| Western Australia |
| Western Australia is the largest of the Australian States and Territories, covering roughly one-third of the continent, and has less than one-tenth of the nation's population. For the traveller, the contrast in scenery is just as great. Some of the most impressive scenery in Western Australia is in the far south-west along the surf battered cliffs bordering Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park, and in the far north-west among the stark, vivid gorges and rivers of the Hamersley Range and Kimberley region. A visit to this remote, dramatic region is a unique experience - in keeping with many areas of the State. |
| Perth |
| Perth is the only
major city on Australia's vast west coast. It lies in the south-west corner
of the State of Western Australia, about 19 kilometres inland from the
port of Fremantle, on the banks of the Swan River. It is sheltered by
the grassy slopes of Mount Eliza, and from the city the blue-hued hills
of the Darling Ranges lie in full view. Perth, with its population of around 1.2 million, is an expansive, friendly place. For decades it has welcomed immigrants from Europe and Asia; today it spreads its broad arms out to the thousands of tourists who come to delight in what this easy-going city has to offer. Perth is a laid-back city, a place that celebrates the outdoors, the sporting life, good food and wide spaces; but it is also a city characterised by fierce ambition. Its billionaires, towering buildings, outstanding achievements in the arts, sciences and sports - all provide testament to the city's desire to maintain an identity distinct from that of the rest of the continent - a desire that has its historical roots in the vast distance that separates Perth from Australia's other capitals. Interesting Places Ferry trip - along the Swan River to the historic port town of Fremantle Kings Park - a huge bushland reserve offering magnificent views of the city and splendid wildflower displays in spring Lake Monger - go to see the city's icon, the black swan, and a large number of other spectacular native waterbirds London Court - watch knights on horseback joust above one entrance to this arcade, while St George and the dragon do battle over the other Northbridge - known for its restaurants, cafes and its cosmopolitan atmosphere Fremantle - this salty, old, port town is Perth's favourite other place with its rich historic heritage and waterfront shopping and dining Perth Mint - the closest most people get to a fortune Perth Tram - a fun way to discover the city and its attractions Scitech Discovery Centre - for impressive hands-on science and technology displays Underwater World - meet killer sharks and other marine creatures face to face Getting Around There is no hardship involved in getting around Perth. Public services are excellent, and a range of special tourist operations provide visitors with a comprehensive overview of the city's best sites. The City Clipper service is a free state-of-the-art bus service that operates around central Perth. Transperth is responsible for the operation of the main public transport system that includes buses, trains and ferries. The buses cover central Perth and suburbs, and the train service has a limited suburban network, that includes a run to the popular seaside destination of Fremantle. Transperth ferries cross the river from the Barrack Street jettty to the Mends Street jetty (South Perth) every half hour. Transperth also operates river cruises, as do a number of private companies. Popular destinations for ferry cruises include Fremantle and Rottnest Island. Most cruises leave from the Barrack Street jetty. Getting around by car should present no problems in Perth. Traffic is generally light, particularly outside of peak hour, and the roads are safe and well-signed. There are a number of car-hire outlets at the airport and around the city, or look in the 'Yellow Pages' telephone directory under 'Car Rental'. It you hire a vehicle, check the fine print carefully - many companies charge extra or will not insure for out of town, or off-road travel. Taxis are widely available and reasonably priced - a taxi fare from the international airport will cost about $20, or around $15 from the domestic airport. The airport is also serviced by public and private buses. Cycling is a real option in Perth. There are bicycle paths along the river as far as Fremantle, and throughout the city's magnificent tracts of parkland. There are free cycling booklets available from the Western Australian Tourist Centre in the city, also the place to get information on the vast array of self-guide heritage walks around the city and inner suburban areas. Shopping Perth has a small but vibrant inner-city shopping precinct contained within the blocks bounded by St Georges Terrace and William, Wellington and Barracks streets. The area is linked by a series of pedestrian malls, overpasses and underground walkways, enabling easy, traffic-free access for shopping pedestrians. A feature of the city shopping precinct is London Court, an elaborate, Elizabethan-style arcade with knights on horseback and dragons coming out to do battle on the hour. The city's squares, in terms of design and facilities, are among Australia's best public gathering places. Good suburban shopping precincts include Bay View Terrace in Claremont, Napoleon Street in Cottlesloe and Rokeby Road in Subiaco - all of which offer a wonderful range of fashion and gifts to delight the most discerning shopper. Perth has an extraordinary number of markets, so many that the bargain hunter and knick-knack buyers could spend a good week or two doing nothing but combing through the stalls of arts, crafts, antiques, clothing, seafood, junk, books and so on. Markets include: Fremantle Market, Station Street Market, Subiaco and Subiaco Pavilion Market, and Perth Central markets Restaurants & Nightlife Fresh fruit and vegetables, superb beef, and seafood straight from the clear waters of the Indian Ocean, all readily available for consumption beneath the warm blue skies of the city. There is no single style of cuisine that predominates here. Perth's speciality is variety with everything on offer from the spicy, complexity of South-East Asian cooking to the sun-drenched earthy tastes of dishes from the Mediterranean. Outdoor eating is almost obligatory in this city with its near-perfect climate. Good food can be complemented by the excellent range of West Australian wines from the Margaret River and Swan Valley wine regions. Some of Perth's favourite spots include Frasers in Kings Park (excellent views of the city skyline) and Mead's Fish Gallery in Mosman Park (sensational seafood). Good dining precincts include Northbridge (ethnic and bohemian bustle, and an eclectic range of eateries and cafes) and Fremantle (well worth the trip for its glorious waterside restaurants and cafes). Perth's nightlife has something to suit all tastes, everything from opera in a grand old theatre, cinema under the stars or the thrill of gaming tables. It is worth timing your visit to catch a theatre, dance or opera performance at His Majesty's Theatre, Australia's only remaining theatre from the grand Edwardian period. Other major venues include the Perth Concert Hall, the Entertainment Centre and the Regal Theatre in Subiaco, a splendid Art Deco affair. Alternatively, take advantage of Perth's glorious weather, and check out the program offered by the indoor/outdoor Luna Cinemas at Leederville, or consider a twilight cruise on the Swan River. Perth has no shortage of nightclubs, bars and live music venues, especially in the Northbridge area - check the daily broadsheet, the 'West Australian', on Thursdays when a complete entertainment guide appears, or pick up a free copy 'X-Press', a local gig guide. Not to be missed is the Burswood Casino, with its 140 gaming tables, restaurants, cabaret and cocktail bars. Airport Transfers Perth's international and domestic airports are 10 kms apart and located 20 kms north of the city. Transfer time is approximately 35 minutes. |
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