The new semester is rolling around, and with that brings fresh faces through our Campus doors! Aside from locals or newbies from neighbouring states, we’ll also be welcoming plenty of international students coming to Perth for the first time.

To help you get the nitty gritty details out of the way so you can get started on living your best Uni life, we’ve put together this nifty little guide to starting your new life in Perth with ease. From necessities like public transportation to must-know spots to check out during your downtime, keep on reading to find out everything you need to know!

GETTING AROUND

The easiest and most popular way to move around Perth is public transportation like the bus or train. Operated by Transperth, you will first need to get a Transperth Transport Card, which can be found at the Perth Station just a few minutes away from Campus Perth. Some second-hand bookshops in the various Universities also sell Transperth cards so you might want to ask your student offices at your Unis for more information!

Here’s a quick guide of how you can get to your Unis (we’ve listed a few) from Campus Perth:

For the University of Western Australia (UWA) students: Look out for the bus stop just 5 minutes away from Campus Perth (Beaufort St Before Aberdeen St, Stop 26622) , serviced by the 950, 67, and 68. The 950 takes you straight to the city, passing by Elizabeth Quay, and then to UWA. If you cross the road to the bus stop right opposite, the 950, 67 and 68 buses bring you to the Mount Lawley and Beaufort Street strip where there are tons of cafés and restaurants for you to explore.

For Curtin students: Take the 960 bus from the stop at Wellington Street before Pier Street to go straight to Uni. Alternatively, one can board the Mandurah Line from the Perth Underground Station to Canning Bridge Station and hop onto the 100 bus.

For Murdoch students: Board the Mandurah Line from the Perth Underground Station to Murdoch Station and walk 11 minutes to reach Murdoch Uni.

For Edith Cowan University (ECU) students: Hop on the Joondalup Railway Line from Perth Underground Station to Joondalup Station. From there, it’s just an 11-minute walk to Uni.

THE BARE NECESSITIES

Fortunately for Campus residents, getting your daily goods and groceries are easy enough - with three supermarkets within walking distance.

The nearest one you’ll find on Newcastle Street, called SUPA IGA. While this independent grocer is slightly costlier than the rest - it’s undoubtedly the most convenient for a quick snack or meal. It’s just a 5-minute walk away from Campus Perth.

Other options include Woolworths on Murray Street, just a 9-minute walk from Campus Perth, or Coles at Raine Square, located 13 minutes away on-foot.

If you’re in need of any kitchen equipment, furniture, and other household items, Hay Street is home to a K Mart that has pretty much everything you need on a daily basis! And it’s only 15 minutes away!

BANK BETTER HAVE MY MONEY

When in a new place, one of the most important things that Campus residents should settle upon arriving in Perth is definitely their finances!

Where to start? By getting yourself a bank card and opening an account - and lucky for you, there are three major banks located nearby Campus:

Westpac - The Saint Georges Terrace branch is located just 17-minutes away on foot. It’s one of the larger branches and is usually not as crowded.

ANZ - The closest bank to Campus is the Murray Street Branch, being only a 13-minute walk away.

Commonwealth Bank - Found on William Street, this bank is the most central and easily identifiable.

Just make sure that you take your time with bank consultations to find out which plan or account suits you best. One of the key things you could consider could be the ease of remitting money or making international transfers.

THE FUN STUFF

Once you’ve settled all the important parts - now comes everyone’s favourite part, actually exploring Perth! Here’s where to get started:

The Shopping District - From clothes and daily groceries, to homeware and other miscellaneous retail therapy, Campus Perth is conveniently located less than 10-minutes away from Hay Street Mall and Murray Street Mall at the main shopping district in Perth. Other shops include the Myer Department Store, Supermarkets, and K Mart for more practical shopping!

Northbridge - The Northbridge area is just a 5-minute walk away from Campus - where students and residents can have their fill of some of the hottest local restaurants, cafés, and bars. But if you’re more of a homebody, international students can whip up their own meals during moments of homesickness, using ingredients from specialty Asian stores like Emma’s Seafood or VHT Perth Supermarket that are also in the area.

The Western Australian Museum and Art Gallery of Western Australia - To get a taste of the local arts scene and culture, you can’t go wrong with museums and art galleries. Take a 5-minute walk over to the Western Australia Boola Bardip Museum or the Art Gallery and check out the current ongoing exhibits. The best part? Entrance to the latter and most of the exhibits at the WA Museum are free! For more information on the WA Museum, you can visit their website here.

Strike Bowling - Whether you’re just done with moving in and settling down, or simply looking for a fun way to de-stress with new friends - try your hand at knocking down pins over at Strike Bowling! Our mates over there always have ongoing student deals, which you can easily find on our Instagram page.

The Court - Probably the most popular spot for Perth nightlife, The Court is the place to be if you’re looking to get down and boogie, or paint the town red with your best mates! Literally just a few feet away from Campus, you can check out this all-inclusive venue for a night you won’t forget!

Immerse Yourself Into Perth’s Natural Beauty - If there’s anything Perth is known for, it has got to be its beautiful scenery! Be sure to make a visit to Perth’s parks like Kings Park and Hyde Park for a nice afternoon picnic with family and friends. There’s also scenic spots like the Blue Boat House (located on the way to UWA) and quaint suburbs like Fremantle! Perhaps plan a roadtrip out of Perth to get the full WA experience. Our guide here will be your next best friend when you decide to finally go on an adventure!

While you’re at it, if you’re looking to treat yourself to something sweet after finishing all the administrative work, there are tons of spots near Campus Perth that can satisfy your cravings! Check out our handy list of dessert spots within walking distance of your new home here.

We also know that Summer’s already over, but the locations and places in this Summer guide can also be used for any other season. Once you’ve settled yourself in, be sure to check these places out and put it next on your agenda.