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Kings
Park
Lined by gum trees, the magnificent Fraser Avenue
entrance to Kings Park gives an indication of
what lies ahead: splendid views of the city and the Swan
River, impressive monuments and a true wilderness in the
heart of the city. Of particular interest is the West
Australian Botanic Garden, with its collection of
native flora including 1700 varieties of wildflower.
There is also a restaurant, café, Aboriginal art
gallery and children's playgrounds. The ideal picnic
ground, during summer the park hosts open-air film
screenings, plays and concerts.
Kings Park Road, West Perth
Web site: www.kpbg.wa.gov.au/
Transport: Bus 32, 33, 72 or 103; or a 15-minute walk
from the city centre.
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Admission: Free.
Perth Zoo
Perth's small but popular and conveniently located zoo
boasts an Australian Bushwalk, where native
animals can be observed in their natural habitat, as
well as the African Savannah. Visitors should
keep an eye out for the numbat, the marsupial that is
the symbol of Western Australia. Daily keeper talks
allow visitors to get up close to the animals.
20 Labouchere Road, South Perth
Web site: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/
Transport: Bus 36, 108 or 110; or ferry from Barrack
Street to Mends Street.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission: A$13.20 (concessions available).
Swan Bells
Perth's futuristic and somewhat controversial bell
tower, which opened at the end of 2000, is located at
the foot of Barrack Street on the Swan River Foreshore.
Dubbed the Swan Bells, the 80m (260ft) tower
houses the historic bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields,
a gift to Perth from the City of London for the
Australian Bicentenary in 1988. The tower can be
ascended by steps for panoramic views; the development
also contains shops, restaurants, reception rooms and a
tourist information centre.
Barrack Square
Web site: www.barracksquare.wa.gov.au
Transport: Blue Cat; Ferry to Barrack Street.
Opening hours: Daily 0800-2000.
Admission: Free until 1 April 20001; then A$5.50
(concessions available).
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Perth's major gallery has a permanent collection of
Australian and international art and one of the finest
collections of Aboriginal art in the country. The
gallery is also the venue for major national and
international touring exhibitions; free guided tours are
held every day except Monday and Saturday.
Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Northbridge
Web site: www.artgallery.wa.gov.au/
Transport: Perth Railway Station.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: Free; special exhibitions carry a charge.
His Majesty's Theatre
Short-sighted policies have seen the demolition of most
of Australia's old theatres but His Majesty's still
stands in all its Edwardian glory. Arguably the most
beautiful theatre in Australia, its features include
ornate gilded foyers, a magnificent marble staircase and
domed, three-tiered auditorium. A venue for plays,
opera, musicals and dance, the theatre is also home to a
remarkable collection of performing arts memorabilia. Friends
of the Theatre conduct daily tours leaving from the
foyer; if not attending a performance the tour is well
worth taking.
825 Hay Street
Transport: Perth City Busport and Perth Railway Station.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1600 (tours).
Admission: Free tours.
Perth Mint
A well-preserved remnant of the gold rush era, Perth's
100-year-old mint offers an entertaining public tour.
Visitors can see A$200,000 pure gold bars being poured
and are invited to touch them; they may also mint their
own personalised medallions and witness the production
of gold, silver and platinum coins.
310 Hay Street, corner of Hill Street
Transport: Red Cat.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat and Sun 0900-1300.
Admission: A$6.60 (concessions available).
Western Australian Museum
Housed in a complex containing some of Perth's oldest
buildings, the museum specialises in natural history,
with mammal, bird, dinosaur, marine and butterfly
displays. The Aboriginal Gallery is outstanding,
as is the museum's collection of meteorites; the 25m
(82ft) skeleton of a blue whale is another highlight.
James Street Mall, Northbridge
Web site: www.museum.wa.gov.au/
Transport: Blue Cat, Weekend Cat.
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700.
Admission: Free.
Scitech Discovery Centre
Science meets showbiz at this glitzy attraction
featuring over 160 hands-on exhibits covering such
topics as electricity, magnetism and acoustics. The Mega-Morphin
Heli-Sub Simulator takes visitors on a virtual
flight over Perth then dives beneath the sea; the Kaleidoscope
House is a unique sensory experience. New exhibits
are introduced every six months.
Corner of Sutherland Street and Railway Parade, West
Perth
Web site: www.scitech.org.au/
Transport: City West Station (Fremantle Line)/Red Cat.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: A$12 (concessions available).
Underwater World
A dolphin-poisoning outrage at the end of 1999 may have
robbed Underwater World of three of its main
attractions, but the survivors still perform for their
supper three times a day. Less charming, but undeniably
fascinating, are the sharks and crocodiles at their
respective feeding times. The main aquarium's 100m
(328ft) glass tunnel brings visitors in among schools of
fish, turtles, stingrays and the formidable sharks, and
sea creatures can be felt at the interactive Touch
Pool.
Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Hillarys
Web site: http://www.aqwa.com.au
Transport: Joondalup Train to Warwick Interchange; bus
423 to Sorrento.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission: A$17.50 (concessions available).
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