Five of the best things to do in Perth
by Lauren Jarvis
Western Australia’s cosmopolitan capital, Perth, is the perfect place to kick off your antipodean adventure, with some of the country’s best beaches fringing hip neighbourhoods, overflowing with world-class cuisine, craft beers and wines. Beyond, untouched islands and ancient forests await, offering wild encounters and much-needed space to breathe and dream…
This is a feature from Issue 20 of Charitable Traveller.
1. Explore the neighbourhoods
The international gateway to Western Australia, Perth is home to exciting museums, galleries and eateries, while some of the country’s most spectacular natural landscapes lie on its doorstep. With more hours of sunshine than any other Australian city, and an average yearly temperature of 23ºC, Perth’s beautiful urban beaches, Kings Park and Swan River, are a major draw, while at night, the restaurants, bars and craft breweries of local neighbourhoods including Northbridge, Mount Lawley and North Perth are buzzing.
2. Make a splash with wild dolphins
Perth Wildlife Encounters in Rockingham offers wonderfully wild, ethical snorkelling experiences, just 45 minutes drive from Downtown Perth. Slip into the Indian Ocean with your expert marine guide and come eye-to-eye with a friendly resident pod of bottlenose dolphins, as they feed and play offshore. Boat tours to Shoalwater Islands Marine Park also
offer safe snorkelling with Australian sea lions, or join a guided wildlife walk to see WA’s largest breeding colony of little penguins on Penguin Island.
3. Take a road trip to Margaret River
Just three hours from Perth, Margaret River combines award-winning vineyards with golden surf beaches, ancient forests and soaring sea cliffs. The traditional land of the Wadandi (Saltwater) People, a tour with Koomal Dreaming offers a deep-dive into the region’s Aboriginal culture. Wine and adventure lovers can combine their two passions on an expedition with The Margaret River Discovery Co, which includes a canoe along the river, lunch at Fraser Gallop Estate winery and a hike along the spectacular Cape to Cape Track.
4. Hang out in historic fremantle
Once you’ve explored Perth’s modern metropolis, head to the historic port-city of Fremantle for a meander through its UNESCO World Heritage-listed streets and century-old markets. There’s always something happening in this thriving cultural hub, from free open-air concerts and street art, to comedy shows and indigenous performances. Watch the world go by from a café on buzzy Cappuccino Strip, enjoy sunset over the ocean from Bathers Beach House, or join a spooky torchlight tour of Fremantle Prison.
5. Say 'G'day' to a quokka
Australia is home to incredible, unique wildlife, and on Wadjemup or Rottnest Island, visitors will soon be making friends with some of the country’s cutest critters: quokkas. These gentle marsupials are found across the island, which is reached on a short ferry or plane ride from Perth. With few motorised vehicles, the island’s beautiful beaches and bays are best explored by bicycle or e-bike, or take a flight with Rottnest Air Taxi for an epic birds-eye view from above.
This is a feature from Issue 20 of Charitable Traveller.
by net effect