Perth Travel Guide

Flights to Perth: Australia's west-coast capital

Experience Perth

Life's a beach in Perth, where the Swan River and Indian Ocean collide to spectacular photogenic effect. The river becomes so wide it's really one big harbour, shared by families of black swans and weekend sailors. This youthful city on the edge of the Outback lives life outdoors. Join locals catching waves at Cottesloe Beach, cycling seaside trails from one long ocean beach to the next, and soaking up the colonial atmosphere of favourite yachtie port, Fremantle.

Adrenaline rush

Cool off after your flight to Perth with a bracing morning dip at Scarborough's white-sand beach. Up the pace in the afternoon as kite-boarding swells are stirred by the famous breeze known as the Fremantle Doctor. Get nautical with Fremantle’s top racing sailors and learn the ropes on a cruise to Rottnest Island. Slip into the water, where striped moonlighter fish and gently flapping rays play hide-and-seek as you snorkel the coral reefs.

Back to nature

Cycle the city trails through Kings Park, where technicolour wildflowers bloom in a eucalypt wonderland. Or find your sea legs on the ferry to Perth's holiday island, Rottnest. Be polite and say 'g'day' to the cute residents; mini kangaroo-like marsupials called quokkas. Cuddle koalas to your heart’s content at Cohuna Wildlife Park and chill out – those circling sharks are safe behind glass at the Aquarium of Western Australia.

Eat and drink

The vibe’s ultra-relaxed in Perth's restaurant precinct, Northbridge, a multicultural wild card of eye-wateringly spicy Thai curries, grilled Greek calamari and zingy Vietnamese pho. Dive into a multi-course Mod Oz degustation, pairing crisp Margaret River chardonnay with seared abalone, tuna and other fruits de mer. Northbridge pubs cover the full spectrum; barbecued steak 'n' lobster to please the foodies, vodka slushies for the cocktail crowd and local craft beer for the discerning.

Fast facts

Where? On Australia’s west coast, isolated Perth is a whopping 4,400km from Sydney and 5,350km from Auckland.

Population: Perth is home to 1.7 million people, of which 34 per cent are migrants to this multi-cultural city.

Key dates: Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh landed here way back in 1696, but because of the isolation a city wasn't established until 1829.

Getting about: Getting around Perth won’t cost you a cent on the free CAT bus network. The Free Transit Zone also includes Northbridge and Fremantle; services run every 5 - 10 minutes.