Perth City is situated between the Darling Ranges and the Indian Ocean, along the banks of the Swan River, 12 km from the ocean. The river is named after the famous black swans which can be found along the river. The city is bound by the river to the east and south. To the west of the city is Kings Park, which has over 400 hectares of natural Australian bush overlooking the city centre and the Swan River. The view from King's park is quite unique and is a must for any visitor to Perth.

The Swan River weaves its way through the metropolitan area to the Port of Fremantle, which has many beautiful houses, restaurants, and recreational areas along its banks. The river provides an ideal opportunity for the locals to enjoy the beautiful weather and participate in many different water sports such as boating, sailing, water skiing, wind surfing, rowing, fishing, parasailing, swimming, jet skiing, or just cruising the river on one of the many ferries.

Perth has a mixture of the Californian and Mediterranean climates, with mild winters and hot dry summers. Perth is the sunniest capital in Australia with an average of eight hours sunshine a day. The skies above Perth are often bright blue without a cloud in the sky. Combine the warm weather and beautiful beaches and it's easy to see why so many people enjoy the outdoor lifestyle of Western Australia.

In summer many people can be found at one of the many beautiful white sandy beaches along the coast line, cooling down in the clean blue Indian Ocean.

The summer months are hot with an average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius during the day and 17 degrees Celsius at night. Beware, those from cold climates, some days around New Year's have been known to rise to and above 40 degrees Celsius (about 104 degrees Fahrenheit)! The warm summer days are cooled down in the afternoon with the "Fremantle Doctor", a strong sea breeze that blows in from the ocean. The "Doctor" blows away the hot air trapped above the Perth Metropolitan Area andthe Darling Ranges, providing an excellent wind for windsurfing and sailing on the Swan River. Perth experiences a very low rate of humidity, and it is recommended that you drink lots of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. It is advisable that when out in the sun you always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, particularly for small children.