ABOUT PERTH

Perth is a vibrant and modern city sitting between the cerulean Indian Ocean and the ancient Darling Ranges. It claims to be the sunniest state capital in Australia, though more striking is its isolation from the rest of the country - Perth is over 4400kms (2750mi) from Sydney by road.

Unfortunately the city centre's sterile concrete-and-glass skyscrapers dominate a picturesque riverside location. Still, behind the towering edifices hide a handful of 19th-century buildings and facades and some saving-grace patches of greenery.

Perth is situated on Australia's western coast, close to the southwestern tip of the country. The city centre is fairly compact, situated on a sweep of the Swan River. The river, which borders the city centre to the south and east, links Perth to its port, Fremantle. The western end of Perth rises to the pleasant Kings Park, which overlooks the city, then extends to cosmopolitan Subiaco. Further west, suburbs extend as far as Scarborough and Cottesloe beaches on the Indian Ocean. The railway line bounds the city centre on the northern side, with Northbridge immediately north of the line.

Perth's international and domestic airports are about 8km (5mi) east of the city, and 10km (6mi) apart. Buses and trains arrive at the Westrail Centre in East Perth.

Perth has a wide variety of accommodation catering for all tastes and price brackets. The main areas for budget accommodation are Northbridge, Fremantle and Scarborough, while hotels, motels and holiday flats of all standards are spread throughout the city. Northbridge and Fremantle are definitely the places to go for nightlife, especially on Friday night.