Perth : Overview
Spread out like a picnic by the tranquil, lake-like Swan River and the eternal surf of the Indian Ocean, everything in Perth is as easily done outdoors as in, in sandals as in shoes. Rumor has it that WA spurns daylight saving time so that business executives can get in a quick surf before work. This mellow attitude is a point of pride for many Perthites, as is their city's status as the world's most isolated capital. (Adelaide, the nearest state capital, is at least a two-day drive away.)
But isolation does not mean desolation, WA's capital, home to 88% of the state's population, is an extreme example of Australian demography. Business booms of the 80s and 90s injected fresh funds into the city, which now bristles with new skyscrap¬ers and condominiums. The growth is easy to understand, given the clean air, acces¬sible beaches, gorgeous sunsets, and mild climate. Yet as central Perth grows, some nostalgic residents point to Fremantle, the city's port and the other focus of Perth's energy, as the example to emulate. Funds flowing into "Freo" have been spent on his¬toric, restorative facelifts rather than skyline lifts. In between Freo and the city center lie parks, sails, beaches, and plenty of souls content to share with visitors the lifestyle that their city is famous for. If you've made the effort to cross die kilometers to Perth, you'll be more than welcome: pick your patch of sand and join the picnic.