Western Australia’s main streets

Narrogin main street

The state lockdown a few years ago gave me the opportunity to explore our suburbs and towns. I’ve rediscovered an old love: Main Streets – the main streets of country towns, regional cities, and our metropolitan suburbs. 

Growing up, my dad was the Mayor of Narrogin and they nearly ran him out of town for putting angle parking on Fortune Street. I’m in dad’s corner because it has created a road environment on Fortune Street that is quieter and without the need for pesky parallel parking movements.

What surprised me on my suburban travels were the number of great main streets there are around Perth. None of them are good enough to beat a country town main street, but then I’m a bit of a country boy and I’m not handing out prizes to the city.

Let’s have a look at some of the best main streets I’ve found:

1. Federal Street, Narrogin: I’m writing it so I’m including it. This is where main streets began in my life. The shop halfway along Federal Street used to have the local butcher where I’d get a slice of polony and bite a face into it. It’s not there anymore but my memories are. When Dad passed away, the town closed traffic on Federal Street and we drove him down it one last time on the way to the cemetery. It’s always going to be my favourite main street.

Bassendean’s main street

2. Old Perth Road, Bassendean: A café that advertises polite conversation, a pub, street art, an ice cream shop, book exchange and a butcher. This main street looks good and feels good with shopkeepers who are proud to serve you and well worth a weekend day trip.

3. Albany Highway, Victoria Park: It may be called Albany Highway but it’s far quieter than it becomes as you make your way through the southern suburbs and beyond. The vibe of this area is all about food. If you want to go out and can’t decide what to eat give this strip a go. There’s restaurants and cafés and there always seems to be something happening with local events and activities. 

4. Mends Street, South Perth: This is a small strip that probably has the best view in Perth. Walking down it towards the river, you’ll see the Mends Street Jetty, the river with the Perth CBD on the other side and coming towards you, or just leaving, will be a ferry. For a culinary challenge tucked away behind Mends Street, see if you can find my favourite Malaysian restaurant in Perth and order yourself a Nasi Lemak and plate of grilled mixed satays. 

5. South Terrace, Fremantle: Still the number one cruising strip in Perth for anyone who has spent all day polishing their car. Give them their moment as you sit at a street side restaurant. Look at them as they rumble past and then look down as you dig through your pasta for another chilli mussel.

6. Haynes Street, Kalamunda: A great surprise when you have a day trip meandering your way along the escarpment. Cafés and vintage clothing and just like a classic main street, you can park out the front of the store you’re going into.

Three Springs Main Street

7. Midlands Road, Three Springs: It’s not busy and there’s not a lot to see but it defines the main street for many country towns; it’s hanging on by the skin of its teeth and supports its local community. With shops and a pub on one side and towering wheat silos on the other, it’s a main street that reminds us of the importance of main streets in small communities.

Toodyay Main Street

8. Piesse Street, Toodyay: I love the Avon Valley and all of its towns have main streets that could make this list but what gives Toodyay the nod is the bakery with the balcony where you can sit out and watch the main street below. There’s also a Christmas decoration shop, antique and arts and craft shops but if all you do is have a pastie and vanilla slice looking over the main street it’s been a great day out.

9. York Street, Albany: If Mends Street has the best view in Perth for a main street then York Street in Albany has the best view of all the main streets in regional Western Australia. Looking down the broad expanse of the street, lined with historic buildings, down to the water’s edge of Princess Royal Harbour, it’s a main street full of activity. 

10. Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie: When I lived in Kalgoorlie, I’d walk up and down Hannan Street every Saturday morning even if I didn’t need to buy anything. It was a great street for bumping into someone for a chat. Pubs and historic buildings line this street. Check out Paddy Hannan’s statue outside the Town Hall and take a drink from his water bag. This is a main street famous for its pub crawls. It has the Superpit at one end and the start of the Great Eastern Highway at the other. What you get up to in between is up to you!