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Key Attractions Kings Park & Botanic Garden Lined by gum trees, the magnificent Fraser Avenue entrance to Kings Park gives an indication of what lies ahead – splendid views of the city and the Swan River, impressive monuments and a true wilderness in the heart of the city. Covering 400 hectares (990 acres) on Mount Eliza, the park is crisscrossed by walking trails and bicycle paths (bikes are available for hire). The sombre State War Memorial commemorates Anzacs killed in World War I, with an eternal flame and engraved monument. Of particular interest is the West Australian Botanic Garden, with its collection of native flora, including 1700 varieties of wildflower. There is also a restaurant, café, Aboriginal art gallery and children’s playgrounds. During summer, the park hosts open-air film screenings, plays and concerts. Daily guided walks depart at 1000 and 1400 from the Karri Log, on Fraser Avenue. Kings Park Road, West Perth Tel: (08) 9480 3600. Fax: (08) 9322 5064. E-mail: enquiries@bgpa.wa.gov.au Website: www.kpbg.wa.gov.au Transport: Bus 32, 33, 72 or 103; a 15-minute walk from the city centre. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Perth Zoo Perth’s small but popular and conveniently located zoo boasts an Australian Bushwalk – where visitors can observe native animals in their natural habitat – and African Savannah. Visitors should keep an eye out for the numbat, the marsupial that is the symbol of Western Australia. Daily keeper talks allow the public to get close to the animals. 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth Tel: (08) 9474 3551. E-mail: e-mail@perthzoo.wa.gov.au Website: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au Transport: Bus 35, 108 or 110; ferry from Barrack Street to Mends Street. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission: A$14 (concessions available). Swan Bells Perth’s futuristic and somewhat controversial bell tower, which opened at the end of 2000, is located at the foot of Barrack Street, on the Swan River Foreshore. Dubbed the Swan Bells, the 80m (260ft) tower houses the historic bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields – a gift to Perth from the City of London for the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. For panoramic views, visitors can ascend the tower via steps. The development also contains shops, restaurants, reception rooms and a tourist information centre. Barrack Square Tel: (08) 9218 8183. Fax: (08) 9325 2507. Website: www.swanbells.com.au Transport: Blue Cat; Ferry to Barrack Street. Opening hours: Daily 0800-1600. Admission: A$6 (concessions available). Art Gallery of Western Australia Perth’s major gallery has a permanent collection of Australian and international art and one of the finest collections of Aboriginal art in the world. The gallery is also the venue for major national and international touring exhibitions. Free guided tours are held every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – bookings are required. Perth Cultural Centre, James Street, Northbridge Tel: (08) 9492 6622. Fax: (08) 9492 6655. E-mail: admin@artgallery.wa.gov.au Website: www.artgallery.wa.gov.au Transport: A short walk from Perth City Busport and Perth Railway Station. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700. Admission: Free; special exhibitions carry a charge. His Majesty’s Theatre Short-sighted policies have seen the demolition of most of Australia’s old theatres but His Majesty’s still stands in all its Edwardian glory. Arguably the most beautiful theatre in Australia, its features include ornate gilded foyers, a magnificent marble staircase and a domed, three-tiered auditorium. A venue for plays, opera, musicals and dance, the theatre is also home to a remarkable collection of performing arts memorabilia. Friends of the Theatre conduct tours from Monday to Friday, departing from the foyer. 825 Hay Street Tel: (08) 9265 0900. Fax: (08) 9265 0945. Website: www.hismajestystheatre.com.au Transport: A short walk from Perth City Busport and Perth Railway Station; Red Cat. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1600 (tours). Admission: Free (tours). Perth Mint A well preserved remnant of the gold rush era, Perth’s 100-year-old mint offers an entertaining public tour. Visitors can see A$200,000 pure gold bars being poured and are invited to touch them. They may also mint their own personalised medallions and witness the production of gold, silver and platinum coins. 310 Hay Street, corner of Hill Street Tel: (08) 9421 7223. Fax: (08) 9221 9804. E-mail: pmint@global.net.au Website: www.perthmint.com.au Transport: Red Cat. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat and Sun 0900-1300. Admission: A$6.60 (concessions available). Western Australian Museum Housed in a complex containing some of Perth’s oldest buildings, the Western Australian Museum specialises in natural history, with mammal, bird, dinosaur, marine and butterfly displays. The Aboriginal Gallery is outstanding, as is the museum’s collection of meteorites, while the 25m (82ft) skeleton of a blue whale is another highlight. A newer exhibit is Land & People – Western Australian history brought to life. James Street Mall, Northbridge Tel: (08) 9427 2700. Fax: (08) 9427 2882. Website: www.museum.wa.gov.au Transport: Blue Cat or Weekend Cat. Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700. Admission: Free. Scitech Discovery Centre Science meets showbiz at this glitzy attraction featuring over 160 hands-on exhibits covering such topics as electricity, magnetism and acoustics. The Mega-Morphin Heli-Sub Simulator takes visitors on a virtual flight over Perth, then dives beneath the (virtual) sea. New exhibits are introduced every six months. Corner of Sutherland Street and Railway Parade, West Perth Tel: (08) 9481 5789. Fax: (08) 9321 2869. E-mail: ticketing@scitech.org.au Website: www.scitech.org.au Transport: City West station (Fremantle Line) or Red Cat. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700. Admission: A$12 (concessions available). AQWA – The Aquarium of Western Australia Newly renovated, the former Underwater World boasts delightful dolphins performing three times a day for their supper. Less charming but undeniably fascinating are the sharks and crocodiles at their respective feeding times. The main aquarium’s 100m (328ft) glass tunnel – the largest in Australia – brings visitors in among schools of fish, turtles, stingrays and the formidable sharks. Sea creatures can even be touched at the interactive Discovery Pool. Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Hillarys Tel: (08) 9447 7500. Fax: (08) 9447 7856. E-mail: bookings@aqwa.com.au Website: www.aqwa.com.au Transport: Joondalup Train to Warwick Interchange; bus 423 to Sorrento. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700 (winter); Wed 1000-2100, Thurs-Tues 1000-1700 (summer). Admission: A$20 (concessions available). |
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