Perth is the first landfall in Australia for many Malaysian holidaymakers who quickly discover the Western Australia (WA) state is big and home to many big adventures. Perth is the world’s most isolated large city, but with mining riches, it’s not a frontier town, as it has a refreshing air of contemporary sophistication.
Glistening skyscrapers, many of which are the headquarters for some of Australia’s mining giants, rise above the CBD. Just five hours away on AirAsiaX, the city’s shopping, outdoor living, varying delicious food, and superb weather make Perth an ideal holiday destination.
Most of WA’s three million residents live in the state’s south-west, with 2.3 million living in Perth. Visitors can appreciate the city’s scale from Kings Park, with the city sprawling below along both banks of the Swan River’s expansive estuary.
A boat trip on the Swan is one of the best ways to fully appreciate Perth, with ferries operating to Fremantle and Rottnest Island. Others head upstream to famous Swan Valley vineyards like Mandoon Estate and Sandalford. Visitors with time on their hands should explore both options to appreciate the contrasting experiences and landscapes.
Fremantle: Perth’s historic port
Fremantle is one of the world’s best-preserved 19th-century ports, with 150 protected heritage buildings. However, it’s more than a port trapped in a time warp. ‘Freo’ (as the locals call it) is a vibrant tourist precinct with atmospheric cafés, restaurants, and a lively market.
Fremantle was once a rough-and-tumble working-class port full of unloved warehouses.This changed in 1983 when an Aussie crew beat an American yacht to claim the prestigious America’s Cup. As a result, Australia hosted the cup in 1987, and the waters off Fremantle were chosen for the races. Fremantle was rejuvenated, and it has never looked back.
Cottesloe, located a few train stops from Fremantle, is one of Perth’s finest beaches. Meanwhile, Rottnest Island (or Rotto) just offshore, is accessible by ferry. Humpback whales can be seen offshore from October to November.
Dining: Global cuisines abound
Immigration from many parts, especially Southern Europe and Asia, has transformed Perth into a multicultural society, and one of the obvious signs of this is the variety of food available.
There are several pub/restaurant streets in Perth, with Brookfield Place being the epicentre of everything good. Less stringent drinking laws have seen previously off-limits back lanes revitalised, and visitors can enjoy the vibrancy of outlets like Bobeche and Apple Daily Bar & Eating House.
For those who want to combine style, scenery, and sensational cocktails, I suggest you make a reservation and head to Songbird on the fifth floor of the Ritz-Carlton Perth.
In addition to cocktails named after iconic Australian birds, the snacks served herecelebrate fresh, locally sourced produce. Sunset views over Elizabeth Quay, the river, and the city will make your time here even more enchanting.
Restaurants in the city serve modern Australian cuisine with fresh seafood as a speciality. There are numerous Asian restaurants, with a favourite being Miss Mi where dishes are charred, caramelised, smoked, and scorched in celebration of Asian grilling techniques.
In Fremantle, head to Little Creatures Brewery for brewed-on-the-premises craft beers and wood-fired pizzas served on a deck overlooking the fishing harbour. Seafood is a natural choice in Fremantle, with restaurants like Cicerello’s and Kailis’ Fishmarket Cafe located amongst the fishing fleet.
Stays in the city
Rather than stay in one location, we chose two properties in separate locations to enjoy the variety that Perth offers. The recently opened Wonil Hotel Perth is a two-kilometre walk along a cycling/walking path from the CBD. Yet, its riverside location is like staying in a semi-rural setting. The contemporary-style rooms are well-equipped and with verandahs for enjoying the great outdoors. Wonil Hotel’s West Kitchen & Bar is adjacent to the Library Nook with some excellent reading material and comfortable lounges. We walked around part of the foreshore and discovered a nearby blue boatshed over the water that’s quite an Instagrammable attraction.
Seeking a location closer to the city action, we also stayed at the Novotel Perth Murray Street, which provided access to the nightlife of Northbridge, the Bell Tower, Yagan Square, shops along Hay Street Mall, restaurants, bars, and some vibrant street art. The breakfast here was excellent, and we even found time to relax in the hotel’s Keishi Spa, which has won a whole slew of global awards.
Exploring beyond: Out of town
It’s advisable to restrict one’s Western Australian travel horizons or run the risk of not seeing anything in detail. First-time visitors will spend most of their time in Perth, Rottnest Island, and the Swan Valley.
Discover the great outdoors by heading to Swan Valley for the day or as an extended visit. As I was travelling with friends, we hired a Star RV (recreational vehicle) that was perfect for sightseeing, sleeping, and preparing meals.
The vehicle was an economical mode of transport to visit farms, wineries, craft breweries like Funk Brewshed, and distilleries like Old Young’s. The famous Vines Golf Course is also located in the Swan Valley, and it’s a must-visit destination for golfers. We visited at sunset for the resort’s kangaroo safari and were able to get close to the grazing animals.
Perth has a Mediterranean climate with an abundance of sunshine, mild winters, and pleasant summers. The city is a popular destination as it’s flanked by the broad reaches of the Swan River and has numerous beaches along its Indian Ocean coastline.
Quick travel tips
Getting there: AirAsiaX flies on most days from Kuala Lumpur to Perth, with the flying time being just over five hours. A flatbed is the most comfortable way to fly on flights that depart in the late evening.
Where to stay: Wonil Hotel Perth and Novotel Perth Murray Street. For something different, hire a Star RV for small group travel and an affordable holiday.
