A holiday in Perth is filled with sunshine and water sports and a cool laid back vibe. On the edge of the Indian Ocean, the Swan River running through its heart, with a spectacular cityscape and with a warm sunny climate, Perth is a chic modern city that strips away your inhibitions and relaxes with its carefree style.
While in the city visitors can experience some or Perth's main tourist attractions including the Perth Zoo and the Old Mill, both just a short ferry ride from the city, as well as Barracks Arch and Kings Park both located on the edge of the Perth city centre, and are easily accessible by public transport. The vibrant social and cultural enclaves of Northbridge, Mt Lawley and Subiaco are mere minutes away.
If you enjoy long walks along sandy beaches, swimming in the surf on a sunny day, or perhaps lazing on a beach towel watching the world go by, then a visit to the Sunset Coast in Perth is for you. This long stretch of premier coastline and beach side suburbs, just a short drive from the city centre, is popular for safe swimming beaches, walking and cycling paths, and beach side cafes.
Fremantle is Perth's port city, just a short trip ride south of the city centre. Affectionately known by locals as Freo, Fremantle was originally the port for ships bringing supplies when Perth was just a colony. Today Fremantle has grown to embrace its own identity as a seaside city with a vibrant atmosphere while maintaining its historic look and feel, with old buildings and historic attractions to visit.
Perth's Swan Valley is only 20 minutes from the city, and is a great destination; it’s steeped in history and is one of Western Australia's oldest wine regions, home to more than 40 vineyards.
Just off the West Coast of Perth is Rottnest Island, measuring just 11km long and a couple of Km wide. Rottnest Island is known by locals as "Rotto", and the island is easily accessible by ferry. It’s a trendy holiday destination and day trips are very popular.
Perth fun facts
The “rats” after which Rotto was originally named are actually marsupials called Quokkas
Perth is the world’s most remote capital city
Perth is known as “the city of lights” after switching on all lights to greet astronaut John Glenn as he passed overhead in the first Mercury orbiter in 1962
Breathtakingly Beautiful.....Tasmania!
Monday 22nd February 2010
Travel Counsellor: Dorothy Slater
Not only breathtakingly beautiful, Tasmania is a foodie’s delight, and this whistlestop tour has left me wanting more!
After chatting with friends in Melbourne we decided to get together and have a few days in Tasmania which is somewhere I have always wanted to visit. After flying from Maroochydore to Tasmania, we arrived at Launceston airport to a dark evening sky and a slight drizzle of rain. But even a little rain couldn’t dampen our spirits and we had a very pleasant taxi driver take us to the Colonial on Elizabeth Hotel which was charming, warm and welcoming – just what we wanted. Dinner at the hotel that night consisted of the best seafood and wine, which was chilled to perfection, so good in fact that we had to have a second bottle. (There were four of us after all!)
The following morning we awoke to a beautiful blue sky and after a hearty breakfast, we collected our hire car we headed off to Cataract Gorge. There is a chairlift over the Gorge which is over 300 metres high... view full story
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