Population: 1,400,000,  
Height above sea level: 10,  
Latitude: 31.5400
Longitude: 115.5500
Location:   On the far west coast
Highway: Various 
Nearest Major Town: Capital
Nearest Airport: Perth
Touring Area: Perth & Surrounds
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Museum of Western Australia

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    © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins
  • PERTH - WESTERN AUSTRALIA - 6000


    Top Left: Perth Mint. Top Right: Perth Casino. Left: Perth Panorama. Above: The Kangaroo Paw. WA State flower.
    Perth is the capital of Western Australia and has a population of 1.5 million people, the majority of the state's 2 million total. It is in the south western corner of the state at Lat. 31 degrees 57' south and Long. 115 degrees 51' east.
    Straddling the Swan River and situated on the golden beaches of the Indian Ocean it is a spacious, modern and easy-going city and claims to be the world's most remote capital city, Adelaide is 2,200 kilometres east.
    It was settled in 1829 and the early settlers faced harsh times. Floods and droughts were common and it was not until the 1850's when convict labour was introduced to the colony that an infrastructure of bridges and roads began to develop in earnest.
    Very much a sun city, its lifestyle revolves around the beaches and the outdoors. Burns Beach, Leighton, Floreat, Cottesloe Scarborough and Port Beach are all popular, and the hinterland has many places to visit and explore.
    Only 16 kilometres from Perth, the Swan Valley wineries include Sandalwood and the famous Houghton's Vineyard. Houghton's first vintage was released in 1862 and their white burgundy was the first Australian wine to be listed on the House of Commons wine list. It is a flourishing industry rivalling the eastern producers of the Barossa and Hunter Valleys. There are also many fine restaurants and some of the state's best golf courses in the Swan Valley. River cruises leave the Barrack Street Jetty for a leisurely tour of the Swan Valley which includes wine before, during and after lunch.
    Off the coast of Perth is Rottnest Island, a 2,000 hectare island accessed by plane or ferry from Perth or Fremantle. Only 19 km. off the coast the cruise takes about a half hour from Fremantle or Hillary's and an hour from Perth, but who's counting ? Golden beaches, rocky headlands and interesting coves and inlets along a 40km. coastline skirted by a coral reef make Rottnest an ideal escape for locals and a fascinating destination for visitors. The island has accommodation and getting around is mainly done by bicycle, of which there are some 2,000, including tandems, for hire, or by tour coaches. There is virtually no motorised traffic on the island. Rottnest takes its name from the dutch for 'rats nest', a misnomer installed on the ialand by Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh in 1696 when he mistook the indigenous 'quokkas' for giant rats. Quokkas are a marsupial species which carry their young in their pouch until mature, and will be occasionally seen. There are also many species of native and exotic birds on the island including migratory swallows who couldn't find Capistrano and have made Rottnest home. Details on the island can be obtained on telephone 08 9372 9752 from the Rottnest Visitor Centre.
    Perth was the venue for the America's Cup Challenge in the mid 1980's after local businessman Alan Bond won it from America for the first time in its history. The growth and excitement generated by the challenge has remained and the enthusiasm of the residents is reflected everywhere. The contrasts of the modern city and the rural hinterland can be easily seen by a drive from Perth to the Avon Valley, Swan Valley and the Margaret River area.
    Perth is an exciting, sunny, interesting city to visit and its International airport is a popular entry point for international travellers. It is well worth a look at Australia's western capital.

    PLACES OF INTEREST:
  • Art Gallery of Western Australia: James St, Perth. Ph: 08 9328 7233
  • Creative Native: Aboriginal Art Gallery: Ph: 08 9322 3398
  • Energy Museum: Ph: 430 5655
  • Government House: St. George's Tce.
  • It's A Small World: 12 Parliament Place. Art and nostalgia in Miniature
  • Kings Park & Botanical Gardens
  • Old Perth Boy's School. 139 St. George's Tce.
  • Port of Fremantle. rejuvenated site of the America's Cup Challenge. (See Fremantle)
  • Rottnest Island:
  • St. George's Cathedral: 38 George's Tce. Ph: 08 9325 5766
  • The Barracks Archway: St George's Tce.
  • The Perth Mint: 310 Hay St. The oldest mint in the world.
  • Tranby House: Peninsula Rd. Maylands. Ph: 08 9272 2630. 1880's National Trust building
  • University of Western Australia: Stirling Highway, Nedlands.
    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    Western Australia Visitor Centre
    Albert Facey House. Cnr Forrest Pl & Wellington St. Perth. WA. 6000
    Ph: 08 9483 1111. Toll Free: 1300 361 351

    HOW TO GET THERE:
  • By car along the Eyre, North West Coastal, Albany, and other Hwys.
  • Perth has an international airport
  • Coach and rail links to eastern states.

  • © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins