Location
Isolated in the far west of Australia with a small population, by city standards, sits Perth. Isolated it may be, but culturally vibrant it is. Perth lives by the laid back Australia lifestyle that visitors expect. Its beaches rival any of their more famous cousins on the west coast. Perth really does have it all, a cosmopolitan vibe with great food, bars, and more activities than you can shake your didgeridoo at. The natural landscape here is pristine, the sea, wildflowers, Swan River, parks, and bush rolls seamlessly together to create this marvellous city.
Getting to Perth - Your Travel Options
The easiest way to reach Perth is by plane, in fact at one time many years ago the only way to reach the city was by boat. The airport serves both international and domestic destinations. Located only 9km from the city, it's easy to transfer to and from the airport. Taxis and shuttle buses are inexpensive and regular.
The other main way to reach Perth is by train. This route is definitely for the adventurous and not ideal if you're on a budget. The trip from Sydney takes three nights and four days it what can only be called on the world's few epic train journeys.
Arriving by bus isn't really a great option. There are no coach services traversing Australia and the coach journey between Perth and Darwin is an arduous 2.5 days. It is possible to make the drive from Adelaide, but having to cover 2,700km certainly makes it necessary to do some serious planning and not be on time constraints.
When to Visit Perth
Temperatures in Perth are warm year-round. The summer can get hot and is certainly ideal for hitting the beach. Average summer temperatures hover around 30C but can reach the sizzling heights of 40C. The winter is never very cold, but it can be wet and it's certainly not warm either. If you want to visit to enjoy the outdoors, which is one of the main draws of Perth, then it's best to avoid the winter months; it's certainly not warm enough to soak up the sun on the beach. One of the best months to visit is October. This late spring month benefits from winter rain and wildflowers both in the bush and city areas are in all their splendour. Generally speaking the best times to visit are from March to April and October through November, as the summer heat may be too much for many people to take.
What's On in Perth
When it comes to sports Perth is certifiably Australian Rules Football mad. The season runs from March through August with a match taking place every weekend. If you're visiting during this time, this is one local institution that you shouldn't miss. The other major sporting event is the Perth Cup, a day when visitors and locals alike descend upon Ascot Racecourse and watch one of Australia's biggest horse races. Fashion rules this day and you can be sure that only the finest dresses and hats will be on show. The races takes place on New Year's Day.
Like most Australians, Perth's residents love celebrating Australia Day every January 26. In Perth, it is the biggest holiday with the centre point being Kings Park were more than 350,000 people descend to watch a brilliant fireworks displays, laser lights, and be merry.
If you love music Big Day Out each February is always amazing. With as many as eight stages and some of the world's most popular artists and bands performing. This festival is highly popular, so make sure to keep an eye out for ticket sales if you want to go. In addition to this wildly popular event Perth hosts the Perth International Comedy Festival, which easily gives Edinburgh's annual event of the same type a run for its money.
Activities and Attractions
Perth can boast some of Australia's best beaches, which is really saying something. Turquoise waters and white sand are tantalisingly enticing. If you're relying on public transport the easiest beaches to reach are Scarborough and Cottelsoe. Cottesloe is arguably Perth's best beach, it is certainly one of its most loved. In addition to the beaches, Perth is an excellent destination for cycling. Excellent bike paths cover the city; the Swan River routes are particularly picturesque.
The hills surrounding Perth are rich with grapes. Not the eating kind, but the wine making kind. Some great wines are created in the local wineries and wine tasting in Swan Valley is one of Perth's best activities. If you're on a budget or want a fun introduction to the city then join and i-City walking tour; it's free, interesting, and flexible.
Top Attractions
Kings Park is a must see attraction. This massive park spans hundreds of hectares and offers amazing city views. The park has a vast array of plant and bird life including natural brush land, eucalyptus and boab trees. A highlight of the park is its Botanic Garden.
Did you know that Australia has Penguin's? Well just 45-minutes south of Perth is the pristine and unspoilt Penguin Island, part of the Shoalwater Islands. Here you'll discover the biggest little penguin colony in the world. The surrounding waters are also rich with dolphins, sea birds, sting rays, and sea lions. Another of Perth's best attractions also centres around sea life. The Aquarium of Western Australia features poisonous fish, stingrays, sea snakes, turtles, sharks, and many other types of local and international sea creatures.
After Dark: Perth at Night
Live music, cool pubs, and cafés are a plenty in Perth. The city's multicultural population means the cuisine in Perth covers just about every craving you may have. For a quirky restaurant the serves up some delicious Asian food head to Kitsch Bar Asia; check out the bar's collection of exotic beers too. For those who want to indulge the C Restaurant should hit the spot. With its award winning wine list and amazing dishes featuring local produce this is a place not to miss if your wallet with stretch enough.
As far as drinking holes go Perth has more than its fair share of swanky spots to spend the night. While choosing the best is a daunting task Clarences Bar and its boutique cider range, Venn Bar & Café slash art gallery is certainly funky, and 1907's cocktails of the highest quality would compete well for the best.