Travel: Australia - Perth

[lilipitz]

Hi, mommies

Must let you all know that I am not an expert. Just sharing what I have found out and experienced when I planned for and visited Perth last year. That was also my first trip:)


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ftwmum:

Hi Lilipitz

Thank u for your helpful suggestions

Any good website to book w MR Hideaway?
SQ tixs are crazy expansive for Dec travel so prob
getting Qantas - any website to book?

Thks again

ftwmum,

Actually I booked direct with MR Hideaway. Was too lazy to scout around for comparison. After I submitted details and made reservations online, Julian replied me and provided me with more info and maps on the MR region.

Notice from your itinerary, you have a day at MR (MR Hideaway) and the following full day at Busselton. Actually from what I remember, the draw was the jetty which wont take a full day. Are you visiting any places there in particular? If not, consider stay 2 nights at MR region (MR Hideaway) and explore the area, and Busselton can be a stopover on the way from Perth (or back to Perth).

I also booked SQ air tickets direct....lazy to compare and check around

[lilipitz]

concern_mum:

hi,


Below is my plan for my Nov trip with 3 kids + hubby.

day 1 ==> check in City Stay midnight
day 2 ==> something light. swan river/riverside walk, bell tower, kings park
day 3 ==> AQWA and hillarys harbour. may want to try the Whale watching if time allow.
day 4 ==> frementle market via train then FRE CAT.
day 5 ==> margaret driver discovery (will be following day tour with jetabout)
day 6 ==> full day Mandurah, dolphin, maccadamia nuts, frementle (same with jetabout)
day 7 ==> check out in the morning and follow the half day tour to Swan Valley, Caversham and Tumblegum Farm with AussiePerthtours before we catch our midnight back to Singapore

Concern_mum
Which part of Nov are you travelling?
Dont want to dampen your planning, but just be aware that last year in Nov, there were bushfires in the MR region.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/12/02/3382328.htm
I am not sure if this is a yearly occurrence since I don't live in WA, but I recall news of the bushfires last year. As you plan, build in alternative plans and check terms and conditions (including cancellation / reimbursement policy) of the local tour operators and travel insurance.

About whale watching, best to check with the cruise operator/s if the time you are going coincides with the season where whales will pass through and can be sighted clearly. Some operators allow a return ride on another day (but as tourists, hard for us to squeeze in another half day to try again) if the first ride yield no sightings of whale.

Kings park - that's a nice place. We loved it so much, we went there 3 times in total. To visit the different playgrounds at \"Synergy Parkland\" and \"Lottery West Family Area\". And the night city view (from Fraser Ave, which is in the park) is great. There are parking lots along Fraser Ave. Synergy Parkland playground is dinosaur themed, and there's a playground in a little island that sits in the small lake. Lottery West Family Area has nice playgrounds too, suitable for younger kids, and the food at StickyBeaks Cafe there is good!

[lilipitz]

Sunrise and sunset times in Perth (2012)

http://members.iinet.net.au/~jacob/riseset.html

Useful for planning your daily schedule and driving times.
Outside the city area, best to avoid driving once sun sets as animals (eg kangaroos) are active from dusk and you certainly dont want to have to suddenly come face to face with one when driving.

[concern_mum]

OIC, we are not driving, will it be very difficult to go to those playground in kings park?

[lilipitz]

concern_mum:

OIC, we are not driving, will it be very difficult to go to those playground in kings park?

Hi,
There are buses that drop you at the fringe areas (not sure about frequency) eg Fraser Ave. But as it is a large park, it will be a long walk to reach the playgrounds.

Map of Kings Park :
http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/images/stories/common/maps_lg/kp_facilities_venues_map_v0312.pdf

Kings Park brochure, with info on public transport :
http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/images/stories/bgpa/docs/brochures/pdf/kp_visitor_map_v0911.pdf

[ftwmum]

ftwmum,


Actually I booked direct with MR Hideaway. Was too lazy to scout around for comparison. After I submitted details and made reservations online, Julian replied me and provided me with more info and maps on the MR region.

Notice from your itinerary, you have a day at MR (MR Hideaway) and the following full day at Busselton. Actually from what I remember, the draw was the jetty which wont take a full day. Are you visiting any places there in particular? If not, consider stay 2 nights at MR region (MR Hideaway) and explore the area, and Busselton can be a stopover on the way from Perth (or back to Perth).

I also booked SQ air tickets direct....lazy to compare and check around :p[/quote]

Hi Lilipitz

Thks again for your input.
I plan to stay a nite at Busselton because the BandB I plan to stay in is seafront? We love beaches so want to give it a try..

Do you think Dec will be terribly hot in the day? Understand that it is usually cool at nite in Aussie.

Any good car rental companies pls let me know too

:thankyou:

[dingdongrc]

For good car rental in Oz, should book from http://www.vroomvroomvroom.au Way way cheaper than booking the car from the rental companies direct. Have fun!

[cherrygal]

Any nice food/ restaurants to recommend near Goodearth Hotel?

[nissin]

I would recommend burswood car rentals as the price is quite competitive. We rented a people mover ie 8-seater car and the condition of the car is very new. We requested for a foc delivery and collection of car at the door step of our hotel. Very convenient and hassle free as well. Highly recommended!

Note: pls do check the car thoroughly for dents and scratches with the car rental personnel before you drive off to save all troubles.

[nissin]

cherrygal:

Any nice food/ restaurants to recommend near Goodearth Hotel?

Hmm..there is a cafe just beside the barrack jetty where the captain cook cruises are. They serve very nice breakfast and the ambience is nice. I miss the poached eggs with bread set..yumm

For lunch or dinner, you can take the free cat bus to the city. We actually walked from goodearth hotel to the city as the weather is very cool and nice during end May). I like the Japanese food (very affordable) at TAKA jap cafe. The portion is huge and price is good. **Food in Perth is expensive**
You can google TAKA jap restaurant to find out the actual location.