Rediscovering the jewel of the west

View of the Perth City Skyline from South Perth.

Tucked away from the rest of Australia, Perth has developed its own fresh and distinctive feel. Here’s why your clients should experience this uniquely vibrant city…

Australia’s sunniest capital has consistently held a spot on lists honouring the world’s most liveable cities in recent times, and now Perth is staking a new claim as one the country’s most desirable tourist destinations.

Thanks to a recent facelift, it has become much more than just a stopover for travellers to use as a base for exploring the state’s abundant natural and cultural wonders.

Where to stay

For those looking to travel in style, the WA capital’s range of recently refurbished hotels presents mind-boggling possibilities to the eyes of intrepid holiday bookers that won’t put a hole in their wallet.

From the five-star, edgy QT Hotel with its range of indoor and outdoor dining and drinking options, to Pan Pacific’s traditional luxury and Peruvian-influenced menu (the sashimi is a must-try) or the soon-to-open Ritz-Carlton that straddles the Swan River with style and opulence, this city has its share of top-notch accommodation.

Dark cobblestones through the streets guide visitors around the entertainment centres of Perth, including the freshest instalment in the new community and nightlife area, named after one of the city’s most famous Aboriginal leaders – Yagan Square.

With spectacular lighting displays that bounce off of the many bars, restaurants and cafés that populate the precinct, Yagan Square has become a showcase for Perth’s lifestyle, landscape and produce.

Yagan Square, Perth (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

Built with the purpose of connecting the CBD with the inner-city hub of Northbridge, the square has become the key to unlocking the Swan City.

Fit for a King-size park

Sitting atop a hill facing Perth’s CBD across the Swan River is one of the world’s largest and most beautiful inner-city parks: Kings Park and Botanic Garden.

Rich in Aboriginal and European history, while also bursting with contemporary culture, the park is home to many of WA’s more than 12,000 unique wildflower species – the largest collection in the world – that truly come to life in the Spring months, or djilba in the local Indigenous language.

Tourists are encouraged to visit during the wildflower season to experience the Kings Park Wildflower Festival – a site to behold for all nature lovers – or simply come and grab a coffee at the park’s Botanical Café and join one of the free walking tours any time of year.

Everlastings in Kings Park (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

For those visitors wanting to experience Australia’s oldest living culture first-hand, the Boodja Gnaring Walk is highly recommended. Broken up into three parts, participants discover traditional foods, tools, medicines and shelter of the Nyoongar people from the South West of WA.

“Perth’s pantry”, “Freo” and “Rotto”

If the above isn’t enough to satisfy your clients, fear not, because there are plenty more incredible attractions in the Perth region.

The Swan Valley, affectionately known as “Perth’s pantry”, is just a quick 25-minute drive out of town, placing you in the middle of wineries, breweries, distilleries and countless gourmet artisan producers.

Fremantle, Perth’s little brother and home to the Fremantle markets, has a growing food and wine scene as well as a visible colonial history influence, and is just 30 minutes by car or accessible by a pleasant Swan River ferry ride.

A couple exploring Fremantle Markets (credit: Tourism Western Australia)

Finally, Rottnest Island (or “Rotto” as the locals call it) is also just a short ferry ride and suitable for all ages. Perfect for a day trip or weekend escape, Rottnest Island lays claim to 63 beaches and 20 bays, multiple marine- and land-based tours, as well as a mix of hotel, glamping and self-contained accommodation.

To learn more about the wonders of Perth and the rest of Western Australia, click here.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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