PERTH, FREMANTLE & SURROUNDING AREAS |
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Situated on the banks of the Swan River, Perth is only a short distance away from the inviting beaches of the Indian Ocean. One and a half million people share the relaxed atmosphere of one of the world's most remote cities. A good transport network will get you round the city, but it is more fun to take the challenge and hire a bike to explore this modern, clean metropolis. Most guidebooks seem to be in agreement that the greenery of Kings Park should be your first stop. Besides the typically Westralian fauna and flora you can visit the Aboriginal mosaics, monuments and the Old Observatory, all lying within park boundaries. Still on your bike there is plenty more green to be had along the banks of the Swan River. As a day trip you might want to take a cruise upriver to some of Western Australia's fine wineries. For your bit of culture there is the Perth Cultural Centre where you will find the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art and the Western Australian Museum, each with their own intriguing exhibits. A night of culture can be enjoyed at the Edwardian His Majesty's Theatre where both the architecture and the performances are worth the effort. Underwater World is a good one for kids and adults alike with its wide variety of sea life. If you're after land mammals then spend an afternoon in the Perth Zoo which is more than a century old.
In the evenings head for the busy suburb of
Northbridge with its nightclubs and cafés. Eating out your only problem will be what to choose from the
wide range of ethnic tastes, including Vietnamese, Lebanese and Italian.
Try the district of Subiaco for some fine dining or a good cappuccino.
Fremantle,
less than 20km (12 miles) southwest of Perth, is popular with Western Australian visitors
and locals alike.
Picture: The roundhouse, a gaol, was completed
in 1831 and is WA's oldest building.
The harbour area is good for an interesting afternoon, or visit the George Street Historical
Precinct with its quaint antique shops, galleries and restaurants. The Fremantle Crocodile Park will let you
get pretty close to these scary beasts and you can learn something about sailing the seas at the
Western
Australia Maritime Museum. The end of November is an excellent time to be in the city when the Whitbread
Sailing Regatta puts in to port.
For a day trip from Perth you might consider the Darling Range, or the fragrantly flowered fields of the
Avon Valley. East of Perth the green plateau of the Darling Range has a variety of bushwalking trails through
the forests and is recommended for its wildflowers during the flower season. The Avon Valley, a
90-minute drive east of Perth, is a picturesque area and the location of Western
Australia's most historic inland town, York. Founded in 1831, plenty of its old buildings have survived.
Other popular towns in the area are Toodyay and Northam. Heading out
to sea from either Perth or Fremantle you can visit Rottnest Island where everyone pedals the scenic route
around the island's edge and you can spend lazy days swimming or picnicking in some of the remote coves.
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There's always a day for fun on the beach.
Ocean beaches include City Beach, Cottesloe, Floreat, Scarborough, and Sorrento while safe, calm beaches
on the Swan River include Como, Crawley, and Point Walter.
One of the oldest buildings
in Australia is to be found here - the
Roundhouse,
Fremantle's first prison, a prime example of Georgian architecture.
Cam