Where in the world is Perth?

By: Mackenzie Perez

Australia is one of those places I always thought would be cool to visit and didn’t think I’d ever actually get the chance to do it. Imagine my surprise when my boss called to let me know they were sending me for a week. When most people think Australia they think Sydney, Opera House, Finding Nemo, etc. so where in the world is Perth? Perth is the biggest city in Western Australia and known for being the industrial hub of Australia, as it is home to many of the world’s biggest oil and refining companies.

I landed in Perth mid-afternoon and knew the first place I was going was to the beach! The nearest public beach is Cottlesloe Beach, about a 10 minute Uber ride from downtown Perth. Many shops and restaurants line the busy street across from the water much like Ocean Drive in South Beach. Plenty of room to lay or set up camp on the beach or if the thick sand isn’t your thing there is a grassy knoll that looks over the water available as well. Whether you choose to paddle board, surf or just swim the water is clear and beautiful. Cottlesloe provides great photo opportunities from the rock walkway into the Indian Ocean.

King’s Park is one of the most breathtaking (literally the climb is steep!) and clean parks I have ever visited. Located atop hills King’s Park provides city view quite like no other. You can see the downtown skyline, Elizabeth Quay, swamp lands down below and the ocean from just about anywhere in the park. It has a great running trail that is quite challenging with all of the hills and Jacob’s Ladder. Gum Trees line the streets of the park and giant fig trees with roots that shoot up from the ground. King’s Park is a must see on your trip to Perth.

If you are down under and looking for Kangaroos, visit John Forest National Park, the place is filled with wild Kangaroos that hang out behind the restaurant. We had lunch with a particularly friendly Kangaroo, who the restaurant owner has named Meegan. She posed for pictures and walked around waiting for our leftovers.

The newest feature to Perth is Elizabeth Quay, the art inspired boardwalk is boosts many restaurants, pier to party boats, and while I was there home to many of the Perth Art Festival exhibitions. Elizabeth Quay just opened a few months ago and is still undergoing construction, but a great place for photos, dinner and if you are me, running to a group of young bboys dancing on the pier.

Overall, I was surprised at the culture and art that Perth holds as it is widely known as an industrial city. The city is calm and peaceful, the parks are beautiful and you get an authentic Australian feel.