| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Perth
|
Perth was the last of the major Australian
capitals to grow from a large 'country town' into a major city. This growth started as
recently as the 1980's, which helps explains Perth's modern feel and
contemporary outlook.
Most of Perth's major attractions are located outside the City Centre. In East Perth, one of the most impressive buildings in Australia is the Perth Mint, which contains the largest collection of natural gold collections in the Country. Kings Park, on the edge of the City Centre, is a huge expanse of bushland, lakes, greenery, and walkways, which many locals flock to, especially on weekends. As with most Australian cities, Perth also boasts areas that have outstanding bars, cafes and restaurants. Fremantle and Northbridge are the picks - they contain many great eateries and pubs and are home to the many of Perth's cultural facilities. Northbridge is the home of the Art Gallery, the Museum, and the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Perth is also the gateway to some famous beach communities. Although nearly 300km to the south, Margaret River is famed as having some of the best waves in the country and is also an increasingly popular wine district. Cottesloe is a little closer in suburban Perth (some 20km south of the City Centre) and is a great place to soak up the sun and relax. Rottnest Island is a great holiday location just off the coast of Perth and has some of the whitest beaches in the State. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Perth From USA
|
Perth International Airport is located about 8km east of the City Centre and is accessible to the Centre by the Airport-City shuttle. Perth has an expanding public transport system called Trans Perth. It consists of a network of trains and buses that is increasing its reach as Perth's suburban sprawl continues northwards. |
|
AFL WEST COAST EAGLES |
The West Coast Eagles (or the Weagles) entered the AFL/VFL in 1986 – making them the second interstate team behind the Sydney Swans to enter the national competition. Unlike Sydney, however, they did not have to rely on importing many Melbourne based players to the team as they had their own strong local competition to draw players from. After a few years of settling in, the Eagles made their first Grand Final in 1991 – which was the start of a dominating period for the team from the west. They won the flag in 1992, and after a semi-final appearance in 1993 they won the flag again in 1994. Semi finals have followed in just about every year since. |
| AFL
FREMANTLE DOCKERS |
The Fremantle Dockers first year in the AFL was 1995 but football in Fremantle goes back a long way, with the rivalry between South and East Fremantle in the local Perth competition being as famous as any local derby rivalry in the country. Since the Perth based West Coast Eagles were given a license in the 1980’s, the dislike that Fremantle has had for their neighbour has grown, especially as they have never been able to get close to the success of the Eagles. In fact, since 1995 they have yet to achieve a finals place, making them one of the poorer performing teams in the competition. |
| CRICKET
WESTERN WARRIORS Ticket information through Western Australian Cricket Association |
The Western Warriors cricket side has been the most successful domestic cricket team since 1970 – having won 13 times, which is double that of any other state. They won 5 times in the 70’s, 5 again in the 80’s and three more in the 90’s. They are also the most successful one-day cricket team, having won the title 10 times. |
| NSL
PERTH GLORY |
The
Perth Glory first entered the competition in the 1996-1997 season and since then
quickly become the flagship team of the NSL. The Glory maintain the
highest average crowds and after a couple of years of settling in they
have become one of the best performing teams. They made their first finals
in 1999-2000 and played in their first final that year and again in
2001-2002 before winning their first title in the following year. The
Glory will obviously be a strong powerhouse in the new 2005 Australian
Premier League. |
| NBL
PERTH WILDCATS Ticket information through Perth Wildcats
|
The Perth Wildcats, with Adelaide, are the most successful team in the NBL, having won 4 titles since their inception in 1982. They have also made the playoffs seven times since then. The Wildcats are also famous for being the team owned by Australia’s most successful USA basketballer – ex Chicago Bulls starter Luc Longley. |
| WNBL
PERTH LYNX |
The Perth Lynx, who up until 2002 were called the Perth Breakers, entered the national competition in 1988. Since this time, Perth have only missed the playoffs three times – winning their only title in 1992 and being runners-up in 1993 and 1998/99. The last two years have seen them miss out on the playoffs. |
| ANL
PERTH ORIOLES |
Since their entry to the national competition in 1997, the Perth Orioles have been one of the least successful teams in the competition. Matters became desperate in 2002 when the Orioles failed to win one single match for the season. In fact, between 1997 and 2002, they had only won a total of 17 matches from a total of 80 matches. |
| SUBIACO OVAL |
Subiaco Oval hosts the Eagles and the Dockers, as well as the larger matches for the NSL’s Perth Glory, and is located on Subiaco Road, Subiaco, which is only some 2km north-west of the City Centre. The Oval has been upgraded extensively over the years since it was built way back in 1908, with a current capacity of an all-seated 43,000. From the Perth Train Station in the middle of the City Centre (corner of Wellington Street and Beaufort Street), take the Fremantle Line three stops to Subiaco Train Station. Take the southern exit of the station and walk west along Subiaco Road to the ground. |
| WACA |
The Western Australian Cricket Association Ground – the WACA – hosts cricket’s Warriors and has previously hosted AFL matches, Rugby Union internationals, Rugby League and soccer matches. The WACA is located off Nelson Crescent in East Perth next to the Swan River and the Gloucester Park Trotting Track. The ground has been extensively renovated over the years and now has an all-seated capacity of 25,000. The Train Station at Claisebrook, on the Midland Line, is located about 1km from the Ground. From the Station, walk south along Claisebrook Road, then a small distance east along Royal Street, then south again along Bennett Street before turning east on Wellington Street before finally walking south along Hale Street to the ground. For a more direct route, you can catch a variety of Transperth Bus Routes (for example 73, 105, 175 and 212) to the corner of Adelaide Crescent and Westend Causeway. The WACA is located just north of here. |
| PERTH OVAL |
Perth Oval became the new home of the Glory when they entered the competition in 1996/1997. The ground is now a fully fledged soccer stadium after being an Australian Rules Football ground for local team East Perth. The ground has a capacity of 8,000 and is located off Pier Street, which is 1km to the north-east of the City Centre in Highgate. Being so close to the City Centre makes Perth Oval walkable. Just travel north along Pier Street until you reach the ground. You can also take the Midland Line train to Claisebrook Station. Take the northern exit along Edward Street (past the Freeway), then walk north along Lord Street until you reach the ground. |
|
CHALLENGE STADIUM |
Challenge Stadium hosts the Wildcats and Netball’s Orioles and is located on Stephenson Avenue, Mt Claremont, which is some 7km west of the City Centre. The Challenge Stadium complex also contains the Sport Museum of Western Australia and the Hall of Champions at the WA Institute of Sport and is also just south of the Perry Lakes Stadium Complex. From the City Centre (corner of Wellington Street/William Street) take Bus Route 28 that stops outside Challenge Stadium. In the evening, you may wish to take a taxi from the City Centre or from the nearby Dalglish Train Station on the Fremantle Line. |
| PERRY LAKES BASKETBALL STADIUM |
The Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium hosts the Lynx and is located just north of Challenge Stadium off Meagher Drive (corner of Underwood Avenue) in Floreat, which is just under 6km west of the City Centre. From the City Centre, you can also take Bus Route 28 that stops outside Challenge Stadium. From here, you have another 1km walk to Perry Lakes – which may be risky given that most matches are at night. It may be best to take the Fremantle Rail Line to Dalglish Railway Station and catch a taxi from there – it is only about 1.5km away – or from the City Centre itself. |
| TENNIS
HOPMAN CUP, BURSWOOD DOME |
The Hopman Cup Mixed-Teams Competition is held in late December/ early January at the Burswood International Dome, which is the self-proclaimed largest enclosed entertainment and sports venue in the country with an ultimate capacity for 20,000. It is located off the Great Eastern Highway in Burswood, which is only about 2km south-east of the City Centre across the Swan River. From the City Centre, you can take the Armadale Line to Victoria Park Train Station, which is one station past Burswood Station but is adjacent to the Casino and Dome. |
| HORSE
RACING
ASCOT RACECOURSE Tickets available at course |
Ascot Racecourse hosts the Perth Cup on New Years Day and the Railway Stakes in early December and is located off Grandstand Road in Ascot on the banks of the Swan River near Perth International Airport. It is some 5km north-east of the City Centre. From the City Centre (Perth Station), take the Midland Line to Baywater Station and then take Bus Route 98 to the Racecourse entrance. |
| HORSE
RACING
BELMONT RACECOURSE Tickets available at course |
Belmont Park Racecourse is the main winter racing course in Perth and is located off Graham Farmer Freeway near Burswood, which is only 2km east of the City Centre along the banks of the Swan River and just to the north of the Burswood Casino Complex. From Perth Station in the City Centre, take the Armadale Line to Belmont Park station on race days, which is adjacent to the racecourse entry. |
| MOTOR
RACING
V8 SHELL SUPERCAR SERIES WANEROO Ticket information through www.V8supercars.com.au |
The V8 Shell Supercar Series Waneroo is held in mid June at Barbagello Raceway, off Wattle Avenue, Neerabup (near Wanneroo), some 30km north of the City Centre. The track is located well away from the public transport network. The best bet may be to take the train to Joondalup train station on the Joondalup line and catch a taxi to the track – which is about another 10km away. |
