Perth, capital of Western Australia, sits where the Swan River meets the southwest coast. Sandy beaches line its suburbs, and the huge, riverside Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
Perth, capital of Western Australia, sits where the Swan River meets the southwest coast. Sandy beaches line its suburbs, and the huge, riverside Kings Park and Botanic Garden on Mt. Eliza offer sweeping views of the city. The Perth Cultural Centre houses the state ballet and opera companies, and occupies its own central precinct, including a theatre, art galleries and the Western Australian Museum.
10:00am-11:00am : Twilight Hawkers Market
11:30am-2:00pm : Fremantle Prison
On the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of 11 Australian Convict Sites, Fremantle Prison paints a vivid image of the country's penal-colony history. Convicts built the prison in the 1850s. Today you can explore the prison on a guided tour, including a torch-lit option. Navigate tunnels 20 m (65 ft) beneath the ground on foot and by boat. The prison art gallery sells pieces created by current and ex-prisoners in Western Australia.
2:30pm-3:30pm : State War Memorial
Located on Mount Eliza and overlooking Perth Water, State War Memorial houses the Cenotaph, a well-known city landmark. Erected in honor of all Australian soldiers whose remains are buried elsewhere, the Cenotaph represents an "empty tomb." Anzac Day is a national holiday observed in April to honor Australians and New Zealanders who served in the military and died in wars and peacekeeping operations. On Anzac Day, a service is held at the memorial that attracts over 40,000 visitors. At this site, you can also visit the flame of remembrance and a pool of reflection, inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000.
4:00pm-6:00pm : Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Set on 400 hectares (988 acres) looking out on downtown Perth, the Swan River, and the Darling Range hills, Kings Park and Botanic Garden presents you with a spectacular landscape of Western Australian bushland, manicured park grounds, and colorful botanic gardens. Blooming wildflowers make September the best time to visit, but you can enjoy walks through coastal bushland and by colorful flowerbeds any time of year. Bold Park contains over 1,000 species of native and nonnative plants, animals, and fungi. The Botanic Garden showcases plants from Western Australia and other temperate climates around the world. Relax at one of the many cafes during the day or take in the view of the glittering Perth skyline at night.
10:00am-10:30am : Outback Red
11:00am-12:30pm : The Bell Tower
Come see one of the largest sets of ringing bells in the world at The Bell Tower. The tower is a modern architectural delight, with its copper and glass bell tower and 18 bells. Climb the spiral staircase to ring the bells yourself. Take a rest at the observation deck and enjoy the views of the Swan River and urban surroundings. If you prefer to stay at ground level, walk on the path inlaid with ceramic tiles around the tower. Opened in 2000 to commemorate the new millennium, The Bell Tower has become a city icon.
1:00pm-4:30pm : Swan River
Swan River provides an excellent venue for enjoying a sunny day in Perth. Like the locals, you can boat, fish, kayak, and swim in the clean water, or enjoy a picnic and view from the riverbanks. Various companies provide river cruises, introducing you to an ecosystem that includes water plants, fish, crabs, dolphins, osprey, pelicans, and black swans. Head upriver to the Swan Valley to tour a winery or downriver to see historic Fremantle at the river's mouth.
5:00pm-6:00pm : London Court
A walk in Elizabethan-times shopping arcade, London Court, will make you feel like you stepped into a Harry Potter alleyway. The authentic Tudor mood at this at this open-roofed arcade comes from its ornate facade and wrought-iron gates. Built it 1937, its large blue-faced clock at Hay Street entrance still chimes every quarter-hour. Above the clock, four knights know as "Tournament of Armored Knights," circle in the window. The interior is full of statues looking down on shoppers below. The stylish retail stores will compete for your attention with gargoyles, crests, and weathercocks displayed on the walls. As your footsteps echo on the floor laid with terracotta tiles, you will understand why London Court was listed in the State Heritage Register.
10:00am-1:00pm : Scarborough Beach
Scarborough Beach is known for great year-round surfing, which made it the site of Australian Surf Life Saving Championships several years in a row. The beach is located within an entertainment district with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs and can be easily accessed from Perth by bus or car. The long stretch of white sand, lapped by warm blue water, attracts local families, as well as tourists from around the world. Crowds pick up on the weekends, when the strip of sand becomes colored with bright towels. There are very few trees here, so consider bringing an umbrella or small tent for shade.
2:00pm-5:00pm : Caversham Wildlife Park
Meet some of Western Australia's furry residents at Caversham Wildlife Park, a family-ran sanctuary sheltering many species of indigenous creatures. Be sure to stick around for penguin feeding, a daily activity that thrills kids and adults. A farmyard petting zoo provides further photo opps for the whole family.
10:00am-2:00pm : Perth Zoo
Discover wildlife from four different continents at the Perth Zoo. Here you'll encounter over 1,200 animals across 160 species. Gaze at koalas, red kangaroos, wallabies, and Tasmanian Devils in the Australian Bushwalk exhibit. See crocodiles, frogs, tortoises, and local birds in Australian Wetlands. Reptile Encounter brings you up close with snakes and lizards, and Penguin Plunge showcases penguins waddling on beaches and swimming around reefs. Feed giraffes at African Savannah, which is also home to lions and cheetahs.
2:30pm-3:00pm : The Fremantle Round House
Given the country's history as a penal colony, it might not surprise you that Western Australia's oldest public building is a former prison. Built in 1830, the rotund white-brick The Fremantle Round House originally housed convicted prisoners before becoming a police lockup. The chief constable and his family began to occupy the building in 1900. Today, you can tour the seaside building and ask knowledgeable volunteer guides questions. Head to the upper deck for scenic views of the Fremont coast and offshore islands.
3:30pm-5:00pm : Fremantle Markets
Equally appealing to both tourists and locals, Fremantle Markets remains one of the finest shopping destinations in Western Australia. Bringing together over a century of history and heritage, the markets now host over 150 stalls run by craftspeople, vegetable growers, food producers, fashion designers, and merchants. Look for the fresh produce section to stock up on tasty treats and snacks, or head straight for the food court to have your fill of globally popular street specialties.Snoop around Fremantle Markets to buy indigenous souvenirs like boomerangs and didgeridoos. Explore the 150 vibrant shops and discover why the market was listed in the Register of Heritage Places. Built in 1897, the market is lined with small shops selling crafts in the indoor hall and fresh produce in outdoor yard. Walk past street performers and enter the market through the ornate stone arches. The rough washed limestone of the walls and the high iron roof add to the charm. A walk at the market is a good way to spend a rainy day since it is covered. Try the kangaroo jerky.
5:30pm-6:00pm : Fremantle Chocolate
10:00am-11:30am : Art Gallery of Western Australia
See Western Australian art and design from the 1820s to the present, including Australian indigenous art and contemporary international art at Art Gallery of Western Australia. The art collection includes over 15,000 works. Be inspired by works of Matisse and Frida Carlo or contemplate Laurie Anderson’s self-playing violin. Every year, an exhibition called “Year 12 Perspectives” showcases prints, paintings, and sculptures. The main gallery is housed in the Jubilee Building. The adjacent Centenary Gallery building was formerly the Police Courts building.
12:00pm-3:00pm : Matilda Bay Reserve
Youth Exchange A Great Opportunity for International Travel for Current Secondary School Students in Year 12. Twelve months in a foreign country with board and accommodation provided by host families is offered by ROTARY INTERNATIONAL to all students who will be 16 years old but not yet 18 on the 1st of January.
3:30pm-5:00pm : The Perth Mint
At the The Perth Mint, learn about Perth's historical importance to Australian gold mining. During a guided talk, hear stories about the 19th-century gold rush in Western Australia. Watch the heating of pure gold into liquid and then its transformation into a gold bar. See the most valuable gold coin in the world, the world's large collection of gold bars, and Australia's largest collection of gold nuggets.
10:30am-12:00pm : WA Maritime Museum
WA Maritime Museum houses a notable collection of historic objects and boats, including the winged-keel Australia II, which won the America's Cup in 1983. The museum presents a full history of marine activity on the Western Australian coast and offers tours of HMAS Ovens, a retired Oberon-class submarine, one of the site's most popular attractions. The Museum houses several galleries that explore WA's maritime relationship and features temporary exhibitions, including museum exclusives, world premieres, and national and international tours.
2:30pm-5:30pm : Cottesloe Beach
If you want to know how good the lifestyle of many of Perth's residents is, head to Cottesloe Beach. Only 15 minutes from the city center, this 1.5 km (1 mi) expanse of golden sand meets clear Indian Ocean water ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. Enjoy a picnic and watch a game of cricket on the grass of the nearby Cottesloe Esplanade. The town of Cottesloe has a slow pace, but also plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can sample fresh seafood specialties.
10:00am-6:00pm : Wine Tours & Tastings
.jpg)
Scroll
