The first Ashes Test in Perth ended sooner than expected, giving the travelling English fans plenty of time to get to know the city.
There were landmarks aplenty, with many spectacular views to admire, and a fair share of history to dive into as well.
Tours and trips quickly got booked up as thousands of Brits scrambled for something to do, and Barmy Army meeting spots proved popular as fans tried to digest what had happened at Optus Stadium in the previous couple of days.
Mostly, though, the travelling contingent quickly turned their attention exploring the local area, while aiming to avoid any arrogant Aussies.
From prisons to beaches, with a few bars and a bit more cricket, here is the best of what Perth had to offer.
Hop-on hop-off bus tour
This is the staple of any tourist’s holiday and a red open-top bus is one of the best ways to get a glance at most major cities in a short space of time, with Perth being no different.
The strong breeze, known locally as the Fremantle Doctor thanks to the relief it provides on hot summer days, saw two top-deck hats blow into the distance just seconds after departure from Elizabeth Quay, with Sunday’s temperature considerably lower than the previous two days.
Nonetheless, the windy conditions were worth it for the stunning views on offer throughout the tour, particularly around Kings Park where an aerial view of the city’s skyline was on show.
There was a stop at Perth Mint, Australia’s oldest operating mint, established in 1899 to process the rush of incoming gold, as well as the Crown Hotel and its famous casino.
The Optus Stadium, though, was not accessible due to an ‘ongoing event’.
That raised a laugh from the many England fans on board, with the cricket done and dusted the previous day after just 847 balls.
Scarborough Beach
A trip to Scarborough Beach followed a short stop-off at Lilac Hill – the site of another emphatic England defeat as the Lions lost by eight wickets to a Cricket Australia XI.
There were more picturesque views, a nice spot of lunch and even a swimming pool where children’s lessons were ongoing.
The wind, though, made enjoying what sun there was difficult and walking the full length of the beach without getting your feet sandy was impossible, with no parallel path or road.
Fremantle
Fremantle is best known for containing one of the highest security prisons in the country, built in the 1850s to house convicts from Britain.
Closed in 1991, it was opened to the public the following year and there are five different tours available.
The ‘Behind Bars’ option was led by a very enthusiastic and engaging guide, who showed off the original prisoner’s rooms – unthinkably small with a size of seven feet by four feet – as well as the courtyards and kitchen areas.
The nearby port was surprisingly attractive and the local train service offered transport back to the centre of Perth in an instant.
The WACA
Some inside knowledge courtesy of a travelling group of friends’ Optus Stadium tour guide disclosed a floodlit game at the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground (the WACA), which presented an opportunity too good to turn down.
It was a South vs North Perth exhibition featuring under-21s from across the city and the gates were open, with anyone able to walk in free of cost.
Few people knew about it, though, leaving a practically empty stadium to explore.
And there’s a reason many are disappointed about the national team’s move to the new arena down the road.
Similar to Lord’s in terms of its rich history and tradition, the grass banks give it the relaxed feel you’d expect to find in New Zealand or South Africa.
It was a surreal experience and the view as the sun set was magical, with the city lighting up and the stadium in sight over the river.
As for the cricket, the speed gun on show regularly hit 135kph – fast, if you’re unfamiliar with cricket – yet the batters weren’t fazed as they repeatedly found the boundary.
They’d give any county side on the English circuit a run for their money, and after their display a few days previous, a few of them would fancy their chances in the England national team.
And that’s just under-21s in Perth. No wonder England haven’t won down under in 15 years.
Optus Stadium tour
Returning to the site of their side’s recent humiliation proved a popular excursion for many mourning England fans.
There was no access to either of the changing rooms used in the Test match, though, with England’s being set up for the arrival of AC/DC – the band played there on 4 and 8 December – and the Aussies’ kit still in theirs.
Indeed, the whole stadium was gearing up for the concert and internal discussions were ongoing as to whether to remove the drop-in cricket pitches, with concerns the white flooring placed over the outfield may damage it amid expected temperature of 39 degrees celsius.
Particularly interesting was behind-the-scenes access into the media area, with the baffling maze of wiring used in the game’s global coverage still in place.
The Sky View Lounge also gave an impressive view of Perth.
Food and drink
Just beside the city’s central train station, The Globe was ‘Barmy Army HQ’, where many England supporters gathered to vent their frustration over a beer with fellow furious travellers.
Another favourite was The Lucky Shag, a lively pub located in Elizabeth Quay.
The Tipsy Cow served up a good steak, offering a hot plate option for guests keen to do the cooking themselves, and Milky Lane was an American diner delivering smash burgers and indulgent shakes.
Overall thoughts
Perth is a lovely, vibrant city, with plenty to explore. The abundance of big buildings illuminated the sky at night and made the whole area feel alive.
Free bus travel, as well as complimentary train tickets alongside the cricket, made it easy and cheap to get around, while the locals were friendly and open to chat to the tourists.
The culture is healthy and thriving, with sport an important part of society, the weather is good and the kids are keen to get outside.
All in all, thanks go to the England cricket team for affording the touring fans a chance to explore such a beautiful city.
Featured image credit: Callum Humphrey
