The Perth Experience
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

	The Perth City Skyline from King's Park1

Perth in Western Australia is a laid-back, sun-bathed coastal gem perched on the edge of the world. It is the most isolated state capital in the world, but has a population of more than 1.5 million people. The city rests on the banks of the Swan River to the west of the Darling Range in southwest Australia. Perth boasts the beautiful and lush King's Park in the centre of the city, Fremantle with its culturally charged weekend markets and rich history, the Perth Zoo, the Perth Aquarium, the Swan Bells and plenty more. Popular pastimes in the region include sandboarding, waterskiing, wakeboarding, scuba-diving, surfing, sailing and countless other outdoor pursuits.

Before the arrival of Europeans, the land was inhabited by the Whadjuk Noongar people. The British began their colonization of Western Australia in 1829 when they founded the Swan River Colony to prevent occupation of the land by French forces. In 1850, Australia began to receive convicts. With this influx, population of the Swan River Colony swelled and massive agricultural projects began to develop, prompting Queen Victoria to announce the colony's city status in 1856.

A 'Roo in the Perth Zoo2

USEFUL LINKS FOR A STAY IN PERTH

• Accommodations Directory—This is a complete Perth accommodation directory containing detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.
  
  
• Secure Room Reservations—Check for Perth room availability and then make secure online room reservations for participating properties with this convenient link.
  
  
• Map—The Perth map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating where accommodations are located,but also where they are in relation to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.
  

ORIENTATION AND CLIMATE

The scrapers and towers of Perth's downtown core rest on the north bank of the cerulean Swan River, and beside the foothills and ranges that span eastwards beyond the city's edge. King's Park sits immediately to the west on elevated ground, and provides an excellent vantage point for views of the entire Perth skyline. Directly across the river from downtown lies South Perth and the surrounding communities. The sandy beaches and the ports of Fremantle can be found at the point where the Swan River meets with the swells of the Indian Ocean, while Hillarys Boat Harbour is dug in among Perth's northern suburbs on the coast. The Aquarium of Western Australia, plenty of shopping and theme parks abound at this active harbour.

	A Surfer Takes to the Tide3

Perth's climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean. The region experiences a hot, dry summer that begins in late December and ends in late March. Average highs during this period linger around 30ºC (86ºF). Clear, blue skies are a constant in Perth throughout the summer months apart from occasional periods of rainfall. A hat to block the sun and light fabrics should be worn all the time to help remain cool and avoid heat stroke. The Australian sun is a sweltering beast; accordingly, sunscreen must be donned whenever one is outdoors as sunburns Down Under are far from pleasant. The winters in Perth are mild and occur from May to September. During this period, temperatures usually hover around 20ºC (68ºF). Cold snaps do hit the city though and weather as chilly as 5ºC (41ºF) has been known to cool off the city's inhabitants.

ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION

Due to the city's isolation, the best way to reach Perth is by air. Nearly all inbound flights land at the Perth International Airport, which is situated east of the downtown core. Rental cars are available at the airport, as are a plethora of taxi cabs that wait to take travellers to the inner city. Transperth maintains a fleet of buses that traverse the city in addition to four different railways that transport passengers north, south, east and west. Highway 1 runs north to Geraldton and eventually Broome, and south to Bunbury and Albany on Australia's southern shores. Highway 94 takes travellers to the east, eventually meeting up with Highway 1 and onwards to Adelaide, which is an astounding 2,700 km (1,678 mi) east of Perth.

By car, Perth and surrounding areas are easily accessible. Traffic is mild except during peak periods when workers leave the inner core. The city is also home to a web of bicycle paths that bind its neighbourhoods together. Maps are available in most bike shops and at accommodations throughout the city.

EXPERIENCING PERTH

Remember Sacrifice in King's Park4

Perth is a large, culturally diverse city that boasts a wide array of attractions, accommodations and activities. It contains many beaches suitable for swimming and surfing, however, the centerpiece of the city is the immensely vast King's Park. Situated high on the bluffs on the north bank of the Swan River to the west of the city's downtown business district, the park is 4 sq km (1.5 sq mi) in area and is home to beautiful memorials depicting struggles around the world involving the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. King's Park also contains a botanical garden that showcases a plethora of native flora.

	A White Pointer at AQWA5

For those interested in getting up close and personal with some of Western Australia's fauna, there are two facilities to check out in town. The first is the Aquarium of Western Australia, located in north Perth on the coast. Here, visitors get the opportunity to experience over 400 species of sea life while walking through the longest underwater tunnel in the country. The aquarium also features an enclave dedicated to seals—aptly named Seal Island. Daily feedings and short performances keep the seals busy all day.

The second attraction that features local wildlife is the Perth Zoo. The city's zoo contains more than 1,800 animals representing 230 different species. The zoo has been open every day of the year since its inception and offers exhibits such as the “African Savanna”, “Asian Rainforest Zone”, “Australian Walkabout”, “World of the Birds" and “Nocturnal House”, as well as a crazy abundance of plant species included in their vast botanical collection.

The Swan Bells in Barrack Square6

For a more historical experience, many tourists opt to visit the Perth Mint, which is the oldest operating coin and bullion foundry in the country. To this day the mint continues to press collectible gold coins. Each day, visitors get the chance to see molten yellow liquid turned into currency.

Fine dining, shopping and the city's nightlife can be experienced on King's Street, Hay Street and Murray Street in the heart of downtown. Abounding restaurants, pubs, clubs and stores ensure that there's always something going on in the city centre. The major commercial district is Barrack Street, which heads toward the Swan River and Barrack Square. The square features the Swan Bells, one of the largest musical instruments in the world. It contains 18 bells, 12 of which originally came from the St. Martin-in-the-Fields church in London's Trafalgar Square. Barrack Square and the adjoining jetty provide dining options, a waterway stop for tours and cruises and a place for leisurely folk to moor their boats while visiting the square.

BEYOND PERTH

	A Mild Night in Freo7

Perth provides visitors to Western Australia with a launching point for the exploration of Western Australia. Just to the south of the city, and easily accessible by train, is the port town of Fremantle. Freo oozes lazy, sun-drenched beaches, elegant dining, a huge industrial port facility and the historical Fremantle Prison, which dates more than 100 years back into Australia's criminal past. The town's world-famous market can be found here as well. The Freo markets are open for business from Friday to Sunday, and offer artisan crafts, food of all varieties, souvenirs and virtually everything else. Rottnest Island, a small ferry ride away from the coastline, provides an almost tropical experience and is vastly popular with visitors and locals.

Bunbury's Burning Skies8

Heading South
The charm of Southwestern Australia can be experienced in the cozy, coastal town of Bunbury 180 km (111 mi) south of Perth. Here, dolphin and whale-watching tours are offered, but the town's main strip is where all the action takes place. Bunbury offers plenty of shopping, internet cafés, exquisite dining opportunities and a roaring nightlife, despite its small size. Continuing south, visitors will come across endless vineyards and untouched countryside in and around Margaret River, which also provides folks with the chance to pursue outdoor activities like hiking, canoing and caving. One of the most highly acclaimed surf spots in Australia is just outside Margaret River at Yallingup Beach.

	Albany's Surrounding Parkland9

Augusta is located on the southwest tip of the continent where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, 320 km (199 mi) south of Perth. The historical lighthouse, fresh seafood and close proximity to Albany draw tourists to this remote settlement. Many people stop to check out the Valley of the Giants near Walpole, halfway between Augusta and Albany. The Valley of the Giants features the Tree Top Walk, which takes guests up and into the canopy of an old-growth forest. Albany rests along the country's southernmost coastline. Visitors here get to lounge on Middleton Beach, enjoy the various parks and natural rock formations in the region and experience one of the most relaxing destinations in all of Western Australia.

Nambung's Infamous Pinnacles10

Heading North
The northern portion of Western Australia offers its own unique experiences for the avid explorer. Enormous dunes of white sand can be found 127 km (79 mi) north of Perth in the township of Lancelin. Here, sandboarding is the activity of choice with a few shops in the area renting the necessary gear. Tour companies based in Perth provide sandboarding packages that include transportation, equipment and usually a light meal for the drive up to the dunes. The Pinnacles Desert is located in the Nambung National Park near the town of Cervantes and is 245 km (152 mi) north of Perth.

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PHOTO COURTESY

1. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; Perth's City Skyline from King's Park; Perth, WA, Australia.
2. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; A 'Roo in the Perth Zoo; Perth, WA, Australia.
3. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; A Surfer Rips Up The Tide; Perth, WA, Australia.
4. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; The War Memorial in King's Park, WA, Australia.
5. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; A White Pointer at AQWA; Perth, WA, Australia.
6. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; The Swan Bells Toll in Barrack Square; Perth, WA, Australia.
7. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; A Mild Night in Fremantle; Fremantle, WA, Australia.
8. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; Bunbury's Burning Night Skies; Bunbury, WA, Australia.
9. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; The Lush Parklands Surrounding Albany; Albany, WA, Australia.
10. Chad Williamson; c/o Chadmium.net; The Pinnacles Desert; Nambung National Park, WA, Australia.