Perth in Four Chapters – Part 1: First Impressions of Perth
It was another exciting media trip organised by AirAsia to Australia last August 2025, this time in collaboration with Tourism Western Australia and Ibis Perth. Perth has long held a special place in AirAsia’s network. Since the route launched back in November 2007, the airline has flown millions of guests to this sunny Western Australian capital. For many Malaysians, Perth is almost like home away from home: familiar, friendly, yet at the same time charmingly different, and full of distinct wonder.
When our plane began its descent, the sky was washed in shades of gold and lavender. I landed just before sunset, and by the time I reached Ibis Perth, which is conveniently located on Murray Street, the air had turned crisp and cool. My watch still read Kuala Lumpur time, so there was no jet lag. My body clock was perfectly in sync. This is why Perth feels closer to Malaysia.
But fate had a surprise in store. I had arrived on the day Perth recorded its coldest winter in 50 years, and its wettest since 1996. As I stepped out of the car, the drizzle painted the streets in a soft sheen, and the 13°C air bit just enough to remind me I was far from the tropics.
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The drive from the airport to the city took about 20 minutes. Through the window, I caught glimpses of tidy suburbs and neat rows of homes, each one bathed in the gentle amber of streetlights. We passed Optus Stadium, its futuristic curves glimmering in the distance. We crossed over the Swan River, where a modern bridge, the Matagarup Bridge, arched elegantly across the dark waters.
Perth, at first sight, struck me as remarkably calm. With a population of around 1.8 million, it is neither a sprawling metropolis nor a sleepy town. The balance felt perfect. The city moves at its own rhythm, unhurried yet confident.
Exploring the City’s Pulse
The next morning, Perth greeted me with a brilliant, winter sun. I started my day at Chelsea Social, the hotel’s chic restaurant and bar inspired by London’s café culture. It was more than just a breakfast spot; this place had personality. Known for its lively “breakfast rave” on Fridays (yes, with a live DJ at breakfast time!), Chelsea Social sets a playful tone for the day.
From there, I wandered into the city centre, where Forrest Chase serves as Perth’s main retail heartbeat. Here, global brands meet Australian flair. At Mecca, I was surrounded by rows of shimmering cosmetics and fragrances, an immersive beauty retail experience done right.
Just next door is Australia The Gift, a family-owned souvenir store that has been in operation since 1953, offering a wide range of items, from Ugg boots to local crafts. It is charmingly old-fashioned, the kind of shop that makes you want to send postcards again.
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Lunch was at Betty’s Burgers, an Australian classic that feels like it was plucked straight from the 1950s. I ordered their famous “Betty’s Classic”, a juicy Angus beef burger stacked with all the essentials: crisp lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a rich special sauce. Simple, nostalgic, and absolutely delicious.
After lunch, I discovered Strike Bowling, not your ordinary bowling alley, but an upscale playground with karaoke and escape rooms. Then I cooled down with frozen yoghurt at Yo-Chi, Perth’s answer to the viral dessert craze. I went overboard with toppings, of course. It’s impossible not to.
Dinner by Fire
That evening, Tourism Western Australia hosted a dinner at Karla, one of Perth’s most talked-about restaurants. We were joined by Rebecca Laffrey, Senior Markets Manager at the tourism board.
The name Karla means “fire” in the local Noongar language, and true to its name, everything here revolved around flames, from the wood-fired barbecue to the hibachi grill and charcoal oven. The result was modern Australian cuisine with primal soul; smoky aromas, bold flavours, and the warmth of good company, making it the perfect ending to a cold winter’s night.
As I walked back to my hotel through the lively Murray Street, I noticed how Perth, though quiet in some corners, comes alive in others, with kebab shops staying open late, pubs spilling laughter onto the pavements, and a surprising number of halal eateries for night owls like me.
It was my first full day, but Perth already felt familiar; a city that doesn’t overwhelm, but instead welcomes you gently into its rhythm…
Gaya Travel Magazine team is deeply grateful to AirAsia, Tourism Western Australia, and Ibis Perth for making the writer’s trip to Perth possible and smooth-sailing.
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