Best Maps of Perth & Fremantle: Wall, Street, Postcode, Topographic and Historical Maps

by Christopher O'Keeffe August 15, 2026

Perth and Fremantle cannot be understood through one map alone. Street maps explain movement, wall maps reveal the metropolitan whole, postcode maps organise service areas, topographic maps show the land beneath the city, and historical maps reveal how the region has changed.

By Christopher O’Keeffe — Managing Director, Mapworld Australia

Perth and Fremantle are closely connected, but they are not interchangeable.

Perth is the centre of a long, low-density metropolitan region stretching along the Indian Ocean and inland towards the Darling Scarp. Fremantle is its historic port city: compact, distinctive and strategically positioned at the mouth of the Swan River. Between them lies a corridor of suburbs, railway lines, arterial roads, cycle routes, river crossings, employment centres and older neighbourhoods whose geography makes far more sense when viewed on paper.

The two cities also sit within a much larger setting. Their roads and suburbs are shaped by the coastline, the Swan and Canning river systems, wetlands, dunes, limestone, the coastal plain and the rising country to the east. A conventional street map may show where a road goes; a topographic map begins to explain why it goes there.

Perth/Boorloo and Fremantle/Walyalup are on Whadjuk Nyoongar Country. The City of Perth acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation and the continuing connection to Boorloo and the Derbarl Yerrigan. The City of Fremantle acknowledges the Whadjuk people as the Traditional Owners of the Fremantle/Walyalup area. That context matters particularly when reading historical maps, which record the names, institutions, boundaries and omissions of their own periods rather than the whole history of Country.

For practical purposes, the best Perth and Fremantle map kit may include:

1. a folded street map for daily orientation and route planning;

2. a wall map for seeing the metropolitan region at one glance;

3. a postcode or business map for territories, deliveries and catchments;

4. a detailed topographic sheet for terrain and field work;

5. a broader topographic map for regional context;

6. a historical map for research, education or display;

7. current official digital information for road closures, public transport disruptions, park alerts and other changing conditions.

Explore the complete Mapworld Western Australia collection, Western Australian wall maps, postcode maps, Western Australia 1:25,000 topographic maps, Australia 1:100,000 Geoscience topographic maps, Australia 1:250,000 topographic maps and historical wall maps.

The right Perth and Fremantle map depends on whether the task is street navigation, regional planning, territory management, terrain interpretation or historical research.

AI-generated editorial illustration. It does not depict an actual event or a specific Mapworld product.

The Best Perth and Fremantle Maps: Quick Recommendations

Purpose	Best place to begin	Why
Best all-round street map	Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662	Detailed central metropolitan streets on one side and Greater Perth context on the other
Best visitor and regional touring map	Perth & Region Hema Map	Combines metropolitan mapping with a broader regional touring map
Best Perth-and-WA combination	Perth & Western Australia Large QPA Map	Perth coverage and a Western Australia overview on one large folded sheet
Best Perth–Fremantle cycling overview	Perth–Fremantle Cycle Map	Shows the river and coastal cycling corridor, route connections and transport context
Best compact working wall map	Perth UBD 662 Laminated Wall Map	Street-oriented metropolitan reference in a practical wall size
Best general metropolitan wall map	Perth & Region Hema 700 × 1000 mm Laminated Map	Clear coverage from the northern suburbs to the southern metropolitan area and east towards the hills
Best large shared-planning wall map	Perth & Region Hema Supermap	Larger format and easier group viewing for offices, classrooms and planning rooms
Best wall map for business geography	Perth Business UBD 665 Wall Map	Combines streets, postcodes, local government areas and commercial or industrial geography
Best metropolitan postcode map	Perth Postcode Map	Dedicated postcode boundaries and suburb index for Greater Perth
Best Perth-plus-regional postcode map	Western Australia Postcode Map	Statewide postcode framework for organisations working beyond the metropolitan area
Best detailed terrain mapping	WA Topo 25 Map Series	1:25,000 sheets for local terrain, contours, grid references and field planning
Best Perth 1:100,000 sheet	2034 Perth 1:100,000 Topographic Map	Broad terrain and regional context around Perth
Best Fremantle 1:100,000 sheet	2033 Fremantle 1:100,000 Topographic Map	Legacy regional topographic coverage centred on the Fremantle sheet area
Best southern metropolitan companion sheet	2032 Pinjarra 1:100,000 Topographic Map	Extends broader context south of the metropolitan area
Best broad regional topographic overview	Perth Special SH50-14 1:250,000 Topographic Map	One-sheet regional context at 1 centimetre to 2.5 kilometres
Best early Perth-and-Fremantle historical map	Perth Post Office Directory Wall Map 1908	Shows both municipalities and their early twentieth-century relationship
Best mid-century metropolitan map	Metropolitan Perth Historical Wall Map 1952	A strong postwar snapshot of the expanding metropolitan area
Best transport-history map	Perth Historic Tramways Wall Map 1949	Reveals how Perth’s tram network once structured movement through the city

The Short Answer

For most residents, visitors and relocating families, the Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662 is the best first purchase. It combines useful street detail with a wider view of Greater Perth.

For a home, office or classroom, add either the Perth & Region Hema laminated wall map or, where several people need to work around the map, the larger Perth & Region Hema Supermap.

For sales, deliveries, health services, schools or community organisations, add the Perth Postcode Map or the more operationally detailed Perth Business UBD 665 Wall Map.

For bushland, utilities, field work, emergency planning or terrain analysis, begin with the WA Topo 25 series, then use 1:100,000 or 1:250,000 mapping for the wider picture.

For local history, the 1908, 1949 and 1952 maps answer three different questions: how Perth and Fremantle related at the start of the twentieth century, how people moved through the tramway city, and how the postwar metropolitan area was taking shape.

A street map explains how the city works. A topographic map explains why it developed where it did. A historical map shows how both have changed.

One Metropolitan Region, Five Different Mapping Problems

The phrase “a map of Perth” can mean several very different things.

A Street Map Answers: How Do I Move Through the City?

Street maps prioritise:

• road names and road hierarchy;

• suburb names and boundaries;

• railway lines and stations;

• major facilities and points of interest;

• river crossings;

• access routes;

• route continuity across adjoining suburbs.

They are the natural choice for residents, visitors, drivers, relocation planning and understanding the relationship between Perth and Fremantle at street level.

A Wall Map Answers: How Does the Whole Metropolitan Region Fit Together?

Wall maps sacrifice portability in exchange for overview. They allow a team, class or family to see the metropolitan region simultaneously rather than scrolling through it one screen at a time.

They are especially useful for:

• route and territory planning;

• property and development discussions;

• education;

• visitor itineraries;

• customer distribution;

• marking projects, assets or service locations;

• comparing the coast, river, inner city, outer suburbs and hills.

A Postcode Map Answers: How Is Work Organised?

Postcodes are used every day in:

• deliveries;

• customer databases;

• sales territories;

• demographic analysis;

• marketing;

• service allocation;

• school and community communication;

• health, trades and professional services.

But postcodes are not the same as suburbs, local government areas, electoral divisions or legally surveyed boundaries. A postcode map is an operational tool, not a universal boundary authority.

A Topographic Map Answers: What Is the Land Doing?

Topographic maps represent terrain and physical features through contour lines, spot heights, watercourses, vegetation, roads, tracks, grids and named features. Around Perth, they make the transition from coastal plain to scarp immediately legible. They are useful for field work, outdoor planning, environmental work, utilities, surveying context, emergency planning and teaching map skills.

A Historical Map Answers: What Was Here Before?

Historical maps reveal earlier street networks, transport systems, boundaries, place names and patterns of development. They can support family history, architecture, heritage studies, urban research and interior display.

They are not current navigation maps. Nor are they neutral or complete records. They reflect the purposes, naming conventions, technical limitations and institutional perspectives of the time in which they were produced.

1. Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662

Best All-Round Street Map of Perth and Fremantle

The Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662 is the strongest starting point for most people who want one practical paper map of metropolitan Perth.

It is a large, double-sided map. One side provides detailed central metropolitan coverage at approximately 1:25,000, including the Perth–Fremantle corridor and surrounding suburbs. The other presents Greater Perth at approximately 1:114,000, extending from the northern suburbs to the Mandurah area and including a Pinjarra inset.

The map shows:

• streets and major roads;

• suburb names and boundaries;

• postcodes;

• railway lines;

• parks and reserves;

• waterways;

• major infrastructure;

• an index for finding streets and places.

Why It Works

The two scales solve the most common street-map problem. The detailed side is suitable for understanding inner and middle suburbs, while the Greater Perth side keeps the longer metropolitan journey visible.

A phone may efficiently guide a driver from one address to another, but it often hides the wider structure. The UBD map shows how:

• Fremantle relates to the Perth CBD;

• the Swan River divides and connects the metropolitan area;

• rail corridors align with major suburban axes;

• coastal suburbs form a continuous north–south strip;

• the Kwinana Freeway, Mitchell Freeway and other major roads organise movement;

• the city transitions towards the hills in the east.

Best For

Choose UBD 662 for:

• residents and new arrivals;

• self-drive visitors;

• trades and mobile services;

• real-estate and relocation discussions;

• route planning between Perth and Fremantle;

• household emergency reference;

• anyone wanting street detail without buying a full street directory.

Important Buying Note

The product is offered in different finishes and formats. Edition information can differ between variants derived from different print runs, so check the selected option on the product page before ordering if a particular edition is critical.

2. Perth & Region Hema Map

Best for Visitors, Day Trips and Regional Context

The Perth & Region Hema Map is a strong alternative for travellers who need metropolitan orientation and regional touring coverage in one folded map.

The metropolitan side is approximately 1:30,000 and includes central Perth, Fremantle and major inner and middle suburban areas. The reverse is approximately 1:250,000 and reaches well beyond the city towards destinations including the Swan Valley, Mundaring, the Avon region, Guilderton, Lancelin, Rockingham, Mandurah and Pinjarra.

Why It Works

This is less a street-finding tool for every suburban road than a planning map for understanding a visit. It helps answer questions such as:

• Can Fremantle and the Perth CBD be combined in one day?

• How does the Swan Valley sit in relation to the city?

• Is Mandurah a metropolitan extension or a separate day trip?

• Where do the coast, river and hills create natural touring circuits?

• Which destinations belong together geographically?

Best For

Choose the Hema map for:

• interstate and international visitors;

• hire-car trips;

• hotel and visitor-centre reference;

• itinerary planning;

• day trips beyond the metropolitan core;

• a paper companion to digital navigation.

The listed product is the current Mapworld offering, but travellers for whom road currency is critical should still verify the edition shown for the selected item and use current official road information alongside it.

3. Perth & Western Australia Large QPA Map

Best for Seeing Perth Within the State

The Perth & Western Australia Large QPA Map places Greater Perth on one side and Western Australia on the other.

The Perth side extends broadly from Yanchep to Pinjarra and includes suburbs, postcodes, roads, towns and major infrastructure. The state side provides the larger Western Australian framework.

Why It Works

Perth is often the beginning or end of a much longer journey. A visitor may arrive through Perth but be planning:

• the Coral Coast;

• the South West;

• the Great Southern;

• the Goldfields;

• the Kimberley;

• a transcontinental drive.

This map keeps the metropolitan arrival and the statewide journey together. It is especially useful for Australian travellers whose trip moves rapidly from airport, accommodation and city roads to regional highways.

Best For

Choose it for:

• visitors combining Perth with regional Western Australia;

• travel desks and accommodation providers;

• trip planning at home;

• migration and relocation conversations;

• families who want city and state context on one sheet.

4. Perth–Fremantle Cycle Map

Best for Understanding the River and Coastal Cycling Corridor

The Perth–Fremantle Cycle Map focuses on the relationship between Perth and Fremantle from a cyclist’s perspective.

It shows cycle routes and connections alongside major roads, suburbs, railway stations, parks, beaches and other orientation features. It is useful because a cycling journey has a different logic from a driving route. The safest or most enjoyable path may follow the river, coast, rail corridor or shared path rather than the most direct arterial road.

Best For

Choose it for:

• recreational cycling;

• commuting discussions;

• school or family route planning;

• accommodation and visitor information;

• combining rail and bicycle travel;

• understanding the continuous Perth–Fremantle corridor.

What It Cannot Tell You

A printed cycle map cannot show temporary path closures, works, detours, event restrictions or recent network changes. Treat it as an overview and planning surface, then confirm the chosen route against current local and transport information before departure.

5. Perth UBD 662 Laminated Wall Map

Best Compact Street-Oriented Wall Map

The Perth UBD 662 Laminated Wall Map brings familiar UBD metropolitan mapping into a practical wall format of approximately 690 × 1000 millimetres.

It is a strong choice when street and suburb geography matter more than decorative appearance. Its scale and size are suited to a home office, small business, operations desk, school resource room or visitor-information setting.

Best For

Use it for:

• marking customers or jobs;

• discussing routes with staff;

• comparing suburbs;

• planning service calls;

• teaching metropolitan geography;

• keeping a permanent Perth reference visible.

If the selected map is double-sided, decide which face needs to remain visible before installing it. A double-sided sheet is extremely useful on a table but only one side can face the room when it is mounted flat against a wall.

6. Perth & Region Hema Laminated Wall Map

Best General Metropolitan Wall Map

The Perth & Region Hema 700 × 1000 mm Laminated Wall Map is the best general-purpose choice for a clear overview of Greater Perth.

At approximately 1:80,000, it covers the metropolitan region from the northern suburbs to the southern metropolitan area and east towards Mundaring. It includes the street hierarchy, suburbs, postcode information, parks and other major orientation features without attempting to reproduce every detail of a street directory.

Why It Works

At wall-map scale, selective detail is an advantage. A map needs to remain legible from a normal viewing distance. The Hema map provides enough structure for planning without allowing local street detail to overwhelm the metropolitan pattern.

Best For

Choose it for:

• homes and home offices;

• small and medium businesses;

• classrooms;

• real-estate and relocation discussions;

• tourism planning;

• community organisations;

• a permanent general reference.

7. Perth & Region Hema Supermap

Best Large Wall Map for Shared Planning

The Perth & Region Hema Supermap increases the metropolitan map to approximately 1000 × 1430 millimetres and a scale of about 1:56,000.

That larger format matters when several people need to read the map at the same time. More wall area means larger labels, clearer spatial relationships and more room for removable markers.

Best For

Choose the Supermap for:

• boardrooms and meeting rooms;

• operations centres;

• sales and service teams;

• schools and training rooms;

• councils and community organisations;

• property, infrastructure and development discussions;

• anyone who regularly needs to stand back and see the whole metropolitan region.

Mapworld also offers Perth wall maps in still larger formats and a range of finishes. Before ordering, measure the usable wall rather than the room. Allow space for rails, frames, doors, switches, furniture and comfortable viewing distance. The guide What Size Wall Map Do I Need? explains the practical differences between standard, Supermap and Megamap formats.

8. Perth Business UBD 665 Wall Map

Best Map for Territories, Operations and Commercial Geography

The Perth Business UBD 665 Wall Map is designed for organisations that need more than a general street map.

At approximately 1.02 × 1.36 metres and around 1:70,000, it includes:

• the metropolitan street network;

• postcode boundaries and numbers;

• local government areas;

• industrial and commercial zones;

• radial distance rings from the Perth GPO;

• the broader structure of Greater Perth.

The title and specification table on a product page can occasionally round dimensions differently, so confirm current dimensions and finish options before designing cabinetry or a dedicated mounting space.

Why It Works

Business geography rarely follows a single boundary system. A service manager may need streets, postcodes and local government areas simultaneously. A sales director may need to see where customers cluster in relation to industrial areas and travel distance. A tourism or property team may need to compare the CBD, airport, port, river and suburban growth corridors.

This map creates a common spatial language for those discussions.

Best For

Choose it for:

• sales territories;

• delivery and service operations;

• property and development teams;

• trades and mobile workforces;

• logistics and distribution;

• local-government liaison;

• customer and asset mapping;

• strategic planning.

For more on working maps, read Why Laminated Maps Are Ideal for Business Use and The Best Wall Maps for Boardrooms and Meeting Rooms.

Choosing a Wall-Map Finish

The cartography is only half the buying decision. The finish determines how the map can be used.

Paper

Paper is best when:

• the map will be framed under glass;

• pinning is required;

• the lowest-cost format is preferred;

• a matte, traditional appearance is wanted.

Laminated

Lamination is best when:

• the map will be handled frequently;

• it needs to be wiped clean;

• suitable whiteboard markers will be used;

• the room is a classroom, office or shared operational space;

• protection from splashes and everyday wear is important.

Test markers in an unobtrusive corner and wipe them off promptly. Permanent marker is not suitable.

Laminated with Timber Hang Rails

Hang rails are best when:

• the map should arrive ready to hang;

• a frame is unnecessary;

• the map may need to be moved later;

• a clean office or institutional presentation is wanted.

Canvas

Canvas is best when:

• the map is primarily decorative;

• a softer, gallery-style finish is preferred;

• local geography forms part of an interior-design scheme;

• write-on use is not required.

Not every map is available in every finish, and lead times can differ for rail-mounted products. Check the options shown on the individual product page.

Browse the full Western Australia wall map collection and read Best Wall Maps of Western Australia for a wider comparison.

9. Perth Postcode Map

Best Dedicated Postcode Map for Greater Perth

The Perth Postcode Map is a dedicated metropolitan postcode map measuring approximately 788 × 1120 millimetres. It shows postcode boundaries and numbers, supported by a suburb index.

Best For

Choose it for:

• sales and service territories;

• direct marketing;

• delivery planning;

• customer-database analysis;

• health and community services;

• school and childcare administration;

• trades and mobile work;

• visualising where enquiries or customers originate.

The Essential Limitation

Postcodes were created for mail sorting and delivery. They can be very useful geographic units, but they are not interchangeable with:

• gazetted suburb boundaries;

• local government areas;

• state or federal electorates;

• school intake areas;

• emergency-service districts;

• health-service catchments;

• cadastral or property boundaries.

Postcodes are operational geography, not legal boundaries.

If a decision has regulatory, funding, eligibility or legal consequences, verify the governing boundary through the responsible authority rather than inferring it from a postcode wall map.

10. Western Australia Postcode Map

Best for Organisations Working Beyond Perth

The Western Australia Postcode Map is the better choice when an organisation serves both metropolitan and regional customers.

It combines statewide postcode boundaries and numbers with an index of towns and suburbs. This makes it useful for comparing Perth with regional Western Australia on one planning surface.

Best For

Choose it for:

• statewide sales teams;

• freight and distribution;

• government and not-for-profit services;

• regional customer analysis;

• tourism and accommodation networks;

• education and health organisations;

• organisations whose Perth office coordinates statewide work.

Browse the complete Mapworld postcode map collection for metropolitan, state and national options.

11. Western Australia 1:25,000 Topographic Maps

Best Detailed Mapping for Terrain and Field Use

The WA Topo 25 series is the most detailed standard topographic option in this comparison.

At 1:25,000:

• 1 centimetre on the map represents 250 metres on the ground;

• 4 centimetres represents 1 kilometre;

• a sheet covers a relatively compact area;

• contour intervals are commonly 5 or 10 metres, depending on the sheet;

• grids and coordinate information support precise field reference.

The WA Topo 25 Landgate series product page provides ordering information and an index for choosing the correct sheet. Sheets are available only for selected areas, including Perth metropolitan coverage, the South West and other higher-demand locations.

Why 1:25,000 Matters Around Perth

At this scale, the land becomes much more legible. Contours reveal:

• the rise towards the Darling Scarp;

• valleys and drainage lines;

• ridges and slopes;

• the relationship between tracks, roads and terrain;

• the physical constraints around bushland and reserves;

• why some routes are direct and others wind around landform.

Best For

Choose 1:25,000 mapping for:

• bushwalking and outdoor planning;

• environmental field work;

• utilities and infrastructure context;

• emergency and evacuation planning;

• land-management discussions;

• schools teaching contours, grids and scale;

• professionals who need a detailed paper field reference.

Selecting the Correct Sheet

A topographic sheet is selected by coverage, not simply by the nearest well-known place name. A project close to a sheet edge may require two or four adjoining maps. Before ordering:

1. locate the exact site or route;

2. consult the series index;

3. identify every sheet crossed by the work area;

4. check the edition, datum and coordinate system;

5. choose paper, waterproof or laminated format according to use;

6. record the sheet name or number as required in the order notes.

Read How to Find the Right Topographic Map Sheet for Any Location in Australia before ordering a boundary-area project.

12. Perth, Fremantle and Pinjarra 1:100,000 Topographic Maps

Best for Broad Terrain Context Across Multiple Districts

The legacy Geoscience Australia 1:100,000 series provides a useful intermediate view between local 1:25,000 sheets and broad 1:250,000 regional mapping.

The key local sheets are:

• 2034 Perth 1:100,000 Topographic Map;

• 2033 Fremantle 1:100,000 Topographic Map;

• 2032 Pinjarra 1:100,000 Topographic Map for southern context.

At 1:100,000:

• 1 centimetre represents 1 kilometre;

• each sheet covers a much larger area than a 1:25,000 map;

• terrain patterns remain visible;

• regional relationships are easier to understand;

• small local details are necessarily generalised.

Best For

Use the 1:100,000 sheets for:

• regional terrain overview;

• education and map-reading practice;

• historical landscape comparison;

• reconnaissance before choosing detailed sheets;

• understanding Perth, Fremantle and the country to the south as connected topographic areas;

• projects where a 1:25,000 mosaic would be unnecessarily detailed.

Currency, Edition and Datum Warning

These are legacy Geoscience Australia sheets, not current metropolitan street maps. Across the national 1:100,000 series, publication dates, revision histories and datums vary. Some sheets use AGD66; others use GDA94. Urban roads, suburbs, access arrangements and named features may have changed substantially since a sheet was compiled.

For any current field, engineering, surveying, emergency or legal application:

• check the edition and datum printed on the specific sheet;

• do not assume a legacy road or track remains open;

• transform coordinates correctly when combining datums;

• supplement the sheet with current authoritative spatial data;

• use current access, closure and safety information.

The maps remain valuable topographic references, but their age must be part of the interpretation.

Browse the complete Australia 1:100,000 Geoscience topographic map collection.

13. Perth Special SH50-14 1:250,000 Topographic Map

Best Broad Regional Topographic Overview

The Perth Special SH50-14 1:250,000 Topographic Map is designed for regional understanding rather than local street or walking navigation.

At 1:250,000:

• 1 centimetre represents 2.5 kilometres;

• a large area fits on one sheet;

• major terrain, waterways, roads and settlements are easy to compare;

• local tracks, minor features and urban detail are necessarily limited.

Best For

Choose it for:

• broad Perth-region context;

• regional education;

• strategic planning discussions;

• identifying which more detailed sheets are needed;

• understanding the coastal plain, scarp and surrounding country on one sheet;

• a paper overview supporting GPS or detailed digital mapping.

Like the 1:100,000 series, this is legacy mapping. Check the sheet’s edition and datum, and do not use it as a substitute for current road, access or safety information.

Browse the full Australia 1:250,000 topographic map collection.

Which Topographic Scale Do You Need?

Scale	Ground distance represented by 1 cm	Relative detail	Best Perth and Fremantle uses	Main limitation
1:25,000	250 m	High	Local terrain, contours, field work, bushland, precise route context	Many sheets may be needed for a long corridor
1:100,000	1 km	Medium	District overview, education, regional terrain and adjoining-area planning	Legacy sheets vary in age and datum; local detail is reduced
1:250,000	2.5 km	Broad	Regional overview and strategic context	Too general for local navigation or detailed field decisions

The largest scale number is not the most detailed map. 1:25,000 is more detailed than 1:100,000, because a smaller area has been enlarged to fill the sheet.

For a deeper explanation, read:

• 1:25,000 vs 1:50,000 vs 1:100,000 Maps: What’s the Difference?

• How to Choose Topographic Maps for Western Australia

• How to Read a Topographic Map in Australia

14. Perth Post Office Directory Wall Map 1908

Best Early Map Linking Perth and Fremantle

The Perth Post Office Directory Wall Map 1908 is particularly valuable because it includes both Perth and Fremantle within one early twentieth-century mapping document.

The map shows municipal boundaries and mile-radius rings centred on Perth and Fremantle, together with streets, place names and spot heights. At approximately 750 × 1000 millimetres, it is large enough to function as a serious display and research object.

Why It Matters

The map records a region before modern metropolitan continuity. Perth and Fremantle appear as distinct urban centres connected through a landscape that had not yet been filled by continuous suburbia.

It can prompt questions about:

• the relationship between port and capital;

• early municipal boundaries;

• transport distance;

• the growth of suburbs;

• older street names;

• family and business addresses;

• what later development retained, altered or erased.

Best For

Choose it for:

• family-history research;

• heritage displays;

• schools and libraries;

• architecture and planning offices;

• local-government foyers;

• Perth and Fremantle homes;

• a distinctive local gift.

15. Perth Historic Tramways Wall Map 1949

Best Map of Perth’s Former Public-Transport Geography

The Perth Historic Tramways Wall Map 1949 records the city’s electric tram network near the end of the tramway era.

The approximately 940 × 750 millimetre map shows:

• tram routes and termini;

• loops and junctions;

• major streets;

• river crossings;

• connections with other transport corridors;

• the relationship between the tram system and the urban fabric.

Why It Matters

Transport maps reveal more than transport. They show which suburbs were connected, which corridors carried daily life and how people understood distance before the dominance of the private car.

The map is useful for comparing historic routes with today’s:

• railway lines;

• bus corridors;

• activity centres;

• main streets;

• patterns of inner-suburban density.

It also creates a natural discussion about how transport infrastructure shapes urban development over decades.

16. Metropolitan Perth Historical Wall Map 1952

Best Postwar Snapshot of Metropolitan Growth

The Metropolitan Perth Historical Wall Map 1952 shows the city at a pivotal moment. Perth was entering the postwar era of population growth, motorisation and outward suburban expansion, but the later metropolitan footprint had not yet formed.

Produced through the Western Australian lands and survey administration of the period, the map measures approximately 990 × 750 millimetres and provides a strong mid-century reference for comparing old and new Perth.

Best For

Choose it for:

• studying suburban expansion;

• heritage and planning discussions;

• tracing family neighbourhoods;

• comparing transport and road patterns;

• decorating a Perth home or office with meaningful local cartography;

• showing students how rapidly metropolitan geography can change.

Reading Historical Maps Responsibly

A historical map is evidence, but it is not a complete history.

Colonial and government maps may accurately record roads, surveyed boundaries and official place names while giving little or no recognition to pre-existing Aboriginal geography, language, use of Country and cultural meaning. They may also contain outdated terms, superseded boundaries and assumptions that should be explained rather than reproduced uncritically.

The most useful approach is to place historical maps beside:

• a current street or topographic map;

• Aboriginal place-name and cultural resources developed with Traditional Owners;

• local histories;

• aerial imagery;

• heritage registers;

• archival photographs;

• oral histories;

• current cadastral and planning information where boundaries matter.

Historical maps should never be used for current navigation, property definition, access decisions or marine safety.

Browse Mapworld’s full historical wall map collection.

Building the Right Perth and Fremantle Map Kit

The best choice depends less on the word “best” than on the user’s actual task.

For a Resident or Newly Arrived Family

Start with:

• Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662;

• Perth & Region Hema wall map for the home office;

• current digital navigation for live traffic and temporary changes.

This combination provides street detail, metropolitan overview and live routing.

For a Visitor, Hotel or Tourism Organisation

Start with:

• Perth & Region Hema Map;

• Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662 for detailed orientation;

• Perth–Fremantle Cycle Map where cycling is part of the visit;

• a wall map in a reception or planning area.

A good visitor map should show not only attractions but relationships: airport to city, city to port, river to coast, Perth to Fremantle and metropolitan area to day-trip region.

For a Sales, Service or Delivery Organisation

Start with:

• Perth Business UBD 665 Wall Map;

• Perth Postcode Map;

• Western Australia Postcode Map if the business extends statewide;

• removable map dots and suitable whiteboard markers where the finish allows.

Keep the authoritative territory definition in the organisation’s data system. Use the wall map for shared understanding, discussion and anomaly detection.

For a School, University or Training Organisation

Combine:

• a current Perth wall map;

• one or more WA Topo 25 sheets;

• a 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 sheet for scale comparison;

• the 1908, 1949 or 1952 historical map;

• digital spatial data and current satellite imagery.

This allows students to study scale, symbols, contours, urban growth, transport history, naming and the differences between operational and cultural geographies.

For a Field, Environmental or Emergency Team

Combine:

• the relevant WA Topo 25 sheets;

• a 1:100,000 or 1:250,000 overview;

• current digital mapping and agency data;

• a compass and the skills to use it;

• printed operational mapping prepared for the specific task;

• current weather, access, closure and incident information.

A retail topographic map provides context and redundancy. It does not replace incident-specific operational maps, current agency information, permits, risk assessments or professional survey data.

For a Local-History Researcher or Gift Buyer

Choose according to the story:

• 1908 Post Office Directory Map for early Perth–Fremantle relationships;

• 1949 Tramways Map for transport history;

• 1952 Metropolitan Perth Map for postwar growth.

Then choose paper for framing, lamination for handling and teaching, or canvas for a more decorative finish.

Paper and Digital Mapping Work Best Together

The choice is not between paper and digital.

Digital mapping is exceptional at:

• live traffic;

• turn-by-turn directions;

• public-transport timing;

• searching for an address or business;

• temporary road closures;

• recent path changes;

• rapid coordinate sharing;

• switching between map and aerial imagery.

Paper mapping is exceptional at:

• showing the whole metropolitan region at once;

• maintaining context while a route is discussed;

• supporting several people around one map;

• revealing alternative routes without repeated zooming;

• teaching scale, direction and spatial relationships;

• remaining available without signal, account, battery or software;

• accepting handwritten notes or removable markers;

• preserving a historical view.

As argued in The State of Mapping in Australia 2026, the return to paper is not a rejection of digital navigation. It reflects demand for overview, permanence, ownership and geographic understanding.

The most resilient system uses both.

Always Check Current Conditions

No printed map can display a closure or disruption that occurred after it was printed.

Before travelling or undertaking field work, check the sources relevant to the activity:

• Main Roads Western Australia Travel Map for state-road alerts and closures;

• Transperth service disruptions for current public-transport changes;

• Parks and Wildlife Service Park Alerts for park roads, trails, closures and diversions;

• Emergency WA for current warnings and incidents;

• the relevant local government for local roads, paths and works;

• the responsible land manager for access, permits and closure information.

A Special Note for Fremantle and Marine Use

Street maps and topographic maps are not nautical charts. Anyone navigating on the Swan River, at Fremantle, around Rottnest Island or along the coast should use suitable, current marine information.

Browse Mapworld’s Western Australia inshore charts and consult the Department of Transport’s current nautical charts and Notices to Mariners. Commercial and regulated vessels must comply with the chart-carriage and navigation requirements that apply to their operation.

Why Mapworld Is the Best Place to Begin

Mapworld’s value is not simply that it sells a map labelled “Perth”. It brings together different forms of mapping that would otherwise be difficult to compare:

• folded street and touring maps;

• laminated wall maps;

• large business maps;

• metropolitan and statewide postcode maps;

• detailed WA Topo 25 sheets;

• legacy national 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 topographic series;

• historical maps in several display finishes;

• nautical charts and navigation equipment;

• maps from specialist Australian publishers and mapping agencies.

That range makes it possible to build a mapping system around the task rather than forcing one map to perform every role.

Explore:

• Western Australia maps, guides and road atlases

• Western Australia wall maps

• Postcode maps

• Western Australia 1:25,000 topographic maps

• Australia 1:100,000 Geoscience topographic maps

• Australia 1:250,000 topographic maps

• Historical wall maps

• Topographic maps of Australia

Complete Featured Perth and Fremantle Map Directory

Street, Touring and Cycle Maps

• Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662

• Perth & Region Hema Map

• Perth & Western Australia Large QPA Map

• Perth–Fremantle Cycle Map

Perth Wall Maps

• Perth UBD 662 Laminated Wall Map

• Perth & Region Hema 700 × 1000 mm Paper Map

• Perth & Region Hema 700 × 1000 mm Laminated Map

• Perth & Region Hema 700 × 1000 mm Laminated Map with Hang Rails

• Perth & Region Hema 700 × 1000 mm Canvas Map

• Perth & Region Hema Supermap Laminated

• Perth & Region Hema Supermap Paper

• Perth & Region Hema Supermap Laminated with Hang Rails

• Perth & Region Hema Supermap Canvas

• Perth & Region Hema Megamap Paper

• Perth & Region Hema Megamap Laminated

• Perth Business UBD 665 Wall Map

Postcode Maps

• Perth Postcode Map

• Western Australia Postcode Map

Topographic Maps

• WA Topo 25 Landgate Topographic Map Series

• 2034 Perth 1:100,000 Topographic Map

• 2033 Fremantle 1:100,000 Topographic Map

• 2032 Pinjarra 1:100,000 Topographic Map

• Perth Special SH50-14 1:250,000 Topographic Map

Historical Maps

• Perth Post Office Directory Wall Map 1908

• Perth Historic Tramways Wall Map 1949

• Metropolitan Perth Historical Wall Map 1952

Final Verdict

There is no single best map of Perth and Fremantle because the word “map” conceals several different tasks.

Best Overall Street Map

The Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662 is the best general starting point for residents, visitors and anyone who needs metropolitan street orientation.

Best Touring Map

The Perth & Region Hema Map is the strongest choice for visitors combining city exploration with day trips beyond the metropolitan core.

Best General Wall Map

The Perth & Region Hema 700 × 1000 mm Laminated Wall Map offers the best balance of metropolitan coverage, legibility and practical size.

Best Large Planning Map

The Perth & Region Hema Supermap is better for boardrooms, classrooms and shared planning.

Best Business Map

The Perth Business UBD 665 Wall Map is the best choice for organisations that need postcodes, local government areas, commercial zones and the street network together.

Best Postcode Map

The Perth Postcode Map is best for metropolitan work. The Western Australia Postcode Map is better for statewide operations.

Best Detailed Topographic Mapping

The WA Topo 25 series provides the highest local detail. The 2034 Perth and 2033 Fremantle 1:100,000 sheets provide broader legacy topographic context, while the Perth Special 1:250,000 map is best for regional overview.

Best Historical Map

The Perth Post Office Directory Wall Map 1908 is the most direct historical answer to the article’s title because it places Perth and Fremantle within one early metropolitan document. The 1949 tramways and 1952 metropolitan maps add transport and postwar-growth perspectives.

Best Complete Map Kit

For the strongest all-round system, combine:

• UBD 662 for street detail;

• a Hema wall map for metropolitan overview;

• a postcode or business map if work is organised by territory;

• the relevant WA Topo 25 sheets for terrain;

• a 1:100,000 or 1:250,000 map for broader context;

• a historical map for understanding change;

• current official digital information for conditions that can change.

Perth and Fremantle are not merely two labels on the same metropolitan map. They are connected cities with different histories, functions and identities, shaped by river, coast, port, plain and scarp.

The right map does more than locate them.

It explains their relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best street map of Perth?

The Perth City Streets & Suburbs UBD 662 is the best all-round folded street map. It combines detailed central metropolitan mapping with a broader Greater Perth overview.

Does the UBD Perth map include Fremantle?

Yes. Its detailed metropolitan coverage includes the Perth–Fremantle corridor, while its broader side extends across Greater Perth.

What is the best Perth map for visitors?

The Perth & Region Hema Map is especially useful for visitors because it combines metropolitan orientation with broader day-trip coverage.

What is the best wall map of Perth?

For most homes and offices, the Perth & Region Hema 700 × 1000 mm laminated map offers the best balance. Choose the larger Hema Supermap where several people need to view and mark the map together.

What is the best Perth wall map for business?

The Perth Business UBD 665 Wall Map is the strongest operational choice because it combines roads, postcodes, local government areas, commercial and industrial zones, and radial distance rings.

Can I write on a laminated Perth wall map?

Suitable whiteboard markers can generally be used on laminated maps and wiped clean. Test first, remove markings promptly and never use permanent marker.

What is the best map of Perth postcodes?

The Perth Postcode Map is the best dedicated metropolitan postcode reference. The Perth Business UBD 665 is better when postcode information needs to be viewed alongside business and local-government geography.

Are postcode boundaries the same as suburb boundaries?

No. Postcodes are mail-sorting and delivery constructs. They should not be treated as exact substitutes for suburb, council, electorate, school, health or legal boundaries.

What scale topographic map should I use around Perth?

Use 1:25,000 for detailed local terrain and field planning, 1:100,000 for district-scale context and 1:250,000 for a broad regional overview.

How much ground does 1 centimetre represent on a 1:25,000 map?

One centimetre represents 250 metres. Four centimetres represents one kilometre.

Which 1:100,000 topographic maps cover Perth and Fremantle?

The key local sheets are 2034 Perth and 2033 Fremantle. The 2032 Pinjarra sheet provides useful southern context.

Are the 1:100,000 Perth and Fremantle maps current street maps?

No. They belong to a legacy Geoscience Australia topographic series. Check the edition and datum and use current authoritative data for roads, access and professional decisions.

What is the best historical map of Perth and Fremantle?

The 1908 Perth Post Office Directory Wall Map is the strongest single map linking the two cities historically. It shows municipal boundaries, streets, mile-radius rings and other period detail.

Is there a historical map of Perth’s tramways?

Yes. The Perth Historic Tramways Wall Map published in 1949 shows routes, termini, loops, junctions and major streets.

Can a historical map be used for present-day navigation?

No. Historical maps are for research, education and display. Roads, names, access, boundaries and infrastructure may have changed.

Can I use a Perth street map for boating around Fremantle?

No. Use current nautical charts, Notices to Mariners and the navigation information required for the vessel and activity.

Should I still carry a paper map if I use GPS?

Yes. Paper provides overview, shared planning and independent reference. Digital navigation adds live routing, traffic and current disruptions. The strongest system uses both.

Where can I buy Perth and Fremantle maps in Australia?

Mapworld stocks folded street and touring maps, wall maps, postcode maps, topographic sheets, historical maps and marine charts with Australia-wide delivery.

Related Mapworld Articles

• Best Wall Maps of Western Australia

• How to Choose Topographic Maps for Western Australia

• How to Find the Right Topographic Map Sheet for Any Location in Australia

• 1:25,000 vs 1:50,000 vs 1:100,000 Maps: What’s the Difference?

• How to Read a Topographic Map in Australia

• What Size Wall Map Do I Need?

• Why Laminated Maps Are Ideal for Business Use

• The Best Wall Maps for Boardrooms and Meeting Rooms

• The State of Mapping in Australia 2026

• Best Maps for the Munda Biddi Trail

• Best Maps for the Cape to Cape Track

 

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