10 great things to see and do in Perth
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1. Ask any local what’s the first thing you should do in Perth and they’ll straight away say ‘Kings Park’. Set beside the Swan River in the heart of the city, the 406 hectare (roughly 1,000 acres) park is the heart, lungs and soul of the city. A mix of bushland, botanic gardens, walkways and grassy lawns it’s the place to go for lunch time strolls and weekend picnics or barbecues. In spring, the park is home to some of the most impressive wildflower displays in the state and in summer, an outdoor cinema.
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2. Don’t miss the Federation Walkway which extends 620 metres through the Botanic Garden along a combination of on-ground pathways and a spectacular elevated 52m glass and steel arched bridge suspended amongst a canopy of tall eucalyptus.
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3. Spend a day at on of Perth’s 19 city beaches. City Beach and Floreat Beach are excellent for body boarding and sunset beach fishing. Surfers should head further north to Scarborough Beach and Trigg Island , 15 minutes north-west of the city. Best time to go is in the morning, before the afternoon breezes kick in. You can find calm river beaches on the Swan at Peppermint Grove and Crawley.
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4. The Berndt Museum of Anthropology is one of Australia's best collections of traditional and contemporary Australian Aboriginal art and artifacts with works from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory and the southwest, desert and Kimberley regions of WA. University of Western Australia. Open Mondays and Wednesdays 2-4.30pm, Fridays 10am-2pm. Entry is free. www.berndt.uwa.edu.au
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5. The Museum of Western Australia also has a good gallery of Aboriginal culture; a marine gallery with the skeleton of a 25m (82ft) blue whale; a gallery of dinosaurs and a good collection of meteorites, including Australia’s largest. The museum complex also includes Perth's original prison, built in 1856 and used until 1888 a favourite spot for hangings in the past. Open daily, 9.30am-5pm. James Street, Perth. Entry by donation. www.museum.wa.gov.au
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6. Swan Bells Tower: one of the largest musical instruments on earth, housing the 12 bells of Saint Martin in the Fields church. Displays on the history of the bells and bell ringing, as well as stunning views. Barrack Street, Perth. Open daily, 10am-4pm. Adults $11, kids $8. www.ringmybells.com.au
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7. Head to Fremantle wharf to visit the new Western Australian Maritime Museum , where highlights include the 1983 America’s Cup winner, Australia II, with its famous winged keel. Discover treasure at the Shipwreck Galleries, explore inside a submarine, and check out the sights of Fremantle's historic ‘West End’ maritime precinct. Adults $10, kids $3. www.museum.wa.gov.au
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8. The Fremantle Motor Museum features cars and motorcycles from the dawn of motoring to the present and includes pieces ranging from an 1898 De Dion to the Williams driven by 1980 Formula 1 World Champion Alan Jones. B Shed, Victoria Quay. Open daily, 9.30am-5pm. Adults $9.50, kids $5.
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9. Perth Observatory: Australia's oldest continuously operating professional observatory. 337 Walnut Road, Bickley. Star viewing nights, daytime guided tours – bookings essential. Tel: (08) 9293 8255. www.perthobservatory.wa.gov.au
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10. Woodbridge Historic Home: National Trust property built in 1883 by prominent farmer, newspaper proprietor and parliamentarian, Charles Harper. Ford Street, West Midland. Open daily 1pm-4pm (except Wednesdays, Christmas Day and Good Friday). Closed in July. Adults $5, kids $3.
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