Postcards with Glenda Halliwell

NESTLED on the banks of the Swan River, cosmopolitan Perth is the perfect outdoor city with typically glorious weather, a variety of beautiful parks, endless beaches and natural bushland close by just waiting to be explored.

Perth basks under a near-permanent canopy of blue sky. Anchored by the broad Swan River flowing past the city's skyscrapers and out to the Indian Ocean.

Recent developments like Elizabeth Quay and Perth Stadium have added a more cosmopolitan sheen to this traditionally laid-back town.

Perth is the ideal location for bike riding and it also has a good public transport system. It is delightful riding or walking around the scenic riverside with its extensive pathways and bicycle tracks.

The city's beaches trace the western edge of Australia for around 40 kilometres and on any given day you can often have one or all to yourself.

Perth has sprawled to enfold Fremantle within its suburbs but the raffish port town has maintained its own distinct personality and is immensely proud of its nautical ties, working-class roots and bohemian reputation together with a great food and arts scene.

Another fabulous location is Kings Park, which is considered to be one of the largest inner-city parks in the world. With over 400 hectares of gardens and bushland, the park showcases an outstanding collection of Western Australian flora.

The park located on Mt Eliza offers sweeping views of the city, the Swan River and the distant hills.

Alan and I were recently in Perth for a conference at the new Crown Towers complex.

The Crown Towers Hotel is the epitome of luxury and commands magnificent views of the city across the Swan River.

The expansive lagoon pools area with private cabanas and dining are perfect for relaxing. The food in the hotel restaurants was some of the best I have tasted.

Embrace the best of both worlds in Perth, where soft-sand beaches and scenic parks meet a thriving metropolis of small bars, creative restaurants and curated street art.