PERTH

The Capital of Western Australia, Perth is known as the City of Light for its excellent weather and clean, wholesome environment. Situated on a stretch of coastline that runs alongside the Indian Ocean, the city has long attracted visitors to its lively bars, great food and, more recently, its new string of boutique hotels. A river in the city centre provides the perfect opportunity for yachting and water sports, while the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra is the best-sponsored classical company in the country.

WHERE TO STAY

• DUXTON HOTEL PERTH

  1 St George’s Terrace(00 61 8 9325 4575)
  Situated just minutes away from Perth's shopping and restaurant district, this luxury boutique hotel is in a great place for both business and leisure travellers. Bordered by St George's Terrace on one side and the Perth Concert Hall on another, and looking out onto Swan River, the views wherever you find yourself are quite extraordinary. Amenities include a gym, a pool, and a hotel restaurant, The Grill, who serve contemporary international cuisine and rich wines from Western Australia.

• ESPLANADE HOTEL FREMANTLE

  Corner of Marine Terrace and Essex Street, Perth(00 61 8 9432 4000)
  The privately-owned Esplanade hotel prides itself not just on its elegant interior, but also on its warm and friendly service. A five-minute walk away from the beach, and just 20 minutes from Perth's buzzing inner-city, it's a great base for leisure travellers. Guests can relax in the spa, unwind in the sauna or lounge in one of the heated tropical swimming pools. The Garden Restaurant serves an international buffet set in ambient surroundings, while the Promenade lounge bar serves the Esplanade signature steak.

• THE RICHARDSON HOTEL & SPA

  32 Richardson Street, West Perth(00 61 8 9217 8888)
  This boutique hotel is set in the midst of new corporate offices in West Perth. With attentive service, a spa, cheap phone calls and a decent restaurant, The Richardson is providing an alternative to the familiar accommodation of global hotel chains

• WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

  BLUE DUCK CAFE
  151 Marine Parade, Cottesloe (00 61 8 9385 2499;www.blueduck.com.au). The Blue Duck café serves great fry-up breakfasts and good coffee.

  CANTINA 663
  663 Beaufort street, Mount Lawley(00 6 8 9370 4883;www.cantina663.com).
  Cantina 663 is dark and cosy with ochre-coloured walls - the feel of a cantina in Spain - and champions locally-grown ingredients.

  HALO
  Barrack Street Jetty, Perth (00 61 8 9325 4575; www.halorestaurant.com.au). Halo serves a beautifully presented combination of modern Australian cuisine. Á la carte menus are planned on a seasonal basis, and include a wide variety of seafood and game, and a handful of vegetarian options. They also have a vast selection of national wines to quaff.

  LITTLE CREATURES BREWERY
  40 mews Road, Fremantle (00 61 8 9430 5555; www.littlecreatures.com.au). Attached to a working brewery, Little Creatures offers the freshest beers and good Australian food. Tours around the brewery itself are also available. No need to book, but there is limited space for large groups. 

  MUST WINEBAR
  519 Beaufort Street, Highgate, Perth (00 61 8 9328 8255; www.must.co.au). On a Saturday night, Must Winebar is a seething mob of noisy, scantily-dressed young drinkers, pressing up against the bar for another round of beer or wine. Behind is a large room divider, which doubles as a wine rack, is a brasserie where they shuck oysters and cook extravagant dishes such as Twice Baked Blue Manna Crab Soufflé and veal boudin blanc. Wine comes in varieties; a glass of drinkable white and a bottle of excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, both from the Margaret river, south of Perth. Must swings.

WHAT TO SEE

MUSEUMS

ART GALLERY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth Cultural Centre, Perth (00 61 8 9492 6622;www.artgallery.wa.gov.au). The centre of Perth's vibrant art scene is the Art Gallery Of Western Australia. They boast thebest collection of Aboriginal art in the country, most of which are on canvas instead of rock. Open 10am-5pm Wednesday-Monday.

HOLMES A COURT GALLERY

11 Brown Street, East Perth (00 61 8 9218 4540; www.holmesacourtgallery.com.au). Showcases the work of Western Australian artists, in the newly developed residential suburb of East Perth, built on the site of dockyards and warehouses.

MARITIME MUSEUM
Victoria Quay, Fremantle (00 61 8 9431 8334; www.museum.wa.gov.au). The Maritime Museums showcases Western Australia's natural, social and maritime history and the cultural heritage of local Aboriginal peoples.

MUSIC

WESTERN AUSTRALIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Perth Concert Hall, Mill Street, Perth (www.waso.com.au).
A source of pride, the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra is run by the conductor Paul Daniel.

HOW TO GET THERE

AIRLINES FROM THE UK

Qantas (08457 747767; www.qantas.co.uk) and Singapore Airlines (08448 002380;www.singaporeair.com) both fly from Heathrow to Perth via Singapore; Cathay Pacific (020 8834 8888;www.cathaypacific.com) flies from Heathrow to Perth via Hong Kong.

TOUR OPERATORS

BRIDGE & WICKERS
(020 7483 6555; www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk) Australia experts Bridge & Wickers offers an eight-night package to Perth and the Margaret River.

WHEN TO GO

Known as the City of Light because of the reliability and quality of its natural light, Perth is a hot and sunny place to visit all year round. However, avoid the scorching temperatures from November to the beginning of February if you don't like the extreme heat.