We head down under for the next instalment of our 48-hour city guides with Craig Martin, who fills us in on what to do in Perth.

Perth is the gateway to the red deserts, world-class diving and excellent surf of Western Australia. Having grown quickly in the last few years, it is now home to around 1.7 million people — a crazy 75% of the state’s population. Acting as a gateway to Margaret River and the southwest or the national parks of the northwest, Perth has long been a backpacker-friendly city.

Day One

Kick Off in King’s Park… Spend your first morning walking in massive King’s Park, perched high above the city. Photographers will want to be near the war memorial for dawn snaps over the Swan River and CBD (Central Business District). When you’re done, walk (or bus) into town, wandering the shops and cafes along Hay and Murray Street.

Top Attractions… Budget-conscious travelers can explore the Museum or Art Gallery of Western Australia, located next to each other and the central city train station. You can then catch one of many trains from there down to Fremantle.

If you have a little more cash, drift down to the Esplanade, Bell Tower and the picturesque Swan River. From there take a ferry down river to Fremantle, or Freo as it’s known. The ferry pilot is also a fun and informative guide and, if you’re lucky, you might run into a pod of dolphins as you cruise towards the Indian Ocean.

Lunch and a Pint in Fremantle… There’s no better way to start the afternoon than lunch and a pint at one of Australia’s best microbreweries: Little Creatures. With various beers and a particularly crisp cider on offer, there’s a cafe and tasting room to help you wile away the afternoon. Freo’s famous for its markets, but exploring Freo is also exploring the convict past of Australian colonisation; these Victorian buildings were all convict-built … including the Goal (jail), ironically enough.

Party Back in Northbridge… Freo has its share of good restaurants and bars but public transport, like Cinderella’s coach, turns into a pumpkin around midnight. Before your night really gets started find your way back into the city train station and walk for ten minutes up into Northbridge: it’s pumping with nightclubs and every spare building hosts a small restaurant serving international cuisine on a budget.

Take a Snooze and a Dip… When it’s time to slip off the dancing shoes and lay down your head, the Witch’s Hat Hostel has tight rooms and friendly staff which really make this place feel homely. It’s a ten-minute walk past the top end of Northbridge and nearby Hyde Park is a cool, refreshing place to clear your head in the morning.

Or if you fancy spending your morning by the pool, head to another Perth hostel, the Billabong Backpackers Resort, which has an amazing range of amenities alongside rather ordinary dorms.

Day Two

A Sunny Start… If a day trip to Rottnest Island, the Pinnacles and Lancelin, or the wine regions of Swan Valley or Margaret River aren’t your thing, spend a morning in the sun at Cottesloe or Scarborough beach. Both are popular and easily reached by public transport, but Cottesloe has more amenities on the waterfront. It’s around a fifteen-minute walk from the train station to the sea or there’s a free shuttle bus making regular runs between them.

Afternoon in Leederville… To relax after a hard day at the beach, make your way to Oxford Street in Leederville. This tiny stretch has the best selection of cafes in Perth and some great restaurants too, including the very budget-friendly Han’s Cafe which is a local chain with tasty Asian food. After dinner, check out the offerings at the Luna cinema, which has a mix of indie and mainstream films and, during summer, is host to one of Perth’s outdoor film festivals.

Freelance travel writer and podcaster Craig Martin shares his experiences in Oz with HostelBloggers. For more info, check out his free audio guide to Perth on the Indie Travel Podcast or Free Audio Travel Guides. If you have any tips about backpacking in Perth or a 48 hour guide to share on your favorite city, why not get in touch below!