What should my family do in Perth? Trip complete & with pics

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Our family will be flying back from Singapore to Adelaide via Perth in Feb 2011. We are doing a stopover in Perth for a few days. Seeing that there is quite a contingent of Perth members, can you suggest places to go? We have kids aged from 1 to 8 years old and we won't have the Prado with us (obviously). We'll probably be renting a Tarago.

Also any places to stay would be good too!

Thanks!!

[Geoffy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Geoffy]

Re: What should my family do in Perth?

If you'd like to see some Australian Sporting History go to the Maritime Museum at Freemantle to see Americas Cup winning yacht 'Australia II'. The kids will love the Submarine and interactive stuff, and you can get a Ferry there from the City.

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Re: What should my family do in Perth?

Depends what your family like to get up to amts will depend on what may be suggested. Also give an indication on how far you want to travel, and whether you just want to stay in Perth.

Also bare in mind, Perth can be quite hot in February (temps can get up to about 40C)

Kings Park is a good day out, but so is Hillarys which has AQUA, as well as the boat harbour. Swan Valley is good for wineries, but also you might want to look at a day trip over to Rottnest, but you need to book early as it can get quite busy.

We also have numerous nice beaches, including Cottesloe and Scarborough.

Mind you, driving down south is also nice, but that depends how far you want to drive - Margaret River is about 3.5hrs or so.

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Re: What should my family do in Perth?

We'll be spending a good part of 5 weeks in asia. The Perth leg is the home journey. So looking for a relaxation time but more kid focussed as No. 2 son has a fuel tank as big as the Prado. He is non stop from the time he wakes up.

We won't be kitted up for the long drives as we will be packing for an overseas trip and will be bringing home the shopping. So maybe a 2-3 hour drive is manageable. Unless there is something that is an absolute must see. I don't know if we will ever be in Perth again so making the time worthwhile.

We can do beaches, scenic drives, natural attractions, man-made attractions. The kids would like anything with a playground.
Any tree top walks, waterfalls the kids can swim in?

Margaret River looks attractive. Should I base myself there for 2 nights? Any budget accom there?

[KJA Member Find all posts View Profile Close KJA]

Re: What should my family do in Perth?

Andrew,
Most Perth people don't like telling visitors ab out the wonderful things as they might stay!!!! I must say that I have visited SA and Adelaide for the V8's and am returning again in March 2011 for the race. Great place really enjoy the relaxed pace compared with the other states from over east of the border.
My Suggestions
1. Beaches - Cottesloe, City Beach
2. Rotnest - It is a popular holiday destination for WA folks but a day trip can be rushed but would give you the feel. If you go you should do a Bay seeker bus pass so that you can get away from the main settlement and swim in the lkittle bays etc. This trip could be challenging with a few younger children - can be hot, flies, etc. The pub is good!!!!
3. South west is a real gem if you like to taste wines and enjoy lunches in little places. Margaret River, Yallinyup, Dunsborough and Caves road are worthwhile if you drive down. About 4 hours drive. We usually get up early and have breakfast on the way. An overnight stay would be a go. Also in this region are lighthouses, caves and great bush growth. Would give you an idea of the coastline
4. A ferry ride down the Swan river to Fremantle or vis versa if you stay in Fremantle. Great trip which will show you all the expensive houses on the river. If you go to rotnest then you can leave from Barrack Street and do the river or catch it at Fremantle. In Freo Old Goal, plenty of casual eating, round house, markets on the weekend, Fremantle Maritime Museum, and of course home of the mighty Dockers!!!! Fremantle oval.
5. Up the north you have Yanchep National Park - 50 minutes from Perth.
6. If you play golf and want a game then PM me and I'll arrange one on a wonderful little course overlooking Cottesloe beach
7. Swan Valley is interesting (Wines again, but also chocolate factory , brewery fresh produce etc
8. Great place for breakfast down fremantle way is Zephyr at 61 riverside road east femantle (opposite the Leeuwin barrack)
If I think of anything else I will post it
I'm sure will enjoy the only thing is that Perth is not compact like Adelaide but spread out along the coast
Cheers Ken
OOPs forgot Kings Park is a must. Plentyh of space for the kids to run around play areas etc. Good spot for a picnic lunch

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Re: What should my family do in Perth?

Thank you all for the suggestions so far. I found a thread over at Whirlpool as well
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-re ... ?t=1551379

Our flight comes in around midnight. Looking for a place to overnight. Then do some sightseeing at Kings Park/Fremantle then planning on 2 nights at Margaret River area. Then drive from there straight to the airport for 4pm flight out.

1. Anyone got a caravan and willing to put us up for the overnighter?!? :lol:
2. What is the must do activity in Margaret River?
3. It will be the wife's birthday. Can you recommend a nice kid friendly restaurant around Margaret River area?
4. Recommend good value family accom around Margaret River

[Kaka do Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kaka do]

Re: What should my family do in Perth?

Penguin island is a good day out for the kids. It is in Shoalwater in Rockingham. Great day for the kids with the short (500m each way) ferry ride to top off the experience.
There is also the dolphin watching/swiming experience out of Rockingham as well.

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Re: What should my family do in Perth?

Well we finished our holidays in Asia and got back via Perth on Saturday. We didn't have much time in WA but I had booked accommodation in Hamelin Bay for 2 nights as the south west looked like a must see. The itinerary was as follows:
1. Landed in Perth airport near midnight and queued for over an hour to get our luggage and quarantine check. Stayed in a cheap hotel in the city and hit the bed by 3am.
2. Woke up at 6am to travel 20km south to pick up a car seat I bought on ebay, returned the car seat from Avis at the airport, bought breakfast and check out by 10am.
3. Drove to Fremantle and discovered the Fallen sailors and soldiers memorial and the Fremantle Prison. Decided to do the tour in Fremantle prison before having lunch and drive down to Hamelin Bay. Had dinner at Augusta Hotel and stayed the night.


4. Drove down to see the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and took the guided tour to climb the lighthouse. Drove back up towards Hamelin Bay and took a tour in Jewel Cave. Drove east towards Pemberton to climb the Gloucester Tree. Dinner at Pemberton Hotel. drove back to Hamelin Bay and stayed the night.





5. Child no. 3 decides to have a high fever and threw up at 3am in the morning. Subsequent drive up to the airport resulted in her throwing up every 45 mins. She nearly gets rejected for air travel at the check-in counter but was wved through later at the gate after a palm oon forehead test by the air stewardess.

Despite driving a Hyundai iMax, we did manage to find a scenic route to the lighthouse to satisfy my dirt road cravings. Unfortunately, without tyre deflators and an air compressor, we put up with air pressures of 42psi front and 51psi rear as recommended on the tyre placard. It's the first time I've come across 51psi on a vehicle.

More photos here --> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 4213361fc7
I must say that the southwest corner of WA is spectacularly beautiful. Glad that I could see all those sights without a 4WD. Can't imagine what else there is to behold if we have had our Prado with us.

Thank you again for all the helpful suggestions given above.