书城外语英语PARTY——袋鼠之国·澳大利亚
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第10章 城市导航City Guide(7)

Port Darwin was discovered by Lieutenant John Lort Stokes, and named by Capt J C Wickham, in 1839 when the HMS Beagle passed the harbour area. It was named after Charles Darwin who had once sailed in the HMS Beagle. In 1869 it was renamed Palmerston but in 1911 its name reverted to Darwin when the Federal Government took control of the Territory. By 1869 the SurveyorGeneral had surveyed the town and had drawn up plans. The town would have been shortlived had it not been for the construction of the Overland Telegraph, the first pole being placed at the northern end in 1870. The present Government House was rebuilt in the 1880s and is known as the House of Seven Gables, surrounded by a white fence and tropical gardens.

Darwin,s prosperityprosperity n.繁荣 is due largely to tourism and mining. In the 1890s gold was discovered at Pine Creek and a pearling industry was developed in the seas to the north.

In the dry season, May to October, visit Casuarina, Fannie Bay, Mindil and Vestys Beaches, all close to the city. However from late October to early May, venomous box jellyfish make beaches and open waterways places to avoid. Luckily Darwin has plenty of popular freshwater swimming spots nearby, to take advantage of these times, such as Howard Springs, Berry Springs and Manton Dam.

Darwin is closer to Asia than Sydney, so it has the vigour and diversity you would expect of a city that is home to 50 ethnic groups. Along with Aboriginal culture, these influences help mould a unique restaurant, market and cultural scene.

The region has some 20 national parks and reserves - some famous, like Kakadu National Park, and some hidden treasures, just as rich in dramatic beauty, wildlife and Aboriginal culture. Coburg Marine Park, Umbrawarra Gorge, Butterfly Gorge or Tjuwaliyn Hot Springs are just some.

Perth Overview珀斯--印度花城

珀斯位于西澳大利亚州的西海岸斯旺河口,距离大海19公里。1829年英国人在此建定居点,1856年,西澳大利亚殖民区总督詹姆斯·斯特林以他的家乡珀斯命名。珀斯面积5400平方公里,人口130万。居民除英国后裔外,多为意大利、荷兰、希腊、南斯拉夫和美国人。近10年来,来自亚太国家、地区的居民有所增加。

珀斯是西澳大利亚州的首府和政治、经济、商业中心,也是天然良港。工业以油漆、塑料、印染、钢铁、水泥、橡胶、食品加工为主。这里是西澳大利亚州小麦、水果、肉类、乳制品集散地。珀斯的气候条件良好,每年1~2月份为夏季,6~7月份为冬季,夏季时天气较炎热,冬季时凉爽潮湿。一年中有8个月气候温和。在全澳六个州府中,珀斯是日照最长的一个,每年平均有118个晴天,每天平均有8小时日照。在最冷的冬季,气温也很少降到摄氏5度以下,这里从不见雪。有“太阳城”和“空气城”之称。良好的气候和美丽的风光,使珀斯很快成为新兴的旅游城市。世界各地的旅客和许多澳洲本土居民都喜欢来这里享受印度洋微风吹拂的感觉。

珀斯是世界上最孤独的城市,也是目前仍然最具有“澳式”淳朴和幽默的城市。由于珀斯在地球上的孤独,从空中俯瞰它犹如茫茫大海上的一座航标。当美国宇航员约翰·葛伦第一次驾人造飞船绕地球飞行时,正好在夜间掠过珀斯。珀斯市民为了向宇航员表示敬意,也让他看到地球上的这块地方,就决定在晚上把所有的灯都打开。结果,那天晚上,不但所有的高楼大厦都大放光明,每家每户也灯火通明,灯光在夜空中,在斯旺河的倒影中,显得分外明亮。约翰葛伦在天空中一眼就看到了这片灯光,赞不绝口地说,珀斯真是个光明的城市。此后,珀斯是一个“光明城市”的赞誉就传开了。

美丽的珀斯由一条天鹅河(Swan River)分为两部分。河北岸的圣乔治大道(St. Georges Terrace)是珀斯金融、公司和政府机构的集中地,有“办公街”之称。圣乔治大道北邻的海伊步行街(HAY STREET MALL)则是珀斯的商业闹市中心。这两条街均为东西向,夹在中央火车站和天鹅河之间。所以,从中央火车站往南向天鹅河方向行走的话,就是在珀斯的心脏内走动。

珀斯市既有现代化的高楼大厦,又有乡野风情,市内有天主教大教堂、西澳大利亚大学、默多克大学、州议会大厦等。珀斯有一家用叫帕梅利亚的旅馆,不仅是全澳最好的,也是世界上最好的旅馆之一。在这个州府的市长办公室内的墙壁上,挂有一颗4英寸厚的炮弹壳,这枚炮弹是澳大利亚皇家海军“珀斯号”战舰,1942年3月在巽他海峡战役中沉没时没有发射出去而留存下来的。位于珀斯市北部的扬却普国家公园占地面积2430公顷,是西澳大利亚州最有名的自然景观公园之一。园内有大片的野花,每年9~11月,这里鲜花盛开,争奇斗艳。珀斯西郊的国王公园是南半球最大的公园。公园里有一株平躺着的粗壮而古老的树干,是一百多年以前,西澳大利亚早期拓荒者从遥远的北美洲加拿大运来的。澳大利亚西部多沙漠和干旱地区,虽然紧靠着烟波浩渺的印度洋,降雨量却很少。珀斯很幸运的是依偎着这样一条斯旺河,离印度洋又很近,在斯旺河进入印度洋之前,河面非常宽阔,简直就像一个大湖,河口反而像一只大肚玻璃瓶的细颈,这就形成了珀斯非常别致的迷人风光。当蓝汪汪的河水,缓缓地向大海流去时,水面上游着成群的黑天鹅,微风不仅带来天鹅嬉戏的动听歌声,还带来无边无际的印度洋那深沉的呼吸。这种景象很自然地使人想到《天鹅湖》中的场景,而且又多了一种壮观的美。因为在平静如画的河水北面,竖起了一座座高大的现代建筑,工厂、矿山发出了现代化的轰鸣。霓虹灯五颜六色的光芒,更给河水增添了新的色彩。这种景象,往往可以使在河水上缓缓荡舟的人,一会儿看看南岸的田园风光,沉浸在动物世界的天然乐园,一会儿又可望望北岸现代化生活的沸腾景象,真是心旷神怡。

珀斯艺术节自1953年开始由西澳大利亚州大学举办,现已发展成为澳大利亚最重要的艺术节之一。每年2月份举办,节目包括音乐、舞蹈、戏剧和电影等多种形式,其节目质量可与阿得雷德艺术节一比高低。

野花节每年9月份举办,是澳大利亚规模最大的园艺展览,在世界上也享负盛名。花节期间,正值春季,鲜花盛开的品种超过7000种以上,是名副其实的花的世界、花的海洋。野花节的主会场在英皇公园和珀斯植物园。弗雷曼特尔艺术节每年11月在弗雷曼特尔举办,节目包括音乐、舞蹈和戏剧等多种形式,旨在让古老的弗雷曼特尔吸引更多的游客。

Perth is Australia,s fourth largest city, clean and beautifully laid out. Set on the shores of the Indian Ocean, this city is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Nearby Fremantle, Perth,s sister city, offers a sizzling nightlife and a young, trendytrendy n.新潮人物, 穿着时髦的人 adj.流行的 attitude.

Perth is situated on Australia,s western coast, close to the southwestern tip of the country. The city centre is fairly compact, situated on a sweep of the Swan River. The river, which borders the city centre to the south and east, links Perth to its port, Fremantle. The western end of Perth rises to the pleasant Kings Park, which overlooks the city, then extends to cosmopolitan Subiaco. Further west, suburbs extend as far as Scarborough and Cottesloe beaches on the Indian Ocean. The railway line bounds the city centre on the northern side, with Northbridge immediately north of the line.

Offset by the vast tranquil waters of the Swan River, the beautiful city of Perth is a tourist,s delight. Modern and vibrant, it contrasts with its historic counterpart - the port city of Fremantle accessibleaccessible adj.易接近的, 可到达的, 易受影响的, 可理解的 within 20 minutes by car from Perth.

Tourists commonly refer to Perth as the “friendly city”, and famous notables have also renamed the city after their personal experiences. Astronaut John Glenn called Perth the “City of Lights” after his historic flyover in 1962 and victorious America,s Cup skipper Dennis Connor referred to it as the “most isolated city in the world”.

Most paint Perth as bright, fun, friendly and “laid back” (relaxing) ,but visitors to the city can be sure to find their own descriptions after their holiday. When your appetite with a day on the Swan River, a picnic to the Darling Ranges, a visit to a vineyard or a stroll around Perth or Fremantle. From outdoors to indoors, a fabulousfabulous adj.寓言中的, 寓言般的, 神话般的, 传统上的, 惊人的, 难以置信的 range of city and suburban shops will satisfy even the most particular tourist, with everything from traditional Australian gifts and garments, opals, Kalgoorlie gold and precious diamonds to succulent local seafood, tender red meat and fresh fruit and vegetables.