I'm going to be moving to Perth, WA in 8 days so that I can spend some time living near my fiance's family and see what settling in Australia would be like, and I was wondering - what dorky, romantic things are there to do in Perth that aren't as expensive as a cruise on Swan River?

My fiance has lived in Perth for about 5 years (he's originally from Scotland), but going out with the boys doesn't really necessitate a romantic evening, and his only other serious girlfriend while he lived there...well I've gotten the impression that all he ever wanted to do was get the hell away from her, so they never did sweet, romantic stuff together.

He's got a few things he wants us to do, but even having lived there for 5 years, the whole romantic things to do is still pretty foreign to him.

We're both really laid back, and not into expensive stuff (though an indulgence every now and then is nice) - we'd rather spend the evening sitting somewhere beautiful, chilling out and talking with a picnic than at a fancy French restaurant (I'm vegetarian anyway, haha). We're both giant AC/DC fans, so even something like seeing the Coastal Scottish Pipe Band would be cool. Do any pipe bands still go around Fremantle on Bon Scott's birthday playing "It's a Long Way to the Top"? THAT would be cool to see, haha.

Any sweet, romantic, inexpensive, laid back suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated. It'll be cool to discover new things/places in his city together.

Thanks!

Sunset picnic at Kings Park.

I was a recent traveler to Australia, and only visited Perth once, for six days, but Perth along with the southwest region in WA has to be one of my favorite places in all of Australia. In Perth we enjoyed walking through the beautiful, and quite expansive, Kings Park (managed to get there three times in the short time we were in town), going to the art museum (nice collection), and taking the train to Fremantle for the prison and other sites there.
I would also recommend travelling by ferry to Rottnest Island and riding bicycles all around. Take a picnic lunch and stop along the way at one of several beaches. On this island you'll have a chance to see quakkas!

But, if your fiance had lived there for five years he might remember other places. Enjoy!

So two votes for Kings Park - I'll definitely have to put that on the list. We were talking about taking bike rides this morning, haha, and I also really want to go to Rottnest Island, so that seems like a great idea!

For a vegetarian, apparently I make the best roast beef sandwiches he's ever tasted, so I'm sure that'll be incentive enough for a picnic, haha!

Thanks so much - keep 'em coming!

Another vote for Kings Park - love it -an oasis of calm in a bustling city...

A walk along the Swan River waterfront at dusk...perhaps a picnic and a bottle of wine...

Outdoor concerts on the waterfront...

I'm a big fan of WA - incredible scenery, loads of National Parks, fabulous wine, - if you get the chance, hop in a car and head south.

I would also YES for Kings park. Great spot!
And any ACDC fan worth their salt would catch a train down to Fremantle and pay homage to Bon Scott's memorial at the Fremantle cemetary.
http://www.bonscott.com.au/navigation1.htm
Not necessarily a "dorky romantic" thing, but you could make it part of a full day at Fremantle. Its a lovely spot - nice places to eat; a great museum; plenty of history; and if you are there on the same day as their markets, plenty of crafty things to see.

The Zig Zag at Kalamunda / Gooseberry Hill is a lovely spot.
Take a picnic dinner, watch the sun set over the city and then drive down.
It was also a popular 'snogging spot' when I lived there about 25 years ago!!

Obviously it is rather cold here at the moment but evenings in Kings Park, especially in the summer, are wonderful. The view over the city is second to none. I love picnics at Cottesloe beach - a gorgeous beach and one of the best in the world, IMHO. Most of the spots along the Swan River are nice. I like the area around the University of WA in Nedlands.

Romance is what you make it. It could be having a quiet drink at the Royal in East Perth or a bike ride along the coast or bush-walking up in the hills. In summer-time there are lots of outdoor movie theatres that are fun. I'm sure you'll find lots of things to do in Perth. Have fun being romantic.

Mac123

Hey, going to Bon Scott's memorial would TOTALLY be a dorky romantic thing. I guess just getting to do stuff together is going to be romantic after so much time apart, so here here, Mac123!

Bundygirl - why that as your screen name? My fiance's dog is named Bundy (for the rum), and we call her Bundy-girl, haha!

I recall bike-riding on Rottnest, many years ago!

We hired bikes on the island, and took off. We came to an especially steep part and I hit the brakes. Guess what! Almost no brakes! I careered down the hill, hit the sand, took off over the handlebars, and landed in a messy heap!

Let me assure you it wasn't at all romantic - and certainly not even funny, then. I ached everywhere for days - and that wasn't very romantic, either

Just a word of caution from an old experienced dame!

Kings Park, definetly, and open air movies in the summer. Sunset at Cottesloe beach. Not till next year now but Australia Day fireworks on the river, January 26th.