If you want to escape the city for a few hours there are plenty of quiet areas to get away from the madding crowd, even near the centre. Perth has plenty of plush parks and reserves, such as Perry Lakes, Lake Monger, Bibra Lakes, Hyde Park and Matilda Bay, and the main beaches are good for getting away and reading a book or just thinking about your next move.
Getting out of the city, great bargains can often be found at suburban weekend markets and ‘swap meets’ such as those at Karrinyup and Canning Vale; see local papers for upcoming markets, fairs and fetes. The northern beaches are less crowded and the new city of Joondalup has an innovative community arts programme with regular free events and sometimes some big name bands. Wanneroo is the place where the city stops and the bush starts and this region offers some market gardens and beautiful bushland for horseriding.
A mere 20 minutes north east of Perth along the Great Eastern Highway you will find yourself in Australia’s oldest wine growing region: the picturesque Swan Valley. Make Guildford your first stop where a leisurely stroll through town offers some great viewings of Western Australia’s oldest buildings. The town has a kind of old-school charm mixed with a 70’s biker feel.
For those interested in sampling local wines, boutique beers and gourmet food, day trip bus routes are available from the city. You can drive from Perth and explore the Swan Valley or take one of the wine river cruises from the Centre of Perth along the Swan River. See www.swanvalley.com.au
What: Yanchep National Park and beaches.
Where: Not far out of the big smoke, just 3/4 hour drive north of Perth along Wannaroo Road.
Why: Here you can experience a taste of Aboriginal culture, including traditional tool making demonstrations, and also catch a glimpse of the koalas and kangaroos which roam the area. Wagardu Lake, in the park, is highly significant to the local Aboriginal people of the area. According to tradition the lake is inhabited by a Waugal (rainbow serpent), whose activities ensure that the springs that feed the lake continue to flow.
The Park also has magnificent limestone caves and a stunning array of wildflowers. Tudor-style buildings add some old-world charm, which sits comfortably with the BBQ and picnic facilities, boats for hire and bushland to explore. Confirm the current viewing and performance times on 9561 1004. Go to www.dec.wa.gov.au for more info.
Horse and camel riding are popular pursuits in the Yanchep area, as are bike riding, bush-walking and surfing. The ‘Spot’ is a favoured haunt for keen surfers and is situated close to the township on a well maintained track.
Yanchep has a unique bush-meets-burbs-meets-beach vibe, and with its beaches, national parks, wineries and other attractions, it’s a great destination for a close-to-Perth weekender.
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