Perth, the most vibrant and modern city between the cerulean Indian Ocean and the ancient Darling Ranges, claims to be the sunniest state capital in Australia, though more striking is its isolation from the rest of the country - Perth is over 4400km (2750mi) from Sydney by road.

The city centre's skyscrapers dominate a picturesque riverside location but the most attractive feature lies in the towering edifices hide a handful of 19th-century buildings and facades, and some saving-grace patches of greenery.

Perth is one of the most isolated metropolitan areas on Earth, however Honolulu is more isolated. The nearest city to Perth with a population over 1 million is Adelaide in South Australia, which is 2,104 kilometres (1,307 miles) away. Perth is physically closer to East Timor and Jakarta, Indonesia, than it is to Sydney and Brisbane.

Better Known As City Of Skyline

Traditionally, Perth and the Swan River have usually been viewed and photographed from Kings Park, situated on Mount Eliza to the near south-west of the city centre or from the South Perth foreshore. The historical record of the view shows clear river banks close to the city and a low skyline through to the 1960s. Since then, the filling in of the northern side of Perth Water and crowding of the skyline have continued unabated. Perth's city skyline displays the economic prosperity the city currently enjoys. The tallest building in the city is Central Park, which is the sixth tallest building in Australia.

Best Time To Go

Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are the best times to visit, as Perth experiences hot, dry summers and mild, but rainy, winters. One peculiarity of the local weather is the breeze that blows in from the sea in the late afternoon - call it the 'Fremantle Doctor', and you might as well wear a t-shirt saying 'I'm not from around here'.