First Impressions

So here I am, it has just gone midnight and I’m walking through customs with my giant, over-stuffed luggage trailing behind me.

Almost twenty four hours ago I tentatively boarded a plane in Dublin and now, several magazines and in-flight movies later I have been let loose in Perth airport.

Almost instantly I’m struck by the relaxed atmosphere; even though security make their presence known I don’t feel that jitter of schoolchild nerves, that utterly irrational sense of guilt that you sometimes suffer under the scrutinising gaze of airport security.  There is a palpable friendliness in the air, a sense of welcome, and even though I am deliriously jet-lagged, I’m exhilarated to have finally arrived after months of preparation and anticipation.

I came to Perth this May on a working holiday visa to visit a close friend from home who had been living here over a year.  While I had done a considerable amount of travelling as a tourist I had always wanted to live and work in another country, to immerse myself in its culture and now the opportunity had arisen.  My friend had already fully embraced the Perth lifestyle and was an ardent advocate of my journeying here ever since she first moved.

Cottesloe Beach
Image courtesy Tourism Western Australia

When we arrived at her house in Claremont, among other little ‘welcome to Perth’ treats, she handed me a card with a picture of two kissing kangaroos on the front, laughing at the obvious stereotype.  Inside she had enthusiastically filled it with names of restaurants, cafes, sights and locations in Perth – ‘Kings Park, Cottesloe Beach, The Naked Fig, Vans, Rottnest Island...’  Of course none of these names meant a thing to me then, but four months on I’m not only familiar but extremely fond of them.

Having grown up in Dublin, a small but notoriously bustling city, I find myself enthralled by the unhurried pace of life in Perth.  Good weather is not one of Ireland’s specialities, so when the sun occasionally appears we run from the house, sunscreen and beach towels in hand, praising the Heavens because we know what a rarity it is.

What always impresses me about Perth is that despite guaranteed sun almost nine months out of the year, there is still an overwhelming sense of appreciation for a beautiful day, even from people who have lived here all their lives.  One would think that glorious sunshine could be taken for granted when in abundance, but I have yet to see a person without a look of quiet contentment on their face when strolling along the beach on a warm day.  I say warm because I have not personally experienced a Perth summer.  When I tell people this they laugh and tell me that I haven’t seen anything yet!

I have been fortunate enough to have a live-in tour guide in my friend, but Perth is an easy place to discover with little help.  Asking both locals and visitors about their favourite food spots or what they did at the weekend can provide inspiration to even the most inexperienced traveller.  People in Perth are only too happy to recommend a place to eat, drink or just to go for a day out so it is always worth asking; they relish the chance to show off their beautiful city.

There are so many ways I could spend a day in Perth and I find myself thinking about what I would do if I had friends and family to visit.  To make the very best of my day I would be sure to get up early because one thing that I’ve discovered is that Perth wakes up very early!  In Dublin you would be lucky to see a solitary soul strolling the streets at 6am – here people are out and about, going for a run, cycling or just absorbing their morning coffee before they go to work - it’s definitely an incentive to be up and moving.

One of my favourite breakfast locations is John’s Street Cafe in Cottesloe, I’m a huge fan of eggs Benedict and they have perfected the rich taste here. 

After a somewhat indulgent breakfast Kings Park is a great place to burn off the calories and take in the scenery; I could spend hours delving among the nooks and crannies and still not see all of it.  I have also recently discovered the rolling landscape of the Swan Valley wine region – visiting the subdued and friendly wineries gives you the feeling of getting out of the city without having to drive for hours.

 Swan Valley Vineyards

Image courtesy Tourism Western Australia

After a day of activity and sunshine my favourite place to enjoy the breathtaking sunset is at Cottesloe beach.  The Blue Duck sits right by the shore and the sky’s orange and purple rays illuminate floor to ceiling, it’s not a bad way to enjoy your evening meal!

At the end of the day a lively and fun atmosphere can always be found in Fremantle.  I particularly love Little Creatures for relaxing with a nightcap with friends, it’s the perfect way to wind down and recall the day’s events.

Of course these are only a few options, and that’s only one day.  I could write for hours about the abundance of things to do and places to see, it all depends on your mood or what your interests are.

Perth offers variety for all types of people: for the leisurely loungers or the fitness fanatics, for the wine connoisseurs or the food critics, for the short term visitors or the long term settlers, for the early risers or the night owls, it’s all there waiting to be experienced and I for one am glad to have had the opportunity to do so.

  Emma at a winery in the Swan Valley.

Flourishnote: What are your favourite things to do and see in Perth?  Where do you like to take interstate or overseas guests when playing tour guide?

Head to our homepage here.