Bitesized guide: Perth
Perth's warm, dry climate and delightful urbanity make it a particularly attractive destination as the post-Christmas blues loom heavily on the northern hemisphere's horizon.
Arrive
Qantas (website: www.qantas.com), Singapore Airlines (website: www.singaporeair.com), Royal Brunei (website: www.bruneiair.com) and Cathay Pacific (website: www.cathaypacific.com) fly from London via Singapore, Dubai, Brunei or Hong Kong to Perth.
See
Head to Kings Park (website: www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/kingspark) for a taste of both urban Perth and the Australian bush. The Fraser Avenue entrance on Mount Eliza offers splendid views of the city and the Swan River and leads to 400 hectares (990 acres) of impressive monuments and wilderness. Particularly unmissable is the West Australian Botanic Garden, with its collection of native flora, including 1,700 varieties of wildflower.
Do
Sample some of the Swan Valley's best wines on a scenic cruise on the Swan River. Captain Cook Cruises (website: www.captaincookcruises.com.au) provides a variety of scenic cruises, including wine, lunch and city lights tours. Similar services are provided by other companies.
Taste
Often referred to as Perth's finest dining place, Jackson's (website: www.jacksonsrestaurant.com.au) offers an intimate atmosphere and excellent modern Australian cuisine. The ambience is unpretentious and the food is outstanding - innovative, complex, seasonal and deliciously flavoursome. The degustation menu is particularly recommended and the wine list is superb.
Shop
London Court, built in 1937, is an out-of-place quaint, mock Elizabethan street full of shops and cafes (website: www.londoncourt.com.au). It is a unique place to shop for souvenirs, jewellery and antiques, amid statues of Dick Whittington and mock-Tudor ornaments; a change from the wide streets and skyscrapers of modern Perth.
Sleep
The Outram Small Luxury Hotel (website: www.theoutram.com.au) is a personal city sanctuary located in the West Perth business district and within walking distance to the city centre and the gardens of Kings Park. For those on a budget, the Coolibah Lodge Backpackers (website: www.coolibahlodge.com.au) can be found a few minutes' walk from busy Northbridge. A licensed bar serves cheap drinks, and there are barbecue areas in the gardens.
Day out
A stop at nearby Fremantle, regarded as the best-preserved 19th-century port in the world, is essential. Take a wander around Fishing Port Harbour, at the mouth of the River Swan, to watch fresh seafood being unloaded and absorb all the sights, smells and sounds. Then sample the catch for yourself while enjoying spectacular views of the Indian Ocean from one of the many waterfront restaurants and bars.
Night out
Most of Perth's nightlife is found in Northbridge. The famous Brass Monkey (website: www.thebrassmonkey.com.au) is a Perth institution with a variety of bars, pubs and cafes delivering crafted beers, food, music (and great comedy on Wednesday nights) to a diverse crowd.
Photo credits:
Aerial view of Perth © Tourism WA
Kings Park © Iain & Jill Murray
London Court © Tourism WA
Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle © Tourism WA
Northbridge © Tourism WA
01 January 2007
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