Highgate

Lifestyle & dining

Highgate's reputation rests heavily on its food and coffee scene, much of it clustered along Beaufort Street, which forms the suburb's spine and spills over into neighbouring Mount Lawley. It's a strip known for its density of cafes, wine bars and restaurants, drawing crowds from across Perth on weekends. The proximity to Northbridge means residents also have the city's biggest concentration of nightlife, live music and late-night eating on their doorstep, while the quieter residential streets just behind Beaufort Street retain a distinctly local, low-key feel.

Shopping

Day-to-day shopping needs are covered by the boutiques, delis and specialty stores along Beaufort Street, with the William Street shopping and dining precinct in neighbouring Northbridge also within easy walking distance. For bigger retail trips, Perth's CBD — with its full range of department stores, Hay Street and Murray Street malls — is only a few minutes away.

Getting around

Highgate's inner-city position is one of its biggest drawcards for commuters. The suburb is well served by bus routes along Beaufort Street running straight into the CBD, and its flat, compact layout makes it easy to walk or cycle into Perth, Northbridge or East Perth. Perth train station and the wider rail network are within a short ride, giving residents easy access to the Fremantle, Midland, Armadale and Joondalup lines without needing a car for daily commuting.

Schools & families

While Highgate is more popular with couples and singles than large families, it does have its own primary option in Highgate Primary School, a long-established local school within the suburb. Families with older children typically look to the well-regarded high schools in surrounding areas, with Mount Lawley's schooling options also close at hand.

Parks & recreation

Green space in Highgate tends to be smaller and more local in character than sprawling suburban parks, reflecting its inner-city footprint, though residents make good use of nearby Hyde Park in Perth and the riverside and CBD green spaces just a short ride away. The suburb's real recreational appeal lies in its walkability — the ability to stroll to cafes, bars and city amenities rather than drive to them.

The property market

Highgate's housing stock is dominated by apartments and units, which make up 72% of current listings, with townhouses accounting for 16% and standalone houses just 13% — a reflection of the suburb's inner-city density and heritage streetscapes. The median house price sits at $1.30 million, while units and apartments have a median of $690,000, giving buyers a real spread of entry points depending on whether they want a character cottage or a low-maintenance apartment.

Median rent across the suburb is $850 per week, underlining strong demand from tenants wanting inner-city living. House prices have grown 2.4% recently, a steady rather than spectacular pace that fits a suburb where scarcity of land and heritage protections limit new supply, keeping established homes in consistent demand.