Joanna James
The capital of Western Australia, the city of Perth provides intrepid travellers with much to discover. From modern structures and fascinating artwork to scenic sites and historical buildings, here are some of the key landmarks well worth adding to your sightseeing itinerary.
Rising from the cityscape is the distinctive Swan Bell Tower, an impressive structure located on Barrack Square that boasts a height of 82.5 metres. This gleaming modern creation made from glass, copper and concrete offers more than just a stunning spectacle or 360-degree panoramas from up high; it is also home to the Swan Bells, billed as being amongst the largest musical instruments in the world! Here, you will find a total of 18 bells, notably 12 royal bells from Saint Martin in the Fields Church in London that date back to the 14th-century.
A great place to visit with the entire family, the charming Elizabeth Quay is also where one will find the Public Art Walk that showcases some enthralling artistic creations. Within a 10-minute walk from properties such as Citadines St Georges Terrace Perth, this area features everything from murals to sculptures each with their own significance. One of the key sites is the 29-metre tall Spanda artwork which symbolises the connection between the sky, land and river. Also of note are the First Contact sculpture, the Pinjah and Horizontal Geometries mosaics and the huge EDGE artwork with its animated lighting.
Not all landmarks have to be a structure and a case in point is Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the city's most well-known sites. Easy to reach for those staying at CBD apartment hotels, Perth attractions such as Kings Park can be visited multiple times and offer an idyllic escape. Situated on Mt Eliza and looking out across the Swan River, the park has plenty of lush landscapes to enjoy along with botanical gardens, playgrounds, walking trails and areas for picnics. A key highlight is the Federation Walkway which features a sky bridge amidst the treetops.
What has become a social media hit, the "Blue Boathouse" is now also one of the most Instagrammable attractions in Perth. It is pretty much as its name suggests, a boathouse painted in blue. The sight of the boathouse with its wooden jetty against the backdrop of Swan River is perfect for pictures (including selfies!) and is particularly beautiful at sunset. Officially known as the Crawley Edge Boatshed, it can be found on Mounts Bay Road and one has only to check "#blueboathouse" on Instagram to see how popular it is.
A historical structure dating back to 1899, the Perth Mint is another site well worth visiting. Still in use and the official bullion mint of Australia, it is located on Hay Street and is walking distance from the city centre. Apart from admiring its exterior, you can also head inside for more insights; one of its main attractions is the Gold Exhibition that uses audio-visual technology along with showcasing various exhibits including the world's largest coin which weighs a staggering one tonne in gold!
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