Most of the two and a half million people who live in Western
Australia reside in the sophisticated and scenic state capital.
Perth grew on the banks of the Swan River, named after the Scottish
city of the same name, and was proclaimed by Queen Victoria as a
city in 1856. The discovery of gold in Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie,
to the east of the city, in the 1890s led to a dramatic rise in its
population and an economic boom. Another boom followed in the 1960s
courtesy of iron ore and nickel.<br /><br />
Today the city is characterised by numerous waterways, green
parks and a compact central business district. There is plenty to
occupy visitors in Perth, including touring the city by tram or
bus, enjoying water sports on the Swan River, or just sipping a
glass of the famous local wine in a riverside or beachside
restaurant. Perth is said to have more restaurants per capita than
any other Australian city. Not far from the city is Western
Australia's oldest wine-growing region, Swan Valley, which welcomes
tourists to visit the many award-winning family-owned wineries,
which offer alfresco and restaurant meals and cellar tastings.<br /><br />
Perth is also the site of the world's oldest operating mint, and
boasts several museums and art galleries, historic buildings, a
casino and a good variety of shopping opportunities. Last, but not
least, the city offers more than 50 miles (80km) of white sandy
beaches. Among the most popular are Cottesloe and Scarborough.<br /><br />

Monkey Mia Resort

Address: Shark Bay, Denham Perth

At this remarkable resort, situated near the town of Denham, about 525 miles (830km) north of Perth in the Shark Bay Heritage area, visitors have the opportunity to interact with and even hand-feed the local wild dolphins who visit the shore each day. Several bottlenose dolphins regularly visit the beach at Monkey Mia, sometimes up to three times a day, while others who are less tame wait just offshore. Visitors are encouraged to enter the water to gently touch and feed the dolphins, under the watchful eye of local rangers who advise on how best to approach and handle the animals without causing them stress. Monkey Mia also has a Dolphin Information Centre, and offers good bathing at Shell Beach, unique in that it has a four-mile (6km) stretch of tiny white shells stacked up to 33ft (10m) deep. Some of the buildings in the nearby seaside town of Denham are built out of shells from this beach.<br /><br />

Karijini National Park

Address: Perth

Karijini is the second largest national park in Western Australia, situated in the Pilbara region. It features breathtaking gorges, crystal clear rock pools, waterfalls and stunning scenery. A system of walking trails designed for hikers of various levels of fitness, from beginner to experienced, have been laid out. There are picnic and camping areas and a visitor information centre with interactive natural and cultural displays. The park boasts 50 varieties of Acacia, Eucalypts and Melaeluca in its gorges, 133 types of bird and 92 species of amphibians and reptiles, not to mention the dingoes. It is situated about 900 miles (1,435km) north of Perth on the Great Northern Highway. Numerous tours into the park operate from Tom Price, Port Hedland, Karratha and Auski.<br /><br />

Wildflower Region

Address: Perth

The mid-west section of Western Australia is known as the wildflower region, particularly between late July and early September after the seasonal rains, when the spectacular fields of yellow, pink and white everlasting daisies emerge. The most popular site for wildflower viewing is the Kalbarri National Park, which boasts about 800 species of flowering shrubs. The park is 370 miles (590km) north of Perth near the mid-west town of Geraldton and can be accessed by car from the North West Coastal Highway. A bus service also runs three days a week from Perth to the Kalbarri National Park. World-renowned botanists, photographers and film-makers visit the region for the flowers, particularly around the Eneabba and Arrowsmith River areas. The mid-west is also rich in history and offers visitors a variety of outback experiences and coastal activities.<br /><br />

Goldfields

Address: Kalgoorlie Perth

Goldfields, to the east of Perth, is a region steeped in history and legend, where visitors can see relics of the gold rush and the mines that have made the area famous. It is possible to tour the Super Pit, Australia's biggest open-cut-mine, which is an impressive sight at more than 853ft (260m) deep, one mile (2km) wide and two miles (4km) long. The Super Pit can be found at the edge of the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. It forms part of the 'Golden Mile', reputedly the richest square mile of gold-bearing earth in the world. The total amount of gold recovered from the Super Pit between 1989 and 1999 was incredibly over five million ounces (142-million grams), and the total is still growing. From the lookout near the Pit visitors can watch trucks carry rock up to the refinery from the bottom of the pit, and sometimes witness carefully controlled mine blastings.<br /><br />

Margaret River

Address: Perth

Southwest of Perth, the Margaret River Region is an area characterised by dairy farms and wineries set within a picturesque landscape, and is Western Australia's most popular holiday destination. The area was initially discovered by surfers, but now holidaymakers of all kinds head here by the thousand for the tranquil atmosphere, clean beaches and excellent restaurants, often attached to wineries. The area also has more galleries, craft studios and potteries than the rest of the state put together. Margaret River is also well known for its many caves, some of the best of which are open to visitors and feature extraordinary formations. The spectacular show caves are called Jewel, Lake, Mammoth and Moondyne, with Moondyne offering a thrilling three-hour exploration tour.<br /><br />

Fremantle

Address: Perth

Despite having been absorbed into Perth's urban sprawl, Fremantle, affectionately known as 'Freo', retains its own strong identity and is a popular destination for day-trippers from Perth. Its harbour was built in 1903 by CY O'Connor, who also constructed the Goldfields pipeline before killing himself on a beach near Fremantle. A bronze statue in CY O'Connor's honour stands in front of the Fremantle Port Authority. The harbour of Fremantle, which is still functionally a separate city rather than part of Perth, has been substantially revamped in recent years and is now filled with outdoor bars and restaurants and has a laid-back, arty character. Freo is a creative, interesting, little port city which has retained a distinct character, and has considerable allure for visitors.<br /><br />

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Address: Fraser Avenue Perth

Comprised of more than 400 hectares (988 acres) of parkland and gardens, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens is one of Perth's most popular attractions for locals and tourists alike. Set on Mt Eliza, the park offers breath-taking views over the city and Swan River, while more than 80 species of birds can be found enjoying the indigenous bushland. Kings Park also features the State War Memorial, the Royal Kings Park Tennis club, and a reservoir, and the streets of the park are lined with trees, each with plaques dedicated to Western Australian men and women who died in WWI and WWII. Kings Park is the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon picnic, sightseeing, walking, cycling or just exploring the various lookout points. During the summer months (December to February), the park hosts a number of events such as outdoor concerts, moonlight cinema and the Kings Park Wildflower festival each spring.<br /><br />

London Court

Address: Hay Street Mall and St Georges Terrace Perth

Built in 1937, Perth's London Court is set among modern skyscrapers in the heart of the city. The small pedestrian 'street' is located between the Hay Street Mall and St Georges Terrace, and is reminiscent of the Tudor style buildings of England. Walking through London Court, visitors can experience the charming small shops and cafés as well as the clocks on either end of the lane. London Court is brimming with dozens of small details, which can be easily missed, such as the statues of Sir Walter Raleigh and Dick Whittington, weather vanes, and stairways leading to fantastic viewpoints looking out over the court. London Court is a little taste of England in Australia, making the colonial heritage of the country clear, in a very aesthetically pleasing way.<br /><br />

Nambung National Park

Address: Pinnacles Drive, Cervantes Perth

Located in the Swan Coastal Plain, just 150 miles (245km) north of Perth, the Nambung National Park is home to one of Australia's most incredible natural attractions - the Pinnacles Desert. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Oceania, the Pinnacles Desert consists of thousands of limestone pillars, protruding from the yellow desert sand in a variety of shapes and sizes (some reaching 3.5 metres in height). It is a truly unique sight, unlike anything you've ever seen before - an unearthly, unforgettable landscape, best viewed in September and October, when wildflowers bloom, adding colour to the vast desert expanse. Nambung National Park also boasts white-sand beaches and marine life, and picnicking, swimming, fishing, and snorkelling opportunities, making it a stone-cold 'must-see' attraction in the state of Western Australia.<br /><br />

Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk

Address: Valley Of The Giants, between Walpole and Denmark, in the southwest of Western Australia Perth

A wonderful example of nature-based tourism, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is a must for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. The 0.4 mile (about 600m) walk takes place along a specially-constructed boardwalk, 130 feet (40m) above the forest floor, and winds through the heart of a massive karri and tingle tree forest, where walkers are literally surrounded by the forest canopy, in the company of true giants. The walk has a gentle gradient, allowing access for wheelchairs and strollers, and connects with the Ancient Empire boardwalk, a cleverly-designed pathway that brings the grandeur of the 400-year-old trees into sharp relief. Opened in 1996, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk has already thrilled millions of visitors in its short history - a concrete testament to the uniqueness of the experience it offers.<br /><br />

Perth International Arts Festival

Where: Various in Perth, Fremantle and Menzies,Perth

When: 9 February to 4 March 2018

Perth's International Arts Festival is the oldest annual international multi-arts festival in the southern hemisphere, inaugurated in 1953, and is Western Australia's premier cultural event. For more than 50 years the festival has hosted some of the world's greatest artists and innovative performances of theatre, contemporary music, classical music, opera, visual arts, literature, film, jazz, dance and fringe over the four-week festival period. About 500,000 visitors are drawn to the festival every year, and many of the events are free. For more information, one can contact the UWA Festival Centre or check out the official website listed below for a full programme.<br /><br />

Southbound Music Festival

Where: Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Busselton,Perth

When: 27 - 29 December 2017

Southbound is primarily a music festival, encompassing the genres of rock, hip hop, electronic and indie, but it is also an arts festival and a fun camping experience. A variety of Australian and international artists perform at the event, with past star performers including MGMT, The Cat Empire, Vampire Weekend, The Hives, Hilltop Hoods, Fleet Foxes, The Kooks, The Vines, Arctic Monkeys, Beirut, Moby, Xavier Rudd, Franz Ferdinand and many more. Southbound was first held in 2005 but has fast become a popular event and has grown steadily, attracting ever greater crowds. For more information and a full festival programme check out the official website listed below.<br /><br />