The Aquarium of Western Australia's exhibits concentrate on five areas around Perth: the Great Southern Coast, Marmion Marine Park, Perth Coast, Far North and the Shipwreck Coast. Not only is it the biggest aquarium in the country, it also boasts the largest collection of Western Australian fish and marine life in the entire world. The aquarium's most popular attraction is a 323-foot underwater tunnel. Visitors can walk through the tunnel and watch sharks, stingrays and turtles glide by above. For the brave, the aquarium also permits guests to snorkel or scuba dive along with guides, encountering sea life such as turtles, stingrays and sharks.
For those interested in the history of Western Australia, The Art Gallery of Western Australia is the place to visit for its collection of Aboriginal, Australian, European and Asian art. The Art Gallery of Western Australia is home to 16,500 pieces such as sculpture, painting, photography and craft work. The museum also hosts rotating exhibitions such as the photography of Richard Woldendorp and the jewelry of Mari Funaki. Each year the museum also hosts Year 12 Perspectives, an exhibit that features work from students.
Holmes á Court Gallery is a private gallery located near the river in East Perth. The gallery began in 1970 by millionaire Robert Holmes á Court and features a rotating exhibit of his staggering art collection. With more than 3,000 pieces of art available, the Gallery is a place you can visit many times and almost never replicate the same experience. A big part of the collection is indigenous art, featuring of some of best bark and canvas paintings by Aborigines. The rest of the collection focuses on modern Australian artists.
The vineyards of Swan Valley sit just outside Perth, offering wine lovers a fascinating day trip. The most famous of these wineries is the Houghton Winery, one of the oldest in the area. Houghton opened its doors in 1836 and is the maker of one of the country's most popular wines, Houghton White Burgundy, also known as the White Classic. The winery also has the longest-running vintage of white wine in the country. It is advisable to call ahead for hours and tour information.
Most residents of Perth are huge football devotees, and no, not soccer. Australian-rules football is similar to American football except the players play with no protective gear. The match is between two teams of 18 players where the goal is to kick the ball between two metal posts on the opposing side of the field. The most popular teams in Perth are the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles. The biggest rivalry exists between Perth and the teams from the state of Victoria. If you want to catch a game in Perth, visit the Subiaco Oval.
