Spending a day in the Western Australian capitol, Perth, will most likely keep you enjoying outdoor activities in its year round warm weather. At the mouth of the Swan River is Perth’s original port of Fremantle, and it is from here that the life of the city begins. The tourist will notice the clean, white sand beaches and clear water of a long western coastline that is occupied by friendly suburban communities that offer rented surfboards to ride the waves with the locals, such as Cottesloe. On the coast, ferries shuttle passengers between Perth’s primary ferry terminal, Barrack Street Jetty, and Rottnest, Fremantle, and South Perth. Some of the jetty services offer dinner and wine cruises on the Indian Ocean or on the Swan River.
Kings Park
Along the Swan River and overlooking the compact city skyline, sits the beautiful Kings Park and Botanic Garden. It is from Kings Park, an attraction that draws in more than five million annual visitors, where one may see what is arguably the best sight in Perth at sunset. At dusk, visitors can find their own leisure spot in the park and watch as the light fades away to reveal the twinkling of the city lights as they turn on. Moreover, it is after witnessing this spectacle when most people wander toward those lights in search of Perth’s nightlife, which has
grown since the introduction of the liquor license reforms in 2007.
Entertainment
The most well known place of entertainment is the Crown Perth, a highly rated entertainment complex that features numerous restaurants and bars as well as a large 24-hour casino and two luxury hotels, all of which are on the placid Swan River. For events, the complex also offers a large theatre, an indoor arena with seating for 20,000, and a convention centre. The nearby Burswood railway station provides travellers and locals with a convenient link to other hotspots within the Transperth metro transportation area. A short ride by bus or train will take you from the bustling life of the former Burswood Entertainment Complex to the community feel of the relatively young small bar scene. Favourite bar and café locations, such as Northbridge, Victoria Park, Mount Lawley, and Leederville, serve their customers on both rooftops and laneways.
Swan Valley
There is world class wine and food tasting and vineyard touring in the Swan Valley that rivals that of the famous Margaret River just 280 kilometres south of Perth (about a three hour drive). The Perth Zoo, the downtown Art Gallery of Western Australia, and the Western Australian Museum are big attractions with families and those travelling in groups. These natural and artistic destinations are best combined with the sightseeing of Perth’s abundant flora and fauna in its many parks and beachfronts.
Transport
It must be remembered that the Transperth bus, ferry, and train services are offered on the purchase of a time based ticket, which may be for the whole day or for a minimum of two to three hours. The purchase of a Transperth ticket gives the commuter freedom to travel an unlimited number of times on any mode of public transport for the duration of the ticket, so it is important to schedule your travels in the city according to the type of ticket you purchase. Accommodating this will allow for the most amount of adventure a tourist can find in one day in the jewel of Western Australia, Perth.
