Murray and Hay streets both have traffic-free malls, and the city centre is criss-crossed with arcades. The malls and arcades are linked by walkways and overpasses that extend as far as the city train and bus stations.

Forrest Place is accessible from Wellington Street, opposite the train station and is one of the more popular shopping areas. Perth's GPO and the WA Tourism Commission, both of which are open six days a week are at Forrest Chase. During the school holidays, Forrest Place is the spot for free entertainment which varies from opera to contemporary bands; ballet to fashion show.

Good wines to take home can be purchased at many of the duty free shops, or there are many discount liquor stores around town, all offering excellent value for money. You will have no trouble finding wines from the major wine-growing districts of Australia, but if you'd like to try a truly local drop, look out for wines from the Swan Valley, Margaret River, Mount Barker and Denmark.

Probably one of Perth's best kept secrets is King Street which can be found just a short stroll down Murray or Hay streets. A street with cobbled walkways that lead you past fashionable boutiques, cafes and old buildings such as King Street Couture. All along the street, what were once derelict warehouses are now bustling little cafes and shops with a collective reputation for style and originality.

You can purchase tickets to just about any theatre production in Perth from the BOCS office outlet in the foyer of His Majesty's Theatre, on the corner of Hay and King streets.

Old Perth Port Down alongside what used to be the Barrack Street Jetty, now known as Barrack Square, is the relatively new complex of cafes, shops and attractions known as Old Perth Port. Alongside the complex, the jetties are home to a variety of water craft, some taking patrons upriver for vineyard cruises, others going downstream to Fremantle or further afield to Rottnest. This is also where the South Perth ferry departs, wending its way back and forth across the river all day, taking visitors to the zoo and other southern destinations.

The suburbs in and around Perth and Fremantle have many interesting markets offering a broad range of goods. Some specialise in handicrafts, while others sell fresh produce or second hand clothing. There are Sunday markets, evening markets, weekend markets, all so different but with one thing in common: they offer the visitor excellent value. Most markets have food outlets, and many feature a food hall offering a range of cheap, tasty dishes from around the world.

Fremantle Markets 84 South Terrace, Fremantle. Open since 1975, the State's finest authentic retail stall market epitomises the true atmosphere of the Victorian era. There are shops and stalls offering seafoods, fruit and vegetables, continental smallgoods and a wide range of uniquely Western Australian products including gems, sheepskin boots and jackets and timber crafts available from more than 140 stalls and existing shops. Open Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-5pm, and Monday public holidays.

Subiaco Station Street Markets A colourful outdoor and undercover market which started as an alternative to the Subiaco Pavilion and has grown to encompass 130 stalls offering a huge array of interesting wares including gemstones, great souvenir t-shirts and other clothing. The garden courtyard and dining area is surrounded by a range of international food stalls and there's often a guitarist to entertain the crowd. Open all day weekends and Monday public holidays.

Subiaco Pavilion Cnr Rokeby Road and Roberts Road, Subiaco. A visit to these markets can easily be combined with a visit to the Station Street Markets, less than a minute's walk across the railway line. The Subiaco Pavilion features a large food hall with over 15 food stalls ranging from Italian to ostrich meat, Chinese to Japanese, vegetarian and many more. There's also 60 speciality stalls all located in this 30-year old fully air-cooled converted warehouse. Open Thursday and Friday 10am-9pm, weekends and public holidays 10am-5pm.

The E Shed Markets E Shed, Victoria Quay, Fremantle. Newly opened market, the E Shed, is situated on Fremantle's Victoria Quay. This dockside market has more than 120 stalls and is open from 9am to 9pm Fridays to Sundays. Until recently, the E Shed was an empty warehouse situated nearby. Built in 1928 in Victorian industrial architectural style, it was dissambled, moved and rebuilt at the present site. Galleria Art & Craft Market Outside the Art Gallery of Western Australia, this relatively new outdoor market is open weekends from 9am-5pm and has many locally produced art and craft stalls.

Scarborough Fair Markets Cnr. Scarborough Beach Road and West Coast Highway, Scarborough.A visit to Scarborough means you can take in the beach and the markets on one trip. The only markets by the seaside and adjacent to a five star hotel (the Radisson Observation City). Bus route 400 from the city will take you all the way there. Open weekends from 9am-5.30pm and public holidays from 10am-5pm.

Galleria Art and Craft Markets Art Gallery and Museum Concourse, Perth Ph: (08) 9310 2159 Open 9am until 5pm weekends

Fremantle Markets 84 South Terrace, Fremantle Ph: (08) 9335 2515 Open 9am - 9pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday & Sunday 10am - 5pm Monday public holidays