Hey, I am thinking of taking a quick trip to Perth and Western Australia before I head home in a few weeks and need some advice about what to do and how to get the best (and spend the least) out of the wee time I have. At the moment I'm in NZ but am coming home after a year and a half away and want to see some the 'real' Australia I missed when I was last there. Cheers, hope you are all having a great time wandering the world...
Emily
Yay!
I live in Perth and love it. Good to hear you're thinking of visiting!
I do suggest staying in Fremantle for a bit. It's a fantastic tourist destination and locals love it too. Not that it's touristy, it's just that it beams with culture and vibrancy (if that's a word).
Check out the Fremantle markets which are open Friday (until 9pm), Saturday and Sunday.
And in regards to staying places cheap... well I am a member of couchsurfing.com which offer people free accomodation. I may be able to help you out. Send me an email if you need more info. But there are hostels and stuff scattered around. I think they're about AU $20 a night.
There's a train line from Fremantle to Perth and on the way there are stops that you can just get off at and have a walk around. My suggestion would be to catch a Coach bUs and head down south to Margaret River, Dunsborough and places like that - have a go at surfing (even better if it's cold). I can remember a return ticket being no more than AU$50. Half the price if you're a student.
Well, send me an email if you need anything else
-snip-
and goodluck! 
[ Edit: Sorry, no email addresses please... use MC instead ]