SAA’s new flights to Perth offer South Africans the perfect opportunity to explore the Western Australian city, its natural wonders, historic sites, immaculate architecture and culinary delights.
Flight SA280 departs from Johannesburg at 20h55 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and will arrive in Perth at 12h20 the following day. The return flight from Perth to Johannesburg, SA281, departs from Perth at 23h50 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and arrives in Johannesburg at 04h45 the following day.
Here are five local treasures to be found in SAA’s newest destination.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
Kings Park, home to the Western Australian Botanic Garden, is one of the world’s largest inner-city parks. The park boasts rich cultural heritage sites and over 3 000 species of unique indigenous fauna and flora.
It offers a selection of guided cultural tours, Aboriginal appreciation workshops for children, eateries, trinket shops with artisanal Aboriginal artwork and products, venues for booking, and dazzling light shows.
Kings Park provides stunning views of the city and the natural bushland landscape, with walking paths, suspended walkways, bridges, a picnic area and multiple viewpoints.
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup)
Rottnest Island, now known as Wadjemup, is off the coast of Perth, with deep Aboriginal, military and maritime history. The island, which was originally home to the Noongar people, later became an Aboriginal prison and military base. Many military defence structures can still be seen today.
Learn about Wadjemup’s history by visiting the Wadjemup Museum and other historic monuments, and bask in its natural beauty with segway tours, bicycle trails, photography tours, and quokka sightseeing tours. The island is also well known for its beautiful beaches, ideal for surfing, snorkelling, diving, swimming, and boating.
Travellers can quench their thirst and hunger with an array of cafés, high-end restaurants, quaint foodie hotspots, and beachside bars.
Swan Valley
A short 25-minute drive from the city will transport travellers to the oldest winemaking region in Western Australia. With over 180 years of wine-soaked history, Swan Valley is now also home to boutique breweries, cider houses and gin distilleries.
For tasting experiences that will delight all ages, the Whistler’s Chocolate Company, the Mondo Nougat Factory and the House of Honey also belong to this vibrant valley.
The region also houses art galleries between its drinking and dining venues, including the Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery and the Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park.
Cottesloe Beach
Perth’s white-sand beach is a favourite among locals and tourists. With almost a kilometre of coastline to enjoy ‘Cott’, as the locals call it, is a perfect spot for taking a dip in the sparkling Indian Ocean, surfing the wild Australian waves or snorkelling to view the vibrant sea life.
The beach holds an annual, free beachside art exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea, which peppers the pure white sand with a collection of interesting artworks.
Enjoy beachside dining with views over the sea, or relax on the Cottesloe Esplanade to enjoy the shade of the Norfolk Pines. Lucky visitors may even catch a live music concert on the grass.
Fremantle (Walyalup)
Just a 25-minute train ride southwest of Perth is the historic and hipster port city of Fremantle.
The quaint city has Unesco-listed streets filled with Aboriginal and convict colony history as well as funky street art, alternative dining experiences and alfresco cafés.
Fremantle has been home to the Whadjuk Noongar people for 45 000 years and is considered a spiritual place for ceremonies, trading and cultural traditions. One of the best places to experience First Nations culture in Walyalup is at the Walyalup Aboriginal Culture Centre.
Fremantle also houses the Unesco World Heritage Site Fremantle Prison and the Western Australia Maritime Museum.
Since 1897, Fremantle has hosted a weekend market that showcases a variety of fusion food and fresh produce.
