Over in WA they say that there are even more reasons for West Aussies to stay and play in Perth, with a $200 discount being offered at up to 80 city hotels, with as part of Tourism WA’s Stay, Play and Save mid-week promotion, locals can receive the discount when spending $400, on a minimum two-night stay, Sunday to Thursday.
To experience one of the city’s new hotel offerings, with Perth offering some of the best hotel and short-stay accommodation in Australia, with an abundance of new and refurbished properties that have opened in the CBD and surrounding urban and coastal areas, they all offer a range of in-house experiences, such as restaurants, events, high teas, rooftop bars and wellness centres.
It’s also event season in Perth, and with Fringe World already underway until February 14, there’s something on every night of the week in the city, Northbridge and at Fringe’s suburban hubs. Perth Festival, the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest arts festival, runs from February 5 to 28, followed by Sculpture by the Sea at Cottesloe Beach – from March 5 to 22.
It’s also outdoor cinema season – Rooftop Movies in Northbridge, Moonlight Cinema in Kings Park and Perth Festival’s Lotterywest Films at the Somerville Auditorium are a few of the options. Pick a couple of shows, and a hotel conveniently nearby.
Perth is renowned around the world for its coastline, and with 19 metropolitan beaches on our doorstep, along with the famous Indian Ocean sunsets, summer and autumn is the ultimate time to spend some extended time by the sea, so book a hotel by the coast, and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner with a view.
Keen to get a little further out of the city? Head to Rockingham and snorkel around the Shoalwater Marine Park, visit Penguin Island and take a tour to swim alongside wild dolphins with Perth Wildlife Encounters, or, staycay in Mandurah and cruise the canals, take a seafood cruise or cycle on water around Mandjar Bay and Keep an eye out for local events at Hillarys Boat Harbour, or Scarborough, such as the Scarborough Sunset Markets, held every Thursday night.
Think you know Perth city, and Northbridge? Think again. There are a number of guided walking tours that take in the city’s past, present and future so explore laneways, architecture, street art, bars, cafes, and restaurants – as well as tours themed around cheese, beer, wine, whisky and gin.
There’s something for everyone, and you’ll probably want to book more than one! Check out Two Feet And A Heartbeat, Oh Hey WA, or Eat The Street. Choose a hotel in the city or Northbridge and be the ultimate tourist in your own town.
The spectacular new WA Museum Boola Bardip located in the Perth Cultural Centre is something every West Aussie should explore, with 6,000 square metres of gallery space and stories from across the State, you’ll want to visit more than once and be sure to also check out what’s on at the Art Gallery of WA – its collection has grown into the finest public art collection in the State.
PICA (the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art) has its summer exhibitions opening on February 7, with a series of exhibitions on show in association with the Perth Festival and check out the city’s established attractions such as The Bell Tower or the Perth Mint, with a staycay the perfect time to watch a gold pour at the Mint, and see the famous bells from London’ St Martins in the Fields at The Bell Tower.
Check out the Burswood Peninsula and climb the city’s newest attractions, with situated on the Swan River, the Burswood Peninsula is another part of Perth which has had a huge makeover and with Optus Stadium as the centrepiece, the next big thing for locals is the Matagarup Zip & Climb.
The bridge climb is officially open, and once at the top, admire the 360-degree views from the 72-metre high platform, with climbs operating during the day, at night and even during a full moon and the zip-line experience is on its way, which will take zippers 400 metres across the Swan River to Burswood Park.
Include an event at Optus Stadium, with the AFL season kicking off on Sunday March 21, and make sure you get behind-the-scenes on a stadium tour or see it from above on the stadium’s brand new rooftop experience – HALO. Visitors will also be able to see the sights of Perth 42 metres above the turf at Optus Stadium.
Don’t miss Warrang Bridil’s Aboriginal Cultural Tours – a guided walking tour along the shores of the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) where you can see Nyoongar cultural influence in the development of the precinct and Matagarup Bridge. Lastly, there’s heaps of spots to walk, run or picnic by the river, and restaurants and bars for a bite to eat.
Get on the Swan. It’s fine to just admire the Swan River from your hotel room, but an even better idea during Perth’s spectacular warmer months is to get on it.
Locals can experience the river from a fun and unique perspective, thanks to the introduction of two new waterbike tours – Perth Waterbike Adventures, which depart from Matilda Bay, and Perth Waterbike Co, departing from South Perth. Guests can safely pedal and glide across the Swan River, with a range of different tours on offer. Looking for something less active? Check out Gondolas On The Swan, Little Ferry Co, Wild West Charters, Adventure Charter Group,
Captain Cook Cruises and Crystal Swan Cruises’ cultural cruise, who all operate a range of tours taking in the best of the city, river, Swan Valley and surrounds.
Further afield, GoGo Active Tours’ offer a new Cliffs and Caves Kayak tour, which paddle along the riverbanks and cliff face of East Fremantle and Bicton Bay.
Eat and drink your way around Perth and the Swan Valley. Got a list of restaurants in Perth you’ve always wanted to dine at, or bars you’ve always wanted to visit? Pull that out, book yourself a room, and make it happen. Some of the city’s newest hotels are also home to some of the most talked about restaurants, such as Hearth at The Ritz Carlton, Santini Bar & Grill at QT Perth and Wildflower at COMO The Treasury. Other new and trending dining options include Fleur, Double Rainbow, Le Rebelle, Ten Acre Block, Wines of While, and Cooee. The warmer months mean it’s the perfect time to find yourself on a rooftop bar. Some of the newer venues include 18 Knots at the new DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront, and Hello at The Rechabite. And for the ultimate in food and drink indulgence, the Swan Valley is the place to be – WA’s oldest wine region is home to more than 40 wineries, six boutique breweries, cideries and distilleries, many of which have on-site restaurants or offer ‘foodie’ experiences.
Check out Fremantle’s renaissance. While Perth city has undergone a massive transformation in recent years, Freo is experiencing its own renaissance. There’s plenty of hotels located within the port city, ranging from self-contained apartments, to boutique properties, to large-scale hotels. Take a walking, cycling or foodie tour with the likes of Fremantle Tours, Two Feet And A Heartbeat or Fremantle Food Tours, check out the new restaurants or bars, and settle into the Freo ‘vibe’.
Just, relax. Feel a bit undone by 2021 already? Having a staycay in your own city is the ultimate chance to just stop, and chill. A comfy bed, with someone to make it each morning, food delivered to your room, in-house movies, cocktails by the pool…..bliss. If you’re really in need of some extra pampering, find a hotel with an on-site day spa.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones
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