Hey ya, mate! Are you ready for an adventure in the Land Down Under? Our weekly travel to different countries to learn new English words and phrases takes us to Western Australia. This time, we’ll be visiting Perth.

Hats on, sun block on. Let’s hit the beach as soon as we touch down in Australia’s sunniest capital city. Perth boasts of an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and a string of 19 beautifully clean and uncrowded beaches.

With more than a kilometre of pure white sand, the iconic Cottesloe Beach is one of Perth’s most popular spots for swimming, snorkelling and surfing. If you’ve had enough of frolicking by the beach, take a stroll along the buzzing boulevard of restaurants, cafes and bars. The wide grassy Cottesloe Esplanade, shaded by giant Norfolk Pine trees, also offers lovely spots for picnics or just watching the Indian Ocean. In March, the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition sees sculptures being lined up all the way from the sea wall along the sand and on the surrounding grassed area.

Further up from Cottesloe is the newly redeveloped Scarborough beach, a firm favourite among families and beach goers. It is a vibrant stretch of coastline with bustling pedestrian promenades, cafes, restaurants and fish and chip shops, picnic and barbeque areas, a skate park, and rock-climbing wall. In the spring and summer, this beach comes to life with bands playing in the amphitheatre and weekly sunset markets.

Making our way to the city centre, let’s continue to appreciate nature by taking a walk in the immaculate Kings Park and Botanical Garden. Kings Park is home to the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden, which displays over 3,000 species of the state’s unique and diverse plant life. At 400.6ha, it is one of the biggest city parks in the world and is a regular point for events, school and family functions, as well as weddings. Open at all times of the day, Kings Park is an excellent spot to do some quiet reflection and to enjoy the sweeping views of the Swan and Canning Rivers, the city skyline, and the Darling Ranges to the east.

Caversham Wildlife Park is home to 200 species of animals including native Australian animals such as the kangaroo, koala, possum, wallaby, wombat, and Tasmanian devil. Take a walk through the kangaroo enclosure and feed them or pose for photographs with a koala. Perhaps, you would like to touch a furry wombat or stroke the cold body of a slithery snake. Located in Whiteman Park, about 16km from Perth city centre, the wildlife park also offers a glimpse into farm life. Watch how sheep are sheared, watch sheep dog mustering the sheep, or even milk a cow during its Farm Show.

Words and phrases to learn:

Down Under – nickname for Australia because it is below the equator

touch down – land

iconic – very famous or popular

frolicking – play or move about in a cheerful and lively way

stroll – walk in a leisurely way

buzzing – full of excitement or activity

boulevard – a paved public walk

vibrant – full of energy and life

promenade – a wide path for walking on

comes to life – become lively, active or interesting

immaculate – perfectly clean, neat or tidy

spectacular – beautiful in a dramatic, eye-catching way

unique – being the only one of its kind

diverse – showing a great deal of variety

reflection – serious thought or consideration

sweeping – wide in range

native – of indigenous origin or growth

slithery – having a slippery surface, texture or quality

shear – cut the wool off

muster – gather together

Learning English is a lifelong journey. There will be ups and downs but ILTI is always here to steer you forward. Start your journey in the English language by getting in touch with us today. Call us at 010-395 3067 or visit ilti.edu.my.