Concerts in Perth: venues, transport and getting home

Perth's gigs are spread across a few distinct spots. The big indoor shows are at RAC Arena on the western edge of the CBD. Stadium tours go across the river to Optus Stadium in Burswood. Smaller rooms cluster in Northbridge and Mount Lawley (The Rechabite, the Astor Theatre), summer concerts land on the lawn at Kings Park, and Fremantle has its own scene around the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre and Freo.Social.

The first thing to do with any Perth ticket is look for the Transperth logo. Plenty of shows include public transport in the ticket, and that changes how you plan the night. The second thing is to check your train home, because Perth's late services depend heavily on the night of the week.

Everything below was checked against Transperth, the WA Department of Transport, the state arts department and the venues' own pages on 3 October 2026. Optus Stadium's own website blocked our requests, so the stadium section relies on Transperth. For the full list of shows, see concerts in Perth.

Quick facts

Is public transport included in my concert ticket?

Often, yes. Transperth's events page lists shows where "Public transport is included in your ticket". In early October 2026 that included Conan Gray (8 October) and Hans Zimmer (12 October), both at RAC Arena. How it works, according to Transperth:

• The window. For jointly ticketed events, travel is covered "three hours before, during and three hours after the event, or until end of service, whichever occurs first."
• Carry the ticket. "You must have your event ticket with you to travel for no extra cost." To use it, "simply show your ticket to the driver or inspector."
• Collecting at the box office? Then you don't have the ticket on the way in, so you pay a normal fare to get there.
• Not every event includes it. The Moortabiny event at Kings Park (2 to 4 October 2026), for example, said standard Transperth fares applied.

RAC Arena

RAC Arena is at 700 Wellington Street, on the western side of the CBD.

Train. Transperth says to catch the train to Perth Station or Perth Underground, "a short walk to RAC Arena", and walk back to either afterwards. For the Conan Gray show it listed special trains from both stations on every line, leaving from roughly 10:40pm to just after midnight. Those times are event-specific, so check the Transperth page for your show.

Bus. Transperth says "timetabled services will operate across the Transperth network" for RAC Arena events, and "there will be no additional bus services at suburban stations."

Station parking is free on weekends and public holidays and paid on weekdays, Transperth says.

Driving to the arena. RAC Arena has its own car park, "accessible via either Market St or Milligan St". It's open "5:30am to midnight, Monday to Thursday, and is open 24-hours from Friday to Sunday". It's card only, with a 2.3-metre clearance, and event parking is a paid flat rate. There are 14 ACROD bays, first come, first served. The FAQ says drop-off bays are near Wellington and Milligan Streets, about 60m from the venue.

Bags and what you can bring. "You're able to bring in a bag that is A4 in size or smaller." Bigger bags and prohibited items go to an external cloakroom to the right of the main entry. Banned items include professional cameras, selfie sticks, alcohol, e-cigarettes, glow sticks and large umbrellas. Outside food and drink isn't allowed, apart from one 600mL water bottle.

Paying, ID and tickets. Every outlet is card only, though cash can be swapped for a "Cash Voucher". Accepted ID is a passport, an Australian driver's licence, or a state proof of age or photo card. Tickets are through Ticketek, and the box office opens two hours before events. Lost something? Call reception on 08 6365 0700 on weekdays.

Optus Stadium: getting there and back

Optus Stadium is in Burswood, across the Swan River from the CBD, with its own train station. Transperth says "transport to and from the Stadium is included in your event ticket", covering "three hours either side of the event". Promoters can do things differently, so check your ticket.

Which train do I catch home from Optus Stadium?

"Perth Stadium Station has six platforms with two concourses." The Western Concourse is for Yanchep and Fremantle line passengers. The Eastern Concourse is for Armadale, Thornlie-Cockburn, Mandurah and Perth-bound trains.

Line by line, per Transperth:

The Midland, Airport and Ellenbrook row is the one that catches people out. There's no direct train from the stadium on those lines, so decide before the encore: walk to East Perth, or ride into Perth and change.

Event buses and the Red CAT

For stadium events, Transperth runs nine limited-stop event bus routes (650 and 652 to 659) plus the Red CAT. Buses start arriving up to two hours before. On event days the Red CAT runs via West Perth and the CBD and extends to Matagarup Bridge from about two hours before until 45 minutes after the event.

Weekday stadium shows

On weekdays the suburban event bus network doesn't run. Regular services "may be busier than usual around event times, so please allow extra travelling time." From Perth Station, Transperth suggests the Armadale or Thornlie-Cockburn line, or the Red CAT from Stand 5 to Matagarup Bridge and a walk across. We couldn't read the stadium's own site, so check bag rules, accessibility and rideshare zones with the venue.

Northbridge and Mount Lawley: The Rechabite and the Astor

The Rechabite is at 224 William Street, Northbridge. It has four levels: the Performance Hall, Double Rainbow restaurant, Hello Rooftop Bar and Goodwill Basement Club. At 18+ events there are no under-18s at all. At other events, minors with a parent or guardian have to leave by 10pm, and everyone needs photo ID. There's no permanent coat check. "All four levels are accessible by lift", with step-free entry through the William Street alcove left of the main entrance, but the main hall's upper balconies are stairs only.

The Astor Theatre is at 659 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley, on the corner of Walcott Street. Buses 950 and 67 stop nearby, and the FAQ says "Mount Lawley Station (on the Midland line) is approximately a 15 minute walk." There's a taxi rank at Beaufort Street and Grosvenor Road, a minute away, and parking is at "a premium". Inside, there's no cloakroom. The stalls are step-free, but the balcony is two flights of stairs with no lift, and the accessible toilets are outside, within 100m. Age rules are "set by the promoter".

Kings Park concerts

Kings Park is "just 1.5km from Perth CBD", according to the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, and its summer concert series runs on the lawn. The promoter, Mellen Events, lists shows for November and December 2026.

How do I get to and from Kings Park?

• Bus 935 runs from St Georges Terrace into the Fraser Avenue precinct. The park's FAQ says to check it shows Kings Park on the front, not Parliament House.
• The Blue CAT (number 1 on the front) is free, but "the last bus leaves Elizabeth Quay Bus Station at 7.04pm". It's fine for getting there for an early start. It won't get you home.
• Taxi and rideshare. There's a "cab spot" on Fraser Avenue, behind the Fraser's Restaurant complex and Aspects of Kings Park.
• Driving. Parking in the park is free. Wadjuk, Poolgarla and Jorang car parks have a four-hour limit from 7am to 4pm on weekdays (not public holidays).

Some big events get their own transport. For Moortabiny in October 2026, Transperth ran a free express shuttle (route 620) from Wadjuk Way to Perth Busport after the show, and the 935 ran every 15 minutes until about 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday, then every 30 minutes. Check the Transperth events page for your show.

What to bring

Mellen Events says to bring a picnic rug, a jacket, a hat and sunscreen. Only sealed plastic bottles of water or soft drink are allowed. Low beach chairs are fine in general admission, and high-backed chairs go at the rear. The site is licensed, so no BYO alcohol. And "WE PLAY RAIN OR SHINE", with umbrellas prohibited, so pack a rain jacket instead.

Fremantle

Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre (WFAC) is at 1 Finnerty Street and hosts concerts on its grounds. For access, there are two ACROD bays on Finnerty Street and more inside the precinct for ACROD pass holders. Show your pass at the top gate off Finnerty Street.

Freo.Social is a live music venue with an Entertainment Hall. The accessible entry is through the main entrance on Parry Street. It's cashless, some events are strictly 18+, and it takes an Australian licence, passport or WA Proof of Age Card as ID. If you have a Companion Card, show it 24 hours before the event to get the companion ticket.

Is Perth Concert Hall open?

No. The state Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries says "the Perth Concert Hall is now a live construction site which is safely fenced off". Main works started in November 2025, completion is expected at the end of 2027, and opening is planned for early 2028. If an older guide lists it as a venue, that's out of date.

How do I get home after a gig in Perth?

Last trains

Friday and Saturday nights run much later than the rest of the week. We checked the Fremantle Line timetable (effective 1 February 2026):

We only checked the Fremantle Line. Other lines follow their own timetables, so look up yours in the Transperth app or journey planner. Transperth's brochure says the Airport Line runs every 30 minutes at night.

Planned closures happen too. As of 3 October 2026, Transperth listed disruptions on the Airport, Ellenbrook, Midland, Armadale and Thornlie-Cockburn lines for Sunday 4 October. Check its service updates before you go.

Night Alight and safety

Transperth's Night Alight service means "if you're travelling on a bus after 7pm we can drop you off anywhere along the route even if it isn't at a bus stop", outside the CBD and where it's safe. Ask the driver.

Transit security is on 9220 9999 (000 in an emergency), and there's Security Chat in the Transperth app. On a train, the emergency button lets you talk to the driver. At a station, the emergency button on the info kiosk reaches the Central Monitoring Room.

Taxis or rideshare?

The WA Department of Transport says only rank-and-hail taxis can be hailed on the street or taken from a rank. Rideshare has to be booked through an app or by phone. The department also lets you check that your booking service, driver and vehicle are authorised.

Taxi fares are regulated maximums, and they go up at night. The higher tariff applies on weeknights from 6pm to 6am, and from Friday 6pm to Monday 6am and on public holidays. There's also an "Ultra Peak" surcharge late on weekend nights, and a separate tariff for five or more passengers or a large vehicle.

We couldn't verify CBD or Northbridge taxi rank locations. The two we could confirm are the rank at Beaufort Street and Grosvenor Road near the Astor, and the cab spot on Fraser Avenue at Kings Park.

Paying for Transperth

If your ticket doesn't include travel, there are three ways to pay:

• Contactless. Visa or Mastercard, including phone wallets. Tag on and off with the same card or device: the plastic card and its phone version count as different cards. Concessions need a SmartRider.
• SmartRider. Available from InfoCentres, retail outlets and station hubs. Both it and contactless are capped at the DayRider rate.
• Cash. Tickets from station and ferry ticket machines or from bus drivers. Buses don't give change.

A group might want the FamilyRider, a cash ticket for up to seven people (no more than two full-fare). It's valid on weekends and public holidays, and on weekdays after 6pm Monday to Thursday or after 3pm Friday, outside school holidays.

Free travel: trains inside the Free Transit Zone (bounded by City West, Elizabeth Quay and Claisebrook) are free if you tag on and off, CAT buses are free and run every 5 to 15 minutes, and SmartRider and contactless travel is free all day Sunday.

Driving instead? City of Perth Parking runs car parks including Cultural Centre, Convention Centre, His Majesty's, Pier Street, Roe Street and Wellington Street, with a paid flat night rate.

Accessibility on Transperth

Transperth says there are accessible toilets at all major bus and train stations and free accessible parking at every station with parking. It recognises the Companion Card. For help at a train station, call 1800 800 022.

At the venues: RAC Arena has a priority lane at Entry A (far left as you face the main entrance), wheelchair seats with companion seating for "up to 2% of our seats", lifts to every level, Wi-Fi hearing assistance through your phone, noise-excluding headphones at the info desk, and a Quiet Room on Level 1. "Companion cards are accepted for all events at RAC Arena", and access and companion tickets are booked through Ticketek.

Before you go

• Look for the Transperth logo on your ticket, and carry the ticket both ways.
• Optus Stadium on the Midland, Airport or Ellenbrook line? Plan the Windan Bridge walk or the change at Perth.
• Relying on a stadium event bus? They finish 45 minutes after the event.
• RAC Arena: bring a bag no bigger than A4, and a card.
• Kings Park: catch the 935, not the Blue CAT, home. Bring a jacket, not an umbrella.
• Weeknight show? Check your last train before you leave.
• Late Saturday train without event travel? Free Sunday travel doesn't cover services after midnight Saturday.
• Bring photo ID for 18+ shows.

Upcoming concerts in Perth