Articles » Perth Top Ten
Created: 20th May 2008
Perth is a vibrant, contemporary city and the capital of Western Australia. Situated on the western coast of Australia, Perth is just twenty kilometres inland of the Indian Ocean. With stunning beaches, great weather and a wealth of culture, Perth is the ideal holiday destination. Here are out top ten things to see and do in Perth:
Hit the beach
Perth's notorious beaches are a must see for every visitor. With their white sands and crystal clear waters, Perth's 19 beaches are not to be missed. The most popular beaches are Cottesloe, Scarborough and City Beaches, but consider heading out to the less visited beaches to escape the crowds. If you get bored of lying back and soaking up the sunshine, Perth's beaches offer a fantastic range of activities including swimming, surfing, snorkelling, fishing and volleyball.
After a hard day's relaxing be sure to stick around for the sunset. Perth is the only city in Australia where the sun sets over the ocean and the view from the beach is simply spectacular.
Perth Zoo
Pert Zoo is a fantastic attraction for visitors and locals alike. The zoo is home to many fascinating native Australian animals including Kangaroos, Koalas, Wallabies and Dingoes, as well as a Reptile House, Wetland Area, African Savannah and a Rainforest Habitat. When you've worked up an appetite, why not enjoy a picnic or barbeque in the beautiful grounds. Located just 5 minutes from the city centre, Perth Zoo is an ideal day out for all the family.
Visit http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/ for more information.
Kings Park and Botanic Gardens
Kings Park and Botanic Gardens is one of the most visited places in Western Australia. With its 400 hectares of lush parkland and gardens it is easy to see why. The park is teeming with native flora and fauna, as well as botanic gardens, contemporary art, playgrounds and war memorials. In addition to the natural bush land, there are also plenty of open parkland areas which are ideal for picnics, walking, cycling and relaxing.
Situated on Mt Eliza, to the South-Western side of the city centre, the park affords superb views over Perth and the swan river, especially at night.
Visit http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/ for more information.
Wine Tasting
It is no secret that Australia produces some of the world's finest wines. Why not take the opportunity to partake in a Swan Valley wine tasting event and visit some of the country's top wineries and brew pubs. Be sure to visit Houghton's Winery which boasts acres of historic gardens, as well as being Western Australia’s most awarded wine grower.
Just half an hour out of the city, the Swan Valley area can be reached by car or by an organised river cruise and cycle tour.
Visit http://www.houghton-wines.com.au/ for more information.
Perth Mint
Perth Mint is the oldest operating mint in Australia and one of Perth's best tourist attractions. The Mint offers hourly guided tours where you can find out about the fascinating history of this grand heritage building. Other activities include watching a molten gold pour, seeing the world's largest collection of gold bars, learning about the historic coins and finding out your weight in gold!
There is also a quaint tea garden and souvenir shop where you can buy gold nuggets and jewellery.
Visit http://www.perthmint.com.au/ for more information.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is a small land mass located 19 km off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. You can travel from Perth to Rottnest Island by ferry which takes around 90 minutes.
With a total land area of just 19 km², Rottnest Island is a real island getaway. Rottnest Island is popular with residents and visitors alike because of its fabulous beaches and picturesque scenery. There are almost no cars on the island, which adds to its peace and tranquillity. The best way to get around is by bike which you can bring on the ferry, or hire locally.
In addition to admiring the indigenous flora and fauna, you can also enjoy guided tours of the island, sea kayaking, a sea plane flight, a visit to Rottnest museum and the numerous beaches and bays.
Visit http://www.rottnestisland.com for more information.
The Swan Bell Tower
Opened in December 2000, The Swan Bell Tower is one of Perth's newest attractions. The bell tower is home to 18 bells, making it the largest change ringing instrument in the world. The bells originate in the Parish of St Martin-in-the-Field in London, and were a gift to the city of Perth from the people of London to celebrate the Australian Bicentennial. The bell tower offers behind the scenes tours which allow you to learn about the bells history and find out more about the art of bell ringing. The Swan Bell Tower is located on Barrack Square, on the shore of the Swan River.
Visit http://www.swanbells.com.au/ for more information.
Western Australian Museum
A visit to The Western Australian Museum is an excellent way to gain an insight into the history of the area. Exhibits include the Bird Gallery, Butterfly Gallery, Diamonds to Dinosaurs Gallery and a fantastic Aboriginal Gallery which allows visitors to understand more about the culture and heritage of the first people of Western Australia. In addition to these permanent galleries the museum frequently hosts a range of travelling exhibitions. The museum is located in Perth's cultural centre, close to a range of public transport facilities.
Visit http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/ for more information.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Also located in the Perth Cultural Centre is The Art Gallery of Western Australia.
The gallery is home to over 15,500 works of art and is one of the most visited buildings in Perth. The gallery showcases an impressive selection of art from a wide variety of artistic styles and eras, including contemporary and traditional aboriginal pieces. As well as paintings, the gallery hosts an array of sculpture, textiles and new media exhibits.
Visit http://www.artgallery.wa.gov.au/ for more information.
Adventure World
After all that culture why not chill out with a day at Adventure World, located just 20 minutes south of the city.
Adventure World is Fun Park with rides and attractions to suit all ages and tastes. As well as a selection of water rides, the park also includes roller coasters, picnic areas, paddle boats, a Koala Kingdom and a Kids Cove.
Visit http://www.adventureworld.net.au/ for more information.
For the Australian tourist visas from just £6.50 click here!
