Lanes of Perth, Western Australia facts for kids

The lanes and arcades in Perth, Western Australia, are becoming really important to the city's culture. They are like hidden pathways filled with cool shops, cafes, and amazing street art.

Around 2007, some new rules made it easier for small cafes and businesses to open in Perth. After that, in 2008, the City of Perth decided to make a plan to improve these lanes. They called it "Forgotten Spaces – Revitalising Perth's Laneways," which means making Perth's forgotten lanes lively again!

Shafto Lane: A Lane with Many Names

Shafto Lane connects Hay Street and Murray Street. It used to be two separate lanes! One was called Chipper Lane, and the other was Barratt Lane.

Chipper Lane was named after Donald J. Chipper, who had a business there a long time ago. Barratt Lane was named after Enoch Barratt, who was known for starting Western Australia's first plant nursery.

Later, in 1929, the City of Perth decided to rename Barratt Lane to Shafto Lane. This was to honor Thomas Alfred Shafto, who was a local leader for many years. For a while, in the middle of the 1900s, it was even called Perdriau Place! Today, Shafto Lane is a busy spot with places to eat and explore.

Wolf Lane: Where Art Comes Alive

In 2001, the Perth City Council saw that Wolf Lane could become a special shopping area near King Street. They spent money to make it better. Today, Wolf Lane has small cafes and shops, including a hairdresser called Toni & Guy.

In 2014, an art group called Form organized a big public art festival in Wolf Lane. Many talented artists from all over the world and Australia created huge, colorful artworks on the walls. You can see amazing pieces by artists like Maya Hyuk, Alexis Diaz, Hyuro, Luke Cornish (also known as E.L.K.), ROA, and Hurben. It's like an outdoor art gallery!

Howard Lane: Award-Winning Design

Howard Lane is a U-shaped lane that runs next to Howard Street. It connects St Georges Terrace and The Esplanade. You can get into the lane from Howard Street.

The City of Perth upgraded Howard Lane in 2009. It now features cool artworks by artists Stormie Mills and Yok. In 2010, the Council even won an award for the design of the Howard Lane Upgrade! This lane also has a couple of small cafes, Andaluz and Helvetica.

Prince Lane: A Colorful Path

Prince Lane links Wellington Street and Murray Street. It runs parallel to King Street. The City of Perth spent about $800,000 (Australian dollars) to upgrade this lane between 2012 and 2013.

The upgrade included new gutters, granite paths, and better lighting. What makes Prince Lane special is the series of artworks along its entire length. These were created by well-known Western Australian artists like Clare McFarlane, Denise Brown, Stephen Genovese, Jae Criddle, Paul Caporn, Leanne Bray, and Stormie Mills. It's a vibrant and artistic walkway!

Grand Lane: Home of a Giant Mural

Grand Lane runs from Murray Street Mall almost to Wellington Street. Its name comes from the old Grand Theatre that used to be nearby.

The City of Perth upgraded Grand Lane in 2011 for about $500,000 (Australian dollars). This lane is famous for its huge, 99-meter-long mural on the western wall, created by artists Bonsai and Twoone. There's also art by Timothy Rollin and Chris Nixon. At one end of the lane, you can find the Light Locker Art Space, which is a place for new Perth artists to show their work.

Mercantile Lane: Next to a Modern Building

Mercantile Lane connects St Georges Terrace and Mounts Bay Road. It's right next to the modern Brookfield Place development. The name "Mercantile" reflects that it's next to the old MLC building, which was a big business building.

Munster Lane: A Quiet Corner

Munster Lane is another U-shaped lane. It runs parallel to King Street, between Hay Street and Murray Street. You can enter Munster Lane from King Street. It's a quieter lane, often used for access to the buildings around it.

McLean Lane: Near a Car Park and Art Studios

McLean Lane connects Murray Street and Wellington Street. It runs between a multi-storey car park and an old gasworks building. The gasworks building is now used by an arts group called Artsource as studio space for artists. In 2009, the City of Perth thought about renaming this lane Gasworks Lane, but it remains McLean Lane.