahead of time for collection. But the best bit? Bring your pooch to hang out in the courtyard too (think of it a bit like puppy creche 😉)…winning!
6. Flower Markets
Most assume the Northwood St flower markets are for wholesalers only, but the Everbloom doors are open from 5am most days for gorgeous blooms and floristry wares. *Don’t forget your cardi though, that cool room can get a little frosty after a while of perusing! 😉
7. Piccolo’s Corner
On the corner of Woolwich and St Leonard’s Ave, Piccolo’s is an institution amongst the locals…young and old! Open Tues-Sun, they have a great outdoor courtyard and a convenient street servery to get those quick coffees and bites on the go, or snuggle up indoors with the retro-chic décor and catch up on a magazine with your bubble & squeak!
8. Free CAT bus
CAT buses now come in a stylish green and venture down to West Leedy, so if you fancy a FREE ride into the city to the office or perhaps to check out Betty’s Jetty and grab an ice-cream, this is a very cost-effective way to do it. Located at the base of Southport St with stairs coming off the train footbridge overpass.
9. The Office
For that cheeky after work tipple, The Office is discreetly tucked away on Harrogate Street and is open Mon-Fri for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Fridays. Their meal/drink deals are compelling…if you can get past the killer expresso martini….oops!
10. Pearth Organic
Partial to your triple shot with coconut milk topped up and a sprinkle of tumeric?! This is your kind of place. It’s friendly, down to earth, and has gorgeous Scandi-inspired décor inside. Located at 106 Cambridge St, swing through on your way to work or stop for breakfast on the weekend to catch up with the papers.
11. Community Garden
Having celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2017, the WLCG is a fantastic initiative run by and for the gardening minded. Open to the public for those who wish to visit, you can contribute to the maintenance of the common areas, or put your name down on the waitlist for a plot of your own! Get back to nature at 56 Cambridge St, West Leederville.
12. Cowden Park Dog Exercise Area
Situated between Kimberley and Northwoods Streets, Cowden Park stretches a full block and has great play equipment for children, BBQ facilities and an allocated area to run the woofers – a one stop shop!
13. Mary Street Bakery
One of 3 in Perth now, MSB clearly has a recipe for success. Maybe that recipe is the fried chicken buttermilk pancake with maple syrup, or the gourmet choc croissant chaser…but when it comes to coffee and baked goods, it’s just too compelling to pass by. Located conveniently at 272 Railway Pde West Leederville, it’s your first stop off the train!
14. Lake Monger – Free Exercise Equipment!
The amazing Lake Monger and its local proximity is no secret, but if you haven’t been down for some time, there are now fantastic free exercise stations peppering the walking track to really up the ante on your workout… Pec deck anyone?!
15. Chez Jean Claude Patisserie
Tucked away at 26 Oxford Close, even the real locals can be forgiven for not knowing about it! Fantastic for a quiet business meeting or to stock up on croissants, tarts and fresh bread, pop in for some tres bon baked goodness!
16. Bowling Club
Located at 78 Cambridge St, social bowls at the Leederville Sporting Club is available to the public for $10 per head, and check out the Barefoot Bowls on Wednesday nights from 6.30pm for something liberatingly different!
17. JB O’Reilly’s
Some may know JBO’R’s as a popular (at times, rowdy!) place to check in with mate and have a pint or 3, but fewer may know that its rustic restaurant attached at the back serves AMAZING meals at very good prices. Book a table for a Sunday roast or casual weekday burger (I can highly recommend the ribs!).
18. Walking with the Giants
Spanning over 4 storeys, “The Giants’ View” by @kylehughesodgers is completely awe-inspiring. Quoted at the time of creation as saying: “I wanted to paint something that could be easily understood when driving past at 80km an hour on the freeway but had enough pattern and detail to get lost in if you walked past the work on foot. I was working with ideas of embracing our sense of place within the larger community and the growth of Perth as a city.”
Stand at the base and get the full effect.
19. Myrtle Ivy
Discreetly positioned at 3 Northwood St between funky architect offices and the West Leederville station, Myrtle Ivy is weekday coffee du rigueur. Text your order through and be on your way in a jiffy…although the excuse to hang out under the awesome water mist spray on a warm day makes one want to linger a little longer!
20. Run out of time?!
So you want to check out these awesome West Leedy places but can’t wangle it in one weekend? Airbnb has some great WL accommodation options in the area, log on to Airbnb and cosy up for a staycation in 6007!
Erynne Campbell 