Perth Specials

City Guide

PERTH

The beaches go on forever and the horizons just won't quit.

Perth is a vibrant and modern city sitting between the cerulean Indian Ocean and the ancient Darling Ranges. It claims to be the sunniest state capital in Australia, though more striking is its isolation from the rest of the country - Perth is over 4400km (2750mi) from Sydney by road.

Unfortunately the city centre's sterile concrete-and-glass skyscrapers dominate a picturesque riverside location. Still, behind the towering edifices hide a handful of 19th-century buildings and facades and some saving-grace patches of greenery.

Timezones

Gmt +8 Eastern Standard Time

Orientation

Perth is situated on Australia's western coast, close to the southwestern tip of the country. The city centre is fairly compact, situated on a sweep of the Swan River. The river, which borders the city centre to the south and east, links Perth to its port, Fremantle. The western end of Perth rises to the pleasant Kings Park, which overlooks the city, then extends to cosmopolitan Subiaco. Further west, suburbs extend as far as Scarborough and Cottesloe beaches on the Indian Ocean. The railway line bounds the city centre on the northern side, with Northbridge immediately north of the line.

Perth's international and domestic airports are about 8km (5mi) east of the city, and 10km (6mi) apart. Buses and trains arrive at the Westrail Centre in East Perth.

Perth has a wide variety of accommodation catering for all tastes and price brackets. The main areas for budget accommodation are Northbridge, Fremantle and Scarborough, while hotels, motels and holiday flats of all standards are spread throughout the city. Northbridge and Fremantle are definitely the places to go for nightlife, especially on Friday night.

Events

Every year around February/March the Festival of Perth
offers entertainment in the form of music, drama, dance, visual art and films. The alternative Northbridge Festival is hosted at the same time. In early June, West Week is held to celebrate WA's foundation - there are historical re-enactments, arts and crafts exhibitions, concerts and sporting events. The Perth Royal Show takes place every September while the Artrage Festival is in October.

New Year's Day
official holiday
1 Jan

Australia Day
official holiday
26 Jan

Labour Day
official holiday
1st Mon in Mar

Easter
official holiday
Mar/Apr

Anzac Day
official holiday
25 Apr

Foundation Day
official holiday
1st Mon in Jun

Queen's Birthday
official holiday
last Mon in Sep

Christmas Day
official holiday
25 Dec

Boxing Day
official holiday
26 Dec

Perth has a long and hot summer (December to March) where little rain falls and the temperature can stay up around 30°C (86°F), especially in January and February. Winds off the sea, known as the 'Fremantle Doctor' help cool the city. Winter brings coolish weather and rain, with an average temperature of 18°C (64°F).

Getting there and away

A few overseas airlines use Perth as their gateway to Australia, but most visitors come to the west after passing through the eastern states. There are direct flights to Perth from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Uluru, Darwin and Alice Springs. You can also fly to regional centres such as Albany, Carnarvon, Esperance, Exmouth, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Monkey Mia, Meekatharra and Wiluna.

A privately-run bus (theoretically) meets every flight into Perth airport and travels to the city, hotels and hostels. There is also a suburban bus which runs every hour or so and costs substantially less.

There are daily bus services from Adelaide to Perth, or you can make the 56-hour journey to Darwin. Buses also go to regional centres. The Indian-Pacific train line runs from Perth to Sydney via Adelaide, and is one of the world's great train journeys. There are also trains to York, Kalgoorlie and Bunbury.

Getting around

Perth has a central public transport organisation called Transperth which operates buses, trains and ferries. A free transit zone, including all Transperth bus and trains, is provided every day within the central city area. Cycling is a great way to explore Perth, and there are many bicycle routes around the city and its environs. Ferries cross the river every half an hour (more frequently at peak times) during the day.