Seesaw-Magazine-is-on-pause-until-mid-2024.png
Article/Event

Tours: Hidden Perth

29 April 2018

  • Reading time • 3 minutes
  • More like this

13 May @ various venues in Perth CBD – The Karrakatta Club, Bon Marche Arcade, Cathedral House ·
Presented by Heritage Perth ·

Hidden PerthOn Sunday 13 May you are invited to delve behind the usually closed doors of some of Perth’s unique heritage places and spaces as part of Hidden Perth.

Heritage Perth will open the doors to some of the City’s more unknown and unusual heritage sites hiding in plain sight as part of this event. Take a sneak peek inside the exclusive Karrakatta Club, Bon Marche Arcade, Cathedral House, and St John’s Pro-Cathedral. It could be the perfect Mother’s Day event!

Founded in 1894, for the mutual improvement of women, The Karrakatta Club is in the historic Lawson Apartments in Sherwood Court in Perth’s city centre. Wander the elegant function rooms within the beautiful art-deco premises and learn about the history of this exclusive organisation. While you’re there enjoy a delicious cream tea (bookings required) or enjoy free musical performances in the Lyceum Room by the Ruby Quartet (11am and 12pm) and WAAPA vocalist Morgan Halket, accompanied by Maddie Moulin 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

If fashion and shopping is more your passion, make sure you visit Bon Marche Arcade. Once one of the most imposing buildings on Barrack Street it was opened in 1901. Considered a very modern building at that time, it featured a hydraulic lift and lavatories (how fancy)! This impressive building has been home to many well-known businesses and retail shops over the years.

Come and see what lies behind the closed doors of this grand old dame.

Experience a makeover by a pop-up vintage make-up artist and stylist (booking details announced soon); find some treasures of a bygone era at the vintage stores whilst models showcase fashions of the past. Admire the impressive period architecture on a self-guided tour of the building including the roof!

For something completely different enjoy the majestic exterior of three-storey Cathedral House from the within its gardens that are usually closed to the public. The building was originally known as Archbishop’s Palace. Information will be available on the proposed redevelopment of the gardens which once provided Cathedral House with all its kitchen needs.

While you are in the vicinity pay a visit to St John’s Pro-Cathedral just across Victoria Avenue, it offers an historic snapshot of the life and work of the Catholic Church in WA. The Pro-Cathedral is the birthplace of the Catholic Church in Western Australia, and the second-oldest building in the Perth CBD. The church’s foundation stone was laid in 1844 and was the principal place of worship for Catholics until 1865 when a new cathedral, St Mary’s, was built just a few hundred metres away.

Heritage Perth is proudly supported by The City of Perth.

More info: heritageperth.com.au/events/hidden-perth/

Like what you're reading? Support Seesaw.

Author —
seesawmag

Past Articles

  • WIN books by Anna Jacobs

    We have three books by author Anna Jacobs, signed exclusively, to giveaway to one lucky reader. Find out how to win here.

  • A human experience

    Daring and playful, Teac Damsa’s MÁM provides more than enjoyment, discovers young writer Alice Fittock.

Read Next

Leave a comment

Cleaver Street Studio

Cleaver Street Studio

 

Cleaver Street Studio