Australian Books to Read to Get A Taste of Western Australia
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- Written by: Vicki Sly
Are you planning to travel to Perth and want to whet your appetite with some background reading?
Books not only allow you to visit ever corner of the globe but they can give you an insight into a country and its people beyond the accepted stereotype.
When friends and family come to visit they often ask me to recommend some books that will give them some understanding of the Australian way of life, its past and its present.
The following list of fiction books is by no means a definitive one but rather a taste of what is out there, both modern and classic. Western Australian’s are proud of their literary stars and of books set in WA, and I for one am happy to shout about the following from the rooftops.
1 commentsMount Lawley - The Mother of All Suburbs
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- Written by: Nita Teoh
Mt Lawley is a wealthy inner city suburb located approximately 4 kilometres north of the Perth CBD. It is a grand old suburb whose heritage homes and mansions display the architecture of yesteryear, and whose avenues are tree lined with the blooms of the beautiful flowering Jacarandas during late spring. From rambling homes to pristine, manicured gardens, the suburb is only a step away from a bustling cafe strip. Its traditional grid structure makes it easy to navigate, just remember the avenues, Beaufort Street and Walcott Street, and you should be able to orientate yourself quite easily.
Valley of the Giants - Walpole, Tree Top Walk, and Red Tingle Trees
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- Written by: Emily Cordz
Have you ever strolled through a forest and wondered what it would be like to be one of the animals living in the canopy? How it would feel to be so high above the ground. What kind of view you would have. If you’ve ever found yourself wishing you could climb the nearest tree and discover the forest tree tops, then you need to head to the Valley of the Giants.
The Valley of the Giants is located southeast of Perth in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park between Denmark and Walpole. Its main attraction is the Tree Top Walk, which takes visitors up to 40 metres above the forest floor. For those afraid of heights, the Ancient Empire Walk is a good option.
There's No Water at Wave Rock
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- Written by: Vicki Sly
The first thing that you need to know if you are planning to visit Wave Rock in Western Australia is that there is no beach sand or surf involved.
A friend of mine tells a great story about meeting four young international tourists when they stopped to refuel at a petrol station he was working at not far from the rock.
They had surfboards tied to the roof of their car and when he asked where they were planning to surf so far from the coast they replied “Wave Rock”. He had to set them straight and after they got over their initial shock and embarrassment, he reassured them that it was still well worth the visit despite the lack of swell and beach babes.
Wave Rock is actually 350 km east of the coastal city of Perth near the outback town of Hyden and is one of Australia’s most famous landforms.
Twelve Top Ideas for Free Things to Do in Perth
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- Written by: Emily Cordz
We all have those times when our budget is just a little tighter than normal. Often the area of the budget that gets cut is the “going out fun money,” but this doesn’t mean that you have to become a homebody. Perth is full of fun, informative and, best of all, free things to do. Here are twelve top ideas for free things to do in Perth:
Catch Some Rays on the Beach
Perth is blessed with great weather year round. Celebrate this by hitting the beach. Cottesloe, Scarborough and Trigg beach are all popular options. Bring some friends and snacks to make a day of it. Don’t forget the sun protection!
Wander along the Banks of the Swan River
Meandering through the city, the Swan River is synonymous with Perth. A walk along either side of the river will provide you with great views of the city, neighbourhoods and water. Along the way you’ll pass many parks that make a great place for a picnic. The walk is mostly flat making it an easy bicycle ride for the whole family. Keep your eyes peeled for the iconic black swans along the river.
Crocs in Kimberley - See You In A While Crocodile!
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- Written by: Vicki Sly
Of all the dangerous animals that exist in Western Australia (WA), the crocodile has to be one of the most feared yet revered on the list.
Maybe it’s the fact that the crocodile dates back 240 million years and has outlived dinosaurs, or simply because it is so big and scary and has absolutely no fear of humans, but whatever the reason, people love to look at them.
Visitors to Perth can see them at the zoo but for those planning on travelling further north, there are crocodile farms in Broome and Wyndham. The Kimberley region in the far north of the state also offers the opportunity to see the crocodile in its natural environment, if you are game!