Perth & Surroundings

Perth is the state capital, a modern city and one of the most isolated in the world, the nearest neighbours being Adelaide 1500 miles away to the east and Jakarta 1865 miles to the north. This gives the city a special feeling and the locals have a "go it alone' attitude that shapes their character. It's a friendly city with fine restaurants and shopping.

Wave Rock is a pleasant 4 hour drive from Perth and is located near the town of Hyden. Rising nearly 50 feet from the ground and more than 300 feet long, Wave Rock looks like a giant surf wave of multicoloured granite about to crash onto the bush below. It's believed this amazing formation was more than 2,700 million years in the making. Wave Rock is also a pleasant area for walking with native flowers and birds on display.

The extraordinary ancient rock formations that make up the Pinnacles are located about a three-hour drive north of Perth near the coastal town of Cervantes. Regarded as one of the most unique landscapes in Australia, these incredible limestone spiers rise eerily out of the sand. You can get up close to the Pinnacles on a scenic drive and walk trail that includes an amazing lookout over the Nambung National Park. It's believed the Pinnacles were created millions of years ago as seashells were broken down into sand and then eroded by water and wind.

The Swan River separates the downtown area of Perth from its southern suburbs and provides an attractive visual contrast to the city's modern skyline. If you add this to your Wish List we will arrange a full day excursion on Perth's famous wine cruise. Cruise upstream to picturesque Swan Valley; visit Sandalford Estate and Waters Edge Winery for premium wine tasting. Enjoy a delicious 3 course riverside lunch before enjoying live entertainment on your return trip home.

Just off the West Coast of Perth is the small island of Rottnest. The island gained its name from a small marsupial that calls Rottnest home, the Quokka. When early Dutch explorers visited the island, they mistook these creatures for unusually large rodents, and referred to the island as 'Rottenest', a rats nest. They couldn't have been more wrong about these creatures or the island, and the small friendly quokkas, now a protected native animal, still inhabit the island in large numbers. No cars are allowed on the island so the most popular transport is by bicycle. A relaxing and scenic day excursion from Perth.

Modern Fremantle was created when warehouses used by the port were abandoned and artists moved in to start a thriving artistic community. Another great influence was in 1983 when Australia stunned the yachting world by winning the America's Cup, ending a 132 year run of success by the New York Yacht Club. In 1987, Fremantle hosted the defence of the 'Auld Mug' as the Americans vowed to win it back, and win it they did. Today, Fremantle is a popular destination for both visitors and locals and the now renowned Cappuccino Strip on South Terrace buzzes with people enjoying the alfresco style cafes in this oceanside city.