🇦🇺 Perth, Australia
The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel
📍 148, Palmerston Street, Perth, 6000
Your stay — The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Perth.
The Property — The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel
The Witch’s Hat Backpackers Hostel occupies a converted 1890s police station with a conical witch’s-hat turret, giving it a quirky, historic edge. The lobby feels like a communal living room: mismatched sofas, notice boards plastered with job ads and travel tips, and a reliable free Wi-Fi. It suits solo backpackers and budget travellers who want character over silence — expect shared dorms, a basic kitchen, and a pub-style bar that can get rowdy on weekends. The USP is its central Northbridge location, literally next to the Perth Cultural Centre and a short walk from the city’s best nightlife.
Chronicles of Perth
Perth was founded in 1829 as the Swan River Colony, the free-settler answer to convict New South Wales, but grew slowly until the 1890s gold rush transformed it into a boom town with ornate Victorian and Federation buildings. Post-war, the city sprawled outwards, and the 1960s saw a wave of modernist towers replace many old structures. The 1987 America’s Cup win triggered a riverside redevelopment spree, giving Perth its clean, glassy skyline. Today, it’s a wealthy, isolated city that balances mining money with a laidback beach culture and a thriving arts scene in Northbridge and the CBD’s laneways.
Best Time to Visit
Full Perth guide →Best months
March and April: warm days (25-30°C), low humidity, and crowds thin out after the summer peak. October also works — spring wildflowers and pleasant temperatures.
Peak / festival surge
January is peak heat and peak tourist season, driven by school holidays and big events like the Perth International Arts Festival. Hotel prices double; hostels fill weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
February and November offer milder weather, decent discounts, and fewer queue-ups. November can still hit 30°C but with less humidity and quieter attractions.
Weather & packing
Perth’s climate is Mediterranean, so July is winter: averages 8-18°C, with rainy days and chilly evenings. Pack layers — a waterproof jacket and a warm hoodie are essential, plus closed shoes for city walking.
Live City Briefing — Perth
- The new Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) continues to host major concerts and AFL games; check for events that may spike accommodation demand in July.
- Elizabeth Quay has a permanent Saturday market and new ferry connections to Fremantle, making it easier to skip the train.
- As of 2025, the state government has extended free public transport within the Perth Zone 1 area on weekends — a perk for hostel guests.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the rear courtyard – quieter than the street side, and you’re high enough to avoid ground-level foot traffic but still low enough for easy staircase access.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the first floor facing Palmerston Street – street noise and late-night pedestrian traffic from nearby pubs will be intrusive. Also skip rooms directly above the hostel’s common area or bar if there is one.
Best views
Limited to the courtyard or street – request a rear room for courtyard views (greenery) over street views (traffic and shops).
Quietest floors
Second and third floors – well above street level and less footfall from the ground-floor entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
Palmerston Street is a main artery near Northbridge, so expect traffic from 7am to midnight, plus occasional revellers from nearby nightlife. The hostel’s ground-floor entrance area and any common rooms will be loud until late.
Insider tips
Check in early (before 3pm) to secure a rear-facing room as they get snapped up fast. If you’re driving, street parking is metered and tight – the hostel may have a discount arrangement with a nearby lot, ask at reception.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel
Free WiFi in common areas only (lounge and kitchen); room signal weak; no paid upgrade. Requires daily login code from reception
No lift; all rooms on upper floors accessed via stairs (historic 1900s building)
No newspaper or digital news service; one communal TV in lounge with free-to-air channels
Standard check-in 14:00, early bag-drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged $20 AUD per hour until 18:00
Free storage in locked luggage room during reception hours (07:00–22:00); overnight storage $5 AUD per bag
Step-free entry at front door (ramp available on request); no wheelchair-accessible bathrooms or bedrooms. Upper floors stairs-only, no lift
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at James Street (300m) costs $15 AUD per day weekdays, $10 AUD weekends; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a $50 AUD incidental card hold at check-in for damages
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Saint Brigid's (259 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: St Brigid's Convent (318 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Greek Orthodox Church of Evangelismos (684 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Perth Fortress Corps (742 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
William Street Shopping Centre — 801 m · ~10 min walk
Russell Square — 281 m · ~4 min walk
Museum of Perth — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
The Blue Room Theatre — 955 m · ~12 min walk
Russel Square Public Playground — 371 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 413 m · ~5 min walk
Chemist Warehouse — 773 m · ~10 min walk
Quickstop — 406 m · ~5 min walk
Perth Busport Zone B — 844 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Australian Dollar, AUD
Use ATMs at major banks or currency exchange offices in the city; avoid airport or tourist bureau kiosks which have poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless (tap) is standard, and mobile pay works almost everywhere. Carry some cash for small cafes and markets.
Tipping is not expected in Australia. Round up for good service in restaurants, but it's optional. Taxis and hotel staff do not require tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Flat white from any cafe near the train station or along Murray Street — around $4.50 AUD.
Banh mi or sushi roll from a food court or small takeaway joint — about $8–12 AUD.
Pasta or Thai main course at a casual eatery — roughly $15–22 AUD.
Head to the Northbridge side of the city (especially around Lake Street and Roe Street) for food trucks and cheap Asian eats at night.
Coles and Woolworths are the main budget supermarkets; IGA has smaller, pricier outlets in the city centre.
Target and Kmart at the city’s shopping centres (e.g., Forrest Chase, Carillon City) for affordable basics; op shops (thrift stores) along Beaufort Street for cheap second-hand finds.
A SmartRider card gives the cheapest bus/train trips — about $5.10 AUD for a day pass (2-zone). From the airport, take bus 380 or 40 to the city for $4.80 AUD, not the train line (more expensive).
Buy a SmartRider card for public transport (tap on/off, not cash). Eat lunch specials at pubs and Asian food courts rather than dinner. Avoid buying water — free refill stations are all over Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park.
Good to know — Perth
Type I · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ A$1.43 · AUD
Emergency Contacts
PerthFor non-urgent police matters call 131 444. For medical advice or COVID-19 health support dial 1800 022 222 (Healthdirect Australia). From a mobile phone, 112 works as an alternative to 000.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Perth, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 413 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Chemist Warehouse — 773 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Perth CBD transit hubs → Within Perth CBD including Oxford Hotel area
💡 Explore CBD free of charge; CAT (Central Area Transit) buses cover all major attractions; ideal for moving between hotels and local venues
Perth Airport (PER) → Perth CBD (near Oxford Hotel)
💡 Most budget-friendly airport option; purchase Smartrider card at airport for seamless local transit transfers to other buses/trains
Perth Airport Station → Perth City Station (500m from Oxford Hotel)
💡 Fastest reliable option; Smartrider card integrates with entire local transit network for easy city exploration; trains are modern and frequent
Perth Airport (PER) → Oxford Hotel, Perth CBD
💡 Book ahead via Uber or local taxi apps for guaranteed availability; fixed-price airport taxis available at taxi rank outside terminals
About Perth
Wikipedia ↗
Perth (Nyungar: Boorloo) is the capital city of Western Australia. It is the fourth-most-populous city in Australia, with a population of over 2.3 million within Greater Perth as of 2023. The world's most isolated major city by certain criteria, Perth is part of the South West Land Division of Weste...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel?
Request a room on the second or third floor facing the rear courtyard – quieter than the street side, and you’re high enough to avoid ground-level foot traffic but still low enough for easy staircase access.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel?
Avoid any room on the first floor facing Palmerston Street – street noise and late-night pedestrian traffic from nearby pubs will be intrusive. Also skip rooms directly above the hostel’s common area or bar if there is one.
Is The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel noisy?
Palmerston Street is a main artery near Northbridge, so expect traffic from 7am to midnight, plus occasional revellers from nearby nightlife. The hostel’s ground-floor entrance area and any common rooms will be loud until late.
Which rooms have the best views at The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel?
Limited to the courtyard or street – request a rear room for courtyard views (greenery) over street views (traffic and shops).
What are insider tips for staying at The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel?
Check in early (before 3pm) to secure a rear-facing room as they get snapped up fast. If you’re driving, street parking is metered and tight – the hostel may have a discount arrangement with a nearby lot, ask at reception.
What time is check-in at The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel?
Check-in at The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in common areas only (lounge and kitchen); room signal weak; no paid upgrade. Requires daily login code from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel?
Banh mi or sushi roll from a food court or small takeaway joint — about $8–12 AUD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Witch's Hat Backpackers Hostel?
A SmartRider card gives the cheapest bus/train trips — about $5.10 AUD for a day pass (2-zone). From the airport, take bus 380 or 40 to the city for $4.80 AUD, not the train line (more expensive).
When is the best time to visit Perth?
March and April: warm days (25-30°C), low humidity, and crowds thin out after the summer peak. October also works — spring wildflowers and pleasant temperatures.
Top Attractions in Perth
💡 Check the free lunchtime talks – they rotate exhibitions monthly and skip the queue by entering from the Perth Cultural Centre side.
💡 Bring your own snacks – cafes here are pricey. The free water play area opens 10am-6pm November to March.
💡 Go at sunset for the city lights. The free guided walks leave at 10am from the information centre.
💡 Train from city to Cottesloe station is $5 return. Swim between the flags – the shelf drop-off can surprise. Fish and chips from the kiosk are decent value.
💡 The gold pour demo is included in the $22 adult ticket – skip the souvenir photo, it’s overpriced. Free lockers for bags.