House of travel Rest of Australia | Page 7

© SATC Photography/South Australian Museum
© SATC Photography/Wilpena Pound
Experience Perth
Eat, Drink and Shop! Australia’s South
West - Wine & More Red Outback meets
the Southern Ocean
Australia’s sunniest capital city,
Perth, is a unique blend of natural
and urban experiences. Undergoing
a rapid transformation, Perth offers
a vibrant, yet easy-going and natural
lifestyle surrounded by the beautiful
Swan River, Kings Park, the Botanic
Garden and the Indian Ocean. The Margaret River region and the
Great Southern, is home to world-
class food and wine, beautiful
beaches, surfing, cave systems, tall
tree forests, and in-season, whale-
watching and wildflowers. Australia’s Golden Outback is where
you’ll find historic townships, scenes
of spectacular desert wilderness,
outback characters, gold rush
history, and the beaches of the
Southern Ocean.
Spanning six distinct wine regions
including the renowned Margaret
River region, which produces more
than 25% of Australia’s premium
wine, the South West is also home
to a variety of fresh produce. Enjoy
fresh farmed marron and trout,
as well as venison, chocolates,
cheeses, cherries, boutique beers
and crisp ciders, not forgetting
Manjimup’s indulgent black truffle,
which is exported around the
world. Visit the largest outdoor gallery in
the world at Lake Ballard, Menzies.
Created by world famous sculptor
Antony Gormley and located on
the salt flats of Lake Ballard - the
51 life-sized steel statues were
inspired by the people of Menzies.
See Australia’s whitest beach, Lucky
Bay, at Cape Le Grand National Park
where the kangaroos sunbathe.
Walk among the wildflowers and
ride an outback way. Wave Rock
near the Wheatbelt town of Hyden
is one of Australia’s most famous
rock formations. This 110 metre long,
multi-coloured granite cliff is shaped
remarkably like a huge wave about to
crash into the bush. In spring, you’ll
be surrounded by wildflowers in full
bloom.
Perth city and its surrounding
urban villages are brimming with
dining, shopping and entertainment
options. Culturally, visitors can
indulge at Perth’s Cultural Centre
in Northbridge - home to the Art
Gallery of WA, the WA Museum,
State Library, the Perth Institute of
Contemporary Art, the Blue Room
and the State Theatre Centre of WA.
New infrastructure developments
are changing the face of the city
including Perth Stadium, Perth City
Link, Yagan Square and the recently
opened Elizabeth Quay.
The South West celebrates its food
and wine offerings with a variety
of events including Margaret River
Gourmet Escape, Taste Great
Southern and Truffle Kerfuffle.
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