10 things you never knew about Perth, Australia

28 Oct 2016

So how much do you really know about Western Australia’s capital? A great beauty that’s often overlooked in favour of trendy Melbourne, vibrant Sydney or the Gold Coast Surfer’s Paradise. Well, that’s all about to change. If you’re not familiar with Perth and its Perth-fection (pun intended), we’re here to reveal all…

Contrary to popular belief, Perth is anything but ordinary. The state has 19 beautiful beaches with the closest one being the popular Cottesloe Beach, a mere 15-minute drive from Perth CBD. If you’re looking for somewhere more secluded, try Leighton Beach just north of Fremantle. Or if you’re not a fan of seaside golden sands, you can always head to town and explore the city’s thriving food scene. From breakfast brunches and delicious coffees to new and trendy restaurants, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone.

Image courtesy of StudyPerth

Ready to know more? Here are 10 things you probably never knew about the city of Perth…

1. It has the largest inner-city park in the world

Yes, Kings Park in Perth is bigger than say New York City’s Central Park – but that’s not the only similarity it shares with the NYC park. Kings Park and Botanic Garden also overlooks Perth city and the view is glorious any time of the day. We would recommend packing a picnic and capturing an extra sweet picture for the ‘gram of one of the best city views in Perth.

Image courtesy of StudyPerth

2. Perth is closer to Bali in Indonesia than Canberra, Australia

One of the many perks of living in Perth is enjoying the strategic location, set between South East Asia and Eastern Australia. It actually only takes three hours to reach Bali (another popular holiday destination) in Indonesia, compared to the four-hour journey it takes to reach Canberra city, making the island such a paradisiac getaway for Perthians seeking a break from the city.

3. It’s the world’s largest producer of bling

We’re not kidding! The Kalgoorlie Mine, born during the gold rush of the 1880s, is the world’s largest producer of gold. Movie fans of the old west will be thrilled at the prospect of visiting the largest goldfield city which is also rich in western history. Lastly, don’t forget to check out the Super Pit, a magnificent mining pit that, at 3.5km in length and around a half a kilometre deep, is one of the world’s largest man-made structures, and can be viewed from space!

4. The only place in the world you can find quokkas

Image courtesy of Western Australia

Perth offers more than just kangaroos and koalas if you know where to look. Hidden on the sun-kissed islands off the Perth coast lives the adorable quokka, known as one of the happiest animals in the world. These little rascals can mainly be found on Rottnest Island, where they have become the number one tourist attraction. #QuokkaSelfie anyone?

5. Perth gets more sunshine than any other Australian capital

Image courtesy of StudyPerth

It may not have earned the moniker ‘the city that never sleeps’ but it sure comes close! With more hours of sunshine than any other Australian city, Perthians have the pleasure and privilege to spend as much time outdoors as they want. Whether it’s strolling around the city, walking the dog in the park or dining outdoors at one of the many cool restaurants in Perth, you can do it all and have time to spare.

6. It’s NOT the most isolated city in the world

That special mantle belongs to Honolulu, Hawaii. Perth is the second most isolated capital with the next nearest city a whopping 2,200km away. Despite its reputation Perth is one of the fastest-growing capital city of Australia and the fourth city to hit two million people, as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. With a vast landscape, lush greenery and the beautiful coastline, it’s no wonder people are flocking to Perth!

7.You can swim with the world’s biggest fish

Image via Shutterstock

Australia’s known for its wonderful marine life and coral reefs but if you want to do more than just snorkel and dive, then add this to your to-do list. The World Heritage has listed Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia as one of the only spots where you can swim with the world’s biggest fish – a whale shark to be precise. These magical creatures can grow up to 16 metres (52.5 feet) and are usually seen around Ningaloo from March to July. The island is also one of the rare places on Earth that you can walk straight from the beach onto a coral reef.

8. The City of Perth has nine Sister Cities

Aside from being a vibrant and diverse metropolis, Perth constantly finds ways to bring cities together to form meaningful relationships. Through a Sister City agreement, you can learn about other cities through education and activities organised by local volunteers and institutions or through cultural exchange programmes. As of now, Perth has twinned locations with Kagoshima in Japan, Houston in Texas, Rhodes and Megisti in Greece, San Diego in California, Chengdu and Nanjing in China, Vasto in Italy, and Taipei in Taiwan.

9. It has one of the longest straight railway tracks in the world

The iconic Trans-Australian line has appeared in the Australian Book of Records for the longest straight section of railway road in the world. The straight section of the track is 478 km which is roughly the same distance as travelling from London to Paris by car.

10. Perth is huge!

Image courtesy of StudyPerth

Yes, we know that you know that too. But just how big is Perth really? If Western Australia was a country, it would be in the top ten biggest countries in the world. It’s also the only capital city in the world where an aeroplane can land in the central business district.

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This article is sponsored by StudyPerth, the first point of contact for anyone looking for information regarding studying and living in Perth. With close ties to five of the state’s world-class universities – Curtin University, The University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and The University of Notre Dame Australia – (as well as a whole host of colleges, schools and English language institutions) StudyPerth is the ultimate study abroad tool for students seeking an unparalleled education experience.