Perth, Fremantle and Surrounds

Few visitors to Perth can fail to be impressed with its great outdoors lifestyle.
Perth enjoys more hours of sunshine than any other Australian capital city. Even the colder winter months of the year are mild – and in some cases warmer than some European summers.

Perth's sublime climate lures locals and visitors to enjoy the city's vast range of outdoor activities - from a relaxing picnic in a parkland setting to more energetic pursuits, such as jogging on the beach or wind surfing on the Swan River and the Indian Ocean.

Accessing Perth’s major attractions is simple thanks to a free public transport within the city centre. Colonial architecture, museums, galleries, boutiques and department stores are all within walking distance.

Cruise the river to the port city of Fremantle, just a short distance away. Unique for its heritage architecture and relaxing blend of culture, Fremantle is rich in maritime history and entertainment. On weekends this colourful port city is alive with street performers, markets and alfresco cafes.
Dining out in Perth is all about fresh local produce, fine wines and a superb setting. Succulent West Australian seafood, tender beef and lamb and a bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables are the foundation of many menus. Perth’s migrant population and proximity to Asia have had an intriguing influence and the city’s most creative chefs are experimenting with a cultural fusion of flavours.
Evidence of Perth’s ethnic diversity can be found on a stroll around two of the main restaurant districts, Northbridge and Fremantle. In each location you’ll find restaurants and alfresco cafes serving a broad range of European and Asian cuisines, as well as food markets and boutique pubs with award-winning food and locally-brewed beers. If you prefer wine, Western Australian labels are world class and the perfect complement to any meal.

The alfresco cafes and coffee houses which line Fremantle's cappuccino strip and the cluster of fish restaurants around the Fishing Boat Harbour regularly draw big crowds.
Northbridge and Fremantle have been joined by a number of other café pulse points including Leederville, Subiaco, Mount Lawley, Victoria Park, Nedlands, Claremont, Cottesloe and the city. Outdoor cafes serving light meals from breakfast until supper can also be found at many hotels.
The waterfront is another lure for diners, with riverside restaurants clustered on the Swan River at Barrack Square, South Perth, Crawley, Nedlands, Mosman Park and Fremantle. Beachfront cafes hug the coast from Fremantle through Cottesloe to Scarborough and Sorrento Quay, while Fraser’s Restaurant and the Kings Park Tea Rooms are favourites with tourists for their views of the city skyline. For restaurants boasting rustic charm, head to the Perth Hills or the Swan Valley with its tempting wineries and gourmet cafes
Perth’s nightlife has something to suite most tastes and budgets. The splendidly restored His Majesty’s Theatre, Australia’s only remaining Edwardian theatre, is the home of opera, ballet and musicals. A popular commercial venue is the classic Art Deco Regal Theatre in Subiaco, while in Perth the Entertainment Centre is the prime venue for shows featuring top entertainers and rock groups. The Perth Concert Hall provides an intimate setting for symphony concerts. Smaller theatres such as The Playhouse and Subiaco Arts Centre also offer a broad range of performances.
Burswood International Resort Casino, a few minutes’ drive from the heart of Perth near the Causeway, has more than 140 gaming tables including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, mini dice, craps, keno, money wheel and the legendary Australian game - two-up. There are several restaurants, cocktail bars, theatre and a cabaret in the casino resort. The West Australian newspaper provides the best daily guide to theatre, cinema and concert programs. Reservations can be made by contacting the venue direct.

Perth boasts countless barbecue facilities - from Kings Park on the city's doorstep and riverside locations to get-away-from-it-all retreats in the hills area of the Darling Ranges. Kings Park, Perth's most popular public playground, is just a short stroll up St Georges Terrace from the city. Famous for its birdlife and wildflowers, as well as its views, the park has two small lakes and many popular picnic areas. There are barbecue facilities in a number of places within the park’s 400 hectares of natural vegetation.

Barrack Street jetty is the launch pad for ferries to Rottnest Island. Famous for the small marsupials which inhabit the island known as quokkas, Rottnest has a rich natural and cultural heritage. Its pristine beaches and crystal clear bays are a haven for swimming, snorkelling, diving, surfing, boating and fishing.

Just an hour from Perth by ferry (30 minutes from Fremantle), Rottnest offers plenty of good diving thanks to a number of shipwrecks and stunning coral reefs. A ban on cars on the island leaves the humble bicycle as the best way of getting around. Bicycles can be hired on the island or visitors can take their own on the ferries.

Even in winter, the ocean beckons hordes of surfers and some diehard swimming enthusiasts who brave the cold for their regular early morning dip. Beach jogging is a favourite pastime for many, while the less energetic walk their dogs by the ocean, or simply find a top spot to watch the world go by.

There are few cities in the world that offer the quality and variety of golf courses that are available in Perth. The temperate climate means it is perfect weather for golf almost all year round and many courses are located in natural settings featuring unique flora and fauna. Imagine testing your skills on a world class course with a kangaroo or emu close by.

Perth also has some world class public courses, accessible to all at very reasonable rates. Among the most notable are Araluen Country Club with its spectacular views, Joondalup Country Club, designed by world famous golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jnr, Lake Karrinyup Country Club home to the Johnnie Walker Classic and the Novotel Vines Resort, designed by Graham Marsh. If you’d like to brush up on your technique while on holiday, club professionals are available for lessons at moderate fees.

By world standards, you will have to search far and wide to find a better lifestyle than that enjoyed in Perth.

For more information please visit:

www.westernaustralia.com