Set on the Swan River and just 20km inland from the Indian Ocean, Perth, the capital of Western Australia, offers much for the visitor:
Kings Park: Just 2km from the city centre, this 4 square km park offers superb tree-framed views of the city and is great for walking or cycling and includes an excellent Botanic Garden with 2,500 native species on show.
Western Australian Museum: Collections on Aboriginal culture, the marine environment (including a 25-metre whale skeleton), vintage cars, meteorites (the largest of these, the Mundrabilla specimen weighs 11 tonnes), and more.
Art Gallery of Western Australia: Excellent collections of works by European and Aboriginal artists.
Perth Zoo: A popular and spacious zoo set in attractive gardens.
Perth Mint: This mint was established to refine the gold from Australia's goldfields. You will see amazing collections of historic and rare coins, gold nuggets and gold ingots (which you are allowed to touch!). Gold pouring demonstrations every hour.
Underwater World: An exceptional marine collection with 200 marine species on display.
The WACA: The main cricket playing field and the home for cricket in Western Australia. Nicknamed the WACA (after the association name, Western Australian Cricket Association), many Australian and international cricket greats have played here. There is an interesting cricket museum to see here.
