Travel to Perth in Australia. Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and is the most isolated capital city of over 1,000,000 people in the world. Perth sprawls along a flat coastal plain, centred along the Swan River and bounded by the Darling Scarp to the east and the Indian Ocean coastline in the west. Perth has a population of around 1.6 million (2009), making it the fourth largest city in Australia. The many uncrowded beaches along the Perth coastline define the lifestyle: Perth is laid-back, quiet and safe.While the CBD straddles the Swan River, most of Perth’s residents live in suburbs along the coast. 1-2 hr outside the city are many small townships and a big islandThe Perth region has been home to the indigenous Nyoongar people for at least the past 40,000 years.British settlers established a free settler colony in 1829 as part of the Swan River Colony. The settlement was given the name “Perth” after the city of Perth, Scotland, the hometown of Sir George Murray, the British Colonial Secretary at that time. From 1850, an influx of convicts boosted the size of the colony and their labour helped shape the early architecture of the city. The discovery of gold in the 1890s triggered a boom which, with subsequent mineral discoveries, has been key to the city’s economy. As capital of the state Western Australia, Perth joined the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.Once a small, isolated city, the mining boom in Western Australia following the end of World War 2 has led to a high rate of migration to Perth, which allowed its population to overtake that of Adelaide in the 1980’s. While the actual mining takes places in distant, more remote parts of the state, much of the mining-related services sector is based in Perth. Today, Perth remains Australia’s fastest growing city, and in recent years has transformed from a relatively laid back city to a fairly vibrant one. Due to the fact that Perth’s population growth was relatively recent, it lacks the dense Victorian core of the eastern cities, but makes up for it with its own charm, particularly seen in the numerous parks and other green spaces within close proximity of the CBD.Despite its isolation and relatively small population, Perth is a surprisingly culturally diverse city. Due to the high rate of migration to Perth, slightly less than half of Perth’s residents were born outside Australia. Its proximity to Southeast Asia and Africa has led to an influx of migrants from countries such as Malaysia, South Africa and Thailand, and this is reflected in the diversity of cuisine available in Perth. If you wish to experience a cosmopolitan culture without the hustle and bustle of larger cities then Perth is worth visiting.The City has a temperate Mediterranean type climate. Summers are hot and dry whilst winters are generally wet and mild. Summer temperatures average 30C/86 F between November and April. Maximum temperatures during the height of summer can reach and sometimes exceed the 40C/104 F mark. Very hot days tend to have very low humidity making conditions more bearable. In the Perth metropolitan area the summertime temperature rises rapidly during the morning, sometimes relieved in the afternoon when the “Fremantle Doctor” blows inland from the ocean to cool the city centre by up to 10C. The doctor often runs out of puff before reaching suburbs further inland, leaving the foothills and beyond to swelter till after sunset. Winter (Jun-Aug) temperatures are usually around 19C. Minimum temperatures occasionally drop to near 0C on clear nights. Though Perth goes through lengthy dry spells in Winter, when it does rain, it pours. Storms with strong winds occasionally hammer a Winter’s night, but they generally cause no more destruction than a toppled tree or flattened fence.Spring (Sep-Nov) and Autumn (Mar-May) are ideal times in which to visit Perth. Spring (particularly October / November periods) is perhaps the very best to see the sights as after a decent winter’s rainfall, the famous wildflowers around Kings Park and the Avon Valley bloom splendidly. The metropolitan areas as well as the bushlands have many flowering species which often flower en-masse, so it is wise to purchase over-the-counter hayfever or antihistamines from a local chemist before making a trip to see them with minimal discomfort. Beach-goers from colder climes might find the summer months too harsh, usually reaching about 35C and sometimes up to 45C during the midday, so it is perhaps best to visit during March-April or October-November as well as taking a hat, sun-screen lotion and sunglasses. The local inhabitants tend to holiday during the height of summer or winter, either to escape the climate, or to celebrate it. In winter Perth inhabitants often travel north to Broome or Bali for the warmth, or oppositely staying in small chalets in the southern country during the winter to enjoy the cool wet climate and seasonal foods.Although Western Australia has many public holidays they are unlikely to cause much inconvenience to your travels. Shops are still open, public transport still runs and the sky is still blue. The exception may be New Years’ Day (Jan 1), Australia Day (26 Jan), Good Friday (10 Apr in 2020), Easter Monday (13 Apr in 2020), Labour Day (first Monday of March), Queen’s Birthday (27 Sep) and Foundation Day (first Monday in June), Christmas Day (25 Dec) and Boxing Day (26 Dec). Most larger shops and shopping centres, pubs and restaurants are closed on these days but smaller convenience stores and some fast food chains keep their doors open. That said however, more and more stores are beginning to open on public holidays. Sunday trading came into existence in late 2012 and most shops have quickly adapted to opening on Sundays.All scheduled international and domestic flights arrive and depart from Perth Airport (IATA: PER). Though all international and domestic services operate under the same Perth Airport banner, there are 4 terminals, with two located either side of the runway, or about 9km (15 minutes) by road. The airport is working towards full consolidation on the eastern side of the runway by the mid-late 2020s, however in the meantime passengers may need to transfer to the other precinct if connecting between Qantas or Jetstar flights and other airlines. T3 and T4 are Qantas Group terminals, and are connected as part of the same building. All Qantas and Jetstar domestic flights depart and arrive here, as do Qantas’s international services to/from London and Singapore (the only international flights Qantas operates from Perth)T1 is also one building, with all non-Qantas international flights (including Jetstar’s international flights) and all Virgin Australia domestic flights (except some regional flights, which depart from T2). T2 is located next to T1 and hosts budget carriers and some regional flights.Major airlines operating from each terminal:The city and major hotels can be easily accessed by taxi or commercial shuttle buses from all terminals. Courtesy phones are located inside the terminals (for the domestic terminal, the courtesy phone is surrounded by a large board advertising accommodation past the baggage conveyor belt as you leave the arrivals area). For more than two people it is often cheaper and faster to take a taxi into the city (waiting time and drop off other passengers can make a shuttle bus service to the city very long). A taxi by meter to the city will cost approximately $40 from the international airport

Airport: PSL Perth/Scone Airport Cities in Australia

Country: Australia