Historical Places and Tourist Spots to Visit in West Perth

Visiting Western Australia is one of the absolute must-do trips when you next travel around the country as this large expanse of land has a few gems to visit, and the largest and most spectacular of those gems has to be Perth. Perth is the most populated city in the state of Western Australia perched on the Indian Ocean located on the Swan Coastal Plain. This city has a huge number of locations to visit, so let’s take a look at some of the most historical tourist spots that are sure to inform and entertain!

Take in The Specialist Regional Plants and Exotic Flowers

Located on the banks of the Swan River and just a hop over the river from Perth Zoo, The Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, is a must for any tourist looking to spend some quality time taking in the astounding array of tropical plants and flowers on display. Not only is this park much larger than many visitors think, it also plays home to a number of spectacular views looking over Swan River. If you are looking for a relaxing day to get a break from the city on your trip, then this is the ideal location to relax and unwind. The huge collection of Western Australian plants and flowers, as well as a number of other exotic fauna are well signed along clear paths, allowing you to unwind and discover at your leisure.

Kings Park and Botanic Gardens is also a great place for a bite to eat during the day, making a perfect lunch meal for all of the family in its Botanic Café that includes local produce as well as handcrafted tap beers.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

The Swan River is the main attraction in Perth, which means that there are a large number of special functions and trips revolved around exploring this beautiful stretch of water. There are a number of pleasure cruises available all year round that allow you to take in the sights of the city, regional mainland as well as a few ferries to hop over the river to explore the other side.
One of the more popular trips centered on the Swan River is the many evening cruise and dining experiences provided by a number of companies around the area. One of the best ways to experience the city is by evening cruise, as the city lights up you will be enjoying a fine dining experience with loved ones in the warm air of summer, bringing a certain sense of Perth back home with you.

Popular Places of Note

The Perth Mint is a rather special historic location that is great for both young and old to enjoy seeing a slice of history of the money printing business. You will be able to witness all of the steps it takes to make Australian, as well as a special opportunity to see the actual gold pouring and minting process in this historic building and location.
If you want a bit more sightseeing then there is nothing better than the Fraiser Avenue Lookout. This perfect tourist location has all of the views of Perth that anyone who is interested in taking holiday pictures simply needs to visit. Another point of interest in close proximity is the Bell Tower, a stunning sight of modern architecture that is sure to be a focal point for many visitors to the walkways and jogging routes along the Swan River.

Finding a Comfortable Place to Spend the Evening

When you have been out all day sightseeing this historic and vibrant city, there is nothing like visiting a local pub or bar to unwind for the evening. Thankfully, Perth has a number of great locations to both keep you entertained, as well as offering great food and a relaxing place to stay for the night.

The Wembley Hotel in West Perth is the ideal location to stay at for your trip, featuring a number of classy modern rooms in a cosy environment, as well as housing great food and drink. Located in the ideal location to use as your tourism base, the Wembley Hotel is a favourite stay for many returning visitors, and would be the ideal location for your next trip!

5 of Australia’s Most Famous Hotels and Pubs

Australia is a vast land with some truly amazing sites and natural landscapes, but it is also home to many a fine country pub, which is something of an icon here down under!

While it’s difficult to narrow down the best pubs from around the country to a single list, let’s take a look at just a few of the most famous and renowned pubs and hotels and what makes them so special.

The Pub With No Beer

Source: www.gdaypubs.com.au

While the name of this pub in Taylor’s Arm, NSW is misleading (you can in fact enjoy a cold one here), it remains one of the most famous hotels in all of Australia in part because it shares the name with a hit from of the great country music legend Slim Dusty. Whether the song is named after the pub (or vice versa) is unknown - but there’s no doubt that the bar is special to many locals in the area and nationally. 

In fact, The Pub With No Beer is arguably the most well-known pub in Australia and world-wide and now has a brewery on the grounds.

Australian Heritage Hotel

Source: www.instagram.com/theaustralianhotel/

The oldest licensed pub in Sydney, the Australian Heritage Hotel opened its doors way back in 1824 and has been open and serving a uniquely Australian crop of food and drink ever since (although there was a relocation in the early 1900’s). This includes a fine collection of commercial and craft beers and emu, kangaroo and crocodile dishes. Not to mention the building itself is fairly impressive and registered as an icon with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.

Young & Jackson

Source: www.instagram.com/youngandjackson/

Melbourne has a vibrant bar scene but we again give the nod to one of the oldest traditional pubs in the city, the Young & Jackson. A stone’s throw away from the world famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, this city pub is a favourite for AFL fans on the weekend, so a visit during this time is highly recommended.

In addition, the premises has just recently been renovated and now has a terrific rooftop cider-bar.

Adelaide River Inn

Located along the picturesque Adelaide River, visiting this hotel is certainly worth your time if you’re in this part of Darwin. Whether it be the unique characters that the pub attracts, most of whom are up for a chat, Charlie the buffalo, who appeared in Crocodile Dundee or Maritime photos and memorabilia that covers the walls, the Adelaide River hotel is as fair dinkum Aussie as it comes.

Story Bridge Hotel

This Brisbane pub is home to an unusual tradition that you’re unlikely to see anywhere else in the world. Organised cockroach racing, of all things, is run on Australia Day in a nearby street, and has been for the past 30 years. It really is something quite extraordinary and draws plenty of crowds every year, making for an electric ambience. Any other day of the year, you can expect outstanding food/drink and good service in a classic colonial building.

While we’re not so vain as to add our own hotel to the list, we take great pride in the history of our hotel and always look at ways to make atmosphere and menu as enjoyable as possible! The large building has a number of spacious function rooms available, a beer garden and award-winning chefs in the kitchen, making it one of Perth’s most iconic bars and a great place for a private event.

Drop The Wembley Hotel a line or simply pop in for a beer anytime to get more info!

4 Venue Options For Your End-of-Year Christmas Party at Work

Image Source: pixabay.com 

Planning an end-of-year get together at work s a special occasion in the holiday calendar. It allows staffs and management to let their hair down for a night and share some stories about the work year that was; it’s usually an enjoyable event for all involved! There’s significant research to suggest that it goes a long way to build up team chemistry, integrate new members of the team and even boost employees’ productivity. 

This being the case, the Christmas party is something you want to get right and if it’s your job to organise this event, it’s worth giving some thought. If you’re unsure of an appropriate venue, this article might just help. Many of the locations and venues that come to mind for a birthday party also work for the Christmas function; the difference is you usually have to keep more people happy. Check out the list below for some ideas.

House gathering

This is a little less popular in modern times, as but can make for a lovely night if you have a group that is comfortable and familiar with each other. Dinner can be served however some drinks and appetizers shindig is our recommendation.

Catered home affairs can be a lot of fun however for this to work it does require that the host have a large home and entertainment area. If you have the budget for it we’d recommend having a catering company worry about food, open bar with bartenders and DJ or band/musician.

Another option is to give the gathering a theme - Masquerade, Christmas, or Fancy dress-ups are all options.

Restaurant meal

This is a low-risk venue option that generally works well with small to medium sized groups. Obviously a bit factor comes in the restaurant you choose - depending on how your group is you’ll generally want to book at a restaurant where you can have a chat, but that also has some atmosphere and a bit of background noise too. Some of the best Christmas parties are simple meals out, just make sure it’s a structured affair and it should be a success. After dinner those that want to can go hit the bars and keep the night going!

Function-room party

Hiring out a private room in a restaurant, bar or function hall gives you the flexibility to make the party and the vibe however you want it to be. If you want to go down the costume, fancy dress path, have your guests dress to impress with a cocktail party theme or take on the Christmassy angle (complete with tree and mistletoe) you can. Make sure you pick out something spacious and be conscious of the budget. There are plenty of good function venues in Perth - do your research and you’re sure to find something that suits! 

Group activities

The group activities that are appropriate depend entirely on the kind of business/company in question and the people who are involved. But the main idea is that you don’t need to go down the same path going to a restaurant or bar. Although these are great options and are always a lot of fun, don’t be afraid to go for something a little more unique and out-there.

Organising a wine-tasting event visiting various vineyards is one example that we liked.

Another is when a group of programmers at an IT company spent the day playing video game at the arcade. Others include pool parties, going to a show that is on in town, games-day or even a day at the races!

There are plenty of options when it comes to Christmas parties, give it some thought and you’re sure to come up with something that works for you. If you’re interested in hiring a private function room in Perth, find out what The Wembley Hotel has to offer by visiting our website.

5 Great Weekend Music Spots in Perth

Perth is truly a special city and has a unique cultural identity that makes it quite different to larger cities on the east coast. Music culture has always been a big part of Perth, with many young musicians emerging every year and making a name for themselves. Big international names in the music scene are more frequently making their way out to the west to entertain this city’s dedicated festival-goers. But there is also something to be said for the city’s live music scene on the weekend. Whether you’re looking to chill out or get up and about there’s always something going on. Let’s take a look at some of Perth’s diverse weekend spots and function venues for live music!

The Ellington Jazz Club 

No list of live music venues would be complete without a Jazz bar or two. Head on down to the Ellington late at night or even on a Sunday and enjoy good service, great food and some of Australia’s best jazz performers. Relaxed but lively, this spot is perfect if you want to hang out with a few friends and enjoy some good food and drink.

The Wembley Hotel 

The Sunday sesh is a Perth institution and this stalwart of pubs known as the Wembley Hotel has recently made a move to embrace it. Featuring up-and-comers and lesser-known artists in Perth’s music scene, the spacious bar and restaurant hosts intimate acoustic performers every Sunday afternoon to help you wind down the weekend in style.

The Rocket Room 

This cleverly venue is the perfect night out for lovers of contemporary rock n’ roll. Showcasing some of Perth’s best young unsigned talent, this Northbridge bar has recently been revamped with superior lighting and staging, giving patrons more impressive shows and adding more space. This place fills up during the weekdays too if you’re so inclined. 

The Bird 

The Bird is what alternative music is all about. It’s got a really quirky and friendly vibe and a fun crowd that isn’t in any way pretentious, so you’re bound to have a good time if you go along and check out its indie music offerings. The Bird’s managed to establish itself as one of the more trendy live music spots and attracts a constant flow of good artists as a result. It finishes up quite early on the weekends (midnight) making it a popular place for a few early drinks. 

The Odd Fellow 

Formally known as the Basement Lounge, this live music venue is a flight of stairs below the popular afternoon-drinks specialist Norfolk Hotel. Between the two of them, you’ve got yourself a Saturday sorted in Fremantle. Enjoy the breezy courtyard before heading downstairs for a night of good music expect a good crop of local Perth bands.

Interesting Facts Worth Knowing About Hotels

When visiting a hotel, you like to know that you have booked a safe heaven for the night when away from home, to enjoy a luxury stay at a prestigious hotel, or have fun at a thrilling resort but how did hotels come to be such a big business and why are there so many different amazing and whacky hotels out there? Some of these funny hotel facts have come about by accident, and some were the brainchildren of innovative people around the world.

The First Hotels

While a place to stay for weary travellers has been available for a long time, dating back many thousands of years, inns in medieval Europe became popular for coach travellers across the continent. The popularity of these places of overnight stay coupled with the local tavern for a place to eat and drink proved so great that the first modern sense of a hotel was opened in Exeter in the UK in 1768.

Image Source: The Wookpack Hotel 

The need spread to much of Western Europe and hotels were opening across Europe and North America during the 17 and 18th century. Governor Phillip licensed 10 of the first hotels in Australia in 1796 and one of these, The Woolpack Hotel in Sydney still remains.

What Drives People to Stay in Hotels?

The majority of people who stay in hotels do so for accommodation during their vacations, and intend to use a hotel for a base of operations whilst travelling the local area. Many people choose hotels based on their location to a particular site in town, offering them easy access to all of the local places of interest.

Another big factor of hotels is the hotel resort factor, when hotels aren’t simply just a place to sleep overnight at a given location, they have turned into exciting places that offer their own services, making people want to visit a particular hotel specifically for what they have to offer. One of the best instances of this is the popularity of spa hotel and resorts.

What Drove the Popularity of Hotels? 

Ever since the first introduction of the idea of hotels started to gain notice amongst the general public, they proved popular for holiday makers and business clients.

Early on in the 18th century when train travel and the idea of being able to cover large distances in a single day meant that people liked the idea of spending a few days at a new location.

The boom in popularity of hotels continued quickly on and has never looked back. 

With so many hotels around the world offering unique and amazing locations and experiences, this trend will surely continue thanks to the worldwide travel at lower costs now possible.

The range of hotels now available is astounding. You can stay at the base camp of Everest, stay in a luxury 5 star hotel to enjoy all of the comforts you’d expect the queen to have, as well as fun new concept hotels where the walls are made of art work.