South or East, Perth is beautiful!

It was my friend Bebe's second visit to Perth, there was a lot I wanted to show her, but time was short. I opted to drive her to some of my favourite suburbs - South Perth and East Perth.

From both you get river views, views of the city's high rise buildings, lovely neighbourhoods with low buildings, parks...

We first drove to South Perth, to the waterfront (South Perth Esplanade) near the spot where the ferry departs and arrives from Barrack Street in the city - just a 10 min trip across the river Swan.
There is a huge park along the river with barbecues, children's playground, bike and walking paths... we could spend hours there soaking up the Autumn sun.
The park is also the venue for Australia Day, New Year's Eve fireworks and other major events.

Perth city skyline, taken from South Perth

South Perth skyline, taken from  ferry stop at South Perth Esplanade

Back in the car we crossed the "Causeway" to the suburb of East Perth.

Originally an industrial area, in the last 20 years this prime area next to the city centre has been redeveloped into an up-market residential suburb near the river, with a few restaurants and coffee shops, lovely park...

Many boat owners moor their boat at Claisebrook Cove (now an artificial inlet of the Swan river), enjoy a meal or a coffee at one of the restaurants, and continue their journey.

There is a pedestrian footbridge - Trafalgar Bridge - crossing the cove, and joining the houses on both sides of the margins.

One day, when I win the Lotto, I'll buy a house or apartment here... just the perfect village life next to the city!

We walked around admiring some of the little buildings, through Victoria Gardens where families were having picnics and enjoying a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and then we had a coffee at one of the restaurants in the Cove.

Time flew by too quickly as we had to rush to join my son and daughter in law at their house for a late lunch barbecue.

Families enjoy themselves around the Cove

Trafalgar Bridge crossing the Claisebrook Cove, with the city centre in the background

Restaurants and Bars at the end on the left with some boats moored


Moored boat and restaurants 

As we left a kids party was being set up by "Cinderella", a "Pirate" and "Dorothy" of the Wizard of Oz in Victoria Gardens.

After our lovely lunch, we returned home via Port Coogee Marina, just 5km from Fremantle, to check on the progress of the new suburb, and just in time to watch the sun set!
Time for a coffee at the Dome Cafe in the Marina and then we finally headed home.

Sun set at Coogee Beach Marina