Soak up the Great Outdoors in Australia's Sunniest Capital
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Sunseekers, take note! Perth is the sunniest capital city in the world with an average of eight hours of sun per day, year-round making it an ideal destination for exploring the outdoors and soaking up some Vitamin D.
The city is famous for being the most isolated city in the world, surrounded by Australian nature: the Indian Ocean on one side and the Australian outback on the other. Here are our top tips for getting back to nature.
If you’re travelling with your family, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, on the western edge of the CBD is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy the sunshine There are walking trails galore - including a cool treetop walk - and plenty of pretty vantage points along the Swan River which offer sweeping views of the city and spots to lay a picnic rug – including a super shady perch under a 750 year-old Boab tree.
If you’re looking for a work-out, the Park’s infamous Jacob’s Ladder - a winding set of 242 steps that climbs 43 metres high, will get the heart rate pumping. If this seems too tall an order for your holiday brain, consider the DNA tower climb. A ‘mere’ 101 steps straight up and you’re rewarded with the best views in the park. For the less active, glass of wine under the stars at the Moonlight Cinema (which operates in Kings Park over the summer months from December to March) is always a good idea.
Another brilliant way to connect with nature is a visit to Perth Zoo where you can get up close to native wildlife and learn their quirks and habits. Or, if you’re hankering for one of Australia’s most Instagrammable photos, consider a trip to Rottnest Island. The island, just a 90-minute ferry ride from Perth, is the natural habitat for the quokka. And if you fancy a selfie, you’ll join the list of celebrities that couldn’t resist the call of the wild and snapping a pic with these friendly little guys.
In keeping with the outdoors theme, a visit to Greenhouse on St Georges Terrace is a must. Encased in a façade of greenery, this environmentally friendly venue serves natural, sustainably sourced produce, in fact, the roof-top garden provides much of the fresh produce for the restaurant and bar. Take our word for it, their Bloody Mary made with fresh from the garden tomatoes really does taste that extra bit special!
But no trip to Perth is complete without a tipple or two of their world-renowned Swan Wines and another local favourite is Lalla Rookh Wine Store, partly because of its intimate 27-seat space but mostly because of its incredible wine list, knowledgeable staff and their melt-in-your-mouth handmade pasta. If you miss out on a seat, you can buy any of the 300 plus wines to take-away if you don’t fancy organising a babysitter.
Adina Apartment Hotels are made for family vaycays. Each one to three- bedroom apartment has a fully functioning kitchen, laundry facilities, separate living rooms with space to stretch out, and all the services and amenities you love from a hotel stay including room service. And when it comes to outdoor adventures, our recommendation is Adina Perth Barracks. This apartment hotel is just a three-minute walk from Perth train station and a 9-minute walk from the Elizabeth Quay waterfront entertainment district.