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Forrest Place
At the centre of the city Forrest Place is much improved since it became for pedestrians only. It is flanked by the impressive G.P.O., a small part of which is still used for its intended purpose. Perth Visitor Centre is here too, and the square is used for open-air concerts and entertainment. Forrest was an explorer and the first Premier of Western Australia.
London Court
London Court between Hay Street Mall and St Georges Terrace is not as old as it is intended to appear. This arcade dates from the 1930s, but resembles a part of Tudor London. There are clocks at each end with hourly jousting tournaments and interesting little shops within. Walk through the Court to St. Georges Terrace and turn left, and then left again up Barrack Street.
Kings Park
Opened in 1872 it has developed as a beautiful park in the centre of Perth and extends to 400 hectares. The tree-lined Fraser Avenue leads to the heart of this 400-hectare park, where the War Memorial stands. The trees beside the road are karri, native to the state of Western Australia. The War Memorial is impressive in itself, but it also stands at the point where there is a magnificent view down over the whole of the city centre. There are lots of paths and view points. The Lotterywest Federation Walkway provides a walk through the treetops. Start at the Lord Forrest Statue on Fraser Avenue. The free Red CAT bus will take you very close to the park entrance in Fraser Avenue.
Perth Town Hall
The Town Hall on the corner of Hay Street and Barrack Street dates from the 1880s and was built by convict labour, but it appears older, copying a traditional English Jacobean style.
St. George's Anglican Cathedral
The Cathedral is built in Gothic style and found off St Georges Terrace. It was started in 1880 and completed in 1888.
The Deanery
The Deanery on the corner of St. Georges Terrace and Pier Street is one of the few buildings in Perth dating from the 1850s. It was originally the residence of the first Dean of Perth, but now it is used as Church offices. It still has its original timber shingles on the roof.
St. George's Hall
The building on Hay Street has been demolished, but the portico was allowed to remain as a reminder of the grandeur of Perths first purpose-built theatre, constructed in 1879.
Allan Green Observatory
Opened to commemorate Ways 150th Anniversary. Free entry entitles you to see a beautiful collection of tropical and semi-tropical plants.
St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral
The western part of this Cathedral in Victoria Square was built in 1865. It stands on the highest point in the central part of Perth.
Perth Mint
Established in 1899, this is Australias oldest operating mint and located at 310 Hay Street. It now specialises in the production of silver, gold and platinum commemorative coins and medals. There is a museum, and you can see a demonstration of gold pouring here. You can hold an ingot worth $200,000 (borrowing not permitted) and see the worlds largest collection of natural gold nuggets. The museum is open daily from 9 – 4 and 1pm at weekends.
Government House
Government House on St Georges Terrace was completed in 1864 and is still the official residence of the Governor of Western Australia. If you walk down between the Concert Hall and Government House, you will also get a glimpse of the magnificent gardens here.
Supreme Court and Gardens
The Supreme Court building was constructed in 1897. The nearby Old Courthouse houses the Francis Burt Law Museum and is the oldest building in Perth. Corner of St. Georges Terrace and Barrack Street
Swan Bell Tower
The modernistic Swan Belltower contains twelve bells from the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, London. The bells, cast in 1725, were a bicentennial gift from the U.K. Government. Open 10 5 every day. Located at Barrack Square (08 9218 8183)
Allen Green Conservatory
The pyramid-shaped Allen Green Conservatory contains a collection of tropical plants.
Perth Boys' School
The former premises of Perth Boys School date from 1854. This is the second oldest independent school in Australia, the oldest being Kings School, Parramatta, near Sydney (1831). Corner of the Esplanade and William Street
Scitech
The biggest planetarium in Australia with a huge 18 metre diameter dome screen providing a 360 degree view. Located at City West, Sutherland Street West Perth
St George's Cathedral
An Anglican cathedral in the city centre open from 7.30 until 5pm.
King Street
This small street is becoming known for its impressive resurgence restaurants, cafs and shops which line the road, and also the nearby lanes and arcades, in an area which previously consisted mainly of disused warehouses.
The Cloisters
The Cloisters in St Georges Terrace were constructed in 1859 as part of the first secondary school for boys in Western Australia.
Barracks Arch
This is the only remnant of the first military barracks constructed in Perth in 1860 for soldier settlers. St. Georges Terrace
Parliament House of Perth
The centre of government for the state of Western Australia Malcolm Street
Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are just beyond the War Memorial in Kings Park, which can be reached free of charge by a bus no. 33 which runs every 45 minutes from St. Georges Terrace. Kings Park
St Mary's Cathedral
A grand church with grounds located at the end of Murray Street.
Northbridge
Northbridge lies to the north of the horseshoe bridge which crosses the railway line in William Street, between Perth Station and the Wellington Street Bus Station. It is easy walking distance from the city centre, but it is also within the free transit zone and the Blue CAT Bus goes here. James Street, the second street after the bridge, has become famous for food, but the surrounding streets too are competing hard. Here you will find every type of cuisine imaginable, a microcosm of the ethnic diversity of Perth. There are also pubs and nightclubs.
Cultural Precinct
Immediately to the north of Perth Station, and still in Northbridge, is the Cultural Precinct, where one can find the Museum of Western Australia, the Art Gallery and the State Library. These are open from 9 until 4pm daily, and admission is free, except when there is a special exhibition. Off Beaufort Street
Asian Area
As one walks north along Beaufort Street, one finds that the Asian community has taken over this area. Shops here are selling Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean products, especially food, and some items are surprisingly cheap. Around Beaufort Street
Burswood Casino
To the east of the city, on the other bank of the river, is the impressive Burswood Casino, which also contains a high class hotel and conference facilities. It can be reached by taking a train to Burswood Station, on the Armadale Line. Next to the casino is Burswood Park. Burswood
Burswood Park
A public park with plenty of trails and places to picnic. The park foreshore runs along the Swan River. The Heritage trail tells the story of Western Australia. All the attractions and facilities are free.
Perth Zoo
Perth Zoo is in South Perth and has more than 2,000 creatures of 280 different species. It tries to present its residents in their natural environment as far as possible. There is an Australian Walkabout section featuring native wildlife, through some parts of which one can wander with the animals. This, the only zoo in Western Australia, is open daily from 9 until 5pm, hours extended until 9pm January. The zoo can be reached by bus no. 30 or 31, or, more scenically, by taking the ferry across the river to Mends Street, followed by a short walk. Located at 20 Labouchere Road in South Perth.
Armadale Reptile Centre
Over 200 reptiles with snakes, lizards turtles and lots more just off the South Western Highway in Armadale.
Aquarium of Western Australia
Hillarys Boat Harbour, a little north of Scarborough, is the home of the Aquarium of Western Australia.
Caversham Wildlife Park
A collection of over 200 species at Whiteman Park. A good place to see kangaroos, and wombats. Enter the park from Lord Street or Beechboro Road. Open daily from 8.30 a.m 5 p.m.
Beaches in Perth
There are plenty of beaches around Perth, along what has become known as the Sunset Coast. The most famous of them is Scarborough. Scarborough can be reached by taking bus no. 15, 400 or 402 from the Wellington Street Bus Station. One of the nearest ocean beaches to the city is Cottesloe, which is a short walk from Cottesloe Station on the Fremantle Line, or is served directly by bus no. 71. Other beaches stretch north from Cottesloe along the coast, including North Swanbourne Beach, which is Perths nudist beach.
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