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by
Ahmed Samir
Ahmed Samir
Perth is located in the southwestern region of Australia on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Its central business district occupies a prime location on the banks of the Swan River. Perth is 713 km from the capital city of Australia, Sydney, 2721 km from Melbourne, and 2652 km from Darwin.
Perth is located along the estuary of the Swan River at an altitude of 19 km above the mouth of the river. Its suburbs extend in all directions to the Darling Range in the east and the Indian Ocean in the west.
Perth lies on the Swan River, named after the mother of the black swans by Willem de Vlamingh, the leader of the Dutch expedition. He discovered birds in the river while exploring the area in 1697.
Much of Perth is built on wetlands and fresh waters stretching from cattle ranchers’ lakes in the west through Claisebrook Kof in the east. The city is also bounded to the east by a low escarpment called the Darling River.
Perth is one of the closest Australian cities to Southeast Asia. By plane, it is about 3 hours from Bali and 5 to 7 hours from Bangkok, Jakarta, Singapore, and other Asian cities.
The city is one of the most isolated major cities in the world. Adelaide is the nearest city to it, with a population of over 100,000. It is about 2,104 km away from Perth. Perth is geographically closer to Dili, East Timor (about 2,785 km) and Jakarta, Indonesia (about 3,002 km) than to Sydney (about 3,300 km).
Perth is the capital of Western Australia. It is home to the Parliament and the Supreme Court of the states. It is also the seat of government and the residence of the Governor of Western Australia.
Table of Contents
History of Perth City
Perth was founded in 1829 by Captain James Sterling, who made it the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. This raised the city’s importance, and in 1856 officially became a city. The city’s population increased due to the influx of gold from Western Australia in the late 19th century. The rise of the population was also a result of immigration from the eastern colonies of Australia during Australia’s participation in World War II. Perth served as the port of Fremantle, which used to be the base of submarines operating in the Pacific Theater.
Perth also accommodated the US Navy’s Catalina flying boat fleet in Matilda Bay. This led to the post-war influx of immigrants from Britain, Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia.
Perth became known globally as the City of Light when its residents lit the lights of their homes and streets so American astronaut John Glenn could watch when he orbited the Earth.
The Economy
Perth is well-known as an administrative centre for business and government. Perth dominates the Western Australian economy, and its economic base and population size have also created opportunities for developing many other companies oriented to local or more diversified markets.
Perth’s economy has changed in favour of service industries, although one of the large groups of services they provide is to nations related to the resource industry.
Due to Perth’s relative geographic isolation, it does not have the conditions for developing essential manufacturing industries other than those serving the population’s immediate needs, such as mining, agriculture, and some specialized fields like specialized shipbuilding and maintenance.
Industrial employment influenced Perth’s economic geography after World War II, and Perth experienced suburban expansion, which helped lead to high levels of car ownership. Small-scale factories could be set up in the suburbs, and many companies took advantage of the relatively cheap land to build spacious bungalows in suburban locations with plenty of parking, easy access, and minimal traffic overcrowding.
The establishment of the Kwinana Industrial District was supported by the unification of the East and West gauge rail linking Perth with eastern Australia. Since 1950, the area has been dominated by heavy industry, including an oil refinery.
Another development involved linking the railways. This was done in 1968 when the Kewdale freight station, adjacent to the Welshpool Industrial District, was built to replace the former Perth Railyards.
Population growth occurred in the post-World War II era, and employment growth increased in manufacturing and retail and wholesale trade, business services, health, education, community, personal services, and public administration.
More information
- It includes the oldest coin centre in the country. Accordingly, part of the centre has been turned into a museum, visited by more than 120,000 visitors annually.
- It is the sunniest city in the world, with at least 8 hours of sunshine per day throughout the year.
- It was known as Boorloo, an Aboriginal name given to some Moro tribes that inhabited Perth more than 38,000 years ago.
- It is the third most crowded city in the world.
Transportation
As many people know, Australia is a vast continent, so the best way to travel between cities is by plane. But if the city you want to visit is nearby, you can use buses or trains.
In Perth, there are many means of transportation such as:
- Trains: Perth has six railway lines, four of which start from Perth Train Station, and two of the Perth Underground connect to the central station.
- Taxis: There are a lot of taxis all over Perth. You can easily hail one in the street.
- Buses: Buses are one of the perfect means of transportation in Perth. They run every 15 minutes, but you should check the schedule carefully, as they don’t pass often outside of business hours, and you could wait about two hours on Sundays. Perth also has an excellent CAT bus network. They run every eight minutes between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and every 15 minutes for an hour or two after that period.
- Ferries: Ferries make a round trip down the river every half hour on weekdays and more on weekends from Barrack Street on the city side to Mendes Street in South Perth.
The Best Time to Visit Perth
Perth is known for its fantastic weather, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The best time to visit Perth is in September, October, or November when the city is glowing with the colours and embalms of spring and sunny days.
December, January, and February are summer, and the temperature is high in these months. Besides these months, March to May is the second-best time to visit Perth. Its warm days are perfect for the beach and other outdoor activities.
Weather in Perth
Perth’s climate is considered temperate despite high monsoon rainfall, making it the fourth rainiest city in the Australian capital after Darwin, Sydney, and Brisbane. The summer is usually sweltering and dry, lasting from December to late March, and winter is mild and wet, making Perth a classic example of a Mediterranean climate.
Perth is a mainly sunny city for this type of climate. It has an average of 8.8 hours of sunlight daily, equating to about 3,200 hours per year. This makes it the sunniest capital in Australia. Its summer is incomplete without rain and humidity, as it rains intermittently in short-lived thunderstorms.
Things to do in Perth
Perth is one of the distinctive Australian cities that has a major role in tourism due to its multiculturalism. Its diversity of tourist places and religion distinguishes it, as does its leadership in the field of science and technology. It is located on both sides of the Swan River, which makes it a wonderful landscape because of its beaches.
The city also has parks, museums, recreational activities, and festivals. However, the most essential thing that distinguishes it is its high education level and possession of the University of Western Australia.
Because of its diversity of cultures and the high level of education, it is known as one of the most expensive cities in Australia in terms of living and residence.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Kings Park covers a large area of land in the middle of the city. It is a natural wonderland with plenty of cycling trails running around the park. Plenty of playgrounds and picnic areas are scattered around, and you will find the poignant State War Memorial and the impressive Aboriginal Art Gallery. You can also enjoy stunning views of Perth’s central business district and the Swan River.
The park is located on 1,000 acres and has more than 2,000 species of native plants on display. Kings Park and the Private Botanic Garden are not to be missed when in Perth. The park also includes plants from Western Australia and other Mediterranean climates, such as South Africa and California.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located in the Indian Ocean, about an hour’s ferry ride from Perth. Due to its stunning scenery and abundant recreational activities, it is a popular one-day trip destination among locals and tourists.
It is a car-free nature reserve and a popular place to escape the city. Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh landed on the island in 1696 and declared it an earthly paradise. Incredible coca species live on the island and are found only in Western Australia.
The island is dotted with many salt lakes and forests. Its beaches, coves, and secluded reefs attract sunbathers, swimmers, snorkelers, and surfers.
There are many attractions on the island that you can visit, such as the Rottnest Museum, housed in an 1857-era thresher barn and mill with collections of historical materials, shipwreck artefacts, and the Parker Point marine path.
Swan River
Swan River is the most famous place in Perth; there, you can do many things for fun. You can go on a lovely cruise between Perth and the historic port of Fremantle or take a tour upriver to the fertile shores of the Swan Valley, the oldest grape-growing region in Western Australia.
On both sides of the river, you can find many restaurants where you can sample fresh local foods. You can enjoy a picnic with your family and friends in the riverside parks, bike, or hike along the trails.
Ningaloo Reef Marine Park
Ningaloo Reef Marine Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest reef. It extends over 260 km, and there you can find many kinds of marine creatures, such as whalefish, humpback whales, turtles, and over 500 species of fish and 300 species of coral.
You can also go to one of the best beaches for snorkelling, with white sand and crystal-clear water. It is also one of the few places worldwide where swimming with whalefish is a fantastic experience for animal lovers.
Coral Bay is also a great base, with long white-sand beaches and ideal swimming, snorkelling, fishing, and boating conditions. Off the coast, there are ample opportunities for divers, with many wrecks around Point Cloates.
Horizontal Waterfalls
One of the best things to do in Perth is to watch the horizontal waterfalls from a jet boat. This strange natural phenomenon is formed by a powerful tidal flow up to 11 meters high through two narrow gorges.
It is also one of the best outdoor adventures in Australia. The only way to experience this remote attraction is to take an organized seaplane or jet boat tour.
Tours depart from Broome or Derby and include a scenic ride over the stunningly beautiful Bikaner Peninsula, with a wild stretch of red coast dotted with turquoise-washed cliffs and hundreds of uninhabited islets.
Mary’s Cathedral
St. Mary’s Cathedral was built over three centuries. It is a grand neo-Gothic church and was renovated extensively over the years. It is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The site for the cathedral was included in the first plan of Perth in 1838.
Broome City
The city of Broome is one of the most popular destinations in Western Australia and the gateway to the wonderful Kimberley region. It has a beautiful beach called Cable Beach. It is one of the city’s main attractions as this stunning coastline is backed by stunning red cliffs stretching 22 kilometres with broad white sand and turquoise waters.
It is also known as the pearl capital of Australia, and you can learn about its fascinating history at the Broome Historical Museum, which includes many exciting finds.
Broome is also famous for a natural phenomenon called the Stairway to the Moon. It occurs when the full moon rises over the bay, and locals and tourists gather to enjoy the rays of light shimmering on the water, creating an optical illusion of steps leading to the moon.
Perth Zoo
Perth Zoo is about 3 km from the city centre. It was opened in 1898, and visitors can experience some of the country’s unique wildlife in the Australian Bushwalk and Wetlands exhibits.
The zoo hosts many animals, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian devils. The exhibits there can take you worldwide to different ecosystems, where you can feed the giraffes at the African Savannah, enjoy an elephant show, or look at a pygmy marmoset in the South American primate exhibit.
The Bell Tower
The Bell Tower is located in Barrack Square. It is considered one of the world’s most prominent musical instruments. It includes the original 14th-century bells from Saint Martin in the Fields Church and the parish church of London’s Buckingham Palace.
The tower, which reaches a height of 82.5 metres and includes 12 bells, was completed in 2001.
While there, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city and the Swan River from the open-air observation deck on the 6th floor. Also, you can see a show on the ancient art of bell ringing and enjoy exhibits on the history of the bells.
Mint Facility
The Mint Facility is one of Perth’s most famous and oldest attractions. It was opened in 1899 and was built to fill a need during gold prospecting. This house contains many gold bars from all over the world.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
The Art Gallery of Western Australia is located in the Perth Cultural Centre, near the train station, so getting there is easy. It includes collections of international and Australian art from 1829 to the present.
The museum was opened in 1891 and includes many departments related to human and animal sciences. Visitors can enjoy many different types of living creatures from several eras.
You will also be able to find many different mummified wild animals from the Victorian era and enjoy a gallery that displays works by eminent artists such as Hans Heysen and Frederick McCubbin.
Penguin Island
Penguin Island is located just 30 minutes south of Perth. There, you can find many different types of birds, especially penguins. A centre called Penguin Experiment Island allows its visitors to see many of the initiatives launched by the workers to conserve penguins.
The island also provides many corridors, which are located along its edges to help preserve the places where penguins breed.
Avon Valley National Park
It is one of the quietest parks to visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Perth. Located 47 km northeast of Perth, it is a perfect place to do many activities, including biking, boating, and canoeing.
When you reach the park, you will find many exciting country trails. The Avon River flows through the surrounding area, while the forest is home to more than 90 species of birds and rare trees.
Lake Bibra
Lake Bibra is a freshwater lake in the suburb of Perth located south of Perth’s Central Business District which is 20 minutes away from the city. It has a large number of birds, including swans, waterfowl, and other types of birds.
The lake includes a centre for introducing the wetlands. This lake allows visitors to rehabilitate wounded or sick birds and mammals before they are released into the wild.
Elizabeth Quay
It is located just beside the city centre and the Swan River. It is considered a hot spot for Perth nightlife, and you can dine on everything from gourmet burgers and pizza to succulent seafood specialities.
It is also a perfect place for kids to ride the antique carousel, devour tangy gelato, and frolic around the fountains at BHP Water Park. Outdoor sculptures and installations adorn the Public Art Walk and the Bell Tower. It is an excellent place for a romantic dinner with a view of the city and the ferry boats on the Swan River.
Margaret River
Margaret River is a great place to hang out. It is located in the southwest, about three and a half hours’ drive south of Perth, and has famous galleries and restaurants.
There, you can do many activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, whale watching tours, and surfing. Besides that, you can find more than 40 surfing spots along the coast. The place is famous for its limestone caves, such as Lake Cave, Jewel Cave, and Mammoth Cave, all with shimmering stalactites and prehistoric fossils.
Aviation Heritage Museum
The Aviation Heritage Museum is located 15 kilometres south of Perth. There, you will find exhibits hosting over 30 aircraft and thousands of artefacts covering civilian and military aviation, from World War I planes to present-day passenger jets.
Adventure World Theme Park
This park is one of the most important tourist attractions for children and adults in Perth, as it includes many unique games. It includes adventure games and thrills for older visitors, and an area called Fire Factor 5 has several exciting games, including Power Surge, Terror Tunnel, Bouncer Revenge, and The Ramping.
Hillarys Boat Harbour
The Hillarys Boat Harbour is located 20 km northwest of central Perth. The vast marina has restaurants, shops, and kids’ attractions. One of the famous attractions there is the Aquarium of Western Australia, where you can walk through a glass underwater tunnel and observe more than 200 species of marine animals.
Also, you will find bike paths, walkways, parks, and sheltered beaches, making this a favourite spot for a fun family day out. Besides that, you can go on fishing trips, whale-watching cruises, yacht charters, and dive excursions depart from here as well. You can also catch a ferry to Rottnest Island.
Fremantle Markets
Fremantle Markets is the most popular weekend market in Western Australia and one of the best in the entire country. One of the best things to do in Perth City is to visit Fremantle Markets, where you can buy fresh and local products, handmade souvenirs, clothes, and food.
The Fremantle Markets are open Fridays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Caversham Wildlife Park
Caversham Wildlife Park is another great attraction in Perth. It is home to around 200 animal species and over 2,000 unique animals. You may not have heard of some of the animals that live there before, such as Kookaburras, Cocos, Echidnas, and many more.
Some guides could help you learn more about the animals, show you how to hand-feed the kangaroo, or show you posing with your favourite Australian animal.
SciTech
If you want to spend a fun weekend touring Perth with kids, take them to SciTech. Through interactive exhibits, the museum encourages kids to explore science, technology, engineering, and math.
Discover Land is designed for three—to seven-year-old kids. There, you can find displays on air, water, gravity, electricity, and magnets. Also, there is the construction zone, where kids can dress up as sea creatures and crawl into a tunnel at the small aquarium exhibit.
It is located in West Perth and is open Friday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum’s entrance fee is 19 dollars.
State War Memorial
The State War Memorial is located in Kings Park. It commemorates all the Australian soldiers and women from the state who lost their lives serving their country. The memorial overlooks the Swan River.
The monument was first revealed after the First World War. Its quiet location makes it a serene and poignant place to visit.
Hotels in Perth
Here are some hotels you can stay in during your visit to Perth.
- Crown Towers Perth Hotel
- Taj Metropol Perth
- Aloft Perth Hotel
- Great Southern Perth Hotel
- Crown Promenade Perth
- Duxton Hotel Perth
- The Ritz Carlton, Perth
- Quest Mounts Bay Road
- Sage Hotel West Perth
- Comfort Hotel Perth City
Beaches that you can visit while you are in Perth
The city has many beautiful beaches to visit and is a place where you can have a great time with your family and friends. Here are some of the famous beaches that you can visit.
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe Beach, or as the locals call it Cote, is one of the most popular beaches in Australia. It is located about 20 minutes from Perth City, bounded by a beautiful ocean road that separates its fine sands from the Perth suburb of Cottesloe behind it.
It is a trendy place due to its surf culture and clear waters. Plenty of cafes and restaurants line the beach, so if you get bored of lying on the sand and staring at the ocean, there is plenty to do.
Cottesloe Beach is also blessed with one of the most stunning sunsets imaginable, so it’s worth waiting until the evening before heading back to the city centre.
Mullaloo Beach
Mullaloo Beach is a favourite place for families. The waves are not too high, so it is safe for beginners to swim in. The beach has a grassy area at the top with barbecue areas and sheltered picnic benches.
Mullaloo Beach is one of the most important beaches in Perth. It extends over a spacious area and includes a range of tourist and recreational facilities, such as restaurants, clubs, and wooden huts for overnighting, relaxation, and a playground for children to play.
City Beach
It is an excellent beach for surfers because of the strong waves that continue all year round. There, you will find plenty of outdoor cafes and fine seafood restaurants overlooking the Indian Ocean, so this is the perfect place for a post-swim meal.
Scarborough Beach
Scarborough is a perfect gem. It is one of my favourite places in Perth, and locals call it Scabs. The reconstruction of the beach sector began in 2017 with an investment of $100 million. It recently reopened. New additions to the beach include a large play area for families, a beach pool, and a skateboard area.
