A Day in Perth, Australia
Introduction
I chose to explore the city of Perth, Australia, because I’m interested in the culture and what peoples’ lives are like down under. I want to study abroad during my college years, and Perth is one of my top places I’m interested in visiting. Learning about a new culture is always fun, especially if you have plans on visiting. People who are adventurous and always up for trying new things would benefit greatly from visiting this region. It is a beautiful region with many places to explore and things to experience.
Brief History
The first inhabitants of Australia arrived approximately 50,000 years ago. The Noongar people were the first to arrive to Western Australia. Perth was originally called Boorloo. Europeans first started exploring Western Australia in the 1700's but it was deemed unfavorable and remained unexplored until 1829 when captain James Stirling declared the area “as beautiful as anything of this kind I had ever witnessed.” May 2nd, 1829, this area became the first free settlement in Australia, and settlers started arriving in June. On August 12, 1829, the city was offically founded into Perth, Australia.
As you could probably imagine, it was not a peaceful colonization of Perth between the settlers and the Noongar people. By 1843 the Noongar people were forced off their land and retreated to the swamps and lakes north of the settlement. Eventually, further displacement occurred due to the expansion of Perth during the gold rush and the Noongar people found home in the area around Lake Gnangara. Lake Gnangara is no longer a lake due to the water table being depleted.
The 1890's was a significant decade in Perth’s history due to the goldrushes in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. This really helped Western Australia, especially Perth, because it brought more people to the land to search for gold, and most of those people ended up staying. In 1891 the population of Perth was 8,447 and tripled to 27,553 in 1901. People flocked to the area and businesses flourished with the first railways being built out to agricultural regions. This was huge for Perth because it meant more jobs for people which overall meant a better economy in this region.
The next population boost was due to the discoveries of iron and natural gas throughout the state in the 1960's and 1970's. Perth changed significantly over these decades as it became a modern city complete with skyscrapers covering the horizon. Perth has continued to flourish and has become one of Australia’s most beautiful and most welcoming cities. Perth is the world’s gateway to all that Western Australia has to offer from tourism to big business. Just take a look at that Skyline! It is absolutely beautiful and shows how much this city has changed over the decades.
What do to in Perth
Here are my suggestions of what you should definitely do when visiting this magnificent city!
- Visit the Theater Royal and Hotel Metrople!
Why do I say this? Well, it has a lot to do with Perth’s history and it is a building definitely worth seeing!
I know visiting old buildings may not be the best thing in the world to do, but I think this one is definitly one you will want to see when visiting Perth. The Theater Royal and Hotel Metropole was the first purpose-built theater in Western Australia. Then one of the city’s largest and most magnificent buildings, it was built for Thomas Molloy. Thomas was a builder, speculator and local politician. Thomas Molloy’s family migrated from Toronto to the colony of Western Australia in 1862 where his father, John, had become a prisoner guard. Thomas finished school and quickly starting working at one of the local stores. He then became manager and quickly after that became the largest landowner in Perth. He was elected to the Perth City Council in 1884 and in the early 1890s became the Member for Perth in the Legislative Council. Thomas was the mayor of Perth in 1908,1909,1911 and 1912. This is one of the oldest buildings in Perth and it says a lot about the history of this magnificent city.
As you can see, this building is one of the most beautiful theaters in Western Australia, and it’s located right here in Perth. This theater is home to many events and plays throughout the year, and welcomes many tourists.
I highly suggest visiting this remarkable place when visiting Perth. One of the oldest buildings in Perth and it is still one of the most visited tourist attractions.
2. Take a walking tour of Perth, especially King’s Park
Yes I know, I said WALKING!
This city has beautiful landscapes, building, and last but not least, so many beautiful parks. (One of their parks is bigger than Central Park) King’s Park spans 4.06 km², pipping New York’s Central Park at 3.41 km². Crazy!!! Take a look at the pictures below and you will quickly understand why you MUST visit this gorgeous park! Make sure you bring some money with you because it costs $64 dollars to visit, but it is definitely worth it! ☺
After you visit King’s Park, you must take a walking tour of the city.
Two feet and a heartbeat is a guided walking tour of Perth that will introduce you to history, culture, and heritage in a fun, relaxed, informative, and conversational manner. You can enjoy the beautiful landscape and culture of Perth by walking around and exploring it for yourself. If you would like to know more, check out the link → https://www.twofeet.com.au
Take a deeper look into the meanings behind all of the remarkable landscapes throughout Perth and dig deeper into the culture as you do so.
This is one of the strips along downtown Perth that you will visit on your walking tour. It includes restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
3. Visit Heirisson Island and the Swan River
One word: KANGAROOS
Heirisson Island is in the middle of the Swan River and is just east of the city. It is very easy to get to by bus or by walking. There are currently 6 grey female kangaroos on Heirisson Island. Sometimes a little bit of searching is required to see them, but it is definitely worth it! When else would you be able to say you saw a Kangaroo?!
This is one place I would definitely visit in Perth. Everyone knows that Australia has Kangaroos, but being able to see them in their Natural Habitat (well to an extent) is something that is indescribable!
How awesome would it be to hangout with Kangaroo’s while overlooking a beautiful lake?
Dining
Centrepoint pizza is a MUST have when visiting Perth. The reviews gave it a 5 out of 5 every single time. They are open from 4pm to late. They have very reasonable prices. Take a look at the menu posted below and their official menu for more details. → http://centrepointpizza.com.au
If you’re looking for desert places, you will definitely have to hit up Bellissimo Gelato! Rated the best ice cream in Western Australia! Go check it out. ☺
How to communicate/ What to say
Perth is a city that speaks predominately English. The second most spoken language is Mandarin, and third coming in as Cantonese. There should be no problem commnuicating with the people in Australia because although they have an accent, they speak the same language we do. The main language is English, although they do have different sayings than we do. Take a look at some of the words that mean something different in American than Australia…
Barbie- Barbecue
Chalkie- Teacher
Daks- Trousers
Drongo- Idiot
Flog — To steal
Good sort — Attractive woman
Hardcase — Narrow minded person
Clothing
The clothing in perth is the same as the USA, but sometimes more casual and laid back. It is said that you can wear jeans to the plays and musicals in Australia. We all know that if people tried to do that at the Fabulous Fox, there would be viscous glares at them. The United States is a place that takes materialistic things such as clothing, more seriously than other places do. Although Perth has the highest population per capita of self made milionaires in the world, clothing doesn’t seem to be a priority there.
Perth is very hot. It is the sunniest capital city in the world, with an average 8 hours per day of sunshine 365 days per year. If you are planning to visit very hot areas then it is recommended that you pack a shirt with long sleeves and a higher neckline to prevent burning. A hat is also very useful in the intense sunshine.
and….. Last but not least …..
The Beaches!!! You have to remember to pack a swimsuit because the beach is definitely a plus of visiting this great place. Forewarning: Perth is especially the habitat of sharks and big whales so diving into certain beaches can be dangerous. Also, there are some nude beaches in Australia, so you have to be careful which one you visit.
Nevertheless, you should definitely visit the beaches because… well… just take a look… ❤
Final thoughts
I hope you’ve learned more about Perth, Australia, and I hope this sparks your interest in visiting. There are so many other things you can do when visiting Perth besides my top 3, but I hope you keep them as a consideration. This is a place I am very interested in visiting hopefully in the near future, and I hope you consider it as well. Not only does Western Australia have beautiful landscapes, but a very vibrant culture as well. It is definitely a place worth visiting.
Thanks for reading!
