Don’t Miss Visiting Perth, Australia

When someone tells me that they have been to Australia, my first question in response is always, “Whereabouts in Australia did you visit?” More often than not people respond by saying they have been to places along the Eastern Coast, from Queensland to Victoria. I don’t often hear of anyone going to Western Australia. Now why is this? Was there something lacking, or spoken about the West Coast that keeps visitors away? Since I was going to Australia, these were questions I wanted to try and find responses to. So I spent a chunk of my time in Western Australia, and I can tell you, I was not disappointed!

The City of Perth

The plane ride from Sydney to Perth is roughly 5 hours long; about the same time if you were to fly from Toronto to Vancouver, Canada. While flying into Perth, Western Australia, you’ll see a lot of flat, dry brown land until you catch sight of the beautiful coloured water from the Indian Ocean in the distance, or from Swan River that etches the city’s landscape.

The city of Perth is Australia’s 4th largest, and is situated off the banks of the Swan River, which leads to the Indian Ocean. The surrounding homes and suburbs are very sprawled out, and because it gets so hot in Western Australia, the homes that I saw were mostly one level homes, or low rise apartment buildings. Not a lot of high rises in comparison to other cities I have been to.

 

What Perth Has to Offer

One of the big attractions in Perth is Kings Park and Botanical Garden. This is a stunning park with a lot of beauty to take in. You can walk all, or parts of, the 17 hectare botanical garden, and see the unique and colourful plant life found only in Western Australia. There are also many spots along the way to stop, take a breath, and see Perth from many angles! 

Additionally you can cross the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, a very neat path that includes a glass-and-steel canopy bridge that passes through the park’s tall eucalypts. With very picturesque views, it is also a fairly easy walk for those with mobility issues. Of course, as with any activities you decide to do, I encourage pacing yourself and going at your own leisure.

I think it is also important to note that there are some parts of Kings Park that you can bike through, but for the Botanical Garden and the Walkway, you are advised to dismount your bike for the protection of yourself and others around you. For more information on areas available for cycling around Kings Park and Perth, please click here. 

Before leaving Kings Park, there was one particular landmark that I found particularly catching when I heard about it. It is their DNA Tower. Yes, that’s right, a deoxyribonucleic acid double-helix structure. I found it quite neat, and it offered a perch at the top for you to overlook the sights of Perth…absolutely breathtaking.

Perth’s Metropolitan Area of Fremantle

Perth is a beautiful city, with many fabulous beaches in the area, and so much to do (check out a formal list here). I met a lot of amazing people, who told me about various places to check out (such as Fremantle, Bunbury, Margaret River, and places to eat and drink in Perth). These conversations with locals made me eager to explore parts of Perth’s metropolitan area.

Fremantle is one of the areas mentioned as a “must see.” There is a good public transportation system set up in Perth that allows you access to many places quickly and conveniently. The port city of Fremantle is only 30 minutes from Perth, and is also accessible for people with a mobility issue(s).

One of my favourite things about Fremantle, was how easy it was to get around by biking or walking. I loved exploring the Fremantle Market, as I felt the local culture and vibe around me. Not to mention the delicious cuisine. Oh, and speaking of food, for those of us who may be considered a chocolate connoisseur, or just want to indulge, you need to try Fremantle Chocolate! It’s divine to say the least, so when I was told there was a chocolatier in town, I had to try.

After exploring Fremantle’s “Cappuccino Strip,” the market, and its harbour, I wanted to take the time and relax at the beach. The turquoise colouring, warm water, and white sand kept me idle for the better part of the day. But with the area such as this, who can blame a girl?! This to me is paradise!

That’s it from Perth and Fremantle. I am now hopping on a ferry from Perth, and heading to Rottnest Island for a couple days. Afterwards I will be heading south along the western coast to Margaret River, with stops in Bunbury and Bristleton.

Don’t forget you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments about anything and everything!