| Book a cheap airline flight to Perth (PER) on CheapOair, the city that sits elegantly on the banks of the Swan River, like a monarch surveying her realm. As the capital of the state of Western Australia, Perth's domain is huge – the Perth metropolitan area accounts for nearly 90% of the state population.
The most isolated capital city on Earth, Perth lies upon a similar latitude to Sydney but over 3400km (2110 miles) to the west – as far away as London is from Beirut. Boasting an impressive skyline, inner-city Perth seems to have been designed with people in mind. Its attractive malls and elevated walkways make it pleasant to navigate on foot. Having grown up in isolation from Melbourne and Sydney, the city has neither the pretensions nor the hustle and bustle of these eastern Australian cities. What it does have is a tangible sense of history. Many of Perth's earliest buildings are still standing and its quiet pace of life recalls peaceful former times. But with four universities, a modern, well-designed city centre and a culturally diverse population, Perth manages to project a cosmopolitan atmosphere while at the same time being disarmingly friendly and laid-back.
Many of Perth's tourist attractions are a fair distance from town – for instance, the beaches, the Perth Hills and Fremantle – but the inner city area is not without its charms. Remarkably clean and attractive for a modern, high-rise city, the wide, long streets of the Perth central business district boast a selection of historic buildings, museums, and parks, all within a relatively compact area.
A day exploring the city is made all the more pleasant by great shopping opportunities – especially in the Malls Precinct – and the number of quality restaurants and cafés, many of them with outdoor seating. Northbridge is the seat of Perth's cultural life, while excellent shopping and dining can be enjoyed in Subiaco, to the east.
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