Living in Australia
Welcome to Perth
WA covers one third of the Australian continent. WA spans more than 2.5million square kilometers and is home to more than 2.5 million people, most of them residing in Perth.
With an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day all year round, Perth is said to be the sunniest capital city in the world.
The city of Perth sits on the northern banks of the Swan River, while the suburbs of Perth stretch in all directions to the Darling Range in the east and the Indian Ocean in the west.
Perth dominates the Western Australian economy, despite the major mining, petroleum, and agricultural export industries being located in other parts of the state. Perth’s function as the state’s capital city, its economic base and population size have also created development opportunities for many other businesses oriented to local or more diversified markets.
1. Lifestyle
Perth is a vibrant city nestled in nature. It’s relaxed laid-back lifestyle offers the perfect balance of urban and natural settings. WA offers so many wonderful experiences and opportunities for the locals and visitors to have fun, relax and enjoy life. Whatever you are interested in – history, arts and culture, sporting events, flora and fauna, beaches, food, wineries or just catching up with friends and family for a picnic in one of our many beautiful scenic parks, our tourism attractions cater for all age and cultural groups.
Whilst studying in Perth at The Bright College, as a student you will have time for lots more adventure and incredible experiences, so go for it and make the most of it ………….. “ Wander out Yonder in WA “!
2. Weather
Seasons
Australia’s climate varies greatly throughout the eight states and territories; there are four seasons across most of the country and a wet and dry season in the tropical north. Australia’s seasons are at opposite times to those in the northern hemisphere. December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring.
Summer in Australia falls between December and February and is famous for sunny days with high temperatures. It’s the wet season in the tropical north (November to April), which is characterised by monsoonal rains and high humidity. Many tourism operations are closed for the season, as are some national parks due to flood risks.
Autumn in most parts of Australia is from March to May. The Tropical North’s wet season extends through April and many tourist attractions may be closed for the season, making May a better time to plan your visit to the Kimberley region or Darwin. In the south of Australia, autumn brings cooler days with occasional rain.
Winter in most parts of Australia is from June to August. For the Northern Territory, this falls within the ‘dry season’, making it an ideal time to visit the north of the country, including Darwin, the Top End and the Kimberley. From balmy afternoons in the north to freezing temperatures and snow in many places south of Sydney (head to the Australian Alps and Tasmania if you’re keen for a white winter), travelling to Australia during winter is pleasant and offers a diverse range of activities and attractions to discover.
Spring in most parts of Australia is from September to November. For the Northern Territory, September and October fall within the ‘dry season’, while November marks the start of the ‘wet season’, so if you’re heading for Darwin or Kakadu, aim for early spring.Travelling to Australia during shoulder season (spring and autumn) is generally cheaper and less crowded, making it a great time to explore the country.
Perth
Perth enjoys hot, dry summers and mild winters. During summer rain is unusual, but winter can bring downpours of rain and thunderstorms.
Summer (December – February) Summer in Perth is hot and dry with very little rainfall. Average temperatures range from 17.5 – 30°C (63.5 – 86°F). In the afternoons a sea breeze called the ‘Fremantle Doctor’ provides some relief from the heat.
Autumn (March – May) During autumn, Perth experiences warm, sunny days and cooler nights with average temperatures between 13.7 – 26°C (56.6 – 78.8°F). There can be occasional showers and some
humidity. Evening temperatures rarely drop
below 10°C (50°F).
Winter (June – August)
Winters are relatively cool and wet with temperatures ranging from 8 – 19°C (46.4 – 66.2°F). There are occasional storms, characterised by downpours of rain and thunderstorms.
Spring (September – November)
During spring, days are warm and sunny with average temperatures ranging from 11.7 – 23°C (53 – 73.4°F). There is little rainfall at this time of year. There is a lot of flora in spring: discover more than 12,000 species of wildflowers, which blossom in Perth’s nature reserves and national parks.
For further information on WA’s and Australia’s weather visit:
www.bom.gov.au
www.australiatourism.com
3. Time Zones
Australia is divided into 3 time zones:
| WST | ( Western Standard Time ) | Western Australia |
| CST | ( Central Standard Time ) | South Australia, Northern Territory |
| EST | ( Eastern Standard Time ) | Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, |
Daylight Saving Dates
Sunday 03 October 2021 – Sunday 03 April 2022
4. Transport
Bus and Rail
Transport in Perth, Western Australia, is served by various means, among them an extensive highway / freeway network and a substantial system of commuter rail lines and bus routes. Public transport is managed by the Transport agency.
You can travel around the centre of Perth for free by staying in the Free Transit Zone or using the free CAT buses.
The rail network comprises five lines:
- Armadale / Thornlie
- Fremantle
- Joondalup
- Midland
- Mandurah
For further information on Perth and surrounds bus and rail transport visit:
www.transperth.wa.gov.au
Cycling
Cycling in Perth is common on the roads and paths for recreation, commuting and sport.
For further information on Perth and surrounds cycling routes visit:
www.transperth.wa.gov.au (Active Transport)
Air
Perth is served by Perth Airport in the city’s east for regional, domestic and international flights and Jandakot Airport in the city’s southern suburbs for general aviation and charter flights.
For further information on Perth’s air transport visit:
www.perthairport.com.au
www.jandakotairport.com.au
Car
If you are a visitor to Western Australia (WA), you may drive only those vehicles that you are authorised to drive on your overseas driver’s licence, for as long as it remains valid in the country of issue.
If your overseas driver’s licence ceases to be valid, you must apply for a WA licence if you wish to continue driving.
Visiting drivers include:
- Overseas Defence Force personnel and their families
- People on business trips
- People with working holiday visas
- People working temporarily in WA
- Students studying in WA
- Tourists
If your overseas driver’s licence is not in English, you must carry an English translation of your driver’s licence with you when you drive. The translation must be performed by an authorised NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) translator.
To be able to drive on WA roads with your overseas driver’s licence you must:
- Carry your driver’s licence with you at all times while driving and show it to a police officer if asked to do so
- Comply with any other conditions of your driver’s licence
- Drive only those vehicles that you are authorised to drive
- Hold a current driver’s licence that is not suspended or cancelled (you cannot drive on your overseas licence if you are disqualified from driving or your driving privileges are withdrawn)
For further information on driving a car in Perth visit:
www.transperth.wa.gov.au (Visiting from overseas)
Other vehicle options:
- Uber
- Ola
- Taxi
- Chauffeur
Ferry
As an alternate to the bus or train, there are also Transperth ferry services that travel across the Swan River between Elizabeth Quay and South Perth in around 10 minutes.
Rottnest Island ferry companies provide transfers to the Island from Perth City, North Fremantle (Rous Head), Fremantle (Victoria Quay) and Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth’s north. Rottnest ferries take approximately 25 minutes from Fremantle, 45 minutes from Hillarys Boat Harbour, or 90 minutes from Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty.
For further information on Perth ferry transport visit:
www.transperth.wa.gov.au
www.sealinkrottnest.com.au
www.rottnestexpress.com.au
www.rottnestfastferries.com.au
5. Food and Drink
Australia is a multicultural nation, and nowhere is this more evident than in our food culture so students should have no trouble finding their favorite foods from back home or trying Australian cuisine.
Perth and Fremantle are food lover’s paradise, boasting a wide range of fresh produce, excellent wines and a huge number of restaurants.
Why not try one of Australia’s famous and favorite foods:
- Chicken parmigiana
- Barbequed snags (aka sausages)
- Lamingtons
- A burger with ‘the lot’
- Pavlova
- Meat pies with tomato sauce
- Barramundi
- Vegemite on toast
- Grilled kangaroo
The central restaurant districts in Perth are Northbridge and Victoria Park. Northbridge has many inexpensive and authentic cuisine options throughout and is also home to Perth’s Chinatown on Roe Street, where there are plenty of great budget eating options.
Fremantle has an exciting blend of seafood restaurants, classic pubs and an ever growing list of international cuisines.
Other eating locations:
- Subiaco
- Mount Lawley
- Lunderville
- Perth ( Twilight Hawkers markets at Forrest Place )
- Inglewood ( Night market )
- Scarborough ( Sunset market )
- Fremantle ( Weekend market )
- Mt Hawthorn ( Twilight Hawkers market )
If all you want is a sea view, head along the coast to Fremantle, Cottesloe, Scarborough, City Beach or Hillary’s Boat Harbour, where you can pull up a stall and enjoy some fish and chips while watching the sun go down.
For further information on dining venues and options in Perth and surrounds visit:
www.experienceperth.com
6. Entertainment
Perth’s day and nightlife is vibrant, and you’ll easily be able to find every kind of entertainment ………… shows, musicals, theatre, movies, sport, concerts, cultural festivals, ballet
Each nightlife area has their own unique atmosphere, and you will also find plenty of trendy bars and clubs where you can relax quietly over a cocktail. Both Perth and Fremantle have an impressive selection of pubs, each with their own characteristics and charms.
Located 25 minutes from Perth City, the Swan Valley, the oldest wine growing region offers visitors a wide variety of attractions, family fun activities, history and heritage, wine tasting, restaurants and much more……….. so go and explore!
Major events in Perth and surrounds:
- Fringe World Festival
- Perth Festival
- Art Gallery Exhibitions
- Chinese New Year
- Sculpture by the Sea
- Port to Pub Swim ( Leighton Beach to Rottnest Island )
- Avon Descent
- The York Festival
- St Patrick’s Day
- ANZAC Day
- New Years Eve
- Australia Day
- Rottnest Channel Swim (Cottesloe Beach to Thompson Bay Rottnest)
For further information on Perth and surrounds entertainment precincts and events visit:
www.experienceperth.com
7. Shopping
In the Central Business District of Perth, Murray and Hay Street Malls, Forrest Chase are particularly popular as pedestrian only streets where you’ll discover a treasure trove of fashion, jeweler and accessories. Originally created to help pedestrians traverse the wide city blocks, arcades including Carillon City, Piccadilly Plaza and Trinity Arcade have each developed their own distinctive character, offering shoppers an array of choice. The quaint English-Tudor themed London Court is renowned for gemstones, Australian gifts and souvenirs.
Art lovers are catered for in Fremantle with art ranging from gallery displays to Indigenous designs and street art on the sidewalk. Shoppers love Fremantle for its funky Australian fashions and independent designs. With young and upcoming designers choosing Fremantle to launch their stunning new designs – there are around 50 boutiques crammed into Market and High Streets. Don’t miss the vibrant weekend markets for the freshest of fruit and veg, as well as an eclectic mix of buskers, stalls and goods.
Most of Perth’s shopping centers are located in the suburbs and are easily accessed by public transport links. Most shopping centers will not only have a large variety of retail outlets but provide shoppers with food courts, cinemas, supermarkets, department stores and chain stores all in close proximity and undercover. Many also house service providers such as banks, postal agencies, medical clinics and money exchange.
Major Perth and suburbs Shopping Centers:
- Westfield Carousel
- Garden City Booragoon
- Centro Galleria Morley
- Karrinyup Shopping Centre
- Lakeside Joondalup
- Westfield Whiteford City
- Watertown Brand Outlet Centre, Perth
- Westfield Inn aloo
- Cockburn Gateway Shopping Centre
- Claremont Quarter
For more information on Perth and surrounds shopping visit:
www.myguideperth.com
www.experienceperth.com
8. Tourism Attractions
Perth
Perth is Western Australia’s capital city where you can enjoy the beach lifestyle, relax in natural bushland, sample world-class local wines, browse through museums, shopping centers and art galleries and watch an ocean sunset within just 30 minutes of the city.
Reasons why you should study and live in Perth …………
- To sunbake and swim at world class beaches
- Cruise or enjoy water sports on the Swan River
- Stroll through the largest inner-city park in the world – Kings Park
- Meet a quokka – Rottnest Island
- Step back in time to WA’s history – Fremantle Prison, Maritime Museum, Roundhouse
- Enjoy a catch up with friends and have a drink at the best craft breweries
- Taste mouth-watering seafood
- Enjoy watching a game of cricket or Australian Rules Football at Optus Stadium
- Have a great night out in Northbridge – eating, drinking and dancing
Western Australia
Western Australia’s picturesque and rugged beauty was made to be explored by car or coach, taking a few days to a few weeks or more. These driving routes will take you to some of the world’s most pristine and clean coastlines, into the heart of premium wine country, through dense forests in the south west and through spectacular gorges and the rugged outback or go back in time and pan for gold in a gold mining town. Just pack your bags and go!
What to see in WA ………
- Coral reefs
- Swim with the giant but gentle whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
- Waterfalls
- Caves
- Margaret River wineries and food delights
- Beautiful beaches
- Shark Bay
- Rugged Albany
- Outback adventures
- Stunning national parks
- Caversham Wildlife Park
For more information on what to see and do in Perth and WA visit:
www.westernaustralia.com
www.expereinceperth.com
www.australia.com
9. Sport
The climate and lifetsyle of Perth allows for extensive outdoor sporting activity, and this is reflected in the wide variety of sports available to residents of the city, so whilst studying in Perth join a local sporting club or choose a sporting team and follow the action with your friends!
| Club | League | Sport | Venue | Established |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremantle Dockers | AFL/AFL Women’s | Australian Rules Football | Optus Stadium | 1994 |
| West Coast Eagles | AFL/AFL Women’s | Australian Rules Football | Optus Stadium | 1986 |
| Perth Wildcats | National Basketball League | Basketball | Perth Arena | 1982 |
| Perth Lynx | Women’s NBL | Basketball | Bendat Basketball Centre | 1988 |
| Perth Glory FC | A-League | Soccer | HBF Park | 1996 |
| Perth Glory FC W-League | W-League | Soccer | Ashfield Reserve | 2008 |
| Western Force | Global Rapid Rugby | Rugby Union | HBF Park | 2005 |
| Western Force | National Rugby Championship | Rugby Union | UWA Sports Park | 2007 |
| RugbyWA | Super W | Rugby Union | Harvey Field Kingsway Reserve | 2018 |
| Perth Heat | Australian Baseball League | Baseball | Harley-Davidson Ballpark | 1989 |
| West Coast Fever | ANZ Championship | Netball | RAC Arena Perth Arena | 1997 |
| West Coast Pirates | S.G. Ball Cup | Rugby League | HBF Park | 2012 |
| Western Warriors | Sheffield Shield | Cricket | WACA Ground | 1893 |
| Perth Scorchers | Big Bash/Women’s Big Bash | Cricket | Optus Stadium | 2011 |
| Western Fury | Women’s National Cricket League | Cricket | WACA Ground | 1996 |
| Perth Thunder | Australian Ice Hockey League | Ice Hockey | Perth Ice Arena | 2010 |
10. Accommodation
There are a variety of accommodation styles available to suit all student needs.
Some choices are: Homestay
- A furnished private room with an Australian family with study facilities
- Access to bathroom and laundry facilities
- Household utilities ( electricity, gas, etc )
- Meal packages ( optional )
Renting a furnished / unfurnished room – shared accommodation with other students already renting a unit / apartment / house. Access to bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities. Costs will include part bond, rent, utilities and food. Extra costs if room is unfurnished – bedding, study desk
Private rental ie sharing an apartment / unit / house with other students – two or three bedroom, furnished / unfurnished. Extra costs include bond ( 4 weeks rent up front ) and if unfurnished you need to purchase furniture, electrical items, bedding and kitchen utensils
Private rental one bedroom unit / apartment on your own – extra costs include bond ( 4 weeks rent up front ) and if unfurnished you need to purchase furniture, electrical items, bedding and kitchen utensils
Youth Hostel
Hostels are either privately-owned or run by organisations such as Youth Hostels Australia (YHA). Single and shared rooms are available, with communal kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Your Education Agent will be able to provide you with more information, a selection of accommodation styles and contact details for you to be able to find suitable accommodation whilst studying in Perth.
11. Videos
Watch a selection of videos by searching YouTube for the following:
- Visit Perth
- Visit Fremantle
- Visit Rottnest Island
- Visit Margaret River
- Visit Western Australia ( Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Midwest, Goldfields – Esperance, Wheatbelt, Great Southern, South West )
12. Maps
