Do you ever get the impression that literally everyone has their grown up stuff together but you? A house, a holiday, even a pretty pooch; why does no one speak about their secret saving behaviour and how do people budget when there’s so much do (read: eat)?
Let’s be real, none of us are going to be able to put a deposit on a house, or save for that trip of a lifetime if we all keep paying hand over fist for the little luxuries in life. So, because we are as addicted to our social lives as you are, we—with the help of Bankwest's nifty budgeting tool and savings calculator (trust us, having someone do the sums for you helps!)—have put a list together of all the awesome things to eat, see and do in Perth; even if you’re on a super strict budget.
Here are 20 things to do in Perth on the cheap!
- Grab a pasta and a big glass of vino at Julio’s for $20 every Monday. Cheers to that!
- Haven’t visited the Art Gallery of WA? As in ever? Shame on you! Payment isn’t compulsory but a $5 donation won’t break the bank. So really there is no excuse for not getting cultural…
- End your week right with $1 oysters at Brooklyn Lounge.
- A nice long walk won’t cost you a dime, so jump on the Coogee Beach Trail and try and catch the sunset while you're there.
- Pack a (homemade picnic) and head off for a sojourn at Kings Park. Nothing like filling those lungs with free air.
- Get your funny thrills for a five bucks at Lazy Susan’s upstairs at The Brisbane with stand-up comedy every Tuesday night.
- Can’t not eat out on the reg? You can easily do dinner for 2 for under $40 at Old Lane Street Eats in Northbridge. Take that spare tenner and pop it in your savings.
- Speaking of dining out, check out all of the dinner deals Perth restaurants have going on. Eating out’s never been so wallet-friendly!
- Gather your pals and take a little drive to The Guildford Hotel. Get yourself a bloody Mary topped with a burger for $15 and spend the rest of the afternoon playing table tennis for free. You really can’t argue with that value.
- Or if you want to go all the way to the Swan Valley, grab your bike, hop on the train and do your own little tour de vine. The cellar doors might charge a dollar or two but drinking a heap of wine and not having to worry about driving? Priceless.
- While you're out that way, stop in at Yahava Koffeeworks for a coffee tasting and the Margaret River Chocolate Factory for a couple of samples!
- Get yourself a Luna Palace privilege card for $25 and see all the movies you want for $13.50. Plus you get two free tickets on your birthday so you basically make that $25 joining fee back!
- Toe tap to live music from some cracking local artists at The Odd Fellow in Freo; often for free, sometimes for a measly $5 or so.
- Go stand-up paddle boarding. One of your friends is sure to own a board so give them a call and borrow it. They’ll be grateful it’s getting some use after months of it sitting inside collecting dust.
- Find your closest Liquorice Gourmet Foods and see how many chocolate coated raspberries you can fit into one of those lime green paper bags for under $10. Eating these will bring you more joy than you can know.
- Go snorkelling at Mettam’s Pool. If you don’t have the gear head to Kmart and consider it an investment.
- Head to Northbridge for seriously good dumplings at Authentic Bites Dumpling House. Expect to queue, but eating some of the best dumpling soup in Perth for a tenner is well worth the wait.
- Head to the Fremantle Arts Centre and check out one of the many free exhibitions. Then head to Canvas and order five of the snacks—think chorizo, marinated feta and parfait—for $22. A picnic without the price tag.
- Become a member of a local community garden. Not paying for veggies each week is a total budget boost (plus walking around in wellies tending to your plants is almost too much fun).
- Go to the beach! With literally hundreds of sandy spots just outside of the city, what better way to spend a cash-free day than with a good book and a beach towel? That Perth weather, she’s a beaut’.
Editor’s note: This article is proudly sponsored by Bankwest and endorsed by The Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make The Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.
Old Lane Street Eats | Image credit: Elle Borgward