Perth

We love exploring the destinations we visit and sharing our insights with you – our members. These destination guides will give you plenty of inspiration about what you should – and could – be enjoying, whether it will be the first or the tenth time you’ve visited. From exciting activities, tips about where to head for luxury shopping and even things that you may find a little bit quirky, you’ll find something new and inspiring to try. Explore Perth.

Australia’s sunniest state capital, population two million, is fringed by unspoiled beaches, rich in parkland and rivers and defined by distinctive neighbourhoods ranging from hip to high-life. As the gateway to Western Australia it opens a world of once-in-a-lifetime possibilities involving outback safaris, towering ancient forests and more than 12,000 kilometres of (mostly empty) coastline.

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Must-do

This bustling, big-sky city is best explored on foot. Its compact centre borders the Swan River, where kilometres of waterfront strolling, kayaking and cycling await. Two-thirds of the vast, 400-hectare Kings Park is protected bushland perfect for urban hikes; a month-long festival every September celebrates wildflower season, when the park is in full bloom. Catch a ferry from Barrack Street Jetty to the southern port city of Fremantle, the Swan Valley vineyards – WA’s oldest wine region, right on Perth’s doorstep – or to Rottnest Island. Known as Rotto to locals, it brims with beaches (63 at the last count), end-of-the-Earth landscapes and quokkas – possibly the cutest marsupials ever.

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Culture

Perth Cultural Centre, beside the central railway station, is home to the Western Australian Museum, the State Theatre and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Explore the state’s 40,000-year-old indigenous culture at the Aboriginal Art Gallery in Kings Park. Perth’s summer ends with a month-long International Arts Festival (Feb-March) featuring performers from around the world. February is also when the annual writers’ festival takes place. The Mediterranean-type climate is perfect for outdoor cultural events and the city obliges with a calendar of concerts, including free Symphony in the City performances featuring the WA Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

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Adventurous spirit

Western Australia is one vast adventure playground. South of Perth lies the Margaret River with its untamed beaches, caves and 75 surf breaks to test the mettle. North lies, well, everything. The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park features surreal limestone pillars and golden sand. The World Heritage-listed Shark Bay, a two-hour flight north of the capital, is the jumping off point for Monkey Mia’s dolphins as well as the planet’s largest herd of dugongs. Further north at Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef beckons with the promise of swimming with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish. Absolutely unforgettable.

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With the kids

Pat a kangaroo, get close to wombats and meet other native and farm animals at Caversham Wildlife Park on the city’s edge. At Rockingham, about 45 minutes’ drive south of Perth, frolic off the coast with 200 dolphins, then cruise to Seal Island to see sea lions, and then to Penguin Island to feed the fairy penguins. The intrepid can kayak at Seal Island too, or stick to the calmer waters of the Swan River. Take the family to Cottesloe Beach for a sunset swim, then spend a balmy evening at the Moonlight Cinema, complete with beanbags and snacks.

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Retail therapy

Luxury brands such as Prada, Gucci and Tiffany & Co hold court on King Street in the city’s West End, alongside exclusive Australian luxury products such as South Sea pearls, Kalgoorlie gold and pink diamonds from the rugged Kimberley region in the far north of the state. The grand State Buildings redevelopment is another hub for home-grown talent; behind its neoclassical façade you’ll find high-end dress designer Aurelio Costarella, chocolatier Sue Lewis and addictive layered Czech cakes at The Honeycake. Head to the buzzing inner-city neighbourhood of Northbridge for quirky homeware and vintage clothing and collectibles.

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Food and drink

Besides having more restaurants per capita than any Australian capital, Perth also has unique local produce such as black truffles and marron, the sweet-fleshed, freshwater crayfish native to WA. The multicultural food scene has a strong Italian accent, so expect to sample the best hand-made pastas this side of Emilia-Romagna. Get social with the locals at the Twilight Hawkers Market in Forrest Place mall (held Friday evenings October-April), and at the Fremantle Markets, just south of Perth. Taste premium wines at vineyards in the Swan Valley and Margaret River, many featuring top restaurants. Gastro-nomads can’t miss the Margaret River Gourmet Escape in November, when top chefs descend for an exceptional cooks’ feast.

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