Perth is situated on Australia's western coast, close to the southwestern tip of the country. The city centre is fairly compact, situated on a sweep of the Swan River. The river, which borders the city centre to the south and east, links Perth to its port, Fremantle. The western end of Perth rises to the pleasant Kings Park, which overlooks the city, then extends to cosmopolitan Subiaco. Further west, suburbs extend as far as Scarborough and Cottesloe beaches on the Indian Ocean. The railway line bounds the city centre on the northern side, with Northbridge immediately north of the line.

Perth's international and domestic airports are about 8km (5mi) east of the city, and are 10km (6mi) apart. Buses and trains arrive at the Westrail Centre in east Perth.

Perth has a wide variety of accommodation catering for all tastes and price brackets. The main areas for budget accommodation are the city, Northbridge, Fremantle and Scarborough, while hotels, motels and holiday flats of all standards are spread throughout the city. Northbridge and Fremantle are definitely the places to go for nightlife, especially on Friday night.

Perth has a central public transport organisation called Transperth (www.transperth.wa.gov.au) which operates buses, trains and ferries. A free transit zone, including all Transperth buses and trains, as well as special CAT buses, covers the central city area. Cycling is a great way to explore Perth, and there are many bicycle routes around the city and its environs. Ferries cross the river regularly between 06:50 and 19:15.