judilie

Wow! I just booked a rental car (from Thrifty - Economy Hyundai Getz [or similar] manual with AC, unlimited kms.) on VroomVroomVroom.com with pick up in the CBD (198 Adelaide Terrace) and dropoff at the Perth airport for AUD 134.56 for 2-1/2 days.

Now all that's left is booking lodging for the two nights of the road trip.

judilie

I am currently planning to do day trips to both Fremantle and Rottnest. However, if it turns out we can only go to one of them, which one would you choose? Is one of these particularly good or bad to visit on a Sunday?

Most of the things we're planning to see and do are only open between 9 or 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Are any "sights" open after 5? What is there to do in the evening in Perth?

Melnq8

Hi judilie -

I'm not a huge fan of Freo and I've not yet visited Rottnest, so I won't even try to answer that one. Are you planning to visit the Freo prision? It's open on Sunday until 6 and the Maritime Museum is open until 5. Depending on what all you want to see/do in Freo, it might be possible to combine it with a day on Rotto. From what I understand, the only bad time to visit Rotto is during school holidays.

As far as what to do in Perth after dark, well, it's a bit sleepy here, but there is a vibrant cafe and pub scene.

http://www.discoverwest.com.au/weste...nightlife.html

You might take a look at Burswood entertainment complex, which has a casino and shows:

http://www.burswood.com.au/

Then there's the Perth Concert Hall:

http://www.perthconcerthall.com.au/

Here's a list of other possibilities:

http://www.bcl.com.au/perth/wotson/confest.htm

And just a word about that overnight stay in York...just last night I spoke with a guy who'd done just that...he seemed to think an overnight was completely unnecessary, as his family saw the whole town in about 10 minutes. I tend to agree, although I thought maybe I'd just missed something. The surrounding fields are very pretty when in bloom, but as far as what to do once you get there and have taken your walk...

I'm inclined to say the same about Yanchep. It's not a place I'd choose to stay overnight, although the park is definitely worth a visit. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, I just don't want you to be disappointed if you're expecting loads to see and do.

judilie

Thanks, as always, Melnq8, for you quick and useful feedback.

If we were to try to see Rottnest and Fremantle all in one day, how would be get from one to the other?

I didn't expect that we would do exciting things in the evenings in Yanchep and York, but selected them as places where I thought we'd be when the daylight ran out because it seemed that there were more things in the area than we'd have time to see on one long day trip (though perhaps I'm wrong about that). What I have in mind in getting our rental car Wed. morning, visiting AQWA on our way out of town and then spending the afternoon in Yanchep N.P. (seeing wildlife, doing some walks, perhaps the cave tour; I don't think we'll be there the right times for the lake tour or the guided "aborignal experience" but we might be able to paddle on the lake and do the aboriginal bit on our own; and hubby may want to play golf).

The next day we were planning to drive through the Avon Valley, which is supposed to have good wildflowers and diverse plant and birdlife. In York I was thinking of doing the Avon River Walk Trail.

That day or the next day we were thinking of going to Mt Observation to see wildflowers and birds, and on Friday, on our way back to Perth, we're planning to go to John Forrest N.P., Mundaring, and perhaps Jarrahdale, and then end up at the airport for our 4:20 flight to Sydney.

If you have some other ideas for the road trip or think we could do it as a one-nighter, I'd welcome them.

Is Kings Park in Perth as wonderful as it sounds? It appears that one could spend an entire day there going on various guided and unguided walks, etc.

Melnq8

You can take the train to Freo, catch the ferry to and from Rottnest, then take the train back to Perth. You can also take a ferry from Barrack Street Jetty to Freo and continue on to Rottnest, which would include a cruise of the Swan River. You could take it one way, then catch the train back to Perth from Freo or buy a return ticket.

I don't honestly know if it makes sense to combine Freo and Rottnest in one day, as it really depends on what your interests are, I just wanted to toss that out there as a possible solution if you had to choose one or the other.

I'm expecting to meet someone this weekend who works on Rottnest, so I'll try to quiz her a bit, as I'm curious myself.

Staying in York and Yanchep makes complete sense having read what you plan to do.

I love Kings Park and was just thinking I need to get back there myself. It's unlike any park I've ever visited, and there's so much to do with all the bush walk trails, etc. I haven't been back since the fires of last summer. You're going at the perfect time to see the wildflowers. I guess that's a YES, it's as wonderful as it sounds. You could easily spend a full day in the park. I could (and have) anyway.

judilie

Thanks, Melnq8. I look forward to hearing what your friend has to say about Rotto. Doing Freo and Rotto in one day would free us up to spend more time in King's Park. Perhaps I can meet up with you there.

Do you know how long the various Rotto/Freo ferry and train rides take? Do you happen to know how early they start, how late they run, and how often they come (or can you easily tell me where I could get this information)? I don't want to inconvenience you if you don't have the information readily available.

Melnq8

Ferries to Rottnest from Freo take 25 minutes, 90 minutes from Barrack Street Jetty to Rottnest.

If memory serves, the train to Freo from downtown Perth takes about 30 minutes.

For bus, train and ferry schedules:

http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx

For transportation to Rottnest:

http://www.rottnestisland.com/en/Tra...st_Island.aspx

judilie

I've looked at these schedules, though they only go through early August and there may be more options in September, and done some research on Rottnest and Fremantle. Would it make sense to take the earliest ferry from Perth to Rottnest (which appears to get you there around 10 a.m.) and spend most of the day in Rottnest and then take the ferry to Fremantle in the late afternoon for a quick look around and dinner, and then take the train back to Perth in the evening?

While in Rottnest we might circumnavigate the island on bicycles (or do a shorter bike ride), go on the Underwater Explorer to see the shipwrecks and reefs (without having to get wet), take one of the guided walks from the Salt Store, and/or go on the Indigenous Heritage Tour. (I'd appreciate advice about which of these is most worthwhile.) If we do several of these things in Rottnest, I don't think we can get to Fremantle in time to see the prison or the maritime museum before they close, but that's OK since we've seen similar things elsewhere. Is it worth stopping in Fremantle if one doesn't go to those places and only looks at the buildings and has dinner (probably at Little Creatures)?

judilie

Also, do the ferries (and trains) need to be booked in advance? This will probably be on a Sunday.

Melnq8

No need to book ferries and trains in advance. Just purchase your ticket and board.

I think your Perth-Rottnest-Freo-Perth option makes perfect sense, assuming it will give you enough time on the island. I definitely think it's worth stopping in Freo for a few hours to poke around and have dinner, even if you can't fit in the prision or museum.

Sorry, can't help with your questions about Rottnest, hopefully someone else will chime in. Where is everybody anyway?

judilie

I'm trying to decide where to stay in York. I'm considering the Grandhouse York B&B, the Castle Hotel, and the Settlers House. If you have any information about any of these, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.

Melnq8

Can't help with York accommodation, sorry.

Melnq8

Considering a trip to John Forrest National park this weekend if the weather holds. Will report back. Haven't heard from the lady who works on Rotto yet, but will let you know if I do.

judilie

Thanks, Melnq8. I look forward to seeing your reports.

Carrabella

Judilie and Mel, I think you would both enjoy Robert Drewe's book, "The Shark Net". It was also made into a TV series, but the book is better, I think. http://www.taylormedia.com.au/produc..._net_drewe.htm

This is a thriller set in Perth in the 40's and 50's, and is a true story. Rottnest Island features, and Perth suburbia.

There is also a children's book by Leslie Rees, called "Quokka Island", which was read to me in daily instalments at school. I think it would be long out of print,unfortunatly, but I remember the descriptions of Rottnest and have been wanting to go there for over 50 years! (We live in the East). One day!
My son did a day trip to Rottnest from Perth earlier this year, and enjoyed it. He had only a few days there - he hired a car and drove to Margaret River (for the wine), and also enjoyed the zoo, he said.

judilie

Coincidentally, I ordered "he Shark Net"(and three others that take place in Australia) a few days ago. They should be arriving in a few days. It's reassuring, Carrabella, to have your recommendation of it. If your son has any other rcommendations about the area, I'd love to hear them.

I just found "Quokka Island" on Amazon.com, but it costs $109.

Melnq8

Thanks Carrabella, I'll look into those. Well, maybe not Quokka Island, unless I can find it at a library...

Carrabella

I don't think Quokka Island is worth that much, though maybe the library can order it for you, Mel! It's an adventure story about a group of boys holidaying on Rottnest, who discover some suspicious goings on, and manage to recover the diamonds or whatever without the help of adults. Perfect for a 10 year old (Bless you, Mr Holman!) but not really adult reading. It did instil an interest in me though, and later, I met the author, Leslie Rees, who lived next to my auntie in Shellcove Rd, Neutral Bay.(Sydney) He also wrote a famous series of "Digit Dick" books for children. There's a plaque where he lived in Shellcove Road.

Will ask DS for more suggestions when I next phone him.

I did see Perth and King's Park once, in the dark, on my very first OS trip, in 1964. Our ship from Sydney to England docked in Fremantle overnight,(it took five weeks then!) and we took a taxi into the Parmelia for dinner, and a city tour. Since then, I've seen a lot more of the USA and Germany than Australia. But WA is on the next trip list now!

Melnq8

You should definitely get yourself back to WA Carabella. Kings Park looks a whole lot better in the daylight (although those nighttime views of the city are nothing to sneeze at). You wouldn't recognize Perth - I'm told it's completely different than it was even 8-10 years ago. It's not the sleepy little burg it once was apparently.

Funny, I think I've seen more of this part of the world than I have of the US. So much for exploring our own backyards!

Melnq8

judilie -

I just posted today's adventures at John Forrest National Park on my "A Taste of Perth and Vicinity" trip report.

We loved it.