Osborne Park is an industrial and residential suburb only a short drive from Perth’s citycentre. The suburb is renowned for its excellent shopping but in-the-know locals also travel from far and wide to sample its excellent cuisine at reasonable prices.
The suburb was named after William Osborne, a butcher who owned an abattoir and land nearby. In the early 20th Century, this suburb was popular with farmers for its rich soils and abundant water of the swamplands. After WW2, the area became largely residential, and from the 80’s industrial use increased; at present, the suburb is mixed-use, with many showrooms, furniture and appliance stores, and so on.
The area is close to several major shopping centres, such as the Galleria Shopping Centre, making it a great place to base yourself for a spot of retail therapy. There’s also far more on offer here and in the surrounding suburbs: from beautiful lakes and parks to the world-class Scarborough Beach, you’ll find plenty to tickle your fancy.
Ruby's Patisserie in nearby Tuart Hill is a great place for a coffee and cake, or head to Osborne Park’s Main Street for a wide variety of multicultural cafes and restaurants, such as the Italian cafes Siderno Caffe and Café Amaretto.
After your meal, you could go for a stroll at one of the many excellent parks in the area: the lush green Glendalough Open Space, the Stirling Civic Gardens and Yokine Reserve are all easily accessible. For a real treat, you could visit the “Secret Garden”, a breathtakingly beautiful wetland which until recently was Perth’s best-kept secret, with the location being carefully guarded by the locals: it’s now common knowledge that you’ll find the garden at the Carienup Wetlands, but if you visit you will certainly see why people wanted to keep the picturesque scenery all to themselves, it’s like something from a fairytale!
Nature-lovers are bound to enjoy walking or cycling the perimeter of Herdsman Lake. It’s relatively flat, making it an easy trail for novices and seasoned walkers alike. It’s also considered to be one of Perth’s best birdwatching spots. Over 100 different species have been spotted at the lake and it’s also a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.
You’ll find plenty of greenery, gourmet delights and excellent shopping in this little-known, charming suburban gem.
