Page 310 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

308  WESTERN A USTR ALIA

Central Perth Within the Perth Cultural Centre
stands the Western Australian
Perth is a relatively small and quiet city compared with Museum complex. Among its
those on the east coast. Its main commercial and shopping buildings are the Old Perth Gaol
(1856), with exhibitions on life
areas can be easily explored on foot. The city’s atmosphere in the original Swan River
is brisk but not hurried. Redevelopment projects in the 1970s colony. The exhibition “Western
brought skyscrapers and more roads, but they also made Australia Land and People” tells
space for city parks and courtyards lined with cafés and the story of Western Australia
shady trees. The city centre is bordered to the south and from dinosaurs to indigenous
east by a wide stretch of the Swan River known as Perth beginnings and the environ­
mental issues now facing the
Water, and to the north lies Northbridge, Perth’s restaurant state. International and
and entertainment centre. temporary exhibitions enhance
the permanent displays.
Exploring Central Perth P Barracks Archway
St Georges Terrace is Perth’s Cnr St Georges Terrace & Elder St. E DFES Education
main commercial street. At its Barracks Archway is all that and Heritage Centre
western end stands Parliament remains of the 1863 barracks 25 Murray St. Tel (08) 9395 9862.
House, and in front of this is that once housed the soldiers Open 10am–3pm Tue–Thu.
Barracks Archway. Further east, brought in to police convicts. Closed public holidays. 7
the Cloisters, built in 1850 as a ∑ dfes.wa.gov.au
school, boast some fine decor­ E Perth Cultural Centre Perth City Fire Brigade moved
ative brickwork. Nearby is the James St. Art Gallery of Western from this, its original
Old Perth Boys’ School, a tiny Australia: Tel (08) 9492 6622. home, to a much larg­
building that was Perth’s first Open 10am–5pm Wed–Mon. er site in 1979. The old
school for boys. Towards the Closed Good Fri, 25 Apr, fire station became a
river is Elizabeth Quay. 25 Dec. Donations. 7 fascinating museum
Perth’s shopping centre lies ∑ mra.wa.gov.au/ Perth Fire Station’s charting the history
between William and Barrack projects-and-places original fire bell of the fire service in
streets. It is a maze of arcades, The Perth Cultural Perth and Western
plazas and elevated walkways. Centre is a pedestrianized Australia, and a fire safety
The main areas are Hay Street complex on several levels. The centre. Exhibits here include
Mall and Murray Street Mall. On centre is home to the Art Gallery some well­preserved old
the corner of William Street and of Western Australia, which has fire appliances and reconstruc­
St Georges Terrace lies the Town a collection of modern Aborigi­ tions of rooms.
Hall (1870), close to the site nal and Australian art, and some
where Perth was founded. international pieces. The Perth R St Mary’s Cathedral
Beyond the railway tracks Institute of Contemporary Art Victoria Sq. Tel (08) 6104 3650.
is Northbridge, the focus of (PICA), State Library and State Open 7am–6pm daily. 7
much of Perth’s nightlife. Theatre are also here. Following an extensive
James Street is lined with restoration project, St Mary’s
many restaurants, cafés and E Western Australian Cathedral is an architectural
food halls offering a variety Museum – Perth delight. The cathedral has retained
of ethnic cuisines. The ornate Perth Cultural Centre, James St. Tel its splendid stained­glass
façade of the former Brass (08) 9212 3700. Open 9:30am– 5pm windows and rich heritage,
Monkey Hotel (now a pub), is a daily; 25 Apr: 1–5pm. Closed 1 Jan, while also providing a modern
perfect example of colonial Good Fri, 25–26 Dec. 7 limited. space, seating 1,400 people.
gold rush architecture. ∑ museum.wa.gov.au St Mary’s is renowned for its
superb choir.
P Perth Mint
310 Hay St. Tel (08) 9421 7222.
Open 9am–5pm daily.
Closed public holidays. & 7
∑ perthmint.com.au
Perth Mint was opened in 1899,
under British control, to refine
gold from Western Australia’s
gold fields to make British
sovereigns and half­vereigns and half­vereigns and half sovereigns.
so so
Although it no longer
produces coins for circulation,
The elaborately decorated Brass Monkey Hotel on William Street the mint produces proof coins
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p490 and pp519–21