Travel Guide > Oceania > Australia > Western Australia > Perth
Perth is the capital of the Australian state of Western Australia. A population of 1,507,900 (2006 estimate) makes Perth the largest city in Western Australia and home to three-quarters of the state's residents. The city is also the fourth most populous urban area in Australia, and with a growth rate of 2% is currently the fastest growing major city in Australia.
Visit http://www.perth.wa.gov.au for a calender of events
There is a free bus zone within the city limits where you can ride the bus for free. There is the dedicated red, blue, or yellow CATS or you can just hop on any bus (but you have to get off within the free transit zones)
Internet cafes are easily accessible across the CBD with walk up access, all have USB connections for camera etc.
Australia is on a GSM 900/1800 network, so if you have an unlocked phone that works on those frequencies, you will be able to buy a prepaid SIM-card and stick into your phone when you're in Perth. You will receive a new Australian phone number with the SIM-card.
To dial out of Australia use the prefix 0011, followed by the calling code of the country you are trying to reach, followed by the area code of the city/town (without the 0!) and finally the phone number.
Within Australia, it is necessary to add an area code to the phone numbers if you are calling from outside the area.
Perth's area code is 08, which is the same for all of Western Australia as well as South Australia and the Northern Territory. If dialing interstate, use one of the following area codes.
02 - New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory (Sydney, Canberra)
03 - Victoria, Tasmania
07 - Queensland (Brisbane)
000 is the emergency telephone number in Australia, but the international GSM mobile emergency telephone number 112 also works on mobile phones.
Calling cards can be bought from any Newsagency and most deli's/corner stores, it's generally cheaper to purchase at these stores than it is from accommodation receptions. Some of the cheapest cards can be found at the Wellington train station.
Australia Post is the government's postal service. Most suburbs will have at least one post office. A standard letter or postcard sent within Australia will cost $0.50. Internationally, it costs $1.25 (to other Asia-Pacific countries) or $1.85 (rest of the world). It is also possible to send things as parcels or by express mail.
This is version 27. Last edited at 6:01 on May 15, 08 by GeoBot (+37). 13 articles link to this page.

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