What to do in Perth (WA)

[phuk72]

My cousin is getting married next year in Perth and have decided that is good excuse to take the family to Australia for 3 weeks or so. He's getting married on 8th October so plan to be there a few days before and stay for about 3 weeks.

So what's to do?

Ideally I'd like to get a couple of dives in and see a bit of the surrounding area. And have a ride about if anyone is stupid enough to lend me / hire me a bike for a few days.

[Mincehead]

I`ve a very good pal in Perth, she`ll know all there is to do, I`ll ask her.

[phuk72]

I`ve a very good pal in Perth, she`ll know all there is to do, I`ll ask her.

Ta

[Mincehead]

Think she might be in her bed it`ll be almost 11pm there now.Found this though, the drop down menus of the left take you to much of what you might need to know but if it`s anything specific I can still ask her for you :

http://www.westernaustralia.com/uk/Thin ... nd_Do.aspx

[phuk72]

Think she might be in her bed it`ll be almost 11pm there now.Found this though, the drop down menus of the left take you to much of what you might need to know but if it`s anything specific I can still ask her for you :

http://www.westernaustralia.com/uk/Thin ... nd_Do.aspx

thanks - I've already seen that though and was hoping for some insight from the locals

[Kevtrx849]

Theres Monkey Mia, a very popular spot with tourists wanting to interact with a dolphin pod or you can swim with the whale sharks. Not too sure on the season for that though.

[ekoja]

Been a while since I was there but, there are some passable wineries in the Margaret River area.
In fact you can probably get the wine cheaper at the bottle o, but thats missing the point somewhat, and it is a very nice area.

There is also the pinnacles which is out Jurien Bay area and New Norcia, All of these are gettable on day tours out of Perth.
I know what some people think of coach tours, but it really is the best way to see things as you do not have to drive.(dah)

I used Grayline but there was also Australian Pacific which are reputable operators with good vehicles.
And the thing is if you really see something that you would like to visit again, then you can.

[Red Rex]

I too have friends who have lived in the Perth area for the past 20 years so should know what's good and what's not.
They both ride Harleys but apart from that they're quite normal so I'll ask them for any tips.

[BigAl-TC]

Hey, I think i might be able to help Should be able to assist with a mosickle And what sorta stuff you interested in doin ? Happy to help in any way i can.
Cheers,Alan.

[Jak]

Al will be able to give you much more info than me, but I spent a few months there about 10 years back.

Monkey Mia was a bit too touristy for my liking - but it may have improved

Pinnacles - definitely worth a visit - and as ekoja says, do a coach trip, I did it as part of a trip that took me up to Shark Bay(?) and we went sand-surfing and climbing (there's a beautiful gorge somewhere there too).

There were a lot of "winery tours" and I'd really recommend doing one be prepared to be pissed by the time you get back into town though LOL

Rottnest Island - I jumped on the passenger ferry and hired a pushbike to cycle round and say hello to a few of the 'locals' (quokkas)

Fremantle (the port right next to Perth) is bound to have boat trips/hire too

I'd suggest you pop into your local library (or bookshop) and get one of the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide books which will give you a good idea of things to do.

Don't forget to send a postcard

[phuk72]

Al will be able to give you much more info than me, but I spent a few months there about 10 years back.

Monkey Mia was a bit too touristy for my liking - but it may have improved

Pinnacles - definitely worth a visit - and as ekoja says, do a coach trip, I did it as part of a trip that took me up to Shark Bay(?) and we went sand-surfing and climbing (there's a beautiful gorge somewhere there too).

There were a lot of "winery tours" and I'd really recommend doing one be prepared to be pissed by the time you get back into town though LOL

Rottnest Island - I jumped on the passenger ferry and hired a pushbike to cycle round and say hello to a few of the 'locals' (quokkas)

Fremantle (the port right next to Perth) is bound to have boat trips/hire too

I'd suggest you pop into your local library (or bookshop) and get one of the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide books which will give you a good idea of things to do.

Don't forget to send a postcard

Thanks Jak

[phuk72]

Hey, I think i might be able to help Should be able to assist with a mosickle And what sorta stuff you interested in doin ? Happy to help in any way i can.
Cheers,Alan.

Alan

thanks - really is appreciated

Will be there with wife and kids so what i want to do has got nothing to do with it

I would like to do a couple of dives but I'm sure there are plenty of dive shops I can contact direct so no worries there. Want to do stuff that will keep the kids (12 & 10) entertained and also the adults. Alos want to see Perthh and surrounding area.

No real agenda - just don't want to go home and think 'I wish I'd seen that'.

Cheers

Pete

[BigAl-TC]

Should be in luck with diving, there has been a couple of old warships sunk recently for diving. As Jak has said, Rotto is good, For diving as well, Swan Valley Winery's and Brewery,s And Food , Kings Park, Beach's, Water Ski'ing, Jet Ski's, Surf Cat Sailing on the river, Tour southward for more Winery's and Brewery's Cave's, Armadale Snake Place , Bunbury for Dolphins, Wildlife Parks.
I will think of more next time Al.

[FANDANGO]

I was fortunate enough to travel all round OZ for 8 mths a couple of years ago, If you only have 3 weeks i would suggest you go to 'Southern' Western Austrualia. Rockingham for the drag strip, Busselton for the Pier (look it up if you dont know), Margaret River, basically head south and make your way to Albany. If you can go see the tall trees, they are brilliant. From Albany you could just blast back to Perth as their isn't much inland using Highway 30 (I think) and possible pop and see Wave Rock. From there you can go North and do a 'figure 8' - the distances are massive, your talking over a day and i mean a day to get to Monkey Mia. You could try the Pinnacles and definately Kalbarri national park and go for a swim in the pools at the bottom.
If time and money permit you have to go to Coral Bay and Exmouth to go diving. The reef is an little known Gem - its a mini great barrier reef but is only 40m off shore rather than 40k. Everyone has covered in and around Perth for you.

To get around i honestly have to say buy a back packers car - try down Northbridge at the hostels. I bought an LPG powered car for £900 drove it All the way round OZ in 6mths and then sold it for £1000 when i got back to Perth! The tours are good but Pricey and the whole country is set up for tourits so dont worry about finding some where to stay, no matter where you are. I'm not jelous, honest

[pbear62]

Hi phuk72, As a Perth metro area dweller I can agree with Big Al's suggestions. Also consider Cohuna Wildlife Park for the kids to cuddle a koala & kangaroos etc. This is in the metro area too. Wave Rock at Hyden & Monkey Mia are a loooong way from Perth - you'll find things are much further apart over here! Fremantle is great for food, wine, markets, cappachino strip etc - also lots of shops for picking up the touristy stuff you'll be wanting. If you want to go for a ride while you're here I'm sure we can sort something out - I live about 10km (6 miles) from Big Al & we've got some damn fine riding roads over here. Rottnest Island is well worth a visit too - fantastic beaches & good for diving - takes about 45mins on the ferry. Margaret River is about 270km (2.5hrs drive) south of Perth - like the others have said - really good for a visit for the wineries, surf beaches, eateries etc. Busselton is close to Margaret River & they have the dolphins too - much closer than going to Monkey Mia!! How old are your kids - my son is 15 so can probably suggest some kid friendly stuff to do also.
A mate of mine works for a dive company here in Perth - let me know if you want me to set something up for you.

PS: We've got this thing over here called "the sun" too - you'll love it!