Optus Stadium, Perth

Home Team: West Coast Eagles, Fremantle Dockers
Address: 333 Victoria Park Dr, Burswood WA 6100
Capacity: 60,000

The holy grail ground, where we won the 2021 Premiership! 

​GETTING TO PERTH
Perth is one of the pricier interstate trips we take during the year. With its title of "most isolated capital city in the world", it's not really somewhere most would choose to go for a mere day or 2 as cost of airfares alone are comparable with an all-inclusive overseas trip to Bali, especially post-COVID. However, all the major airlines fly there, multiple times a day, every day (including the horrific redeye which numerous members of the Demon Army now refuse to do after the 2018 prelim loss). A cheeky tip is to check out https://www.skyscanner.com.au/, as you will often find that doing each way with a different carrier is more affordable. 

Perth Airport is split (unhelpfully) into 2 distinct terminals. Once upon a time, there was a domestic terminal and an international terminal but now... well, it's a trap for young players. Be sure to confirm which terminal your flight arrives at and departs from, because it's a 10 minute drive between the 2 and for some travellers, that could mean missing their flight!

The airport is a 20 minute drive into the CBD, or there is the new Airport Central Train Station at T1/2, which will get you into Perth Station in 18 minutes. The public transport options from T3/4 are much more limited and you'd be best placed to plan your route to your accommodation in advance, if a rideshare or taxi is out of the budget. You can go to the Transperth Journey Planner to do this. More information on the airport, travelling between the terminals, airport maps etc. can be found here: To and From Perth Airport 

HEADING TO THE GROUND
Despite its reputation as a backwater (WA is often referred to as "Wait Awhile"), the train system is actually quite good. Reliable, clean, and fast. Optus Stadium is located in Burswood, which is just outside of the city on the Airport side of the Swan River and is accessible by train. The best bit is that events at Optus Stadium are joint ticketed, which means the cost of public transport is included in event tickets for three hours either side of the event. More details on the public transport options to Optus Stadium can be found here: Optus Stadium 

WHERE WE SIT
When we play in Perth, we are in Aisle 105, which is behind the goals. Gate A is the closest entry, and it is the same side as the Perth Stadium train station, on the eastern side of the ground.
One of the many pros of Optus Stadium is the design. All seating is elevated, meaning even the front row has a much better view of the length of the field. No looking at the goal umpire's bottom for a whole game! 

WHAT TO EAT
Check out this handy map from the stadium's website. It shows you all the food outlets at Optus.

WHERE WE STAY
Perth isn't renowned for having a thriving CBD, due to the large urban sprawl of the metro area. Years of councils refusing high density development means Perth encompasses a huge area, meaning you have numerous options for accommodation and activities. Optus Stadium is located within walking distance of the Crown complex at Burswood, where you have the choice of Crown Towers, Crown Metropol, and Crown Promenade. Still walking distance, albeit slightly further, there is Aloft Perth and the Great Eastern Motor Lodge. A short train or bus ride (or for the more adventurous, a 20 minute walk across the Matagarup Bridge which crosses the Swan River) there is the Hyatt Regency, Fraser Suites, Pan Pacific Perth, and Mantra on Hay. Closer to the centre of the city, you'll find The Ritz-Carlton, DoubleTree by Hilton, The Adnate Perth - Art Series and COMO the Treasury. There is somewhere for every budget!

Other locations that may be of interest include Scarborough, Fremantle, Northbridge. All are relatively accessible by public transport and have many restaurants and things to do nearby. 

WHERE WE MEET
The place to be prior to a game at Optus Stadium is the Camfield. It's location at the base of the stadium means that it is absolutely heaving in the lead up to any event at the stadium so join us early lest you be made to queue up outside with the rabble... aka the opposition supporters. 

TIPS FROM THE LOCALS
West Australians are usually quite passionate about their home state and for good reason. Perth has the most incredible beaches, with the whitest of sand as far as the eye can see and clear blue water; none of the murky brown grossness of Port Phillip Bay! 

No daylight savings in Wait Awhile, making it 2 hours behind AEST, and 3 hours behind when we're on AEDT. 

The autumn and winter weather is mild compared to Melbourne, with the temperatures March to May traditionally warm and sunny (about 26°C) during the day, but cooling off to about 15°C at night. June to August is obviously cooler and occasionally wet, but highs can still reach 19°C, while it gets down to about 8°C overnight. While footy isn't usually played during the summer months, should you find yourself in Perth during these months, you will be hot. in 2021, Perth had more than 15 days of temperatures over 40°C!

While on the topic of weather, if you are outside during the day in Perth, it is imperative that you wear sun protection. The sun hits differently over there, and you will find yourself burnt even if there is cloud cover. It's not known as the sunniest capital city in Australia for no reason. 

Perth has made a point of ensuring there are things to do from one end to the other. Within the city limits, there is Kings Park (the LARGEST inland park in the world), the Perth Zoo is a ferry ride across to South Perth, You can go out to the Swan Valley, which is like a mini-Margaret River, for wineries, the chocolate factory, and various produce stores. You could venture to Fremantle, which is where the hip and quirky tend to be, where you'll find the best coffee shops and funky breweries. If you have a free day, head out to Rottnest Island via ferry and have a picture with the Quokkas - the happiest animal on the planet!

For more information about what to do in Perth, visit the official Visit Perth or NOMADasaurus

​CONTACT THE LOCAL SUPPORTER GROUP
Our friends in Perth run one of the best interstate supporter groups going around, the Western Demons. You can visit their website or their Facebook page. Or you can send their phenomenal secretary, Joan, an email. The Western Demons usually run pre-match functions for games played in Perth which are always a great event to attend.