Feature by Carolyn Beasley
During the 2023 AFL season, 22 games will be played at award-winning Optus Stadium in Perth (Boorloo), luring loyal footy fans west.
Beyond the final siren, supporters have enthralling experiences on their doorstep, and sporting personalities, Shane Crawford, David Zaharakis and Mark Beretta recently jetted in for a game, and stayed for Perth’s unique adventures.
With a small shriek, a Brownlow medalist steps off a platform 72 metres above the Swan River (Derbarl Yerrigan), hurtling down the zipline at 75 km per hour. The pedestrian-only Matagarup Bridge links Optus Stadium to the city, and Shane Crawford, former Hawthorn superstar is tackling the Matagarup Zip + Climb.
Shane Crawford doing the Vertigo experience, Optus Stadium
“Perth’s getting better and better all the time,” Shane says.
Having watched Collingwood play the West Coast Eagles, Shane’s exploring the stadium from a different angle, strapped into a harness on the HALO Rooftop tour, watching the sunset turn the Swan River to gold.
“I do think it's the best stadium in the country,” he says. “You can wander around the top [on the HALO tour], which is very unique. And then you can stand down low on the boundary line whilst the game is going on in a couple of sections, which I've never seen before. And the stadium just lights up, all night.”
Shane popped down to Fremantle (Walyalup), just 25 minutes away, and toured the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison.
Shane Crawford at Fremantle Prison, Fremantle
He says Perth has left a lasting impression.
“If you haven't been to Perth, you’re crazy not to, and especially if your footy side’s playing,” he says.
David Zaharakis has been to Optus Stadium many times, but only as an Essendon player. This season, he visited as a fan for the first time.
“It’s a cracking stadium to watch footy in, that’s for sure,” David says.
Aside from watching Essendon win, David finally had the chance to indulge in a day trip to Rottnest Island (Wadjemup).
“It was my first time to Rotto, and I actually didn't realise how big it was,” David says. “Actually experiencing the cool little beaches and little coves around the island, and how blue the water is, was pretty fascinating.”
The Basin, Rottnest Island
Like many visitors, David needed a selfie with his furry quokka friends, and offers a few hot tips.
“You don't touch or feed the quokkas, because you want them to fend for themselves,” David says. “So getting a quokka selfie the proper way is to get down on your hands and knees, get kind of dirty. It’s not as easy as it looks!”
For a rockstar splurge, David recommends returning from Rottnest Island by helicopter with Corsaire Aviation to luxury hotel Crown Towers Perth. For David, this allowed him to maximise his time on the island, and still have plenty of time to reach the game before bounce-down.
“It was pretty nice because I think we got back and there was still 40 minutes until the game,” David says. “So we just walked over to the stadium from there.”
Less than an hour south of Perth, David cruised around the seaside city of Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap) on an e-bike tour with The Bike Kiosk. This time his selfies featured whimsical towering creatures, sculpted from recycled wood - a world-class outdoor installation created by artist Thomas Dambo, called the Giants of Mandurah.
The Giants of Mandurah, Mandurah
Mark Beretta, sports journalist for Channel 7’s Sunrise is also an Optus Stadium devotee, having recently visited to cheer for Geelong.
“It’s probably the best stadium in the country, and the only unfortunate thing is when your team gets hammered by Freo,” Mark says.
Mark took his love for Optus Stadium to the next level on the Vertigo tour, which saw him harnessed up and treading a rail-less walkway high above the stadium, with the option to do tricks.
Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge, Burswood
“The guides will take you as far as you want to go,” Mark says. “And before you know it, you're hanging out, upside down over Optus Stadium! Once you've hung upside down on the stadium, you're pretty comfortable there; it’s a great way to break the ice with the stadium.”
Another highlight for Mark was a bike tour with GoGo Active Tours through Kings Park and Matilda Bay foreshore.
“Next thing we're riding along and a pod of four dolphins was just right there on the edge of the Swan River,” he says. “It was just magnificent.”
Mark rounded out his experiences with a walking tour of modern Elizabeth Quay (Goomup), hearing ancient Aboriginal stories with Djurandi Dreaming.
Justin Martin from Djurandi Dreaming
Mark, Shane and David will no doubt, return to Perth for more footy games, and it’s the unique experiences that will make them stay longer.
“Going to Perth is a great escape,” Mark says. “Watch a movie on the plane, and when you land, you’re almost in a different world.”
Published July 2023.