Yagan Square, Perth: History, Market Hall

Yagan Square, connecting Perth’s city centre with the Northbridge cultural and nightlife area, is the perfect spot to meet friends before an evening out.

If you want to meet somewhere spectacular in Perth, then try Kings Park, quirky London Court or riverside Elizabeth Quay. For something more practical, however, there’s always Yagan Square.

Yagan Square is the meeting point for high quality Perth small bar tours and street art tours.,

Yagan Square is a key milestone in the multi-million dollar project to join Perth’s city centre with Northbridge, which has historically been Perth’s Chinatown, cultural precinct and nightlife district.

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✅ See the Rottnest Island quokkas the smart way – with a ferry and bike package.
✅ Be amazed by the abundant wildlife – on a dolphin, penguin and sealion cruise.
✅ See clear night skies in a moon-like desert – on a Pinnacles stargazing experience.
✅ Indulge in chocolate, cheese & premium wines – on a Swan Valley food and wine tour.
✅ See the city sunset from the water – on a Swan River dinner cruise.
✅ Watch gold being melted and poured – on a Perth Mint gold tour.
✅ Combine nature with imperious city views – on Kings Park Segway tour.
✅ Face your fears and get the thrill of your life on a – on a 15,000ft skydive.
✅ Find all the best hidden hangouts – on a small bar and street art tour.

Yagan Square cylinder in Perth — Yagan Square has arguably become the best place to meet in Perth. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions.

Train lines had previously divided the two, and in a rather ugly manner. This meant the abutting edges of both the city and Northbridge were a little grubby and sketchy.

Now, those trains run underground, and the space has been filled. There are now some startling new additions and plenty of life.

How Yagan Square got its name

Yagan Square got its name from a local Aboriginal warrior who resisted British settlement.

In the middle of Yagan Square stands a giant cylinder with 14 spikes on the top. These deliberately look like the bullrushes that surrounded the lakes which once filled this spot. And there are 14 of them as a nod to the 14 languages spoken by the indigenous Noongar people.

Around the Yagan Square cylinder is wrapped a giant video screen, which plays often trippy, psychedelic works. Don’t be surprised to see footage of sea lions swimming and looking into the camera.

5 great day trips from Perth – make your visit special

Rottnest Island ferry transfer – with bike hire and snorkelling gear. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pinnacles desert – with koalas 🐨 and sandboarding.
Wave Rock day tour – with wildflowers & Aboriginal culture.
Margaret River wineries experience 🍷 – with tastings, caves & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.
Full day Swan Valley wine tour 🍷– with lunch.

Yagan Square building design

The jarringly asymmetric main building in Yagan Square spreads over three levels. Various strata represent the Western Australian landscape, with black granite, sandstone, limestone, zinc quartz, rust-like corten steel and local timbers.

On the top level, there’s a weird little playground that looks a little like Tellytubbyland, but on an alien planet. Two large granite egg sculptures, symbolise the eggs of Western Australia’s famous black swan. There’s also a water feature trickles all the way down to ground level via mini-fountains. This is a big hit with kids, who merrily splash around in it.

Yagan Square Market Hall

There are restaurants on each level, but the most interesting addition is the Yagan Square Market Hall, which is to all intents and purposes a food court, but a posh one where some really interesting ideas are being tried out rather than just generic slop being dished up.

One outlet is Maalinup Bush Foods, which specialises in native ingredients. It’s an offshoot of an Aboriginal art gallery and bush food store in the Swan Valley. Maalinup sells marmalades made from native limes, plus pies with ingredients such as lamb, saltbush and bush mints or beef and pepperberry.

Elsewhere Primal Pantry in Yagan Square Market Hall boasts “100% clean eating”, with some fabulously tasty wraps, Honeycake sells incredibly more-ish honeyed layer cakes and Toast My Curry sells “Naasties” – spicy Indian toasties made with naan.

In other words, there’s plenty to see while waiting, and plenty to eat and drink after everyone has arrived. You can then head off in either direction – towards Northbridge or Perth city centre. It’s a really handy meeting place.