Eight things about Perth that will surprise first-timers

Let's go ahead and admit one thing: it's Perth's distance from every other Australian capital city that's often the first shock we receive. Over four hours' flight time from Sydney and Brisbane, and three to get from Adelaide?Load up the tech and buy a good book (or two); the surprises once you land are far more pleasant.READ MORE: Top destinations to visit in Europe, rankedFact: It's Australia's sunniest cityWith its warm, Mediterranean climate, low rainfall and almost next to no cloud cover, Perth is officially our sunniest city, averaging over eight hours of sunshine (and bright blue skies) year-round - even in winter. This makes just about every day postcard perfect. READ MORE: 'My wife convinced me to trade golf for a day spa. I didn't hate it'Fact: You can swim in its pink lakes True, Australia is not exactly short of a pink lake, but something that's often overlooked is how Rottnest Island's salt lakes (found inland) can turn pink after hot days encourage algae to secret deep red pigment. Visit Pink Lake (the secret's in the title) but don't miss checking out Lake Sirius, Lake Negri and the twin Pearse Lakes too. Even if they aren't rose-hued when you visit, they'll still be spectacular. Fact: Perth has a vibrant lane cultureMelbourne may get the laneway column inches, but Perth gives its east coast neighbour a run for its money with its slew of laneways - each one teeming with secret bars, slick eateries and cool street art. Put Shafto Lane, Prince Lane, Howard Lane and McLean Lane on your must-visit list and be sure to arrive both hungry and thirsty. Fact: Its wine region is less than half an hour away No need to drive for hours to get to a wine region, Swan Valley, Western Australia's oldest wine region is not only just 25 minutes away, but it offers around 150 attractions - wineries, art galleries - breweries and produce stalls - on an easy 32 kilometre loop drive around the region. You can self-drive, or book one of the many tours departing Perth daily. Prefer to visit Margaret River? It's just a three-hour drive south of Perth.Fact: Its wildflowers are world classWith its plethora of spectacular beaches, you might think the best time to visit Perth is during the summer months, but nothing compares to visiting between September to November when Western Australia's famous wildflowers bloom and attract tourists from around the world. Some of the best places to see them around the city include Kings Park Botanic Garden and Ellis Brook Valley Reserve. Fact: It's home to a multitude of festivalsSure, it's not quite up there with Adelaide but one of the things that stun Perth first-timers is just how many festivals and events run throughout the year. Some of the bigger festivals to keep an eye on include Perth Festival, Fringe World, and the Taste of Perth. Fact: Perth is the perfect stopover to BaliOne thing you might notice about Perth is just how isolated it is - so isolated in fact that you'd have to drive over 2000 kilometres to get to another city. On the flipside, Perth is closer to Bali than it is to Canberra, with a flight time that falls well under four hours - the perfect 'stopover' destination if you were considering a trip to Indonesia. It's not all about Bali of course, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are all within five to seven hours' flight time. Fact: Communing with wildlife is easyKeen to see Western Australia's wildlife in their natural habitats? Although seeking the quokkas of Rottnest Island is high on the bucket list, you could also check out the sea lion colonies of Jurien Bay, the kangaroos around Heirisson Island and the dolphins usually sighted in the Swan River. You can, of course, increase your chances of a wildlife sighting by visiting Rockingham's Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, Yanchep National Park and Whiteman Park. FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest travel news and deals via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.