Ferry terminal Elizabeth Quay

Perth

About Perth

Founded in 1829 as part of the Swan River Colony, Perth began as a remote British outpost on Australia’s vast west coast. Early years were tough and isolated, but gold discoveries in the 1890s transformed the city, bringing wealth, railways, and rapid growth. Its distance from Australia’s eastern cities helped shape a fiercely independent character. Modern Perth blends relaxed coastal living with a polished, prosperous edge, thanks in part to Western Australia’s mining boom. Skyscrapers rise beside the Swan River, beaches like Cottesloe are part of everyday life, and Kings Park offers some of the best city views anywhere. It’s sunny, spacious, and wonderfully unhurried — Australia at half speed, in the best possible way. Credit: chatGPT

Our day

We decided to go and see what Perth is all about, and to do so make use of the public transportation system – which is astonishing and Sadiq needs to send someone down here. Our return train tickets were AUD$14 which is about £7 and that was both of us and includes free use of all buses and ferries in Perth.

It was about a half hour journey, and with no knowledge of Perth, headed to Elizabeth Quay. Great fun watching kids in the water park, but Nikki was not persuaded by the “wet T-shirt” argument.

We strolled around the quay, and though tempted by a trip to Rotnest Island (named by the Dutch because they thought it was infested with rats, but actually Quokkas) felt a visit to a “pub” was more our style.

Sat at a waterside table, we were enthralled by herds (is that the collective noun?) of Jelly fish swimming by. Beautiful but we assumed deadly. No wonder a nearby ferry has a sign “you jump, you pay” which we initially took to mean something else.

We then walked along the Swan river, which was delightful, before heading back into town, via a free “cat” bus, by which time refreshment was needed and a visit for a couple at Gamercy bar. The arrival of an 85 year old weirdo, hastened our departure.

Overall, Perth seemed a cool and vibrant spot!

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