We're considering a big holiday towards the end of the year - late Oct/ early Nov. Have been to Oz once before, and visited Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne areas. This time we're looking at the West - Perth and around. Any insider info/ knowledge/ suggestions appreciated...looking for a combination of empty beaches, wineries and perhaps a bit of the Outback. We'll probably have about two weeks or just over, so want to see some of the highlights, but not spend the whole time just driving and driving.
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Been to Perth before and stayed in Fremantle, which was lovely. But looking to go up towards Broome. So any routes or ideas would be handy.
Also, while in Perth, go to Fremantle and visit Little Creatures brewery + superb fish'n'chips at Cicerello's (just around the corner from Little Creatures).
We have quite a gathering of Charlton fans based over in Perth.....Ozaddick is one for instance. Ive been over to Perth myself, and we headed south in a camper van, following the coastline. Certainly the further away you get from Perth, the more remote beaches became the norm. We stopped at a coastal town which had the biggest pier in the southern hemisphere which was pretty impressive, but at the end of the pier, you went down this spiral staircase into a capsule on the sea bed....one of the best experiences Ive had (im a non swimmer).The coast road down from Dunsborough to Augusta is stunning. We stopped at one cove and played with the inquisitive rays swimming around our feet, whilst at Augusta we had a Dolphin with her baby at arms length in water that you wouldnt think deep enough for an animal of that size....really magical. There are loads of caves to explore in the region around Murray River which in itself is beautiful. From Augusta we went to Pemberton, Denmark and Albany before heading back up country mostly through farmland. We did the Tree canopy walk which was quite spectacular. Some of the rolling countryside down the bottom reminded me of Somerset....really pretty but on a grander scale. We did all this in four days....we hope to go back at some point and take a bit more time. Ozaddick will im sure share more about Perth itself...he lives just north of town and will be able to give you the heads up. It will be very different to other parts of Oz that you have seen already.
If you go north of Perth, you'll be spending the 2 weeks driving and driving. There are some great places to go but the distances from one to the other are vast. I'd advise against going north if you have only two weeks.
If you want to check our advice why don't you ring Austravel and Bridge The World to get flight prices. Then you can ask about where you can go and they'll be keen to tell you because they'll want to sell you car hire and accommodation.
I look forward to your thoughts tomorrow, Oz!
I've read that we can go whale-watching from Perth at around that time of year too - would love that! Also interested in any comments on Rottnest Island as well.
As for Hangover Bay...well, that sounds a must!!
Perth - Freemantle & Scarborough.
North of Perth
One place I went was Jurien Bay where I was fishing from a little jetty but a seal kept grabbing everything we caught so in the end we jumped in and hand fed the seal which had become really playful - absolutely amazing experience. We then fished in the evening and pulled up loads of squid.
The Pinnacles were completely different to anything I have seen before or since and well worth a trip. Kalbarri was beautiful although we ended up walking round with pillow cases on our heads and eyes cut out because of all the flies...depends on the time of year I guess...to me Monkey Mia was a little too touristy/manufactured but then I was rather wild back in those days! Further north (and possibly too far for your trip) Kunnanura had very interesting rock formations and Karijini NP was very cool with pools to swim in and a gorge walk that has been featured in FHM as one of the things to do before you die. I had a memorable helicopter ride over the bungle bungles and kayaked down Katherine Gorge.
About half way up the coast was Coral Bay which was my fav beach, completely unspoilt and reef you could just walk onto from the beach. Spent hours snorkelling around seeing so much...told my brother he had to go there when he went over and I think a hurricane had destroyed the place - such a shame.
South of Perth
Margaret River & the beach with the rays were great (if memory serves me correctly it may have been Hamlin Bay but I am sure someone else can confirm). Went to a little beach called Smiths beach too which was very unspolit.
Btw, Weegie, I think that Large has been to Rottnest - ask him.
I repeat what I said before, ring up an Australian travel specialist ask them - you're under no obligation to buy their tours, hire cars etc although I think that with your short holiday period you'll find their internal flight and tour propositions interesting. Sometimes if you book with such an operator they'll even give you an internal flight cheap (if not free) with the long-haul flights.
In my opinion Rottnest is definitely worth a day trip. There is a round island bus that stops at or near most of the beaches so that you can jump off, have a swim and a good look around and either get back on a later bus or walk a few stops and take in the scenery and then jump back on the bus further on. If you get an early ferry out and a late one back then you should be able to get about eight hours on the island which is plenty. Hopefully you will get to see it all on a lovely sunny day, it rained while we were there and my wife had a fall. A visit to Fremanle is also recommended. Hope you have a really good time.
Btw, Weegie, I think that Large has been to Rottnest - ask him.
I repeat what I said before, ring up an Australian travel specialist ask them - you're under no obligation to buy their tours, hire cars etc although I think that with your short holiday period you'll find their internal flight and tour propositions interesting. Sometimes if you book with such an operator they'll even give you an internal flight cheap (if not free) with the long-haul flights.[/quote]
Agree with you - too much in two weeks...I would probably stick to the South which is that bit closer and maybe take a trip to the Pinnacles if it isn't too far north...so long ago now I can't remember how long it is away.
Mate, the fellas have pretty much covered it all!
Margret River is superb, there is a place called caves house down that way, where you can do a tour of some caves that are amazing. The tree top walk tel mentioned is great, as is rottnest Island. Fremantle have great markets on the weekend, but are busy.
It really depends on what your looking to see and do, but you'll love it here!
Bridge The World, AusTravel are good. Normally have good deals from the major airlines that you wouldn't get direct or elsewhere.
Try Kayak and Travelocity....Emirates have some silly deals from time to time...worth watching
Bridge The World, AusTravel are good. Normally have good deals from the major airlines that you wouldn't get direct or elsewhere.[/quote]
I got my 2 year round the world ticket from Trailfinders in '99 - cost £900 and when I got home 2 years later they gave me £650 back as my last plane was delayed (plus they flew me home first class)! Best value trip I have ever been on!