Perth is the capital of Western Australia, situated between the Darling Ranges and the Indian Ocean, along the banks of the Swan River. The river, which weaves its way through the city into the Port of Fremantle, is named after the famous black swans found along the river. The city’s most prominent attraction is Kings Park and Botanic Garden. It is said to be the largest city park in the world at over 400 hectares and was first opened for public use in 1872. Today the park is visited by an estimated six million people a year and offers stunning views of the city. Just 19 kilometres off the coast of Perth is the tranquil Rottnest Island. Visible from the coastline, the island’s protected nature reserve is home to the world-famous quokka. While it has many historic attractions, Perth is a modern city full of excellent dining options and world-renowned wineries on its doorstep.

Perth International Airport (PER) accepts flights from all over the world daily and is a 30-minute drive to the city centre. As you walk out of the terminals you will find a line of taxis waiting to take you to the city. Alternatively, there are many car rental options, and a bus service that makes regular trips to the city centre every day. Once in the city, Perth has a free transit zone (FTZ) so you can travel on any bus within the city boundaries for free. FTZ signposts are displayed on the route limits. For travel outside the free zone, you can purchase a SmartRider ticket from retail locations around the city.

Perth is a great place to visit all year-round, with a Mediterranean style climate and an average of eight hours of sunshine per day. If there was a best time to visit it would probably be in the spring between September and November, when the weather is pleasantly warm and Western Australia’s famous wildflowers are in bloom. In September, the Kings Park Festival takes over the city with flower displays and free events in the park, including exhibitions, guided walks, and family activities. Summer, from December to February, is also a great time in Perth, with many events including the Perth Festival in February — the oldest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring performance, literature, music, film, and visual arts. Whenever you decide to visit you will find a wide range of holiday accommodation and cottage rentals in Perth for all tastes and budgets.

Kings Park

Explore Kings Park’s expanses of unique bushland and tranquil parkland — perhaps the city’s most popular destination for locals and visitors. The park overlooks the Swan River and Darling Range and offers sweeping views of the city, while showcasing Western Australian flora and fauna — making it an ideal place to enjoy a picnic and a walk. A highlight is the Indigenous paintings on display at the Aboriginal Art Gallery.

Rottnest Island

Take the 90-minute ferry ride off the coast of Perth to Rottnest Island — a soothing setting in great contrast to the city centre. The island is car-free so once you arrive, hire a bicycle and enjoy the protected nature reserve’s abundance of unique flora and fauna, and the island's most famous resident — the quokka, a cat-sized wallaby whose adorable features have earned it the nickname “the happiest animal on earth.” There are numerous beaches and bays on the island for swimming and snorkeling in pristine waters.

The Perth Mint

Spend a day at the Perth Mint for a glimpse into the history of gold in Western Australia. The Gold Exhibition displays the world’s largest coin weighing one ton, and in the 1899 melting house you can watch pure gold being poured to form a solid bar. You can also see the largest collection of gold nuggets in the Southern Hemisphere.