Perth
Perth city - where everything comes together!
Welcome to the city of Perth - the capital of Western Australia, the nation’s largest state. Its superb position on the banks of the beautiful Swan River and nearby hectares of natural bushland in Kings Park make for a city centred on the great outdoors.
Top things to see and do...
- Visit Kings Park
- See the Bell Tower at Barrack Square and cruise the Swan River
- Indulge in some city arts and culture at a gallery, museum or theatre
- Watch a gold pour at The Perth Mint
- Visit Northbridge for the specialty shops, great food and culture
- Dine out at the great restaurants on offer
- Hire a bike or kayak and explore the city and river
- See the city sights on a day tour
- Take a free guided walking tour of the city with an i-City Volunteer
- Go shopping at the wide range of city stores and boutiques
City centre
For an upbeat tempo, head to Perth's city centre. This vibrant area is lined with pedestrian malls jammed packed with a riot of varied shops. Stock up on stylish Australian fashions, buy some Aboriginal art or simply sit at a cafe and watch the parades of people passing by.
You'll also find find theatres, galleries and museums offering a kaleidoscope of entertainment, arts and cultre. Step back in time and learn about the area’s colourful past on a free guided walk with the city of Perth’s i-City Volunteers.
Swan River
Grassy parkland lines much of the Swan River. Enjoy a picnic and watch the sunset and city come alive with light. Hire a kayak, bike or sailboat to explore the river's quiet reaches. Or book at Swan River cruise from Barrack Square which will take you the bustling port city of Fremantle or east to the Swan Valley Wine Region. You can also jump on a ferry for a short trip across the river to South Perth.
The Swan also provides for action lovers, with water sports available right in the heart of the city. Try ski-biscuiting, windsurfing, jet skiing or parasailing to really get the adrenaline pumping. Such activities are especially glorious in Perth city, with the shining brilliance of towering city buildings set as a stunning backdrop to the dazzling waters of the Swan.
East Perth
East Perth is also well worth the visit. This area combines vibrant inner city living and natural beauty with funky public art and a wealth of physical activities. Set out on the Claisebrook Cove Public Art Walk to discover the weird and wonderful talents of urban designers, landscape architects and artists. Alternatively, consider taking to the waters. You can enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Claisebrook Cove with boats, kayaks and other water vessels.
You can also wander into one of the bars, cafés and restaurants overlooking the Cove to enjoy a meal and the stunning view. The more active may decide to explore the area on walking and cycling trails. These trails wind throughout the region, leading down to the banks of the Swan River. The Trafalgar Road footbridge also stretches across Claisebrook Cove and is only open to pedestrians and cyclists so you won’t have to worry about traffic.
Northbridge
For a kaleidoscope of foods, wines, arts, culture and vibrant night life head direct to Northbridge. This cultural hub just a five minute walk from the Perth central business district is renowned for its incredible line up of bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes, funky speciality shopping, cultural venues and fresh produce. Start your day here by immersing yourself in the culture of the Art Gallery of WA and the WA Museum.
Northbridge is famed for its sheer diversity of restaurants in the one setting. You can enjoy Thai, Chinese, Indian, Greek, Egyptian, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and food halls for those on a budget - the list goes on and on. Many of these restaurants feature al fresco dining, creating a vibrant Mediterranean holiday atmosphere.
Once the sun begins to set, Northbridge truly comes to life. This is the time to enjoy a beer and perhaps some live music at one of the bars or dress up and sip on cocktails at a trendy nightspot. With so much on offer the only difficulty you’ll encounter is deciding how to fit it all into one holiday. And you haven’t even left the city yet!
Explore further...
The jewel in the city's crown, Kings Park is one of the largest inner city parks in the world. Located within a short walk of the city, it is a major drawcard for both visitors to Perth and locals alike. Find out more
Victoria Park is a quaint, leafy, quirky spot tucked away in the CBD’s shadow on the other side of the Swan River famed for its culinary smorgasbord. Find out more
Upcoming city events
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Mount Lawley |
Dates: 02 – 20 May, 2012
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Perth |
Dates: 11 – 26 May, 2012
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East Perth |
Dates: 27 – 27 May, 2012