It is connected to the CBD via the Narrows Bridge which carries the Kwinana Freeway and Mandurah railway line.

South Perth is primarily residential, with commercial areas along major thoroughfares such as Canning Highway, Mill Point Road and Angelo Street.

The history of the area now known as South Perth before permanent European settlement was broadly similar to that in other parts of what became the Swan River Colony.

The 1860s saw the realisation that large-scale farming in the district had no future, although dairying, timber cutting and vegetable growing continued.

After the discovery of gold in Kalgoorlie in 1893, a number of Chinese, who had been unable to take up Miner's Rights in the goldfields for racial reasons, joined them in South Perth.

The Chinese worked very hard and grew good quality fruit and vegetables, which the local population were happy to buy.

The Chinese market gardens successfully operated for many years, despite many attempts by local authorities to serve them with notices alleging uncleanliness or health hazards.

The real estate boom of the 1880s, which coincided with the discovery of gold in the Kimberley saw a slow but appreciable growth in the number of residents.

It is open every day of the year and its exhibits include Australian wildlife, as well as exotic and rare animal species.

The Mends Street Jetty connects South Perth to the central business district by a regular ferry service operated by Transperth.