Maddie Wallman

Contributor | Urban List


Becoming a regular contributor for Urban List was a full-circle moment for Madeline. She got her start as an intern at Urban List Melbourne back when Corona was just a sub-par beer brand, before working as a publicist for some of the city’s buzziest restaurants, fashion labels and beauty brands.

Eventually, she swapped Fitzroy for Fremantle and strong lattes for long macs topped up, ending a ten-year love affair with Melbourne and returning home to Perth. It took this time away to realise that Perth is, in fact, the greatest city in the world, and being constantly asked ‘what school did you go to?’ is a small price to pay for living in paradise. 

Now Maddie freelances for Urban List Perth, covering everything from one-off long lunches and boutique stays to cult croissants and new neighbourhood haunts. It seems she has unknowingly been on a mission to make a career out of wining, dining and telling people where to do both.

After hours, you’ll find her stomping at gigs in Freo, splashing about in the ocean, or watching the footy at the pub with a pint in one hand and her phone in the other. 
 

Connect with

Articles

Gifts

Step Away From The Socks, These Gifts Will Have Dad Feeling His Best This Father’s Day

Buying for Dads can be tricky. They’ve already got too many socks, they don’t need another novelty mug, and there’s only so many Weber accessories you can buy before every meal ends up being BBQ’d to oblivion. This Father’s Day, kill the clichés and give Dad something that he’ll actually use and benefit from. 

Things To Do

A World Exclusive Has Landed In Perth—Here’s Why You Need To See It

From now until February next year, WA Museum Boola Bardip is hosting Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor, the world-exclusive exhibition stealing the cultural spotlight in the heart of Northbridge.

News

This Just In: The Strokes Are Headlining Harvest Rock 2025

This spring, Harvest Rock will make its much-anticipated return to Rymill & King Rodney Parks / Murlawirrapurka & Ityamai-Itpina, and the two-day music, food and wine festival has just unleashed a monster lineup that’ll have you booking annual leave before you get to the end of this article. 

Food & Drink

Meet The Local Legends Behind Your Favourite Suburban Bites

Every neighbourhood has its go-tos for locals—these are the stories and faces behind some of Perth's faves.

Features

Making The Switch: The Most Common EV Myths, And Why They’re Not True

The only thing standing between you and your next-gen ride is a bunch of outdated misconceptions—so we're debunking them for you.

Travel

These Stunning West Aussie Escapes Deliver Euro Energy Without The Jetlag

The pull of a mid-year trip seems to get stronger as the Celsius drops, but there’s a silver lining to staying grounded. Western Australia has plenty of places that tap into the same escapism.

Pets & Travel

Pack The Pooch—We Found WA’s Best Dog-Friendly Coastal Stay

If your dog’s been letting out a few too many dramatic sighs lately, it might be time to take them on a holiday. Somewhere where they are free to roam with the salty sea breeze in their fur. Some where they can forget the existential horrors of the vacuum cleaner. Somewhere like Good Boy Goes North.

Australia

12 Of The Best Places To Honeymoon And Babymoon In Australia

Secluded islands, desert dinners, moonlit walks, breakfast in bed, private plunge pools, outback adventures, scenic flights, bottomless champagne and dreamy rustic hideaways nestled into peninsulas—sign us up to this lifestyle.

Entertainment

Squid Game’s Back For A Final Season: Here’s What You Need To Know

The global phenomenon that broke Netflix records, sparked countless Halloween costumes and gave an all-new meaning to ‘red light, green light’, is gearing up for one final twisted, terrifying round.

Pets & Travel

15 Of The Best Pet Friendly Getaways Near Perth

Pack your bags and pack your pooch—here’s our pick of the best pet-friendly Airbnbs near Perth that are sure to get your tail wagging. 

Things To Do

Chef Joel Bennetts’ Go-To Date Spots Around Sydney

We spoke to Joel Bennetts about his favourite spots to head on a date night with his girlfriend, Ophilia. 

Things To Do

Here’s The 6 Sustainable Businesses To Explore This Long Weekend, According To You

Here are six eco-minded businesses—as chosen by you—where you can shop, sip and snack sustainability around West Aus this year. 

Sustainability

One Sip At A Time, Here’s How To Choose A Wine That’s Better For The Planet

Wine that’s good for the planet AND your palate? Now that’s something worth raising a glass to.

Food & Drink

Taste Great Southern Festival Is Back For 2025 With A Roster Of Exciting Events

Clear your calendar and loosen your belt—Taste Great Southern is back for 2025.

Health + Wellness

10 Wellness Spots Around Perth To Help You Thrive In ‘25

In 2025, we're ditching the routine overhaul and making small, more realistic changes that stack up to a better year.

Local Escapes

The Best Perth Hills Airbnbs For A Weekend Getaway

An easy drive from the CBD, the Perth Hills are the ideal escape for those wanting a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

News

The Tiny Cabin Stays Bringing Big Appeal To Denmark

“What’s the deal with tiny cabins, anyway?”

Features

A Revamped Denmark Hotel Brings Cosy Chic To The Great Southern

Just one year shy of its 100th birthday, the Denmark Hotel is in the best shape of its life. Standing on the corner directly opposite the Denmark River since 1926, it’s back open and pouring pints after a four-month-long transformation that’s got the approval of locals. 

Features

The Lodge Wadjemup Brings a New Era of Laid-Back Luxury to Rottnest

Rotto's new family-friendly retreat, The Lodge Wadjemup, is now open on the island, where considered design and elevated hospitality take centre stage, and winter getaways are equally appealing as the warm weather ones. 

What's On

Perth’s Best Valentine’s Day Date Ideas And Dinners

From saucy salsa lessons to divine degustations, here are the best things to do this Valentine's Day in Perth if you're really keen to impress someone.

Things To Do

See The Magic Of The Kimberley This Week Without Leaving Perth

An immersive virtual reality documentary narrated by a Hemsworth is coming to WA Museum this month.

Restaurants

Perth’s Best Restaurants For Corporate Lunches

Looking for the ultimate spot to impress clients or seal that big deal over lunch? Your search ends here! 

Food & Drink

These Scarborough Hotspots Have Your Summer Holiday Feasting Sorted

Of course, the beautiful beach is an obvious drawcard, but this summer, we’ll be heading to the horizon for seaside snacks, full-tilt feasts and cocktails galore, sans any sand between our toes.

Features

The Festive Feed | All The Festive Perth Food News You Need To Know

With so many tasty, tempting Christmas-coded food and drinks offerings across Perth throughout December, we’ve whipped up a dazzling degustation of all of the Chrissy specials available in the lead up to the 25th.

Things To Do

Round Up The Fam For WA Ballet’s Breathtaking Reimagining Of The Sleeping Beauty

The world’s most beloved ballet has come back to life just in time for the silly season.

Food & Drink

For One Weekend Only This Mount Lawley Gem Is Dishing An Exclusive Wagyu Feast

For fans of a good steak dinner every so often, West Rivers Beef is the Formula One of beef.

Things To Do

Pair’d Margaret River Region is Serving Up a Four-Day Feast This Weekend

A four-day feast with some of the country’s best winemakers and chefs is pouring, playing, popping and cooking its way into our cals this November. 

Things To Do

Marry Smarts With Sips At This One-Off Event For All

This must-attend event will see ten top researchers share their expert perspectives over ten no-cost talks at five of the CBD’s best bars.

Things To Do

Immerse Yourself In Rich Nyoongar Culture And History This Weekend

When was the last time you paid a visit to Boola Bardip?

What's On

Win A Luxe Fully-Furnished Claremont Home So You Can Live Like A Baller Every Day

What if we told you that you could fulfill that pipe dream of being a homeowner without cutting back on your smashed avo? 

Things To Do

International Eats And Artisan Markets, These Festivals Have Something For Everyone This August

This FREE series of events is bringing live entertainment, show rides, international eats, artisan markets and more to the West for another year.

Restaurants

Perth’s Most Beautiful Restaurants With A View

Forget dinner and a show, there’s something even more special about food with a view. Looking out onto the sparkling Swan River, watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean or marvelling at the city skyline, Perth’s many sights for sore eyes are made even better when accompanied with delectable dishes and a tipple or two. Scroll down for Perth’s best restaurants with a view.

Things To Do

Rone’s Haunting Multisensory Exhibit Is Coming To AGWA—With An Exclusive Perth Installation

For the first time in over 20 years, the historic Centenary Galleries within the Art Gallery of Western Australia’s Centenary Galleries will be fully open to the public with Time by Rone.

Things To Do

Dive Into The Deep With This Immersive Exhibition At WA Museum From The Director Of Titanic

Oscar award-winning director James Cameron is sharing his life-long passion and pursuits in deep-sea exploration with a five-month exhibition at Freo’s Maritime Museum. Here’s what to expect from JAMES CAMERON—CHALLENGING THE DEEP.

Things To Do

Sip Negronis Under A Scale-Model Moon At This Epic Celestial Exhibit

You’re invited to explore the importance, impact and future of this enigmatic celestial body with To The Moon, the large-scale exhibition now showing at the WA Museum Boola Bardip. 

Things To Do

How To Spend A Long Weekend In Freo And Rotto, According To A Local

Heritage buildings, waterfront views, vibrant streets, colourful characters and an always-evolving food and drink scene—there’s no place quite like Fremantle. 

Local Escapes

This Busselton Beachside Resort Is Offering An Epic Stay And Dine Deal For Winter

Just 100 metres from the beautiful Geographe Bay, Broadwater Resort offers a range of accommodation options for every kind of getaway.

Things To Do

The Most Beautiful Event Venues For Hire In Perth

From airy converted warehouses to intimate dining rooms, there’s a huge range of event spaces out there that are hidden in plain sight.

Travel

Score Three Days Of Unlimited Gold Coast Theme Parks For Under $200

Escape to the Sunshine State this autumn and nab a Village Roadshow Escape Pass for three days of unlimited entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild.

Things To Do

Access Four Thrilling Theme Parks For Only $179 With This Annual Locals Pass

Summer may have come to an end but there’s still plenty of fun, thrills and adventures to be had here in Australia’s unofficial theme park capital. 

Restaurants

Perth’s Best Sushi Trains For Non-Stop Feasting

All aboard! You can leave your SmartRider at home when you jump on these trains. Kaitenzushi, or sushi trains, are convenient, affordable and downright delicious, serving seamlessly neverending Japanese plates on a rotating conveyor belt. With traditional sushi rolls, fresh sashimi, nigiri and more, they’re a one-way ticket to total Japanese satisfaction. 

Restaurants

The Best Bars And Restaurants In Bayswater, Bassendean And Surrounds

When was the last time you ventured a short 7km of Perth/Boorloo’s CBD to Bayswater? Or continued on just a little bit further to Bassendean? If it’s been a while, you’re going to be in for a treat. In recent years, a flock of new wine bars, restaurants and pubs have joined the neighbourhood favourites, making the vibrant north-east area a genuine drinking and dining destination.

Things To Do

This Long Weekend Tee Off And Party On The Rooftop At This Gold Coast Entertainment Venue

 Here’s four fun things that’ll convince you to Come Alay Around at Topgolf this Easter. 

Travel

All The Best Things To Do In Le Marais Paris

Cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, bustling markets and life-changing falafel…oh-la-la, Paris’ most fashionable district Le Marais has it all. 

Restaurants

Perth’s Best Buffets And All-You-Can-Eat Feasts

Perth’s has seriously leveled up in its all-you-can-eat game since its Sizzler days. While the cheesy, 90s buffet will always hold a special place in our hearts, we’ve all collectively moved on to bigger and better things. 

Bars & Pubs

Where To Watch The Super Bowl In Perth

Be your reason Beyonce, Brady or Budweiser, you're not alone in your desire to watch one of the world’s most viewed sporting events.

Food & Drink

Perth’s Best Happy Hours And Meal Deals To Hit This Week

Here’s some of Perth's best food and drink deals to nibble and sip your way through this week.

Fitness

Perth’s Best Run Clubs To Try Right Now

Get up, lace up and show up—running season is in full swing and we’ve got a bunch of clubs that take the slog out of the jog. Each week, groups of dedicated individuals link up to pound the pavement together across Perth/Boorloo, but you don’t need to be a ‘runner’ to join in on the fun and games.

Local Escapes

The Best Things To Do In Busselton This Summer

Jaw-dropping swimming beaches and easy access to all the good stuff Margaret River's food and wine region has to offer make Busselton a beaut spot for a cruisy weekend away.  

Travel

10 Perth Festival International Acts Worth Flying West For In 2024

Australia’s longest-running arts festival returns with a jam-packed program spanning music, theatre, dance and film.

Activities & Itineraries

How To Have The Ultimate Trip To The Gold Coast For Every Kind Of Adventure Lover

Whatever your dream vacay looks like, Village Roadshow Theme Parks has over 120 world-class rides, slides, shows, characters and attractions to choose from.

Features

Busselton Central Just Had A Major Glow Up, Here’s Everything You Need To Stop For

Thanks to the major redevelopment of its expansive retail space Busselton Central, this once-sleepy town is now a strong contender for the South West’s hottest destination for dining, drinking and other dalliances.

Cafes

The Best Maylands Cafes And Bakeries

If you’re planning a visit to this diverse neck of the woods, we highly recommend starting with one of our top picks for the best coffee, breaky and brunch in Maylands. 

Restaurants

The Best Bars And Restaurants In Maylands

Next time the inevitable questions of ‘what are we having for dinner?’ arises, we recommend a meander along the river to Maylands. Often overlooked in favour of its super-stylish neighbour Mount Lawley, Maylands is Perth/Boorloo’s not-so-sleepy suburb and an Urban List favourite. 

Cafes

9 Swan Valley Breakfast Spots Worth Waking Up Early For

You're probably well aware that the Swan Valley is big on wineries and breweries, but did you know the Valley kills the breakfast game too? Yep, only a 30 minute drive from the city, this delicious pocket of Perth has a lot to offer in the am, including some of the best pancakes, avo smashes and lattes in the west.

Bars & Pubs

12 Of Perth’s Best Nightclubs And Bars For Your Next Dance Sesh

Dust off your dancing shoes and check out our list of Perth’s very best nightclubs and bars to dance the night away. As for the dance moves? We’ll leave that one up to you. 

Things To Do

Perth’s Best Comedy Nights To Hit This Week

Winter blues getting your down? Perhaps you’re in need of a good old fashioned belly laugh. Those laugh-out-loud, split-your-sides, uncontrollable kind of giggles that have you forgetting all your troubles. 

Local Escapes

The Best Hotels In Perth’s CBD For Your Next City Stay

We’ve donned many a fluffy robe to bring you this comprehensive list of the very best hotels in the Perth CBD. Time to get reacquainted with Perth city and start planning your next holiday.

Restaurants

50 Cheap Things To Do In Perth Under $50

Perth’s a truly great city and we think having fun in it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. With that in mind, we’ve endeavoured to bring you 50 fun, tasty and downright rad yet cheap things to do in Perth for less than a pineapple. 

Local Escapes

The Best Stays In Esperance For Your Next Seaside Escape

There’s a lot to love about the remote coastal town of Esperance. Boasting some of the country’s best beaches, epic surf spots, striking wildflowers and a burgeoning food and drink scene, the 700km journey from Perth is absolutely worth the short flight or long drive. 

Features

8 Incredible WA Aboriginal Artists To Follow In 2023

Indigenous Australians have been creating art on our soil for thousands of years. Widely acknowledged as the oldest unbroken art form in the world, Aboriginal art is renowned for its visual storytelling, exploring broad subject matters across a variety of mediums and preserving the extraordinary culture of First Nations people.