On a Budget? - Hop on the CAT bus for a free day of touring the city’s highlights. Call 13 62 13 or see www.transperth.wa.gov.au - Take a stroll around Kings Park, and snap some first class photos of the city from up above. Experience the heady heights of the eucalypt canopy by embarking on the Federation Walkway. - Do a hip, urban Aboriginal day trip with didgeridoo lesson, aboriginal art class, bush tucker luncheon, personal stories $125. See www.urbanindigenoustours.com - Vist Caversham Wildlife Park and meet and feed the animals. All of the attractions are included in the entry fee! See www.cavershamwildlife.com.au - Hop on a bike and explore the city and surrounds. The Cycle Centre, 313 Hay St East Perth WA 6004 (opposite the Perth Mint) Ph: (08) 9325 1176. www.cyclecentre.com.au - Hit the Northbridge pubs on a week night (discounted meal/drink offers) for a drink-up. - Treat yourself to a generous helping of Hindu hospitality, and 360º panorama view of the Perth city skyline. You ‘eat as you like and pay as you feel’. Annalakshmi, 2nd Floor, 12 The Esplanade, Perth. www.annalakshmi.com.au - Grab a free movie at the outdoor Northbridge Piazza. See facebook.com/nbpiazza
Northbridge Friday and Saturday nights come alive in Northbridge. Perth’s cultural and entertainment centre, Northbridge is just a few minutes walk north of Perth’s CBD. The area is home to a number of pubs, nightclubs, bars, cafes, shops, galleries and one of the biggest concentrations of restaurants in Australia. Perth’s ethnic diversity is represented in an assortment of restaurants and cafes, especially around Lake and James Streets. There are literally hundreds to choose from, all within about four blocks of each other. Enjoy a Thai, Chinese, Indian, Greek, Egyptian or Italian meal before heading out to one of the premier nightspots. William Street is the centre for all your budget travel and touring booking agents, with a number to chose from. The Western Australian Art Gallery houses a great collection of state, national and international art and the Alexander Library is excellent. In Arts House The Photography Gallery of Western Australia displays creative images from leading artists that change each month.
The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA), near the Art Gallery, Museum and Library, houses a diverse range of contemporary art and performances in a grand old heritage building. The Perth Cultural Centre is located in the State Library, Art Gallery, Blue Room Theatre and PICA area near Perth Train Station. There is ample budget accommodation in the Northbridge area, a district favoured by young international visitors to Perth.
Go Perth Culture Despite existing on the fringe of an already isolated continent, Perth and Western Australia are also abuzz with modern cultural activity. In fact WA’s isolation has resulted in cultural traditions that are truly unique and quite distinct from their urban Aussie counterparts to the east. Perth has more hours of sunshine then any other state capital in Australia. This has given rise to a prolific and rich outdoor culture. Entertaining, socializing and drinking outdoors, is simply the way life is lived over here. As for festivals - well Perth is second only to Sydney in the number of music festivals it hosts, particularly over the summer months. During the summer time seek out various outdoor cinemas; classic, cult, and new release films are played under the trees and stars on balmy evenings. Throughout the year countless events are held in Western Australia. These range from Broome’s Shinju Matsui Pearl Festival to Perth’s Good Vibrations dance fest. To find out more check out our events guide (page 14) or go to www.westernaustralia.net/events or www.cultureandarts. wa.gov.au To keep on top of up-to-date gigs, alternative events and week night specials go to www. coolperthnights.com and sign up to their newsletter!
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