Perth was founded on June 11, 1829 by Captain James Stirling as the political centre of the free settler Swan River Colony. It has continued to serve as the seat of Government for Western Australia to the present day. The metropolitan area is located in the south west of the continent between the Indian Ocean and a low coastal escarpment known as the Darling Range. The central business district and suburbs of Perth are situated on the Swan River.

Perth is the capital of the Australian state of Western Australia. A population of 1,507,900[1] (2006 estimate) makes Perth the largest city in Western Australia and home to three-quarters of the state's residents. The city is also the fourth most populous urban area in Australia, and with a growth rate of 2% is currently the fastest growing major city in Australia.

Travel to Perth
Qantas and Emirates are the most frequent airlines servicing Perth with fast connection to 45 destinations throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.

Time Zone
Perth is 8 hours ahead of GMT

Safety
Perth is rated as among the safest cities in the world. The main danger that an overseas visitor to Perth faces is sunburn! Make sure you cover yourself with SPF 30+ sunscreen and wear a hat, and preferably a shirt, especially in the warmer months. An insect repellent such as 'Aeroguard' will be useful on summer evenings if you are outdoors.

Central Business District
The central business district of Perth is bounded by the Swan River to the south and east, with Kings Park on the western end, while the railway lines form a northern border. St Georges Terrace is the prominent street of the area with more than two thirds of the 1.3 million m² of office space in the CBD. Hay Street and Murray Street have most of the retail and entertainment facilities.

Climate
Perth's climate is a classic example of a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, lasting from late December to late March, with February generally being the hottest month of the year. The hottest ever recorded temperature in Perth was 46.2 °C (115 °F) on 23 February 1991. Winters are cool and rather moist, though winter rainfall has been declining in recent years. The coldest temperature recorded was -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) on 17 June 2006, and the only temperature ever recorded below the freezing point. Even in mid-winter, maximum daytime temperatures only occasionally fall below 16 °C (60 °F). Though most rainfall occurs during winter, the wettest ever day was on 9 February 1992 when 121 millimetres (4.75 in) fell. On most summer afternoons a sea breeze, also known as "The Fremantle Doctor", blows from the south-west cooling the city.

Clothing
Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but jackets or pullovers may be needed for the winter months. Good quality sunglasses are advised for all seasons.

Transport

Perth is served by Perth Airport in the city's east for domestic and international flights and Jandakot Airport in the city's southern suburbs for general aviation. Perth has a road network with three freeways, nine metropolitan highways and no toll roads. Perth metropolitan public transport, including trains, buses and ferries, are provided by Transperth, with links to rural areas provided by Transwa.

There are 59 railway stations and 15 bus stations in the metropolitan area. The rail system is currently undergoing significant redevelopment, to be completed in 2007.

The Government of Western Australia has significantly increased metropolitan public transport funding in recent years. Initiatives include progressive replacement of the bus fleet and the SmartRider smartcard ticketing system. Additionally, the rail network has been expanded in the northern and southern suburbs as part of the New MetroRail project.

Perth's main container and passenger port is at Fremantle, 19 kilometres south west at the mouth of the Swan River. A second port complex is being developed in Cockburn Sound primarily for the export of bulk commodities.

Check out the following links for more information:
www.perthtouristcentre.com.au
www.countrywide.com.au


Language
English is the  official  language. Other languages are widely used by the large population.

Passports and Visas
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Driving License
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Insurance
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Currency
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Banks
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Credit Cards
American Express, Diner, Visa, Access, Master Card and all other major credit cards are accepted at leading hotels and shops.

Tipping
Practice is similar to most parts of the world. Some restaurants do include a service charge; otherwise 10% is adequate.

Business Hours
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Communication
Telephone calls made from a public telephone within Perth cost 50 cents; calls from a hotel may be charged at a higher rate. International Direct Dialling is available to most countries in the world. Internet, E-mail, Fax and Telex Services are excellent.

Money
Money can be exchanged at banks and most hotels. There are number of money exchange centres offering competitive rates.

Getting Around in Perth
Perth has an excellent road system. Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Taxi's are easily obtainable in Perth and are fitted with fare meters.

Food & Beverage
High quality cuisine and all type of beverages including alcoholic drinks are freely available in hotels, restaurants and bars.

Electricity
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Hotel Accommodation
There is a wide choice of hotels in Perth (from 3 star to 5 star hotels) whether you wish to stay in the city or at on the beach.