Perth, Australia

Most of the two million people who live in Western Australia reside in the sophisticated and scenic state capital. Perth grew on the banks of the Swan River, named after the Scottish city of the same name, and was proclaimed by Queen Victoria as a city in 1856. The discovery of gold in Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, to the east of the city, in the 1890s led to a dramatic rise in its population and an economic boom. Another boom followed in the 1960s with the mining profits of iron ore and nickel.



Today the city is characterised by numerous waterways, green parks and a compact central business district. There is plenty to occupy visitors in Perth, from touring the city by tram or bus, enjoying watersports on the Swan River or just sipping a glass of the famous local wine in a riverside or beachside restaurant. Perth has more restaurants per capita than any other Australian city. Not far from the city is Western Australia's oldest wine-growing region, Swan Valley, which welcomes tourists to visit the many award-winning family-owned wineries, which offer alfresco and restaurant meals and cellar tastings.



Perth is also the site of the world's oldest operating mint, and boasts several museums and art galleries, historic buildings, a casino and a good variety of shopping opportunities. Last, but not least, the city offers more than 50 miles (80km) of white sandy beaches in close proximity. Among the most popular are Cottesloe and Scarborough.

Perth Attractions

London Court

Built in 1937, Perth's London Court is set amongst modern skyscrapers in the heart of the city. The small pedestrian 'street' is located between the Hay Street Mall and St Georges Terrace, and is reminiscent of the Tudor style buildings of England. Walking through...  see full details

Perth Day Trips

Monkey Mia Resort

At this remarkable resort, situated near the town of Denham about 525 miles (830km) north of Perth in the Shark Bay Heritage area, visitors have the opportunity to interact and hand-feed the local wild dolphins who visit the shore each day. Several bottlenose dolphins regularly visit the beach at Monkey Mia, sometimes up to three times a day, while others who are less tame wait just offshore. Visitors are encouraged to enter the water to gently touch and feed the dolphins, under the watchful eye of local rangers who advise on how best to approach and handle the animals without causing them stress. Monkey Mia also has a Dolphin Information Centre, and offers good bathing at Shell Beach, unique in that it has a four-mile (6km) stretch of tiny white shells stacked up to 33ft (10m) deep. Some of the buildings in the nearby seaside town of Denham are built out of shells from this beach.

Karijini National Park

Karijini is the second largest national park in Western Australia, situated in the Pilbara region. It features breathtaking gorges, crystal clear rock pools, waterfalls and stunning scenery. A system of walking trails designed for hikers of various levels of fitness, from beginner to experienced, have been laid out. There are picnic and camping areas and a visitor information centre with interactive natural and cultural displays. The park boasts 50 varieties of Acacia, Eucalypts and Melaeluca in its gorges, 133 types of bird and 92 species of amphibians and reptiles can be seen, not to mention the dingoes. It is situated about 900 miles (1,435km) north of Perth on the Great Northern Highway. Tours operate from Tom Price, Port Hedland, Karratha and Auski.

Wildflower Region

The mid-west section of Western Australia is known as the wildflower region, particularly between late July and early September after the seasonal rains, when the spectacular fields of yellow, pink and white everlasting daisies emerge. The most popular site for wildflower viewing is the Kalbarri National Park, which boasts 800 species of flowering shrubs. The park is 370 miles (590km) north of Perth near the mid-west town of Geraldton and can be accessed by car from the North West Coastal Highway. World-renowned botanists, photographers and film-makers visit the region for the flowers, particularly around the Eneabba and Arrowsmith River areas. The mid-west is also rich in history and offers visitors a variety of outback experiences and coastal activities.

Goldfields

The Goldfields to the east of Perth is a region steeped in history and legend, where visitors can see relics of the gold rush and the mines that have made the area famous. It is possible to tour the Super Pit, Australia's biggest open-cut-mine, which is an impressive sight at more than 853ft (260m) deep, one mile (2km) wide and two miles (4km) long. The Super Pit can be found at the edge of the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. It forms part of the 'Golden Mile', reputedly the richest square mile of gold-bearing earth in the world. The total amount of gold recovered from the Super Pit between 1989 and 1999 was incredibly over five million ounces (142-million grams), and the total is still growing. From the lookout near the Pit visitors can watch trucks carry rock up to the refinery from the bottom of the pit, and sometimes witness carefully controlled mine blastings.

Margaret River

Southwest of Perth, the Margaret River Region is an area characterised by dairy farms and wineries set within a picturesque landscape, and is Western Australia's most popular holiday destination. The area was initially discovered by surfers, but now holidaymakers head here by the thousand for the tranquil atmosphere, clean beaches and excellent restaurants, often attached to wineries. The area also has more galleries, craft studios and potteries than in the rest of the state put together. Margaret River is also well known for its 350 caves; four of the best are open to visitors and feature extraordinary formations.

Fremantle

Despite having been absorbed into Perth's urban sprawl, Fremantle, popularly known as 'Freo', retains its own strong identity and is a popular destination for day-trippers from Perth. Its harbour was built in 1903 by CY O'Connor, who also constructed the Goldfields pipeline before killing himself on a beach near Fremantle. A bronze statue in CY O'Connor's honour stands in front of the Fremantle Port Authority. The harbour has been substantially revamped in recent years and is now filled with outdoor bars and restaurants and has a laid-back, arty character. In 1987 the port was the site of Australia's unsuccessful defence of the America's Cup yachting trophy.

Nambung National Park

Located in the Swan Coastal Plain, just 150 miles (about 245km) north of Perth, the Nambung National Park is home to one of Australia's most incredible natural attractions - the Pinnacles Desert. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Oceania, the Pinnacles Desert consists of thousands of limestone pillars, protruding from the yellow desert sand in a variety of shapes and sizes (some reaching 3.5 metres in height). It is a truly unique sight, unlike anything you've ever seen before - an unearthly, unforgettable landscape, best viewed in September and October, when wildflowers bloom, adding colour to the vast desert expanse. Nambung National Park also boasts white-sand beaches and marine life, and picnicking, swimming, fishing, and snorkelling opportunities - making it a stone-cold 'must-see' attraction in the state of Western Australia.

Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk

A wonderful example of nature-based tourism, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is a must for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. The 0.4 mile (about 600 metre) walk takes place along a specially-constructed boardwalk, 130 feet (40 metres) above the forest floor, and winds through the heart of a massive karri and tingle tree forest - where walkers are literally surrounded by the forest canopy, in the company of true giants. The walk has a gentle gradient, allowing access for wheelchairs and strollers, and connects with the Ancient Empire boardwalk, a cleverly-designed pathway that brings the grandeur of the 400-year-old trees into sharp relief. Opened in 1996, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk has already thrilled more than 2.6 million visitors in its short history - a concrete testament to the uniqueness of the experience it offers.

Perth Events

Fremantle Street Arts Festival This is Australia's largest Street Arts Festival and features international, national and local street artists. Be entertained by dance and comedy talent or perhaps a magician's sorcery, sword swallowing and snake charming. Another highlight, circus performers demonstrate great acrobatic, juggling and contortionist skill, accompanied by...  see full details Kings Park Festival Western Australia is renowned for the breathtaking beauty of its wild flowers, which put on a stunning show in spring each year. The state's natural beauties attract thousands of tourists and the best place to see them in all their glory is at...  see full details Perth International Arts Festival Perth's International Arts Festival is the oldest annual international multi-arts festival in the southern hemisphere, inaugurated in 1953, and is Western Australia's premier cultural event. For over 50 years the festival has hosted some of the world's greatest artists and innovative performances of theatre, contemporary...  see full details