Loving the Wild Wild Perth

I’ve always been an animal lover. Just to share with everyone, my favourite animals are the sea turtles. There are quite a number of turtle species like the green turtle, leatherback, Hawkbill’s turtle and many more. I adore all of them. I think they are such a graceful creature, swimming across the deep blue sea, passing through immeasurable waves with one thing in mind; to reach its destination safely. However, sea turtles are facing the most dangerous threat of all animals – EXTINCTION! Not only we (and our children) would not be able to see a real sea turtle in the future, it would also affect the whole life chain of the environment if its extinction happened. We must curb animal extinction fast!

One way is to be alert in all our doings and habits. Simple steps like keeping our environment clean, avoid using plastic bags and throwing them into the river or sea, stop using polystyrene containers and many more. Another thing that you can do is to instill your love to Mother Nature and she will love you back. Let me share with you some animals in Perth which equally deserve our generous love and care.

Koala is one of the national ‘emblem’ of Australia. They live on trees and feed on eucalypt leaves. The hairy creatures are so adorable that children and adults love them so much.

Koala playing Peekaboo... (Photo credit : jenontheedge)

Emu, the second ‘emblem’ of Australia, is a non-flying bird which can run fast! To me, it looks similar to an ostrich but smaller, hairier and has 3 toes (while ostrich has only two)!

Hairy Emu... (Photo credit : Ray Drew)

Another ‘emblem’ of Australia would be the kangaroo. This cute creature has a strong tail which help them to jump further and faster. A female kangaroo has a pouch on its body where baby joey sits.

"Mama, let me go in!" (Photo credit : Ray Drew)

A cute little creature like wombat is not to be missed when you are in Perth. It looks similar to a hamster but is much bigger in size. Wombats also carry their babies in a pouch on its body except that the pocket is facing backward. This is to avoid sands and dirt from getting into the pocket, making their babies dirty when they are digging the soil. Smart isn’t it?

"I am big hamster wombat" (Photo credit : Ray Drew)

"Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he…"

To some (especially scouts of older generation), you might be familiar with this song. I remember my father singing this song to my sisters and I when we were little kids. He used to sing this song during his scouting era too. Kookaburra is a relatively big bird which can be found in Australia. They are carnivorous and I heard they sing well too!

King of the bush! (Photo credit : George Aitken)

All these lovely animals can be found in the Perth Zoo, a great place for nature enthusiasts and animal lovers, like me, to get closer to such animals under proper supervision and protection. I believe we all have our own part and responsibility in protecting the nature and environment for a better tomorrow.

Let’s fly together to wild wild Perth with PYO Travel! Book your tickets online and start playing your part in greening the world.

Awaken Your Taste Buds at The Swan Valley, Perth

Being one of the word’s most remote cosmopolitan cities, Perth is located on the western corner of Australia. For some people, Perth is often characterized as a rather dull city, but people in Perth enjoys a peaceful laid-back lifestyle that no-one would complain about. For many overworked Malaysian, a long weekend getaway to this city of lights is simple blissful as one can enjoy the wondrous cool climate and just chill out in the beautiful serene bush land.

Perth’s Swan Valley is only a short 25 minutes scenic drive away from the city, it is Western Australia’s oldest wine region. For wine lovers, this Valley of Taste will truly awaken your taste buds. There are the infamous fortifieds such as Muscats, Ports, and other unique liquor wines direct from the cellar door and not produced anywhere else. If you’re not one for drinking, there are still lots to see and enjoy as you wonder along the award-winning Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail. This trail stretch to form a 32 kilometer loop, lining with centuries old wineries, lively breweries, classy restaurants, lively cafes, formal distilleries, eccentric shops, rich culture, blend of arts and crafts, homely accommodations and humble roadside set-ups selling freshly picked farm produce. The list goes on with plenty more for you to explore.

Visitor Centre, Guildford

To begin this journey, make your first stop at the Swan Valley Visitor Centre in Guildford. There, you can pick up some of the guides and maps to help you plan and navigate your way through the vast area of Swan Valley. I find the map really helpful as they are labeled and sign-port carefully in detailed so you know where exactly everything is and you can pick your choice of places to visit.

Though the things to do on the various trail available are endless, I think by picking one from each category will work perfectly. Pick a winery, be warmed by the hospitality shown by the winemakers and vineyard owners themselves as they greet and serve you more than one of their specialty. You can either visit the larger wineries such as Houghton and Sandalford or the smaller boutiques. Besides wineries, grab the opportunity to sample the local beers and spirits at the breweries. There you’ll find traditionally made ales, stouts, lagers, wheat beers, German-style beers and more, all made from the best local produce.

the grapes are ripe for harvest

Being in a winery region, you can’t get away from a visit to The Great Northern Distillery. Trying the Canefire Rum is certainly a must as it is a spirit brewed longer than others using sugar and not molasses like other rums. If planning your visit through random wineries and breweries sounds daunting on a holiday, you can always book one of the many tours operators who will take you away on a relaxing, fully arranged journey to explore the trail.

Wine tasting

A visit to the Swan Valley in Perth is incomplete without a stop at Whiteman Park. Take a nice long stroll and catch sight of the rare species found only in this continent such as the koalas, dingo, flying fox, cassowary, wallabies, tammar and also native flora species. If you’ve bought some fresh produce at one of the roadside stalls, there’s also coin-operated gas and electric barbeque pits for you and your travel buddies to have a picnic while you enjoy the park with a glass of wine.

picnic by the lake

Let’s make a toast to a splendid time at The Swan Valley in Perth!

Let’s Talk About PERTH

A lot of my friends are in Australia either to further their studies, to work or for leisure. For me, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to study there nor to work in a foreign country like Australia. But however, I know that Australia will always be there for me to explore and venture about. There are a few destinations so attractive that have made it into my “must visit” list. One of the destinations I meant is Perth, the capital of Australia.

Kings Park is one of the famous attraction places in Perth. Being near to Mother Nature, you are always hugged by big trees, bushlands, plants and various types of faunas all around this park, giving you a warm welcome. The guided walkway in Kings Park will lead the path while you explore the natural surroundings of bushland paths and the Botanic Garden as well as visiting some memorials & monuments like the Kings Park War Memorial and Edith Cowan Memorial Clock.

For those who love seas and beaches, Cottesloe Beach would be a great choice for you. Smooth fine sands welcoming everyone as the bright sun says ‘hello’! Sun bathing and swimming; Oh, my favourite pastime… and building sand castles with the kids…! I bet it would be one the best family outing ever!

Whenever I travel, I always look for a place for shopping and good food! I guess Fremantle would be a wise choice. There is this market place where different kinds of handicrafts, fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and other products are available. I think I should be able to find some souvenirs here.

Talking about seafood, this is also the best place for fresh seafood! And the price is exceptionally reasonable. Why?! Well, there is an operational fishing boat harbour here. That’s why you can easily find extra fresh seafood at reasonable prices here. And by night, the place would be full of bars and pubs for us to hang out.

If time allows, do drop by the Fremantle Prison. It used to be a prison during the British Colonial but now, it is now turned into a museum and fast becoming one of the most famous tourist spots in Perth.

Can’t wait to fly to Perth already? Wait no more and visit PYO Travel.com for more details.