Western Australia > Perth

Located in the southwest corner of the Australian continent, Perth sits elegantly on the banks of the Swan River. As the capital of the state of Western Australia, Perth’s domain is huge – the Perth metropolitan area accounts for nearly 90% of the state population.

Boasting an impressive skyline, inner-city Perth seems to have been designed with people in mind. Its attractive malls and elevated walkways make it pleasant to navigate on foot. Having grown up in isolation from Melbourne and Sydney, the city has neither the pretensions nor the hustle and bustle of these eastern Australian cities.

The long, wide streets of central Perth follow an orderly grid pattern. Perth Railway Station is located next to the major east-west avenue, Wellington Street, south of which lies the city proper, extending for five blocks down to the lake-like expanse of the Swan River.

The central shopping and business areas together with historical buildings including two cathedrals, His Majesty’s Theatre and Government House, are located here. North of Wellington Street is Northbridge, home to important museums, galleries and the hub of the city’s nightlife.

Perth’s location and warm and dry climate (the best of any Australian state capital, with hot summers and mild winters) favour outdoor pursuits. Inner-city parks and gardens are a delight, most notably Kings Park, which offers excellent views of the city and the river.  A stop at nearby Fremantle, regarded the best-preserved 19th-century port in the world, is an essential part of any visit to Perth.