Surroundings, Perth

At Hillary's Boat Harbor on the Indian Ocean, the main attraction is the Aquarium of Western Australia (formerly Underwater World). Visitors can walk through a glass underwater tunnel and observe over 200 species of native marine animals, including stingrays, mantas, dolphins and various kinds of shark. Diving with the shark in the aquarium and playing with the dolphins are both unique experiences.There are also half-day trips (Sept.-Nov. Tue.-Sun.) to watch the whales when they are diving in the ocean off the coast of Fremantle.

Cohuna Koala Park attracts families with children in particular. It is home to Australia's largest colony of koalas, together with more than 300 kangaroos. Visitor facilities include a restaurant and picnic sites. Helicopter tours are also available.

To the northeast of Perth, the Swan River winds through some lovely countryside. This region in Western Australia is best visited by ferry from Barrack Square Jetty.

Subiaco is a charming suburb which has preserved many late 19th C buildings. It has good shops and a wide range of entertainments, a historical museum in City Hall Gardens and the Museum of Childhood (Victorian toys) in Hamersley Road.

Rottnest Island, a low-lying island is a nature reserve (no cars permitted) which attracts many visitors and holidaymakers. It is 11km long from east to west and up to 5km across. It has a varied coastline with numerous inlets and bathing beaches and many inland lakes.The Dutch navigator Willem de Vlamingh landed on the island in 1696 and pronounced it an earthly paradise. Taking the little rock wallabies or quokkas for rats, he named the island Rottnest ('rats' nest'). From 1838 to 1903 it was used as a place of banishment for rebellious Aborigines.The Quad, an octagonal limestone building with a large inner courtyard, was built in 1864 as a prison. The cells, after renovation, are now holiday apartments. The nearby Rottnest Hotel, also built in 1864, was originally the summer residence of the governor of Western Australia; the hotel is popularly known as the Quokka Arms.The Rottnest Museum, housed in a barn and threshing mill of 1857, has collections of historical material and relics of shipwrecks.Most of the little limestone houses round the harbor at the east end of the island were built by convict labor. They are among the oldest buildings in Western Australia.The island has good surfaced roads and walking trails and a range of sports facilities (tennis, golf, bowling, bicycle and boat hire). Safe swimming and fishing in the shelter of the offshore reefs.

Situated outside of Perth, the Caversham Wildlife Park and Zoo attracts mainly young visitors.

The Aviation Heritage Museum displays vintage aircraft.

Adventure World is an amusement/adventure park with 7 man-made lakes, rides geared to families and young children as well as thrill rides and carnival games.This adventure park is situated south of Perth.

Wanneroo is now within the Perth conurbation as a result of the city's steady expansion northwards.There is a long stretch of varied coastal scenery, with Hillary's Boat Harbor, Sorrento Quay, the Underwater World and a number of golf courses.

Whiteman Park is a popular recreation spot. Here cattle are herded cowboy-fashion and sheep-shearing competitions are held. Round flat bread and 'billy tea' are served to the accompaniment of didgeridoo music.

Guildford was one of the earliest settlements in the interior, founded about 1830. Notable features are St Matthew's Church (1873) in Stirling Square, Guildford Jail, the courthouse (1866) and the Rose and Crown Inn (1840) in Swan Street. The neighboring Hall Collection is a large private collection of relics of 19th C Western Australia. The Woodbridge Mansion, a well restored old house just off the Great Eastern Highway, recalls the town's heyday in the late 19th C.

The little town of Mundaring (pop. 950) lies in the forest-covered hills of the Darling Range. Mundaring Weir, an artificial lake created in 1903, supplies water through a 500km long pipeline with pumping stations to the eastern goldfields round Kalgoorie.Pumping Station No. 1 on Mundaring Road, which closed down in 1955, now houses a museum commemorating CY O'Connor, who devised the pipeline project.