With it’s fantastic climate, relaxing lifestyle and country charm , the city of Perth is a great place to visit Numerous water sports are available as the city is located on the picturesque Swan River ( the Black Swan is the State emblem ) and in addition it’s close to the beaches of Scarborough, Cottesloe and the popular resort of Rockingham. Take a river cruise to the Swan Valley winegrowing region or an sign up for an adventure cruise – there are a number of cruise operators to choose from.
A Perth car rental provides a great way to see Perth and the surrounding areas. There are some great accommodation choices and Perth hotels, while fewer in number, are on a par with the accommodation found in the eastern states.
There are lots of sidewalk cafes and restaurants in the Northbridge area and there’s no shortage of entertainment at the popular Burswwod Entertainment Centre. Delightful views of the city can be seen from the botanic gardens at Kings Park with its abundance of local flora.
Take an historic tour of the city and discover many of the convict-built buildings which still stand today – there is the Perth Mint, Government House and the Perth Town Hall, all worthwile visiting. These restored buildings stand proudly alongside the many skyscrapers of more recent years. Other places of interest for the visitor are Perth Cultural Centre, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the gallery of Aboriginal History and for a those interested in science there is the Scitech Discovery Centre.
Numerous restored buildings with their colonial architecture are still evident at of The Old Flour Mill, Tranby House and Woodbridge House in Guildford.
Underwater World offers you the opportunity to get close to local marine life and there is plenty of Australian wildlife to view at the Perth Zoo
In recent years, Perth has expanded to such a degree that Fremantle, the port for Perth, is now almost incorporated into the city of Perth. For the America’s Cup yacht races of 1987, historic buildings and sites were renovated and restored and today sidewalk cafes and restaurants abound providing a exhilirating multinational atmosphere. Visit the Fremantle Markets, visit the Maritime Museum with its intriguing exhibits , and discover some of the history of this area at the Fremantle History Museum and the Fremantle Prison. All offer interesting reminders of the history of this region.
Whale watch cruises operate from both Perth and Fremantle during the months of October to November and to see the colony of fairy penquins on Penquin Island, you will need to take a boat trip from Shoalwater Bay.
Another popular destination is Rottnest Island located just off the coast of Perth. There are over 60 beaches to choose from and the area boasts some of excellent scuba diving and snorkelling spots. Surfing is also very popular. on the island Rottnest Island is home of the pint-sized kanagaroo, the quokka and the island bears its name as the indigenous marsupial was originally mistakenly described as a large rat. Touring round the island on a bike is a popular acitivity but there are also guided tours available. Learn about the history of the area which was once used as an prison for Aboriginal men,
Further north from Perth, you will find plenty of wildfowers in the Spring. Visit the towns of New Norcia, Dalwallinu, Morawa and Mullew, the latter two being a bit further afield, nearer to Geraldton. There are numerous parks in the area too, including Yanchep National Park and Nambung National Park both well known for their limestone formations. Visit the restored flour mill in the Berkshire Valley and the farming centre of Moora. Northam, situated north east of Perth is popular for its many historic buildings such as Buckland House and its wildfowers .
Attend and have fun at the annual Avon Descent event for canoeist and whitewater rafting enthusiasts. The towns of Brookton, Beverley, York and Toodyay all situated on the banks of the river. Most of these towns have historic convict-built buildings and York, whichboasts a National Trust vintage car museum and hosts some of the popular States fesitivals.
Further south , there is Mandurah, a popular holiday beach resort as well as being popular spot for good fishing and prawning. There is also the historic town of Pinjarra located on the Murray River where steam engine buffs can hop on the Hotham Valley Railway for a ride .
The Wheatlands of Western Australia stretch from the Great Eastern Highway in the east and south towards the coastal fringes of Albany . This area is immensely popular for its abundance of wildflowers in the spring. Merredin is the major centre of the area and boasts an interesting renovated railway station . Rock formations, caves and Aboriginal rock art can be found around this area and the town of Hyden is only a short distance from the one of Australia’s famous landforms, Wave Rock. Take the time for visit Narrogin with its interesting heritage railway museum and the only remaining section of a eucalypt forest which once covered the area, can be seen at the nature conservation and wildlife refuge area of Dryandra Woodland.
