Offset by the vast tranquil waters of the Swan River, the beautiful city of Perth is a tourist’s delight. Modern and vibrant, it contrasts with its historic counterpart - the port city of Fremantle accessible within 20 minutes by car from Perth.
Penguin Island, is one of the State’s premier ecologically sustainable nature-based tourism destinations. The island has something special for visitors of all ages, whether from the local or metropolitan area, interstate or overseas. The waters surrounding the island form the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.
Fremantle today retains much of its old charm: its situation at the mouth of the Swan River, its picturesque old buildings, its cultural diversity and what its longtime residents still call the Fremantle feeling. This sets it apart from the capital, Perth. The feeling comes upon you when you cross the bridge over the Swan River from the northern suburbs, pass historic Cantonment Hill from the east or (ideally) drift down river from Perth in a pleasure boat.
Fremantle is a working port, host to a big fishing fleet as well as container ships and the occasional large cruise vessel. It maintains a vibrant commercial life and is a desirable tourist destination. It has, however, retained its cosmopolitan nature and preserved its identity, largely through the good sense and dedication of its modern-day civic managers.
Perth is blessed with some of the best beaches in the world. The fishing from these beaches is excellent and is available all the year round. Species likely to be encountered when beach fishing include skipjack trevally, tailor, herring, tarwhine, mullet, mulloway, flathead, small sharks, pike, whiting and salmon. Approximately an hour’s drive from Perth are the beaches of San Remo, Madora, and Singleton. These popular beaches provide excellent fishing for herring, tailor, whiting and mulloway. The mulloway ‘run’ occurs in early January when the nights are balmy and it is a popular time for family fishing trips.