|
|
| City Guide - Perth - Key Attractions | ||
|
||
|
Key Attractions Kings Park Lined by gum trees, the magnificent Fraser Avenue entrance to Kings Park gives an indication of what lies ahead: splendid views of the city and the Swan River, impressive monuments and a true wilderness in the heart of the city. Covering 400 hectares (990 acres) on Mount Eliza, the park is crisscrossed by walking trails and bicycle paths; bikes are available for hire. The sombre State War Memorial commemorates the West Australian Anzacs killed in World War I with an eternal flame and monument featuring the engraved names of the dead. Of particular interest is the West Australian Botanic Garden, with its collection of native flora including 1700 varieties of wildflower. There is also a restaurant, café, Aboriginal art gallery and children's playgrounds. The ideal picnic ground, during summer the park hosts open-air film screenings, plays and concerts. Kings Park Road, West Perth Tel: (08) 94 80 36 00. Fax: (08) 93 22 50 64. Web site: www.kpbg.wa.gov.au Transport: Bus 32, 33, 72 or 103; or a 15-minute walk from the city centre. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Perth Zoo Perth's small but popular and conveniently located zoo boasts an Australian Bushwalk, where native animals can be observed in their natural habitat, as well as the African Savannah. Visitors should keep an eye out for the numbat, the marsupial that is the symbol of Western Australia. Daily keeper talks allow visitors to get up close to the animals. 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth Tel: (08) 94 74 35 51. Web site: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au Transport: Bus 36, 108 or 110; or ferry from Barrack Street to Mends Street. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission: A$13.20 (concessions available). Swan Bells Perth's futuristic and somewhat controversial bell tower, which opened at the end of 2000, is located at the foot of Barrack Street on the Swan River Foreshore. Dubbed the Swan Bells, the 80m (260ft) tower houses the historic bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields, a gift to Perth from the City of London for the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. The tower can be ascended by steps for panoramic views; the development also contains shops, restaurants, reception rooms and a tourist information centre. Barrack Square Tel: (08) 92 18 81 83. Web site: www.barracksquare.wa.gov.au Transport: Blue Cat; Ferry to Barrack Street. Opening hours: Daily 0800-2000. Admission: Free until 1 April 20001; then A$5.50 (concessions available). Art Gallery of Western Australia Perth's major gallery has a permanent collection of Australian and international art and one of the finest collections of Aboriginal art in the country. The gallery is also the venue for major national and international touring exhibitions; free guided tours are held every day except Monday and Saturday. Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Northbridge Tel: (08) 94 92 66 22. Fax: (08) 94 92 66 55. E-mail: admin@artgallery.wa.gov.au Web site: www.artgallery.wa.gov.au Transport: Perth Railway Station. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700. Admission: Free; special exhibitions carry a charge. His Majesty's Theatre Short-sighted policies have seen the demolition of most of Australia's old theatres but His Majesty's still stands in all its Edwardian glory. Arguably the most beautiful theatre in Australia, its features include ornate gilded foyers, a magnificent marble staircase and domed, three-tiered auditorium. A venue for plays, opera, musicals and dance, the theatre is also home to a remarkable collection of performing arts memorabilia. Friends of the Theatre conduct daily tours leaving from the foyer; if not attending a performance the tour is well worth taking. 825 Hay Street Tel: (08) 92 65 09 00. Fax: (08) 92 65 09 45. Transport: Perth City Busport and Perth Railway Station. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1600 (tours). Admission: Free tours. Perth Mint A well-preserved remnant of the gold rush era, Perth's 100-year-old mint offers an entertaining public tour. Visitors can see A$200,000 pure gold bars being poured and are invited to touch them; they may also mint their own personalised medallions and witness the production of gold, silver and platinum coins. 310 Hay Street, corner of Hill Street Tel: (08) 94 21 72 23. Fax: (08) 92 21 22 58. E-mail: info@perthmint.com.au Transport: Red Cat. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat and Sun 0900-1300. Admission: A$6.60 (concessions available). Western Australian Museum Housed in a complex containing some of Perth's oldest buildings, the museum specialises in natural history, with mammal, bird, dinosaur, marine and butterfly displays. The Aboriginal Gallery is outstanding, as is the museum's collection of meteorites; the 25m (82ft) skeleton of a blue whale is another highlight. James Street Mall, Northbridge Tel: (08) 94 27 27 00. Fax: (08) 94 27 28 82. E-mail: reception@museum.wa.gov.au Web site: www.museum.wa.gov.au Transport: Blue Cat, Weekend Cat. Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700. Admission: Free. Scitech Discovery Centre Science meets showbiz at this glitzy attraction featuring over 160 hands-on exhibits covering such topics as electricity, magnetism and acoustics. The Mega-Morphin Heli-Sub Simulator takes visitors on a virtual flight over Perth then dives beneath the sea; the Kaleidoscope House is a unique sensory experience. New exhibits are introduced every six months. Corner of Sutherland Street and Railway Parade, West Perth Tel: (08) 94 81 57 89. Fax: (08) 93 21 28 69. Web site: www.scitech.org.au Transport: City West Station (Fremantle Line)/Red Cat. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700. Admission: A$12 (concessions available). Underwater World A dolphin-poisoning outrage at the end of 1999 may have robbed Underwater World of three of its main attractions, but the survivors still perform for their supper three times a day. Less charming, but undeniably fascinating, are the sharks and crocodiles at their respective feeding times. The main aquarium's 100m (328ft) glass tunnel brings visitors in among schools of fish, turtles, stingrays and the formidable sharks, and sea creatures can be felt at the interactive Touch Pool. Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Hillarys Tel: (08) 94 47 75 00. Fax: (08) 94 47 78 56. E-mail: bookings@underwater.com.au Web site: www.underwater.com.au Transport: Joondalup Train to Warwick Interchange; bus 423 to Sorrento. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission: A$17.50 (concessions available). |
||
