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Perth has copped a bad rap over the years – it’s the city once famously tagged as “Dullsville”, part of the state whose initials some think means “wait awhile,” not Western Australia.
And while some politicians and commentators like to draw attention to the city’s meth problem and crime stats, it seems tourists are seeing something different.
The rehabilitation of Perth’s reputation has been cemented by a popular and influential travel website, which has just declared it the friendliest city or town in all of Australia.
Website Big7 Travel talks up the city’s “vibrant and social” atmosphere, “lively locals”, “engaging social scene” and “ease of access” for first-time visitors.
“Expect to make new friends in every bar you go to,” the website states.
The poll results come hot on the heels of Big7 Travel’s declaration that Northbridge bar Joe’s Juice Joint was the best “dive bar” in the world – that’s beating out some pretty stiff competition.
It seems tourists like Perth’s laid-back lifestyle and people, live music scene and diversity of small bars and pubs.
The city beat out Coffs Harbour, Melbourne, Darwin and Port Macquarie, all of which made it into the top 10.
Sydney came in 16th – behind Wollongong, Townsville, and even Logan, the Brisbane district that often appears in news headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Big7 Travel’s Top Ten Friendliest Towns and Cities in Australia
- Perth
- Coffs harbour
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Port Macquarie
- Darwin
- Canberra
- Hobart
This article originally appeared on 7News and has been re-published here with permission.
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