Whether you’re visiting for the day or stopping for a few nights, this welcoming destination has much more to offer than you probably expect from an isolated Western Australian city.
Art and music fill the pedestrian-friendly streets of Fremantle as buskers and performers entertain the crowds with Colonial-era buildings as their backdrop. Enjoy their rousing songs and lively routines before browsing the nearby market for unique crafts and gifts. Re-caffeinate at a trendy cafe or bar, then head over to Fremantle Prison. Western Australia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, the prison was built in the 1850s by the convicts later incarcerated there. It’s now a popular tourist attraction that offers stirring insight into this 140-year system of punishment.
Escape the urban buzz of Perth with a visit to tranquil Kings Park, an inner-city haven with panoramic views of the city. Follow one of the walking trails, relax on the immaculate lawns or pay your respects at one of the numerous memorials and statues. Larger than New York’s famous Central Park, it is an extremely biologically diverse area. Native flora and fauna can be found in its natural bushland, while more than 3,000 species of plants flourish within the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
Perth averages 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, so basking on the white sands of one of its 19 beautiful beaches is a delightful way to while away the hours. Cottesloe is its most famous beach, the crystal clear water and consistent swell are loved by swimmers, surfers and kite surfers. Grab some fish and chips from Marine Parade as you enjoy the sweeping ocean views.
An array of jaw-dropping attractions await discovery if you have the time to venture beyond Perth. To the west is Rottnest, a limestone-based island 19km from Fremantle. Reached by ferry, this a-class reserve is best known for its quokka population but is also home to a coral reef, colonies of seals and sea lions, plus rare birdlife. A few hours north of Perth are The Pinnacles, an intriguing set of natural limestone protrusions found within Nambung National Park. For whale-watching, wine tours and sensational surfing, head south from Perth to Margaret River.
Which cruise lines sail to Perth?
