The last day of Australian Features in Down Under is Perth, Western Australia. Tomorrow we start the Pacific Islands.
While I was researching, I noticed that Trip Advisor offers 194 things to do, which probably makes my blog and story today
redundant. However, I’ll keep on going – a little bit of history and Ten Top
FREE things to do in Perth.
Did you know:
Perth has more hours of sun shine than other city in
Australia.
You can get there via more than 35 access routes via land,
sea and air.
For nearly 40,000 years the area on which Perth now stands
was occupied by groups of the Nyoongar people and their ancestors
Ancient stone implements found near the Swan River have been
carbon dated at 38,000 years old.
In December, 1696, three ships in the Dutch fleet commanded
by Willem de Vlamingh anchored off Rottnest Island looking to find any survivors from the Ridderschap van Hollant, lost in 1694, but
were unsuccessful. de Vlamingh bestowed the name Swan on the river
because of the black swans he saw swimming there.
Before the founding of the Swan River Colony, the indigenous
Noongar
people were well established in the southwest corner of Western Australia, hunting and gathering. The lakes on the
coastal plain were particularly important to the Aboriginal people, providing
them with both spiritual and physical sustenance.
In 1829, Captain James Stirling founded Perth as part of the
Swan River Colony, and the first free settlement in Australia. Settlers began
to arrive in Western Australia in shortly after.
From 1831, there were hostile encounters between settlers
and Noongars that culminated in several
executions and massacres that lead to the disintegration of
the tribes and their retreat to the swamps and lakes north of the river.
10 top free things to do – not in any order:
Shoalwater Marine Park has free entry. Snorkel, dive and kayak at this adventure
playground near Rockingham and see WA’s largest colony of fairy penguins,
playful Australian sea lions, dolphins, seabirds, a dive wreck, reefs and
seagrass meadows teeming with marine life.
Taste the Swan Valley
You can sample some of the flavours of WA’s oldest wine-growing region for free on a self-drive tour of the Swan Valley’s cellar doors and producers of gourmet goodies. Tastings of award-winning wines, cheeses, chocolates and more can be found just a 20-minute drive east of Perth. Bring some back with you, and then...
...Browse the famous Fremantle Markets
Experience an icon that’s been bustling for over 100 years. From Friday to Sunday the markets are filled with the fresh and exotic aromas of organic produce, the creativity of local artists and the buzz of free live music and family entertainment. Head over to the historic hall and yard for some free fun at the Fremantle Markets, and then...
...Pack yourself a picnic and head off to Kings Park and
Botanic Garden
Kings Park is one of the largest inner-city parks in the
world, even bigger than New York’s Central Park. With 400 hectares of beautiful
landscaped gardens and natural bushland, and sweeping panoramas of Perth's city
skyline and Swan River, enjoy your al fresco day surrounded by some of the
1,700 unique native species and spring wildflowers showcased in the park.
Lancelin Sand Dunes
Go off-road and experience four-wheel driving, quad-biking
and sand-boarding in Lancelin’s seemingly endless mountainous sand dunes, just
an hour from Perth. You’ll find world-class wave and wind conditions here too,
as well as sheltered fishing spots, so pack your tent, surf board, windsurfing
gear, fishing tackle, mask and snorkel and make it a weekend break.
The Cultural Centre
Right in the heart of the city you’ll find the Cultural
Centre, home to the Western Australian Museum, Art Gallery of Western
Australia, Library of Western Australia and Perth Institute of Contemporary
Arts. All venues are free.
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| street art |
The PUBLIC Urban Art Walks are professionally guided walking
tours of murals through Northbridge and the Perth CBD run by not-for-profit
group FORM in conjunction with our ongoing PUBLIC program. The beautiful
murals are an engaging aspect of urban exploration for locals and tourists
alike. If you are keen to learn the back stories of the artists, their
processes, and the walls as well learn about their inspirations and the greater
PUBLIC program, sign up for a tour!
Check out Pop-ups and more
There’s something new and captivating around every corner in
the centre of Perth. The labyrinth of laneways is filled with urban art, street
food and pop-up stalls. Forrest Place provides the stage for many free festivals
and performances, and Northbridge Piazza hosts a year-round calendar of free
live music, films, exhibitions and events.Find out What's Up currently.
Watch an Indian Ocean sunset
The dazzling beauty of an Indian Ocean sunset is not to be
missed, and with 131 clear days every year, there are plenty of opportunities
to enjoy the show. Pack a picnic and head for one of Perth’s 19 white-sand
beaches to watch the sun go down, reflecting a brilliant array of colours from
sea to sky. Top spots include Cottelsoe Beach, City Beach and Scarborough
Beach.
Catch dinner in the Peel Inlet
You can catch something to put on your plate year-round in
the 155 square kilometres of waterways in Mandurah. Head to the river in summer
or autumn to scoop some blue-manna crabs, prawns or king prawns. Cast a line
off the landings under the estuary bridges, or take your boat out on the water.
You can even enjoy a free day out at the annual Crab Festival in March.
Take a day trip to York
Discover the pretty rolling pastures that lured early
colonists from Perth to establish WA’s first inland settlement – York. With an
impressive main street of fully-restored Victorian and Federation buildings,
it’s one of the few places in Western Australia to hold ‘Historic Town’ status.
Discover history, arts, crafts and a vibrant annual events calendar in York .
For more, go to Experience Perth
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