Travel Guide
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Travel Guide Perth, Western Australia The world’s most remote capital city may not boast the hustle and bustle of its eastern counterparts but the relaxed lifestyle and unparalleled beaches and parklands are the perfect trade-off. The city is brimming with confidence thanks to a resources boom that has sparked a surge in cafes, restaurants, bars and cultural activities. Perth is located alongside the Swan River, a popular playground for water-loving locals and the life-blood of the nearby wine-growing region - Swan Valley. The city is also the gateway to some of Australia’s most spectacular natural wonders the iconic Wave Rock that was formed 2,700 million years ago the unique limestone spiers that make up The Pinnacles and the underground caves and world-renowned wines of the Margaret River. The Western Classic Poker Championship will be held from October 2-7 at Burwood Casino, within the Burswood Entertainment Complex on the banks of the Swan River. The precinct includes a 24-hour casino, two hotels, convention centre, day spa, nightclub, restaurants and bars, retail outlets, theatre and indoor stadium and 18-hole public golf course. The Casino offers a full range of table games from Blackjack and Roulette to Pai Gow and Two-Up. The Riviera Room caters for high-stakes Blackjack, Roulette and Texas Hold’em while high limit Baccarat players are provided plenty of action in the Upper Riviera Room. VIPs can enjoy the ultimate in premium gaming in the Pearl Room’s private salons. Burswood’s dedicated Poker Room has 12 tables and offers live cash games, weekly tournaments and major events. The Poker Room is on the same level as the main gaming floor and operates Monday to Wednesday - 12pm to 6am and Thursday (opening at 12pm) to Sunday - 24 hours a day. Visit www.burswoodpoker.com.au for details on regular tournaments. Things to do Play RoBinSon CRuSoE When the locals want to unwind they head for Rottnest Island. The Island is a short ferry ride from Perth City and boasts some of the best beaches in the world with waters six degrees warmer than that off the mainland. These warm waters are home to 135 species of vibrant tropical fish, 20 species of coral and 13 shipwrecked vessels. See it all with a ride on the Underwater Explorer – a semi-submersible boat that runs 45 minute tours from the main jetty four times a day. Cost: adults $20, children $13 Ferries to the island leave Barrack Street, Perth. The Basin, Rottnest Island. Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia Cost: from $54.20 one way details: www.rottnestexpress.com.au SWim WiTh dolPhinS The protected bays and islands of Rockingham are home to 180 wild dolphins that love to interact with humans. Local cruise operator Rockingham Wild Encounters take visitors on a unique swim with the friendly mammals at Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, about 45 minutes south of Perth Cost: from $205 details: www.dolphins.com.au Diver with bottlenose dolphins off the Rockingham coast Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia FRom ThE airport Limousine – $75 to Burswood Entertainment Complex, book at www.towncars.com.au or phone the Concierge desk at InterContinental Perth Burswood on 08 9362 8244 Taxi – $25 to Burswood Entertainment Complex, cab ranks at domestic and international terminals Things to do RETail ThERaPy If the shopping list includes gold nuggets, Argyle diamonds, Australian opals or Broome pearls you’re in luck. Perth is the capital of unique jewellery that showcases the local gems and metals. Take your credit card to The Perth Mint (310 Hay Street, Perth East). The Fashion Walk of Fame, between Hay and Murray streets in the city’s west end, is Perth’s answer to Rodeo Drive with local and international designer clothes, handbags, shoes and jewellery. Department stores and high street brands can be found in the pedestrian-only Murray and Hay street malls and for more unusual and original pieces try Perth’s famed markets. Day Trips hiT ThE humPBaCk highWay Each year from September to December the waters off Perth, are transformed into a super highway for whales and their young. Up to 35,000 whales use the route during their annual migration to Antarctica. Take a closer look at the Southern Right and Humpback whales and listen to their songs with Oceanic Cruises. Cruises run daily. Cost: adults $79, concession $69, child $35, family (2 adults, 2 children) $199 details: www.oceaniccruises.com.au Whale watching near Augusta. Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia FRoTh, Food and Fun Formerly known best for its wine, the Swan Valley is now turning heads with its boutique beers. The Valley, about 25 minutes east of Perth, is the nation’s leading craft brewing region. The Brewers Dray runs day tours that include visits to at least five micro-breweries, beer tasting tutorials, food and beer matching sessions, lunch and lessons in brewing from the experts. Cost: $130 a person (participants must be 18 or over). Book: www.thebrewersdray.com.au Duckstein Brewery in the Swan Valley. Image courtesy Tourism Western Australia Restaurants Perth has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia. You’ll find plenty of options in Northbridge, Fremantle, Mount Lawley, Subiaco and Victoria Park. But be warned, Perth eateries haven’t caught on to the notion of dining fashionably late and you’ll be hard pressed to find a kitchen that serves after 10pm – even on weekends. Burswood EntertainmEnT ComPlEx noBu (a)lure www.noburestaurants.com/perth www.alurediningroomandbar.com.au Telephone: 08 9362 7551 Telephone: 08 9362 7551 The world’s most recognised Japanese Burswood Entertainment Complex restaurant, is now at Burswood. Book now for an evening with acclaimed winemaker Stephen Henschke and sample the RoCkPool BaR and gRill 2006 Hill of Grace with Matt Horne’s four- course menu. www.rockpool.com Telephone: 08 6252 1900 yu Burswood Entertainment Complex Adjacent to the Intercontinental Hotel Lobby www.yurestaurant.com.au Neil Perry’s ultimate steakhouse Telephone: 08 9362 7551 Burswood Entertainment Complex Cantonese dishes presented like works of art WatersidE maTilda Bay RestauRanT and BaR (below) www.matbay.com.au 3 Hackett Drive, Crawley Telephone: 08 9423 5000 Modern Australian with a focus on fresh seafood The Boatshed Cafe overlooking the Swan River. Image courtesy Tourism Western Australia ThE BoatshEd RestauRanT [email protected] Coode Street Jetty, South Perth Stunning views of Perth and a seafood feast to die for Food display at Matilda Bay. Image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia Restaurants WatersidE Cicerello’S www.cicerellos.com.au Telephone: 08 9335 1911 Fisherman’s Wharf – 44 Mews Road Fremantle WA’s best fish and chips in the heart of Australia’s largest fishing boat harbour Cicerello’s, at Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle Image courtesy Tourism Western Australia SuBurbs JaCkSonS RestauRanT Chapter onE BRaSSERiE www.jacksonsrestaurant.com.au www.chapteronebrasserie.com.au Telephone: 08 9328 1177 Telephone: 08 9388 1323 483 Beaufort Street, Highgate 292 Hay Street, Subiaco Contemporary Australian cuisine from Neal Rustic European in an intimate setting Jackson; try the dego menu After dark When the sun goes down Perth is transformed into a party town with locals flocking to bars in the city and entertainment precincts including Northbridge and Highgate. The Burswood Entertainment Complex also caters to most crowds with Perth’s hottest DJs on the decks at Eve, (www.eveclub.com.au) late night indulgence with cocktails at Minq (Burswood Casino above the Riveria Room), a Guinness at Irish pub Paddy Hannan’s and the ultimate sport’s lovers paradise, Carbon Sports Bar, with a 12m LCD screen and 12 plasmas. CBD Suburbs Box dEli highgate www.boxdeli.com.au Telephone: 08 9322 6744 must WinEBaR 918 Hay Street, www.must.com.au A nod to Manhattan’s lounge bar scene with 519 Beaufort Street cocktails, premium beers and fine wines Awarded Best Wine List by Gourmet Traveller in 2009 and 2010 RevelEy’S CaFE & WinE BaR Telephone: 08 9322 5288 luxE BaR 139 St Georges Terrace www.luxebar.com Charming bar and restaurant 446 Beaufort Street in the heart of the CBD Internationally renowned cocktail den Suburbs northbridgE BRaSS monkEy www.thebrassmonkey.com.au 209 William Street Perth’s most photographed pub serving handcrafted beer universal BaR www.myspace.com/ universalbar 221 William Street Northbridge nightlife image courtesy of Tourism Western Australia The place to go for live music WeaTher Temperatures soar in Summer making Spring a better time to visit. Enjoy sunny days with maximum average temperatures of 24C and average lows of 9C. What’s on The Burswood Theatre is home to some of the biggest shows in town, playing host to Queen: it’s a kinda magic, and Suzi Quatro in October. The tribute to Freddie Mercury plays for one night only (October 6). Tickets: adults $89, concession $79. Legendary rocker Suzi Quatro will rock the spotlight for two nights, October 10 and 11, playing her biggest hits Can the Can, Devil Gate Drive, 48 Crash, Stumblin’ In and tracks from her forthcoming album. Tickets: $89. Book for either show at www.burswood.com.au/Entertainment/ Promo-List/ October is also the month the country comes to town with the IGA Perth Royal Show held October 1-8 at the Claremont Showgrounds. The event has been run- ning for 170 years and draws crowds of 400,000 each year. The showgrounds are about 15 minutes drive west of the CBD. Cost: adults $25, children (under 12 yrs free) $12, family (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 4 children) $62. details: www.perthroyalshow.com.au Belmont Park Racecourse is Perth’s winter track but some events are held in the warmer months including Sunday Jazz on October 2.