Perth Australia where to go? After this post you know how not to miss out!
I blogged about Sydney and Melbourne before, they were part of the original “World cities” posts. I decided to add Perth to the bonus edition! Because I feel it does not get the attention it deserves. The Australian West Coast has a lot to offer! I am a city person myself so to me the East Coast will suit me better but I am very happy I spend time on the other coast as well.
The City list you can expect this Bonus edition:
Milan, Rome, San Francisco, Perth and Singapore
Ready for this super fun city in “my cities” post here we go!
Why Perth?
The first time I visited Australia I traveled the East Coast and really enjoyed it there, so when I got my Working holiday visa lined up to enjoy Australia for a year I decided to fly to Perth so that I could experience the West coast as well and see for myself what I liked best. I ended up living in Perth for 7 months and afterwards I worked on a Dolphin Resort in Shark Bay.
First Impression
I didn’t know really what to expect and did not do a lot of research, but what I noticed was that the city was small, clean and spread out. I am a custom to being downtown is cities, I live downtown in Amsterdam and there is a lot happening there, I Perth most people in suburban areas and commute to go to work downtown. Therefore, at night the city can be boring, and the shops close early as well. Other then that the city has great surroundings and people really enjoy the outdoors.
Highlights
Perth has some fun highlights to discover once you are there.
Kings Park
People really enjoy the outdoors in Perth and the weather allows you to life outside and enjoy the nature. Normally in big cities you have big squares or major subways stations as meeting points but in Perth its either the Park or the Beach. So, if you really want to connect with the locals go there and hang out! Are you ready for an Australian BBQ?
Northbridge
For the best restaurant and cafes head to Northbridge!
By now the Northbridge area offers a great mix of cultures; Chinese, Greek and Italian bars are restaurants are all located at James Street and Lake Street. You can enjoy yourself here every night although Sunday and Monday tend to be very slow.
In February you can even enjoy the South American carnival here, and if you want to educate yourself some more the Art Gallery of Western Australia is close by as well.
Cottesloe Beach
The beach is halfway between Perth and Fremantle, trains from run from Perth Station to Cottesloe station every 15 minutes and get you there in less then 20 minutes. Its one of Perth’s most popular spots for swimming, snorkeling and surfing. In March the host a Sculpture competition turning the beach into an outdoor art gallery.
Fremantle
“Freo” has great boutique shopping and a very urban vibe and has great markets. I know this post is about Perth, but my preference goes to Freo, there is just more happening and has a better vibe to it. Once you are there don’t forget to visit the Fishing Boat Harbour and the Shipwreck Galleries
Monkey Mia Dolphin resort
After I stayed in Perth for 7 months I was offered a job on a Dolphin Resort in Shark Bay around 9 hours away from Perth. As I mentioned before the city itself is not the most fun and will not win the battle against the east, but I you like nature and want to discover Australia the West Coast has more to offer. The nature is beautiful, and I am just so happy I was able to see it with my own eyes.
So buy that old car to drive it all over the West Coast.
Just look at me shine!
The Downside
Do I want to live in Perth? No, am I happy I did for a while? Yes! I think the city odes not my lifestyle the best It can, but I would recommend visiting Western Australia for sure! So many people only visit the known East Coast, so my suggestion will be get a car and discover. Perth is an very expensive city to life in because its so isolated, but for sure worth a visit
Hope you like this first pick of my world cities bonus edition! See you soon with my picks for Singapore