The city of Perth, Western Australia’s capital, has had inhabitants for over 40,000 years and continues to enchant visitors to this day. Combining a bustling city center with nearby quaint villages and a gorgeous coastline, Perth offers a number of attractions for the tastes of any visitor.

Captain Stirling, later Perth’s first governor, founded the city on the Swan River near the Indian Ocean in’29 while aboard a British sea vessel. Perth’s population today is about 1,650,000.

One of the best ways to enjoy Perth is aboard a ship, and the many cruises down Swan River allow visitors that opportunity. You can even hear live music or have dinner while you float along.

After getting a look at this city’s architecture and river banks, head downtown and take advantage of Perth’s shopping. Check out the souvenir stores for great mementos of your trip, or browse through the Aboriginal arts and crafts. Perth’s bustling metropolis will deliver on high fashion and designer stores, but you will also find the materials to go exploring throughout Western Australia. Stock up on beach items like swimwear and surfboards, or get ready to go camping by buying your tent and thermoses here.

Nearby in Kings Park there are many places to get a bird’s-eye view of Perth high up on Mount Eliza. See the bushland of Australia and the many native species of birds and plant life. You can also tour the Botanic Gardens or bring along a picnic basket for an ideal afternoon. In the summer, look for open-air concerts or the outdoor cinema.

Just a quick trip outside Perth’s center is the terrific Perth Zoo. Everything from Australia’s wild can be found here, from the famous kangaroos and dingoes to the fascinating wallaby.

For a look at historic Perth, visit the Old Mill which dates back to’35. The setting of the Old Mill has a distinctly colonial feel, offering a glimpse of Perth before its commercial supremacy. Learn about threats to the local population by Aborigine attacks and find out how this landmark survived its near demolition in the middle of the 20th century.

Back in the city, a trip to London Court offers a more stately setting, where Tudor-era building and giant clocks give that feeling of old London. Along the tiny pedestrian streets, visitors can while away a peaceful afternoon in one of the sidewalk cafes.

One of Perth’s great features is its proximity to natural wonders. The Sunset Coast is home to the area’s best beaches, from the Mindarie Keys to Cottlesloe on the western edge of the city. Swanbourne and Scarborough are two more exotic destinations where the worries of the city life will soon disappear.

While staying overnight in Perth, you will find all of the accommodations you could hope for, from breathtaking five-star suites to mid-range options and even choices for the budget traveler.

The fine dining is unparalleled in Western Australia and you will have your choice of award-winning restaurants on a nightly basis.

Allan Brrooks assists Perth’s tourists by offering Perth surfboard hire. It is a one of a kind long term surfboard hire service in Perth