Western Australia’s capital brims with active pursuits and urban charm
It‘s just a five-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur and shares the same time zone. Western Australia’s sunny capital city, Perth, embraces a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and a buzzing cityscape.
Listed as number nine on 52 Places to Go in 2014 by the New York Times, Perth offers plenty of things to do and places to visit .
PERTH’S FIRST SEGWAY TOURS
See the city and its riverfront by rolling on two wheels via Segway Tours. Based at Barrack Street Jetty just outside Perth’s central business district, tours are either 60 or 90 minutes and run along the Swan River east and west of Perth city. Just before you step on the foot paddle, you get to “test-drive” the Segway in the 25-minute Experience Zone sessions.
Tours operate seven days a week, with six tours a day and a minimum of 10 participants per tour. There will be a guide who will provide commentaries about the city.
Segway tours are also available on Rottnest Island. Details at segwaytourswa.com.au.
PERTH MINT NEW LOOK
The Perth Mint has unveiled the second stage of its A$5.5 million (RM15.9 million) redevelopment with a new, permanent exhibition featuring a A$50 million one tonne gold coin.
The Australian Kangaroo gold coin, recognised as the largest coin ever made by Guinness World Records, will be the centrepiece of the new exhibition. The exhibition also includes a display of more than A$25 million worth of natural and refined gold.
You also get a chance to hold a solid gold bar worth more than A$500,000, gold pours, the minting of precious metal coins, as well as a multimedia heritage tour.
The Perth Mint, established as a branch of Britain’s Royal Mint in 1899, is one of the oldest mints in the world that is still operating in its original premises. Details at perthmint.com.au/visit.
DINING BOOM
Perth city and its urban villages of Cottesloe, Claremont, Mount Lawley, Leederville, Maylands, Northbridge, North Perth, Subiaco and Victoria Park are brimming with new dining options as a result of the resource boom.
Sample West Australia’s fresh produce and wines at one of the many new small bars, cafes, and restaurants such as Print Hall, The Old Crow, Pleased To Meet You and Lalla Rookh, or at one of the city’s fashionable food vans or pop-up restaurants.
On weekends, see what the locals are up to at local farmers’ markets. In summer make a beeline for twilight hawker markets, al fresco cafes and beachside dining.
LEEDERVILLE PRODUCE MARKET
Head for the Leederville Farmers Market on Sundays, in the heart of the cafe district near Oxford and Newcastle Street corner, where you will find West Australian organic and conventionally grown fruit and vegetables from the gardens and orchards of the Darling Range all the way down to Donnybrook and back up to Canarvon.
Beef is from grass-fed cows from the pastures of Gingin; milk, cheese and yoghurt from the cool hills around Albany and bio-dynamic lamb and beef from the clean pastures of the Denmark coast.
PERTH HOMEGROWN
Perth’s weekly local products and fresh produce market, Perth Home Grown, is held every Sunday in Murray Street Mall until the end of the year. The market brings wholesome produce and homemade wares to the heart of the city.
Stallholders change weekly and you can shop for quality local fruit and vegetables, freshly baked bread, oils, honey, plants and flowers, handcrafted gifts and more. Homegrown talent provides free live music.
PERTH UPMARKET
Perth Upmarket is a premier quarterly market for original and handcrafted wares. It brings together over 150 of Perth’s most talented artists, designers, craftsmen and gourmets under one roof and incorporates a dedicated Junior Upmarket and Gourmet sections.
The product mix is diverse, ranging from handmade clothing, cupcakes, wall art, cards and homeware to jewellery and skincare products.
SHOP LOCAL AND LUXURY
Perth is a mecca for luxury brands, with labels such as Gucci, Bally, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co and Chanel appearing on stylish King Street in the city. These sit alongside local designers such as Melanie Greensmith and local jewellery brand Kailis, making King Street the ultimate destination for the fashion savvy.
Pop-up stores are a regular concept in the city and visitors will find boutique and interesting retail options along the revitalised William Street, Northbridge. Other rich pickings include designer jewellery crafted from Western Australian gold, Argyle diamonds and Broome’s famous South Sea pearls.
If vintage, hip and quirky are more your style, make a beeline for the boutiques of William Street.
FREE WIFI
Highly WiFi-ed visitors will be pleased to know that they can now secure free blanket WiFi internet access in the central business area, comprising St Georges Terrace, the Murray and Hay Street malls, Forrest Place, Barrack Square, Stirling Gardens, and adjoining streets.
The coverage doesn’t rely on hotspots so users can move freely. To connect, select “Perth wi-fi” on your device. Users can connect for an hour at a time, after which they must reconnect to use the service again.
VISIT FREMANTLE
JUST 30 minutes from Perth, the bustling and dynamic port city of Fremantle has long been renowned for its eclectic mix of arty and alternative types. Its streets are abuzz with the songs of buskers, the sidewalks filled with a collection of art and music from trendy cafes and bars.
Some of the must-dos:
• Enjoy coffee along the famous Cappuccino Strip
• Browse through the Fremantle Markets and watch local buskers
• Enjoy fresh fish and chips at the Fishing Boat Harbour
• Discover Fremantle’s history on a tram ride or self-guided walking trail
• Go underground with Fremantle Prison Tunnel tour
• Visit the WA Maritime Museum and Fremantle Arts Centre
• Feast on local flavours at restaurants and cafes
• Sample boutique beer at a micro brewery
• Find fashion, great shopping, original artwork and quirky gifts.
6D/5N PERTH AND SOUTHWEST GOURMET TOURWITH CHEF WAN
Feast your way through Perth, Swan Valley and the South West region with Chef Wan from Nov 20-25.
The Tourism Malaysia culinary ambassador will be the host-guide for a 6D/5N visit to Perth, Margaret River and the Swan Valley in Western Australia. This is also your chance to spend a day in the Gourmet Village during the Margaret River Gourmet Escape. Details at www.bestperthdeals.com/Malaysia.
The tour covers:
• 3-nights‘ stay in Perth
• 2-nights‘ stay in Margaret River
• Entry to Gourmet Village on Nov 22 during the Margaret River Gourmet Escape event
• Cooking demonstration and tasting tours in the Swan Valley with Chef Wan