Things to do in Western Australia
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Annalakshmi
While the 360-degree views of the Swan River are worth a million dollars, the food's literally priceless (donate whatever your conscience suggests). The spicy vegetarian curries attract an eclectic mix of hippies, Hindus and the just plain hungry.
reviewed
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Aquarium of Western Australia
AQWA offers the chance to enjoy the state's underwater treasures without getting wet…or eaten, stung or poisoned. You can wander through a 98m underwater tunnel as gargantuan stingrays, turtles, fish and sharks stealthily glide over the top of you. The daring can snorkel or dive with the sharks; book in advance ($159 with your own gear; hire snorkel/dive gear $20/40; 1pm and 3pm). To get here on weekdays, take the Joondalup train to Warwick station and then transfer to bus 423. By car, take the Mitchell Fwy north and exit at Hepburn Ave, or take the coastal road north from Scarborough Beach. AQWA is by the water at Hillarys Boat Harbour.
reviewed
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Subiaco Hotel
The Subi’s a local favourite and the institution of choice for a morning coffee with the papers or a pre-footy beer. It’s popular, too, for a Sunday sundowner or an afternoon of quiet beverages and people-watching.
reviewed
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Matsuri
You’ll feel a bit like a carp in a fish tank here – floor-to-ceiling glass runs the perimeter of this large, long-standing Japanese restaurant. The tempura udon with sushi set ($20) is enough to feed two salarymen.
reviewed
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Good Fortune Roast Duck House
Locals charge in here for family-sized feeds of barbecue pork, roast duck and noodles. The front window, with its glistening hanging ducks, will make you salivate.
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Fraser’s Restaurant
Atop Kings Park, overlooking the city and the glittering Swan River, Fraser’s location is unrivalled. The food has enjoyed a good reputation for years, with Mod Oz standards such as chargrilled rock lobster and roast ’roo on beetroot rōsti and polenta. Its more casual sister restaurant next door, Botanical Café, is open for breakfast and lunch.
reviewed
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Aarli Bar
Like a cosy trattoria with outdoor seating under frangipanis, Aarli Bar isn’t actually a bar – it’s BYO only. What it does have though is large portions of modern Med-influenced tapas as well as authentic wood-fired pizzas and, of course, its speciality, whole fresh fish (‘aarli ’ means ‘fish’ in the Aboriginal Bardi language).
reviewed
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Soto Espresso
Modern Soto opens onto the street, welcoming its inner-city crowd: stay-at-home dads, ladies who lunch and shop and bleary-eyed students. The large cooked breakfasts will tackle any hangover.
reviewed
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Little Creatures
Little Creatures is classic Freo: harbour views, fantastic brews (made on the premises) and excellent food. In a cavernous converted boatshed overlooking the harbour, it can get chaotic at times, but the wood-fired pizzas and substantial mains are well worth the wait.
reviewed
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Mills Charters
Whales pass by Perth on their annual journey to Antarctic waters from September to December, offering a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Mills Charters runs an informative three-hour whale-watching trip from Hillarys Boat Harbour.
reviewed
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Gorges Café
Ask for the Morning Cure and you won't be disappointed at this airy cafe doing wonderful breakfasts and lunches opposite the jetty.
reviewed
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Cicerello's
This busy fish 'n' chippery has been around since 1903 and remains a quintessential Freo experience. Leave the kids staring at the large aquariums, choose your fish and chips, then pick a spot out on the boardwalk to devour it.
reviewed
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Tarts
Massive tarts piled with berries, apples or lime curd; rich scrambled eggs tumbling off thickly sliced sourdough; mini custard tarts stacked with glazed strawberries. Packed like a hamper on weekends.
reviewed
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Goldrush Tours
Runs all sorts of tours, including half-day heritage jaunts around Kalgoorlie-Boulder (adult/child $50/25) and day tours to the sculptures on Lake Ballard (adult/child $150/75).
reviewed
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Jackson's
The finest of fine dining is offered in this upmarket dining room, where the staff don white gloves to present you with wonderfully creative treats. In the pampering stakes, it's the foodie equivalent of a day spa, minus the bikini wax.
reviewed
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Hula Bula Bar
You'll feel like you're back on Gilligan's Island in this tiny Polynesian-themed bar, decked out in bamboo, palm leaves and tikis.
reviewed
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Tiger, Tiger
The small shabby- chic interior isn't as popular as the outdoor tables, in a lane leading off Murray St. The free wi-fi's a drawcard, but the food is also excellent.
reviewed
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Viet Hoa
Don't be fooled by the bare-bones ambience of this corner Vietnamese restaurant – or you'll miss out on the fresh rice-paper rolls and top-notch pho (beef-and-rice-noodle soup).
reviewed
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Earl of Spencer Historic Inn
On a cold Albany night, you can’t beat the warming qualities of the Earl’s famous pie and pint or hearty lamb shanks. It’s popular for a quiet drink or, on the weekends, for catching a live band.
reviewed
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Zebra Rock Gallery
Zebra Rock Gallery, on the Ord River about 15km from Kununurra, produces jewellery and sculptures from the unique zebra rock found around Argyle Downs Station.
reviewed
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Point
In a prime sunset-watching spot overlooking a jetty, this BYO place is Derby’s best, with delicious seafood. The barramundi and croc steaks are popular. It also does takeaway.
reviewed
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Squid Shack
This local institution serves fish straight from the ocean from what is literally a shack at the boat pens; take a bottle of wine and have a sunset picnic on the beach.
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Kalbarri Adventure Tours
Combine canoeing, bushwalking and swimming around the park's Z-Bend/Loop area.
reviewed
