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Perth is an enchanting metropolis on the west coast of Australia. It is a unique city of its kind, which more than any other best embodies the many facets of the Australian continent: here, in fact, the ultramodern skyscrapers and the frenzy of the big cities, blend perfectly with the immense green spaces and the majestic beaches with golden sand. From the ultra-modern shopping streets to the lush city parks, to the crystal clear waters of the ocean and a multi-ethnic cultural scene and full of vitality: Perth is a city of a thousand faces, which offers attractions of all kinds and is dotted with places of sensational charm that will leave you speechless.
Where is Perth located
The city of Perth is the capital of West Australia (WA), i.e. the westernmost part of the country: it is a vast territory that occupies almost a third of the entire continent, but which is mostly uninhabited; so much so that here, outside the urban centres, the presence of man is barely perceptible, making this corner of the world anatural oasis laid down by the unique biodiversity and inimitable. This is also why Perth is considered one of the most enchanting cities in Australia and at the same time among the most isolated: over 4000 kilometers separate it from Sydney, while the closest city, Adelaide, is about a three and a half hour flight away.
Perth, however, enjoys a very suggestive position, which makes it really worth visiting this little hidden treasure in the heart of Australia: it is located halfway betweenIndian Ocean and the valley of Darling Ranges, nestled on a spit of land overlooking the sinuous course of the Swan river, the city river that crosses the entire metropolis.
What to see in Perth
Perth is a vibrant city full of life: the city center is quite compact and well looked after, and it is possible to visit it entirely on foot. The best way to explore the city, after all, is to delve into its colorful alleys, where the modern and sophisticated lines of the skyscrapers alternate with delightful Victorian-style neighborhoods, among bars, clubs, parks and shops of all kinds. Alternatively, Perth city center is part of the Free Transit Zone, i.e. an area where it is possible travel for free by bus to move from one place to another. Moving a little outside the urban center it is also possible to visit some oases and natural parks of rare beauty.
Central Buisness Disctrict
Il Central Buisness District (CBD) is the economic and commercial heart of the city, where most of the activities are concentrated, and is the ideal starting point for visiting Perth: it develops around two main arteries, namely Murray Street Mall and Hay Street Mall, which are the main shopping streets, with shopping centers and skyscrapers following one another on both sides; walking along Hay Street Mall you will also be able to admire a series of fascinating statues and futuristic installations with a modern and sophisticated taste.
The street intersects at a certain point with London Court, a slightly hidden but very characteristic alley that will give you the impression of being catapulted into 1800th century London, with its Victorian buildings and its full British style atmosphere. London Court then flows onto St. George Terrace, where you can admire the Town Hall, i.e. the city hall with its dizzying tower, and the majestic church of St. George's Cathedral, dating back to 1800.
The main ones are also concentrated in this area government buildings, state mint and some elegant English gardens where you can take a break in the shade of imposing oak trees. By visiting Perth Mint, the city's historic mint, you will be able to witness the process of the mint gold casting, learn the history of the first prospectors of this precious metal and even step on a scale that will calculate your value in gold.
Swan river
The waters of the Swan River flow calmly, framing the profile of the entire city: treat yourself to a romantic boat trip at sunset to see the skyscrapers parade along the banks of the river and admire the city lights reflecting on the sparkling water. The main neighborhood is Elizabeth Quay, which develops along the riverfront, between amusement parks and trendy clubs offering live music. From the Elizabeth Quay Bridge it is also possible to admire an incredible panorama over the whole Perth skyline.
An unmissable stop is the Swan Bell Tower, a wonderful glass and copper ring tower that houses 18 bells created to celebrate the bicentenary of the founding of Australia in 1888, and an important cutting-edge museum.
East Perth
The east area of ​​Perth is one of the most beautiful in the city, full of green spaces and places to visit. Claisebrook Cove it is a charming neighborhood developed along the opposite bank of the Swan River; absolutely worth visiting is Victoria Park and Heirisson Island, a quiet islet surrounded by greenery, where sweet little ones wander around kangaroos in the wild one step away from the city. TO East Perth there is also the Queens Garden with its pretty ponds and the main church, St. Mary's Cathedral.
Kings Park
Kings Park is the Perth's green lung: it is an immense city park that extends for over four kilometers on the Mount Eliza, among flowery meadows, tree-lined avenues and fountains. Kings Park is one of the largest city parks in the world, even larger than Central Park in New York, and is located in the heart of Perth.
It is full of sites of interest and panoramic points, which make this park one of the symbolic places of Perth: come on botanical gardens which are home to over 3000 species of unique plants and flowers, to the Aboriginal Art Gallery where you can discover the age-old culture of the Australian Aboriginal tribes, to the viewing terraces along the Lotterywest Federation Walkway hiking route and the zoo, where hundreds of animals such as penguins reside , turtles, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats.
Cultural Centre
Perth boasts a vast cultural panorama that sees art flourish in all its forms: all the main art galleries and cultural structures that the capital of West Australia has to offer are concentrated in the northern part of the city. The Cultural Centre includes museums such as the Western Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), the State Library of Western Australia, but also many theaters such as the Perth Central Teater and musical auditoriums such as the Concert Hall. Most museums are free to enter and are located within walking distance of each other.
Fremantle
Just forty minutes away from the city center it is located Fremantle, a small suburb of Perth with a decidedly picturesque personality. Reachable by bus or ferry, Fremantle has an important colonial past which is reflected in the city's architecture: walking through its avenues you will have the feeling of having returned to a Europe of the past, with buildings and squares with an ancient but refined taste . Don't miss the Fremantle Market, a large covered market that offers all kinds of traditional Australian delicacies, and a vast assortment of artisanal artefacts.
Being a river city, the port area and the numerous beaches are also very pretty and full of really excellent clubs and restaurants.
Rottnest Iceland
By taking the ferry from Fremantle it is possible to quickly reach one of the most famous places around Perth: it is Rottnest Iceland, a wonderful island that feels like a real tropical paradise; here beaches with golden sand follow one another as far as the eye can see and the ocean water is a breathtaking blue, between large bays and hidden coves. The island is a very popular destination for excursions and snorkelling, which will allow you to admire the beauty of the coral reefs.
Rottnest Island is a protected area of ​​uncontaminated nature, which can only be accessed by boat or bike: cars are in fact banned! This oasis with an idyllic atmosphere is home to many species of fauna in danger of extinction, including birds and above all quokka, the cutest marsupials in the world, symbol of the island.
beaches
Perth is also nicknamed the city ​​with perpetual summer: thanks to its geographical position, in fact, here the sun shines for almost 9 hours a day all year round, and temperatures always remain around 30 degrees. The city is surrounded by many beaches, where tourists and locals go for a bit of relaxation by the sea: very fine sand and crystal clear waters characterize most Australian seaside destinations, and Perth is no exception. TO Cottesloe Beach you can ride the waves with the surfers, dive in the waters of the coral reef and snorkel.
Other very popular beaches around Perth are Trigger, where all sorts of things are practiced water sport e North Beach, with its incredible natural pools.
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