Sights in Perth
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Aquarium of Western Australia
For all things fishy, head to the Aquarium of Western Australia. Here you can wander through a 98m underwater tunnel as gargantuan turtles, stingrays, fish and sharks stealthily glide over the top of you. A series of mini marine-worlds show off the state’s underwater treasures: intriguing sea dragons, moon jellies (which billow, iridescent, through a giant cylinder), venomous fish and sea snakes. Seals play in the underwater-viewing area. The daring can even snorkel or dive with the sharks in the giant aquarium with the in-house divemaster. Book in advance (snorkel/dive including gear $145/165; 1pm and 3pm).
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Kings Park & Botanic Garden
The green hilltop crown of Kings Park & Botanic Garden is set amid 4 sq km of natural bushland. The garden boasts over 2000 Western Australian plant species, which bloom during the September Perth Wildflower Festival. The architect-designed Lotterywest Federation Walkway (admission free; 9am-5pm) is a broad 222m-long, glass-and-steel structure that allows you to walk among the treetops – it’s a highlight.
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Holmes à Court Gallery
Idyllically located by the river in East Perth, the Holmes à Court Gallery was started by the late millionaire industrialist Robert Holmes à Court in the 1970s and today the collection comprises more than 3000 pieces. About one-third is made up of the best collection of canvas and bark paintings by Indigenous artists held in private hands; the remainder includes some of Australia’s leading contemporary artworks, and touring exhibitions.
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Perth Zoo
Perth Zoo has a number of interesting collections, including a nocturnal house and an ‘Australian Bushwalk’. Take the ferry ($3.20 return) across the river from Barrack St jetty to South Perth jetty, where the zoo is within walking distance. Otherwise catch buses to the zoo’s entrance: 30/31 from Wellington St bus station or the Esplanade Busport or 730/731 along Adelaide Tce.
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Western Australian Museum
The Western Australian Museum includes an excellent ‘land and people’ display that examines both ancient history and the more recent past; a gallery of dinosaur casts; a good collection of meteorites; and galleries dedicated to mammals, butterflies and birds.
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Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
Cutting-edge contemporary art – installations, performance, sculpture, video works – lives at Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. This gallery has long promoted new and experimental art, and exhibits graduate works annually.
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Art Gallery of Western Australia
The Art Gallery of Western Australia has a brilliant collection of Aboriginal artworks and a fine permanent exhibition of early Europeans-in-Australia paintings. There are regular exhibitions and a fabulous gift shop.
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Kings Park Visitors Centre
Kings Park Visitors Centre is opposite the war memorial on Fraser Ave. Free guided walks leave at 10am and 2pm. If you are laden with picnic gear, take the free bus (number 37) from the city to the park entrance.
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Houghton Wines
A great little trip out of the city is to the Swan Valley vineyards. Dotted along the river to the Upper Swan, many are open for tastings and cellar sales. Start at the original, Houghton Wines.
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Scitech
Scitech is an option, especially if it’s raining. It has over 160 hands-on, large-scale science and technology exhibits.
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State Library of Western Australia
The State Library of Western Australia has a great reference section on all things WA.
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