Backpack around Oz

In the Western Australian capital city of Perth, happy living can be traced back some 40,000 years, when the first tribes walked its earth. As a busy commercial center with proximity to numerous treasures of nature and beaches, Perth is an ideal stop during an Australian vacation.

Founded in’29 by Captain James Stirling, Perth has been a great city for its residents ever since, situated on the Swan River about twenty kilometers from the Indian Ocean. Today it is home to a population topping 1.6 million people.

One of the best ways to enjoy Perth is aboard a ship, and the many cruises down Swan River allow visitors that opportunity. You can even hear live music or have dinner while you float along.

When the city and river sights leave you wanting more, head downtown and get into Perth’s excellent shopping. Anything from souvenirs to Aborigine arts and crafts are for sale, as well as brand name designer clothing and shoes. If you want to prep for a weekend expedition, Perth offers explorers the means to gear up for a surf safari or a trip to the mountains, with camping and surf equipment at hand.

Nearby in Kings Park there are many places to get a bird’s-eye view of Perth high up on Mount Eliza. See the bushland of Australia and the many native species of birds and plant life. You can also tour the Botanic Gardens or bring along a picnic basket for an ideal afternoon. In the summer, look for open-air concerts or the outdoor cinema.

A few minutes from the city center lies the Perth Zoo. Watch Australia’s natural wonders roam from a safe point of view. Kangaroos, dingoes and even the wallaby are all present.

If you want to see the colonial origins of Perth, stop by the Old Mill, built in the’30s. In the surrounding grounds you can imagine a far away time, before Perth was a capital of commerce. Touring the mill, you can see how warring Aborigines fought for their rights to the area and the events which led up to the near-extinction of the Mill in the mid-20th century.

Back in the urban landscape, visit St. George Terrace and experience London Court, a Tudor-style taste of Old England. Follow the pedestrian thoroughfares past sidewalk cafes and antique merchants’ shops and take a picture of St. George’s great clock.

If you want to get out of the bustle for a weekend, Perth’s attractive Sunset Coast will fit the bill. The beaches lining the Mindarie Keys northwest of the city, and Cottlesloe to the West, offer the ideal antidote to urban sprawl. Swanbourne and Scarborough’s beaches boast perfect summertime temperatures and cozy accommodations.

While in Perth, you’ll find a number of five-star hotels which will suit the most discriminating traveler. There are also a number of mid-range hotel options.

The fine dining is unparalleled in Western Australia and you will have your choice of award-winning restaurants on a nightly basis.

Allan Brrooks helps Perth’s visitors by offering Perth surfboard hire. It is a unique longterm surfboard hire service in Perth