Where to go in Perth? / Thank You WA

[BlackBetty]

This is Probably more for Fellow members in Perth
Karen and I are booked for a holiday in Perth, we will be there Feb 9th until 15th, we are staying in Perth itself (Hay St) and we are wondering where to go for day trips etc. Wont have the lancer but will have a Hire car for the duration (with sat nav), Thinking of Fremantle, i rekon is a must for a day - about 1/2 hr drive from Perth i have been told. Mandurah or even Bunbury, is that too far to go in a day and return to the city in the Evening say about 6pm, i would think Albany is way too far. What about Nth, how far can we venture up that way, anything up there?
Is Rottnest Island worth going too?
I was actually born in Perth (Subiaco) and lived in Sth Perth, was 8yr old when we moved to SA, but havn't been back since 1977
Hope you guys can help

Cheers
Eric

[BrownDog]

Hey


Mandurah isnt too far for a day trip, bunbury is probably pushing the limit.

Should go north up the coast to Two rocks for lunch one day thats pretty cool.

apart from that, I cant think of much more

Hope you enjoy ur trip over here

Matt

[Itachi]

Hi Eric,

Fremantle is a great place to go and spend a lazy Sunday afternoon just wandering around, or if it is more your thing, head to the prison and do the tour (pretty sure they did it on the Amazing Race when they were here). You could spend a day in Freo if you time it right and go when there is a street fair or something, but I have no idea when they are so can't help with that, and might be a bit boring for a whole day if there is no event on.

Mandurah is ok for a day trip, only a 50min drive on a nice new smooth fwy. Mandurah is really good, nice atmosphere in the marina and along the main drag, but way more fun if you have access to a boat You might be able to hire one, but probably not a good one

Bunbury/Margaret River is way too far for a day trip. At around 3-4hrs one way you will have enough time to take a photo next to the "welcome" sign before you have to leave to come back. Margaret River is nice for wineries and scenery but you need to spend at least 1 night there.

Rotto is a 30min ferry ride and great if you like cycling, there isn't really much there, just pretty relaxing and some nice beaches (but most of them are in WA )

Never been to Albany but unless you fly I imagine it is too far for a day trip.

In terms of going north, there are plenty of 'unheard of' areas that have nice scenery and make a nice drive like Toodjay, Two Rocks and Bullsbrook (or the country around those areas). These would make a nice day trip.

Lancellin is also a nice place to go, especially with a 4wd.

You could also go to the Pinnacles, I've never been but I think they are day trip-able.

There is also a place called Karri Valley which has some big trees or something...

Well, that is basically everything I can think of, there is plenty of info online but if you have any questions we can try and help!

-Dave

[BlackBetty]

Thanks for your suggestions Matt, i can remember going to Places like Busselton, Yallingup Caves? and Manjimup thru to Albany and Esperance, all beautiful Places, but too far for this trip

[Dire]

I haven't been to rottnest in a while but all its really good for is riding around along endless beaches and cliffs (its about 20-24kms around?) and swimming. And the war history. And quokkas

There might be a couple of restaurants, I'm not sure.

[Nick07]

Fremantle in my opinion is one of the best places in Perth, it's great to go there for a nice serve of fish and chips, from Cicerellos, followed by an ice cream from Baskin and Robbins.

If you want to see nice views of the Perth and it's surrounds, take a nice day trip up to Kalamunda where there are really nice roads, including the famous Zig-Zag. Just before you get onto the Zig-Zag, there is beautiful 180 degree views of Perth and it's surrounds.

Kings park is also another popular tourist attraction, and is located around 5 mins west of the Perth, but provides stunning views of the city and the Swan river.



In terms of Albany, you are looking at roughly an 8 hour drive. In my personal opinion it is alright and has some nice things to do down there, but isn't worth the drive.

Also if you head about 30-45m north of Perth along the coast line you will see absolutely beautiful beaches such as Yanchep and Two-Rocks, both have lovely beaches.

In all, have fun and enjoy your stay in the best state in Australia.

[BlackBetty]

Thanks Nick & Jake, some good thoughts coming from you Both
So Far Fremantle gets a visit for sure, may as well do Mandurah, Then Two Rocks and surrounds as well in the Nth
I have heard about this place called Cicerellos from one of my boss's at work, he highly recommends them.
The Zig Zags is gonna get a visit, i've read how you guys enjoy them on your cruises, probably a bit like our Corkscrew Rd that we frequent.
Kings Park would have to be a must i can remember it from when i was 8 yrs old. Does the Swan Brewery still light up like sailing ship at night?

Thanks all keep the info coming....lol

[Dire]

Can't say I've ever taken much notice of the brewery I'm not sure its in use any more.

King's park has changed a little but its still pretty much the same. They only just finished a heap of road-works so at least it isn't a construction site anymore, though they often close of the edges of it (THE BEST PARTS) as they shore-up the hills I guess.

Theres the Bell Tower along the foreshore now if you're being REALLY touristy. It also changes colour at night but I don't think they let you in at night. Amongst the bars and restaurants next to it there is sometimes a jet-boat ride that departs from there too You will get wet.

If you're doing shopping, the city will be the best place to go (well, and freo). Walk around hay streets mall etc. The city will be better than generic Westfields for a visitor.

Theres a revolving restaurant in the city called the C Restaurant. I've heard Cicerellos is good too.

The Zig-zags is a bit over-hyped in terms of fun. It can be exciting cos its a bit dangerous (if driven fast, cos theres no speed limit, and kangaroos) and unique but I think people get that and fun confused. But it does have excellent views, day or night. You can sit up there and watch the planes land if you're patient enough. Note its one way down hill so you have to drive on the Lascelles Ave end or whatever its called to get in. The best views are along that street too.

Theres Mundaring Weir road, which is a nice drive through the hills (That my opinion anyway. We've been there on cruises. Its fun too if you're being naughty), which will take you past Mundaring Weir which you can stop at and walk across and I think theres a restaurant on the other side there (more of a bar and BBQ place than a classy restaurant).

I find just roaming through the hills to be quite satisfying, kinda experiencing the non-urban parts of Perth, but I guess your wife won't want to just drive around all day

Swan Valley is an option. Its wine-country. So wine-tasting, and theres an awesome chocolate factory with a large shop (which I think you can do tours of), and theres a large ice cream place (I think they have coffee too). And probably some nice restaurants.

Oh and theres also Hillary's boat harbour (we've stopped there on a few cruises too). Theres a variety of food places there, a small candy shop lol, a nice seaside atmosphere with gulls everywhere and boats (mostly mid-sized yachts) docked literally where you sit and eat if you have any interest in them, and a fairly protected beach. I can't really remember if it has any good shops though.
Hillary's also has a water/fun park if you're into that and Aqua (underwater world or whatever you call them in other cities. A fish zoo ). If you go to Hillarys, you can drive south along the coast when you leave and pass all the expensive houses and best beaches. You'll more often than not see some exotic, classic, or at least interesting cars along there as well. You might see a cruise of some sort.

I guess theres always the regular zoo too. Probably not as big as other cities zoo's though.

And theres a maritime museum in freo too by the way.


I wish I could think of somewhere really amazing. Don't take my suggestions TOO seriously as a lot is what I've heard or what I've done when I was a kid.
Wow I typed a lot

[Nick07]

The Swan Brewery doesn't operate any more, it is now a restaurant and bar.

forgot about Hillarys, it is really nice there, but I would go to Fremantle over that.

Have a look at the Fremantle markets as well, might be able to pick yourself up a few goodies.

[BlackBetty]

Hey Jake & Nick, you're feedback and suggestions are very much appreciated, looks like gotta go and Check out Hillarys, sounds interesting, Definitely going to Fremantle, its a must.
really wishing now the stay was for two weeks, there is so much to see an do.
I been told you don't have confusing speed limits over there, its either 50k's in urban streets an roads and on your Freeways speed is 80k's

Can't wait, you really stirred up my interest, gonna be so cool

[Dire]

Freeways are 100 everywhere except a little either side of the city where they are 80... Did I just make your trip better? Haha.

Yeah here its just 50 or whatever the signs say. And 40 in active school zones. State max is 110 so technically thats the speed limit at the zig-zags I think.

How are your speed limits confusing?

[Nick07]

Freeways and Highways range from 80 to 100, local roads are 50kms but some are 60-70.

[BlackBetty]

Oh , OK not as clear cut as it was made out to be, hey i just have to watch for the signs...lol

[Dire]

Oh you thought it was 50 everywhere? Haha.
Its only really 50 in residential areas. Most main roads are 70.

Just follow the signs.
And watch for our new mega speed cameras

[Nick07]

Ie. Don't speed through lights.