With its roots embedded in the influx of European immigrants in the 1950s, Morley’s fresh produce farming origins are still evident today in its ethnic community. It’s hardly surprising that Morley is known for its food, and you’ll never go hungry with Charlie’s Fresh Food Market, Benara Fresh, Coventry Village, Galleria Shopping Centre, Morley Market, Aldi and the strip of restaurants in the Progress Street Precinct. Today, its multiculturalism continues with tradition through its bustling fresh food outlets and family-run cafes and restaurants.
The retro vibes are undeniable and on display in its architecture across the decades; you only need to admire the sleek lines of the City of Bayswater Civic Centre. The conversion of a car garage into Varsity Burgers and the op shop trail along Rudloc, Russell and Dewar Streets add to its cool charm. How many suburbs offer activities as wholesome as ballroom dancing (Dale Fraser Dance Studio), bowling (Zone Bowling) and rollerskating at the iconic Morley Rollerdrome?
Morley caters exceptionally well to families, with several parks and sporting facilities, such as the Morley Sports & Recreation Centre, Pat O’Hara Reserve, Nora Hughes Park, Peters Place Reserve, Crimea Skate Park, and Arbor Park Playground. There are several well-regarded local schools, like John Forrest Secondary College, Morley Primary School, Hampton Park Primary School, Weld Square Primary School and Hampton Senior High School.
Approximately eight kilometres from Perth’s CBD, Morley offers excellent transportation links along Walter Road West, Grand Promenade, Morley Drive and Tonkin Highway, and is home to the Morley Bus Station next to Galleria Shopping Centre. With the 2024 opening of the Morley to Ellenbrook train line, residents will have easy access to the metropolitan area via the Midland Line.
Consisting of mainly young and older families who are mostly owner-occupiers, Morley retains a sense of community that continues to evolve from its ethnic origins. With median house prices in the low $600,000s, housing remains affordable despite its central location and close proximity to Perth’s CBD and neighbouring affluent neighbourhoods such as Inglewood, Bedford and Mount Lawley. As a result, homeowners tend to capitalise on their investment through renovations and sub-divisions, particularly to older properties on full-size blocks. Falling under the dynamic City of Bayswater, there is no doubt Morley is one to watch for buyers seeking the potential to add value in a central location.
Morley’s town centre bustles around the clock with its range of restaurants, shops, activities and sporting facilities centred around the Progress Street, Walter Road West and Wellington Street intersections. With a high concentration of specialty stores and shopping centres, such as Galleria Shopping Centre, Morley Market, and Coventry Village, an extensive range of multicultural shopping and dining experiences are on offer, including several popular Italian and Asian restaurants.
With plans underway for a $350 million redevelopment of the Galleria Shopping Centre, it's destined to become one of Perth’s premier shopping precincts. In the meantime, over 300 specialty shops, department stores, supermarkets and eateries cater well to local residents. The Galleria is also home to Greater Union cinemas screening year-round blockbusters, indie film events and festivals.
What was once the head office of Coventry Motors has been transformed into a hub of ethnic cuisine with over 100 cafes and shops across 4.5 hectares. Rumour has it that some of Perth’s best Asian food can be found here, and it's certainly worth finding out if this wild claim is true. With a couple of gastropubs, beauty salons, homewares, specialty supermarkets, Chemist Warehouse and Spudshed open 24 hours, it’s as though you’ve stepped out on the colourful streets of Southeast Asia.
Even if you’re not a local resident, everyone in Perth seems to love Charlie’s. With humble roots as a continental deli in 1964 and named after its owner, this family-run business is known for its outstanding fresh produce, butchers, patisserie and gourmet market selling cold meats, cheese, olives, imported goods, fresh pasta and platters, to name a few gourmet delights. Grab a number as soon as you arrive as you’ll be shopping alongside Perth’s Italian community with shopping lists as extensive as their families.
You’ll be transported back to the 80’s at the Morley Rollerdrome, where you can join a general session or enrol at skate school to brush up on your skating skills. Its of no surprise it’s a popular venue for retro parties, including those who joined the roller craze the first time around. Keep an eye out for their events, which are certain to bring back plenty of flashbacks of leg warmers and stonewash denim.
With over 30 bowling alleys across Australia, Zone Bowling has perfected the art with 24 state-of-the-art lanes, laser tag and arcade games in Morley. It’s good old-fashioned fun all around, especially for birthday parties of all ages where your catering is swiftly handled by the onsite café serving burgers and hotdogs.
Since you’re surrounded by so much good food, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to work off any indulges at the Morley Sports & Recreation Centre. Featuring basketball and netball courts, a state-of-the-art health club, group fitness sessions, function rooms and a creche, excuses are futile. Even less so since the centre is next door to the Pat O’Hara Reserve, which is home to the Perth Bayswater Rugby Union Club.
Perth Realty Group offers a comprehensive range of real estate services from its team of leading real estate agents in Perth, including residential and commercial property for sale and property management services in Perth. If you’re on the hunt for a property to buy or rent or need a property appraisal, please get in touch with our team of property managers and real estate agents in Perth.
