It rained for the few days when I arrived in Perth so it was quite miserable and cold which did not make me happy!

Reaching Perth meant it was time to find a place to live and a job!! We trudged around from agency to agency throwing in CV’s and doing typing tests. Thankfully by Thursday I got a phonecall saying that I got a job in an office for four weeks. Working 8.30 to 5, Monday to Friday!

I would definitely advise travellers to visit Perth because it’s quite easy to pick up a job here!

Work is great. I work for a government agency that provides rehabilitation to people who want to get jobs. The people I work with are all so friendly and have been so helpful.

Every time I answer the phone I get asked where I’m from and sometimes the aussie accent catches me out as they talk really fast! They think some of the phrases I use are hilarious!

Some guy who came into the office asked me where the “Dunny” was?? Apparently it’s the toilet! What I’ve noticed since I’ve come to Australia is the aussies really love to shorten everything for example “this avo” is this afternoon, “reggie-mail” is registered post, a “barbie” is a barbeque. Basically, if they can shorten it they will!!

A week after we arrived in Perth my two cousins and their mate (all legends!) arrived. So we had housemates, now all that was needed was a gaff. Thankfully the guys went on the house hunt while I worked and found a house for us all to live in! It’s in a great location only 10 minutes from the city. We’re like one big crazy family.

Perth has a great city centre, it is quite compact with the main shopping streets pedestrianised. Nearby is the Swan river and there are lovely walks along the river and a jetty. You can get boats to South Perth, Rottnest Island, and to Freemantle where we took a boat one Sunday.

Our first port of call in Freemantle was the Marine museum. The highlight of the museum is a decommissioned submarine that they have outside. Our guide worked on submarines and was able to give us the inside track on life working on a sub. The submarine was very cramped, shocking to think that over 70 men used to live in this space for weeks and months at a time! He told us the smell wasn’t so good but they all smelt the same!

Freemantle is a lovely seaside town and a lovely place to spend an afternoon. We explored the e-shed markets and the Freemantle markets. Lots of great food and bargains to be had! On Sunday afternoon lots of people from Perth head to Freemantle for a feed, it’s a lovely place to end the weekend!

Another great place to spend an afternoon is out at Hillarys Boat Harbour. There is a beach nearby, lots of shops and restaurants and an aquarium! We spent an afternoon at the aquarium which is probably the best one I’ve ever been to. They have a massive tank with sharks, stingrays, turtles and thousands of fish!

The best thing about the aquarium is that visitors can get into the tank twice a day to swim with the Sharks & Co! I’m not sure if I would put myself in a tank with giant sharks and stingrays!

The Red Bull Air Race took place last weekend. They had an obstacle course up on the river and the planes were timed going through this course. We took the ferry across to South Perth and spent the day on the bank of the Swan watching the planes, while relaxing with a barbie and 30 degree heat!

I’m really settling into Aussie life now! The lifestyle here is fantastic; great weather, beaches to relax in after a hard day working, and so much to see and do. A bit different from cold, rainy Ireland!!