If you take a walk down the spectacular jacaranda-lined avenues of Applecross in Spring you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d died and gone to horticultural heaven. The fragrant purple fronds along Ardross Street and its lush, winding tributaries are an Instagrammers’ paradise and are truly some of the most stunning displays in the nation.
But while this picturesque suburb’s wide streets are enviable, there’s so much more to discover.
The neighbourhood has managed to retain its charm, blending the unusual and the historic with the contemporary and futuristic.
The Tivoli Theatre in the 1934-built art deco Applecross District Hall still pulls a crowd to its old-time productions. And the Raffles Hotel — originally the 1896 Canning Bridge Hotel — has reinvented itself alongside a prestigious residential development.
This is truly a suburb with something for everyone.
The team at Pulse Property Group has put together their top 5 Applecross favourites.
FAB 5
Ahoy me hearties
The Heathcote Pirate Ship Playground, aka the Pirate Park, has to be one of Perth’s biggest and best playgrounds. The massive timber pirate ship is the focal point of this adventure paradise and has ramps, swings, portholes, slides, caves, tunnels, bells and whistles. There’s plenty of shaded picnic space, barbecues, a variety of playground equipment, toilets and great coffee at the kiosk adjoining the BWG Steakhouse.
Sweet street
The café and restaurant scene in Applecross is pretty hard to beat. And the choice of cuisine on Ardross Street ranges from Confit Pepe Duck Maryland and Cone Bay Pan-fried Barramundi at the award-winning Nic & Kolo, to Tom Yum Brown Fried Rice, salmon fillet and veg and other $10.95 ready-to-go meals from The Good Grocer. But we all just salivate over French Toast Fridays at Cioccolato Espresso.
Culture vulture
We love the vibrancy of the Heathcote Cultural Precinct when it hosts exhibitions, art classes and the amazing Perth Makers Market. Every month the exclusively-handmade market fills the grounds of Heathcote, fostering students and emerging artists. There’s also live music, great food and a wonderful community atmosphere.
Garden vibes
Kids in the sandpit, dogs chillaxing under the shady elms and a ‘Sunday sesh special’ for us where there are $25 Sangria jugs and Corona buckets on offer. The Quarter Acre Hotel at 767 Canning Highway must be one of the best back yards south of the river.
Gorgeous gifts
Applecross has a lovely offering of boutiques, activewear outlets, homeware emporiums and gift shops but few have been around as long as Ma Cuisine in Ardross Street. Since 1986, this lifestyle gem has been serving the community. There are elegant and unique products from local and international designers in all price ranges so customers can always find something to suit.
