uncomplicated & unrefined: Sailing the Swan, cruising the Canning

One of Perth’s greatest attributes is its waterways. Hold on. Perth’s greatest attribute is its waterways. With Australia’s largest cities situated on the coast, impressive waterways aren’t exactly a unique asset. But for the millions of us across the world that have spent most of our lives landlocked, an extensive river system which is home to a dozen different water sports and drains into an ocean lined with unending beaches – then it’s kind-of cool.

I should mention that I myself grew up along an extensive river system – one famous for riverboat casinos, devastating floods, and a certain Chevy Chase movie. Not to discredit St. Louis and the mighty Mississippi (I just wanted to type it) and Missouri Rivers. The Mississippi River (he he) played a significant part in US history and St. Louis has its own unique assets like Imo’s Pizza and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.

Perth has some other wonderful assets such as amazing weather, beautiful beaches, amazing weather and beautiful beaches. My point is, you don’t come to Perth for a shopping holiday or to experience the nightlife and that’s Ok because if you have any interest in the great outdoors, exercise, boating or fishing, you won’t be at a loss for things to do.

The City of Perth sits where the Swan and Canning Rivers meet and become the Swan - about 14 kilometers (9 miles) as the crow flies from Fremantle, the port city where the Swan dumps into the Indian Ocean. If you are a visual person like me with a strong desire to know exactly where you are on a map then click here. Zoom in a couple times and scroll west. See Attadale? That’s where I live.

If I were a crow flying from Perth to Fremantle, during my flight I’d see sail boats, water skiers, jet skiers, yachts, paddle and dragon boaters, rowing teams, kite surfers, wind surfers, fisherman and even booze cruises. I’d also see costal parks, jetties, rowing clubs, sailing clubs, cafes, and walkers, runners and bikers along the extensive walkways that cover every inch of land along the water. I might also see people jumping off the cliffs into the river at Blackwall Reach or boats parked casually in a bay enjoying a Sunday afternoon. There’s also a pretty good chance I’d see Dolphins and Perth’s famous Black Swans.

And that’s why the state of Western Australia has the largest per capita boat ownership in the world. Perth also claims to have the largest per capita population of self made millionaires of any capital city in the world. Coincidence? Well maybe, because we have a boat and so do some of our friends.

In case you’d like to skip the writing and go straight to the photos…