Perth

• General Info
• Going Out

General Info

Perth is the capital of Western Australia. It's famous for being the most islolated capital city in the world, as well as the sunniest capital in the world. Perth is clean, warm, and friendly, as well as loads of fun. Although nowhere near the size of Sydney, herein lies its charm. It's a city, but with the personality of a country town. It has everything you need, all within a small area.

Perth is situated on the Swan river. Hay Street and Murray Street are the two main streets in the CBD, running from east to west. Northbridge is where most backpackers will base themselves, and for good reason. This is where most of the good restaurants and bars are.

The train station and bus station sit side by side on Wellington Street in the centre, where you can get trains and buses all over Perth and Fremantle. There are also free buses that will get you anywhere in the city centre and Northbridge. The Central Area Transit (CAT) buses are an excellent and reliable way to get around. There are two main taxi companies in Perth, Black and White (ph:9333 3333), and Swan Taxis (ph:131330). All the big car rental companies are here such as Avis, Hertz, Budget, Apollo, Travellers Autobarn, etc. You can get the ferry from Barrack Street Jetty for a cruise on the swan river or if you want to head down to Fremantle or out to Rottnest.

Going Out

There's plenty to do in Perth, lots of pubs and clubs, cinemas, parks, and sporting events. Below are a few of the best:

• The deen hotel, Black Bettys, Rosie O Gradys, Brass Monkey, Rise, Pallas Hotel, Universal Bar, Mustang Bar, the Elephant and Wheelbarrow, and the Rock in Northbridge, The Hip-E-Club is in Leederville, and Carnagie on Murray Street in the city centre are all good. Drinks are around $7.50 (pint) on a normal night. Try to stick to backpacker nights, such as tuesdays and sundays in Rosie O' Gradys, Mondays in the Deen, and Wednesdays in Black Bettys. Drinks can be as cheap as $8.50 for a jug (two pints). There are free barbeques around as well.

• The Perth Concert Hall is at 55 St Georges Terrace, and His Majestys Theatre is at 825 Hay Street.

• The Luna cinema is on Oxford Street in Leederville, West Perth. Cinema Paradiso is on James Street in Northbridge.

• Head up to Kings Park for the views of the city and have a walk around, or try the treetop walk. Another great place for a stroll is along the Swan River.

• Check out an AFL game at the Subiaco Oval, where the two AFL teams play, the West Coast Eagles, and the Fremantle Dockers. Aussie Rules football is a rough, tough and exciting game with plenty of scores to keep your interest. Originating from Gaelic Football, it's now an authentic Aussie game and you should try to see a game when you're down there. Get your tickets from Cloisters Newsagency, 863 Hay Street.