This sign of greeting and respect was repeated again in 1998 when Glenn passed over Perth aboard the Space Shuttle. Located in Western Australia between the Darling Range and the Indian Ocean, Perth is a growing metropolitan city that avidly embraces the Aussie outdoor lifestyle, the taste for adventure, and interest is sport, nature, and history.
Swimming and surfing are favorite family activities along the 80+ kilometers of white, sandy beaches. With temperate weather, you can enjoy the miles of bicycle trails winding along the Swan River, or spend the day at King’s Park Botanical Gardens. One of the largest inner city parks in the world, King’s Park has miles of trails that are great for walking, jogging, cycling or rollerblading. It’s lush with native plants and has multiple playground areas for the kids and shady spaces to relax and enjoy a picnic.
Families can spend a fascinating day exploring the coastline on an underwater journey at the Aquarium of Western Australia, or take the exciting Treetop Walk near King’s Park for a breathtaking view of the city. A visit to the Perth Zoo brings you face-to-face with a number of native Australian animals: the numbat, the dibbler, the chuditch, and the western swamp tortoise, plus plenty of kid-favorites including lions, tigers, orangutans and giraffes. Take the ferry ride to Penguin Island, or unleash your wild side at Rockingham Wild Encounters where your kids can swim with the dolphins.
Arts and entertainment thrive in Perth, home to the West Australian Ballet, the Western Australian Opera and the West Australia Symphony Orchestra. The annual Perth International Arts Festival celebrates the thriving arts community with a variety of cultural and entertainment presentations. Your kids will enjoy a day at the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Freemantle, where maritime objects from all eras are displayed – including a Royal Australian Navy submarine and Australia II, the famous yacht that won the Americas Cup in 1983.
