They say you never forget your first, and fortunately, that cliché proves true as my first international trip was an unforgettable experience to Perth – one you can recreate with ease, with the new Qantas route from Johannesburg.

A personal friend summed up my feelings best when she said: “I know what this means on a deeper level. Coming from where we come from and then standing in places we never dreamed were reachable, (it) is a magical thing.”

I had always silently hoped that one day I would be deemed good enough at my job to be afforded such opportunities to travel. This year proved to be the year when the stars aligned, and I was able to cross off a bucket list item – travelling abroad.

Of all the places I thought would be the first country to travel to, I wouldn’t have ever thought Perth, but I am really glad it was the “City of Light”.

Perth feels like a fusion of a cosmopolitan city and a quaint small town. There is something both bustling and intimate about it. 

It may maintain an almost dry reputation among some, however, Perth’s evolution is drawing hotel developments, investments and experiences, morphing the city into a haven of relaxation.

As a first-time traveller, I am aware of the rose-tinted glasses that come with experiencing a new place for the first time, and that is unavoidable.

So much of Perth, I discovered by walking around the city centre, and part of that convenience was due to the wonderful stay at the 5-star hotel, COMO The Treasury.

COMO The Treasury is an elegant urban hotel located in the revitalised historic heart of Perth, Australia. 

The hotel is housed in the 19th-century State Buildings, which formerly served as a post office, land titles office, and treasury. Meticulous restoration has revealed a grand Victorian-era façade, while inside, an elegant and contemporary style permeates the 48 rooms and suites. 

Each room is a serene retreat, evoking that ‘home away from home’ feeling without being too dour and traditional.

My room, dubbed the Heritage Room, overlooked a bustling road, which helped me feel connected to the city. When I wanted more privacy, the room had blinds which dropped down at the touch of a button. 

Personally, seeing the Perth locals go about their day helped keep me rooted in the city’s ambience. I almost didn’t want to leave my room, but the desire for exploration beckoned.

Capitalising on the future of where hotels are going – true luxury stays while remaining fit-for-purpose for the local community – the hotel had a medley of amenities tailored to their global and local clientele, as well as walk-ins.

From the Wildflower Restaurant, Sue Lewis Chocolatier, Cape Arid Rooms, to the Beer Corner, the COMO’s wellness sanctuary and Telegram Coffee shop. It had so many enticing offers, which I was not able to try them all fully.

The Breakfast at Post, an in-house restaurant, served an assortment of breakfast meals, which were all inclusive with my room. That being said, if you are looking for a buffet breakfast or something informal, then this may be lacklustre.

There was an amusing exchange on my first morning when the waiter asked: “Coffee?” and I would respond: “Yes”, and we would look at each other expectantly. I later figured out that when they asked “Coffee?” I was meant to reply with a “Cappuccino/Flat White/Coffee of Choice”.

I appreciated the health juices and fruit served before selecting my meal.

Most people say that you gain weight on holiday, but during my five-day stay, I definitely lost some. Perth is a very health-conscious city, where, besides the walking and scores of runners and cyclists, they are big on promoting public transport and sustainability.

The ease of public transport left me a little shell-shocked, given Cape Town’s and even South Africa’s public transport options are pricey or not tourist-friendly.

Perth’s public transport system was so easy to navigate that during an aimless walk in the city, I ended up at the zoo, after deciding to take an impromptu ferry ride across town. The zoo was a quick eight-minute walk from the ferry stop.

I’m embarrassed to admit that it gave me great joy to see the kangaroos and koalas. Despite the heat forcing them to keep their energy low, it was still fun.

Besides the zoo, I crossed off some tourist spots from my list.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden was beautiful at sunset, and the views are so stunning, it is easy to see why people congregated there.

Given that the hotel was located within the Elizabeth Quay area, it also made it easy to explore and walk around. I cannot understate how valuable it is to walk about in the city centre because not only will you learn new spots to try, but also feel like a local.

Safety and security are foremost in the minds of many travellers, and especially as South Africans, it is something we are attuned to more than most. It is hard to articulate the newfound appreciation I have for the safety I felt in Perth. The privilege of this destination made me feel wonderfully free to roam and explore, but also brought up an envy that my own country had yet to give its own women and visitors that same overwhelming safety.

A must-visit standout on the trip was Rottnest Island, which is located 19 kilometres from the port city of Fremantle, where the ferry crossing takes approximately 30 minutes.

We went on a 90-minute ferry ride, courtesy of SeaLink, as we departed from the Elizabeth Quay area. If you are prone to seasickness, then this may be a tough activity to skip.

As someone who is not the biggest fan of going to a beach, Rottnest Island offers you so much in terms of cultural experience that you can truly enjoy yourself.

There are so many beaches, I lost count at eight, but they each have their own charms. If the wind is too windy at one, too full, or if you want a better snorkelling experience, you can cycle to another beach. It is the ultimate chill on the beach and unwind experience. 

Many also stay overnight, or book out chalets to turn it into a getaway. What also has to be mentioned is the local Quokkas. These small macropods have a hamster-like charm and are very chill, like the Perth locals.

It would be an error on my part if I did not encourage you to set aside a day or two to visit Fremantle. Barely a 30-minute train ride from Perth, a trip to the port city is thankfully, super easy and cheap to get to.

While in Fremantle, there are great bars that you can check out, but I also followed the example set by a fellow traveller and visited the Fremantle Prison. 

Fremantle Prison was built as a convict barracks in the 19th century and remained in continual use until 1991. The prison was a place of hangings, floggings, dramatic convict escapes, and prisoner riots. Inmates included imperial convicts, colonial prisoners, enemy aliens, prisoners of war, and maximum-security detainees.

For the travellers who favour a healthy serving of authentic history, learning about all of that history, seeing where the prisoners slept, the art they created, the numerous escapes, and also the lives of the convicts – it was a fascinating and educational experience.

Seasoned globetrotters will tell you this, and I’m double-downing on it: Participate in a walking tour. While our walking tour, hosted by charming Adie Chapman from Oh Hey WA, came towards the end of my stay, it was still so much fun.

Aside from the gift of knowledge from a local, you get to check out where to stop by for your essentials, capture the picture-perfect murals, and see where to get that sundowner.

On my tour, I scoped their mall, discovered the history of the Perth bell tower, the city council building, and found a cluster of bars which featured a really cool speakeasy known as “Fat Controller”.

I also brought home some delicious Honeycake, which was a sweet treat I discovered thanks to the hotel. They had a store nearby, which I found at the London Court. It is worth the purchase.

There is so much that you learn from a walking tour that you won’t be able to learn any other way. 

Putting the rose-tinted glasses aside for a minute, it is important to acknowledge that if you are seeking a thrilling city-that-never-sleeps experience, then Perth isn’t for you. 

I would recommend going for a flashier Australian city, but then ending off your trip to unwind in Perth.

If there is any way to aptly sum up the city and my trip, it would be the words used by a dinner host one evening: “Good Food. Good wine. Just Perth.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

* This article is featured as part of a trip hosted by Qantas and Western Australian Tourism. 

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