The most remote capital city in the world

Perth, Australia

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Trisha DePasquale & Bob DePasquale
April 28, 2025

Happy Monday traveler!

This week, we’re taking you to Perth, Australia, otherwise known as the most isolated capital city in the world. Get ready for beaches, the largest park in the world, and quokkas.

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The number one mistake we think people traveling to Australia make is this: They forget about Perth for various reasons. It’s too far away, we don’t have enough time, etc.

We get those reasons, because that’s how we felt when planning our trip to Australia.

Perth is located in Western Australia. The next major city that’s “close” is Adelaide…2,100 kilometers or 1,300 miles away.

We saved Perth for the end of our three-week trip in Australia and it’s where we relaxed after traveling full speed around busy cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. It’s definitely underrated, so this week we’re giving it some love.

The City of Lights:

Perth earned this nickname from American astronaut, John Glenn, when he orbited the Earth and passed over Perth. To honor his mission, residents and businesses turned on their lights, and lit torches and lanterns. From space, Glenn noted their beautiful display and referred to Perth as “the City of Lights.”

Perth is also known for having sunny weather and natural beauty. White-sand beaches, botanical gardens, vibrant street art, modern amenities, unique wildlife, and a laid-back atmosphere make this the perfect Australian destination.

There are so many photogenic spots along Elizabeth Quay.

When you’re in Perth, you must visit Kings Park. It is the world’s largest inner-city park, (yes, bigger than Central Park in New York City) and home of the beautiful Western Australia Botanic Garden.

Check out Perth Mint which is Australia’s oldest operating mint. Here you can learn about the history of Western Australian gold.

Perth has 19 main beaches, which are perfect for surfing, swimming, and catching incredible sunsets over the Indian Ocean. Cottesloe Beach is one of the more popular beaches to visit and just a short ride away on public transportation.

Western Australia is a fantastic place to go and see marine life. Whales, dolphins, penguins, sea lions, and more can be spotted swimming in the Indian Ocean.

Rottnest Island:

A quick ferry ride away is Wadjemup, otherwise known as Rottnest Island. It’s considered a sacred site for all Western Aboriginal people because of the imprisonment and burial ground for Aboriginal men and boys. The first thing to do when visiting Rottnest is to acknowledge traditional owners and indigenous leaders, both past and present. This is done by standing at the water’s edge, grabbing a handful of sand and releasing it back into the water.

Fish Hook Bay- the westernmost point on Rottnest Island

The name “Rottnest” comes from these iconic animals found on the island: quokkas! Early Dutch explorers saw them on the island. They named the island “Rotte nest” (Dutch for “rat nest”) since they thought these were large rats. But quokkas are not rats, they are marsupials and native to the island. They have no natural predators so you will definitely see them wandering around. Quokkas are known for being “happy” animals because their faces often look like they are smiling. Many people try and take selfies with quokkas, but it’s important to remember not to disturb or feed them.

Quokkas hop like kangaroos and carry babies in their pouches.

There are several ferries that will take you to Rottnest from Perth. You can rent bicycles for the day or use the island’s hop-on hop-off bus service to get around.

How to Get to Perth:

There are no direct flights to Perth from North America. You’ll need at least one layover to get there. But don’t let that stop you from visiting. Flying there is definitely the way to go, unless you want a long car ride across Australia.

What to Pack:

Casual clothing is recommended for Perth.

You’ll want beach attire and comfortable shoes for walking. Renting a bike is popular on Rottnest Island. Keep that in mind too.

Temperatures there range from the low 50s Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) in the winter months (June-August) to the upper 80s Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) in the summer months (December-February.)

Where to Stay:

Perth is a modern city so there are plenty of hotels/Airbnbs to choose from. Here are our recommendations:

👋 Have an Inspiring Week

Here are a few things to help you when in Perth.

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob

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