Arguably the largest state in the world, Western Australia covers one-third of the Australian continent. Spanning
over 2.5 million square kilometres (1 million square miles), Western
Australia extends into different climatic zones simultaneously. When it
is warm and dry in the north of the State, it is cool and wet in the south - that's how big Western Australia is.
Bordered largely by
desert to the east, Western Australia is bound by 12,500 kilometres (7,813 miles) of the world's most pristine coastline to the west.
Western
Australia is adored for its brilliant blue skies, warm sunny climate
and white sandy beaches. It is a land blessed with some of the world's
most precious natural phenomena including the dolphins of Monkey Mia,
the 350-million-year-old Bungle Bungle range and the towering karri forests of the South West.
Perth, the capital city of the State,
is home to 1.38 million people and enjoys more hours of sunshine than
any other capital city in Australia. Sophisticated yet uncomplicated, the lifestyle in Western Australia is a relaxed one.
Perth
city overlooks the Swan River, where many Perth residents enjoy
fishing, windsurfing, sailing or simply relaxing with friends for a
‘barbie’ (barbeque) in the sun. You might like to take a cruise up the
River to the wineries for a delicious lunch, or explore King’s Park, a
preserved bushland area five minutes from downtown Perth. Bicycle
riding is a great way to get around as the city has bicycle routes from the city, around the river, to Fremantle and the beach.
In
downtown Perth city, a large shopping district offers a wide variety of
cafes, restaurants, upscale boutiques, department stores, Australian
and duty free shops for you to enjoy. Out of the downtown area, the
suburbs also provide excellent shopping, especially in the open air
markets on weekends. The port city of Fremantle (nicknamed ‘Freo’) is
just 10 minutes by bus from Murdoch University and is a truly Australian experience for international visitors.
Made famous
during the 1987 hosting of the America’s Cup, Fremantle has retained
much of its old-world charm and is a showcase for Victoriana and
Edwardian architecture. Many of the buildings in the area are
heritage-listed, there are many restaurants, café and street
performances to enjoy, and there is a cultural diversity truly
reflective of modern day Australia. Fremantle also has a rich maritime
history that can be explored in the West Australian Maritime Museum.
Fremantle is a popular stop for international travelers and backpackers.
Despite being a relatively small city, Perth has
a great deal to offer if you like to out at night. There are not many
nights of the week when there isn’t something to do. You might want to
take advantage of discount movie nights on Tuesdays, enjoy a meal at
one of the lively cappuccino strips around Perth or Fremantle, or
experience some contemporary Australian theatre or visiting international acts.
Perth locals love to eat out so outdoor
cafes and restaurants are extremely popular. The city’s cultural
diversity is reflected in the huge range of restaurants specializing in
Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and contemporary ‘Australian’ cuisine with strong Asian and Mediterranean influences.
Northbridge,
the multicultural heart of Perth, offers a wide array of restaurants,
cinemas and nightclubs. If you are over 18, you might like to check out
one of the nightclubs, or simply sit back and enjoy live music with your ‘mates’ at a traditional Aussie pub!
Perth has an excellent
public transport system. Buses run regularly between Perth and Murdoch
University and, Fremantle and Murdoch University and can be caught from
the Fremantle and Perth city centre to many parts of Perth. The Circle
Route bus passes Murdoch University and goes via many areas of Perth, it is very convenient for and, is widely used by Murdoch students.
There are four train routes which run to different parts of Perth. The closest train station to Murdoch is in Fremantle. In
addition, students who have classes at the Rockingham Campus and live
in the Murdoch area are able to catch the regular shuttle buses between the Murdoch and Rockingham Campuses. Students will be provided with transport information at the Orientation Program.
Should
you wish to explore other Australian cities, Perth is less than four
hours by plane from Sydney and Melbourne. As closest Australian city to
South-East Asia, Perth is also a great starting point for exploring
Australia’s Asian neighbours. It is only a 3 hour flight to Bali and 5
– 7 hours flying time to major Asian destinations including Bangkok, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Perth is the
capital city of the state of Western Australia. Four times the land
area of Texas, Western Australia covers almost one-third of the
continent and is Australia’s best kept secret.
The University places a high priority on ensuring that
International students have access to appropriate accommodation.
Quality On Campus housing is available in Murdoch University’s Student
Village. An Off Campus Housing Officer is also available to help
students find accommodation on the basis of full board, house sharing
or flat rental.
For further details regarding accommodation please contact:
Student Village
PO Box 1055
Canning Vale 6970
Western Australia
Tel: 61 8 9360 2909
Fax: 61 8 9360 2977
Website: www.murdoch.edu.au/village
The
website address provides extensive information about Student Village
and the accommodation service and a link to an online application form.
If you require on campus accommodation or assistance in
locating suitable off campus accommodation, you must complete and
submit an application form to Student Village (before you leave home).
When your application is received, Student Village will contact you with further information.
Cost of Living
As
a general guide, students should budget approximately A$200 per week
for their living expenses in Perth. This does not include tuition fees.
For
a ten-month academic year, students will require approximately A$1000
per month or A$10,000 per academic year. These are generally maximum
figures as many students live on A$650 per month (6,500 AUD per academic year).
The cost of living in Perth compares favourably with the
estimated a 15,000 AUD to a 18,000 AUD annual cost of living in other Australian cities such as Melbourne or Sydney. The above estimates do not cover the cost of running a vehicle and will vary according to individual students’ lifestyles.
