I was born in Perth, Western Australia, and lived here until I was 25, then returned in my 30s. It has changed a huge amount; I remember very well in my childhood that the brown AMP building you can see in this photo was the tallest one by far, but these days it’s a dwarf. I will make myself sound ancient if I go on and on about all the stuff that has changed, so I won’t, but Perth has certainly grown up.
An unconventional view of the city centre |
But some things will never change, and this is one of the most frustrating parts of living here: it is crazy far from everywhere. In fact, Perth has the reputation of being the most isolated city in the world. Obviously there is no precise way to define this, but even those who would want to argue about it would surely agree that Perth is extremely isolated. It’s a biggish city (up to 2 million people now) and to get to another biggish city you need to fly for over three hours. Driving to another capital city takes days. And in between, there’s desert. Lots of it.
Perth skyline by night |
It’s a double-edged sword I suppose. For me, a travel lover, living here means that pretty much wherever else in the the world I want to go, it takes a lot of hours and a lot of dollars to get there. One of our nearest destinations, Bali, takes about three-and-a-half hours. When I lived in Germany, I could have flown anywhere in Europe, and lots of places in Africa, in a shorter time than that (not to mention most of the way to New York).
But I think that being so isolated has also made Perth into the kind of city it is. It’s pretty relaxed; it’s mostly friendly. We don’t really expect anyone to come and see us and are pleasantly surprised when they do. It’s a pretty rich city thanks to the mines scattered across the state, and if we had that kind of wealth without the isolation, I reckon it could get way too snobby.
Andrea says
I have been thinking about cities lately too, I have some seriously itchy feet. Maybe I should check out Perth- it’s 4hrs closer to Europe and Africa at least!
Amanda Kendle says
Haha that’s a good point Andrea – we are closer to *some* things than the eastern states but you guys can just pop around to other cities on the east coast whenever you feel like it! And yes – come and check out Perth – let me know if you do!
Louise Allan says
Lovely post, Amanda. Isolation can be a pain, but it has its upside. With the beaches and climate here in WA, if we were any less isolated, we’d have become Queensland. I think similarly about Tassie, being an island and also being cold, yet it has the most beautiful mountains and pristine coastline. If it were warm, it too would have become Queensland.
Oh, and I enjoy philosophical posts better than the straight ones anyway!
Amanda Kendle says
Thanks Louise! Ooh yes – we’d have high rise hotels all along the coast – how awful! Excellent point about Tassie, too.
And I’m glad you like the philosophical posts better. So do I π
Sami says
Although isolated, it’s a beautiful city with a great quality of life. Although it’s also great to be able to be in Europe and travel 2 hours and be in another big European city…
Amanda Kendle says
Exactly Sami … pros and cons … until they make flying faster at least!
Inna Donaldson says
Hi Amanda, love the post! It kind of summarises what we all think of Perth! You know what my biggest culture shock was when I moved to Perth from Russia 14 years ago? Where are PEOPLE? I moved to the city of CARS? In Europe people prefer public transport which is reliable, cheap and can get you everywhere! Also every 6 months or so I get really claustrophobic and need to at least go for a long drive to the nearest small town!
Amanda Kendle says
Oh yes, so true, very much a city of cars, it drives me crazy! I loved living in Europe where you could get around to pretty much anywhere much more easily. And that it was normal. I have friends who haven’t taken a bus or train in decades here – insane!
Jo at ZigaZag blog says
There are benefits and drawbacks to wherever we live, and I think you make a pretty good case for being a travel blogger based in Perth. We are remote, we are different and we are pricelessly interesting as a result π Lovely thoughtful philosophical post π
Amanda Kendle says
Ooh I love that we are “pricelessly interesting”, that’s brilliant Jo!! Glad you enjoyed the post.
Bonny Wells says
So glad to find this blog! π
For me living in Perth made my first ever backpacking trip to Europe really something special. I was a big reader in my teenage years and very interested in history, so it was amazing to visit all those places that had featured in books I’d read and it absolutely blew my mind how old everything was.
Haha that’s so funny to think of the AMP building the tallest in the city… can hardly imagine that.
I remember when I was little being proud to share my name with the tallest bulding of all – the Bond Tower (now bankwest), which I thought was called the “Bon” Tower.
Amanda Kendle says
Lovely to “meet” you Bonny!
So true – we really appreciate all those old buildings in Europe when we grow up here.
And I had a giggle about the “Bon” Tower!
Amanda Alessi says
Great post Amanda! I’m coming back to Perth in January after 9 months in Europe. I definitely understand the isolation since I’ve been away and I will miss taking a train and passing through 3 countries in one day!
Amanda Kendle says
I was wondering when you were coming back Amanda! Yes it is quite tricky to fit back in …
Ana Gusso says
I loved the blog. congratulations! I live in Sydney but I love Perth (my boyfriend is from Freo) and I actually love the fact that it is so isolated. I once watched a documentary called “It must be in the water” about Perth bands (I love Perth bands) and someone actually said that the reason why there are so many good bands from Perth is because they were so isolated that they didn’t have anything else to do apart from jamming with the friends. I loved it.
Amanda Kendle says
Thanks Ana, I love the theory about all the good bands – I will remember that and think more fondly of my poor isolated home town … !
Iris Flavia says
Hi Amanda, I found your blog via Sami´s. I live in Germany and just came back from beautiful Perth π
Last time we were in Perth was 2006 and… soooo much has changed, we couldn´t believe it. To imagine AMP was the tallest… near to impossible!
You are right, I miss the relaxed style already, the “thank you”´s given to the bus driver when hopping off and all. (Well, 44C won´t be my wish now, but the weather over here….brrr and grey sky all day)
I left my hometown as soon as I could, btw and my chosen hometown changed me, I guess. I love this city of mine by heart.
Amanda Kendle says
Hello Iris und herzlich wilkommen!
Glad you enjoyed Perth. But of course nobody wishes for 44C! Hope you return one day.
Maureen Sellick says
I love Europe, especially Italy, with its art, history, culture, beautiful landscapes and buildings. But it is always great to come home to Perth. After a recent trip to Italy we went out for dinner, deciding to walk. We hardly saw anyone in the two Kms we walked. So different from Florence! I miss walking or catching busses and trains to my destinations, turning instead to the car!
Amanda Kendle says
Oh yes that’s so true Maureen – nobody walks anywhere here! With my son just starting school I walk him each school day and walk back to get him too, we live about 1km from the school so it’s a decent walk for a 3-year-old, but nearly all the families who live closer to the school drive every day – what a shame!