Australian Travel Destination
Perth, Margaret River, Monkey Mia, The Pinnacles, Western Australia
Australian Travel Destination 9
Perth and the Southwest of Western Australia is like an island of green and well watered farmlands and vineyards surrounded by the Indian and Southern Oceans on the west and south, and the deserts of the Red Center on the east. To the north it fades into coastal desert as it runs up the shores of the Indian Ocean to Monkey Mia. West Australia is absolutely huge, and Perth will most likely be your entry point. It is well worth exploring, but you do need to be aware of distances so you do not over schedule driving and sightseeing.
For more detail, see the Map of Perth, Margaret River, Monkey Mia, The Pinnacles, Western Australia. Also see the Map of Perth Western Australia
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Geography and Climate of Perth
Perth is located on the South Western coast of Australia, and is the capital of the State of West Australia. West Australia is huge - 2.5 million Sq. Kms (about 1 million Sq. Miles) - and Perth City is closer to Jakarta, Indonesia than it is to Sydney on the East Coast of Australia. Sydney is 3,291 Kilometres (2,045 Miles) from Perth. The Central Business District of Perth is inland on the Swan River, and is bounded by Kings Park on the west, and the Swan River itself. The main street is St Georges Terrace, and the population of Perth city is approaching 2 million, making it by far the largest city in West Australia. Perth suburbs run up the coast in an area of spectacular beachside communities such as Cottesloe, City Beach, Scarborough and Sorrento.Summers in Perth (December to March) are hot and dry, while winters (June - August) are cooler and wet. The area from Perth south to Albany is one of classic Mediterranean type climate.
Compare Hotels and Accommodation in Perth: >>> Australian.com - Hotels in Perth
History of Perth
After over 40,000 years of Indigenous Aboriginal Settlement by the Whadjuk Noongar people, the first Europeans to land on the West Coast of Australia were the Dutch in the late 1690's. It was another 130 years before the British set up the Swan River Colony on the site of what became Perth (named after Perth in Scotland, home of George Murray, then the British Secretary of State for the Colonies) in 1856. West Australia became a State in 1901 and Perth was declared its capital. Development in West Australia has been fueled by a mining boom since the 1960's, and Perth has grown as the centre of service to these industries. It is today a long where from other centres of population, but enjoys an excellent, outdoors lifestyle.
Fremantle
Situated at the mouth of the Swan River, some 11 Kms (6 miles) from Perth City, Fremantle is the port for Perth. It is home to many Heritage Buildings and has maintained the history of the city well through preservation of its architecture. During the hot summer months the oppressive heat of the afternoon is often relieved by a sea breeze that blows from Fremantle onto Perth City. This cooling breeze is affectionately known as the "Fremantle Doctor" by the locals. For a great hotel in Fremantle, look at The Esplanade Hotel for a unique stay.
Compare Prices on the Esplanade Hotel: >>> Australian.com - Esplanade Hotel Fremantle Perth
Margaret River and Southwest to Albany
The region south of Perth and down to Albany on the south western coast of Australia, includes the Margaret River Wine Region, the Leeuwin Naturaliste Coastal Region and a lot of very pleasant farmland and spectacular coastal scenery. The vineyards of the Margaret River Wine Region have come to prominence over recent years, and the boutique wineries of the region offer a very good look at winemaking in Western Australia. Albany is a historic port city and is actually the oldest settlement in Western Australia, predating Perth as a settlement by about 3 years.
Book Margaret River Tours: >>> Food, Wine & Nightlife Perth
Compare Margaret River Hotels: >>> Australian.com - Hotels in Margaret River
Compare Albany Hotels: >>> Australian.com - Hotels in Albany
Will Travel Planning Help? >>> Work with an Australian Travel Planner.
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island, jst off the coast from Fremantle, is a major holiday centre and a home to the rare Quokka, a form of endemic small wallaby only found on islands off the West Australian Coast. The Quokka is a shy, nocturnal creature that has been wiped out by foxes and feral cats on the mainland of Australia. Rottnest is a real Aussie escape and excellent accommodation options exist on the Island.
Compare Rottnest Island Hotels: >>> Australian.com - Hotels in Rottnest Island
Nambung National Park, The Pinnacles and Cervantes
The weird and beautiful area known as the Pinnacles was relatively unknown until the 1960's, though to day is is visited often on a visit to the area north of Perth. There are good hotels and accommodation in Cervantes near the Pinnacles, and The Nambung National Park can also be visited on a day trip from Perth.
Compare Cervantes Hotels: >>> Australian.com - Hotels in Cervantes
Book the Tour: >>> Pinnacles Desert, Koalas and Sandboarding 4WD Day Tour from Perth
Monkey Mia and Feeding the Wild Dolphins
In the 1960's a local fisherman and his wife started feeding the wild dolphins in Shark Bay, some 800 Kms (480 miles) north of Perth, and as the word spread, it has become a major tourist attraction at Monkey Mia. Where on earth did Monkey Mia get such a strange, un-Australian type name? Mia is from the local Aboriginal for "home", while the monkey part of the name is a matter of conjecture. Possibilities include the fact that many early pearlers from Asia working the coast kept pet monkeys and moored in Shark Bay, while other stories relate to a schooner named "Monkey" that used to anchor regularly nearby. In any case, it still remains one of the most intriguing names of any location in Australia.
Book the Tour: >>> 3-Day Monkey Mia Dolphins, Pinnacles Desert and Kalbarri National Park Tour
Compare Monkey Mia Hotels: >>> Australian.com - Hotels in Denham
Will Travel Planning Help? >>> Work with an Australian Travel Planner.
