Hi,<BR><BR>Myself and my girlfriend are going to Australia for about 3 weeks, arriving the 10th of December. We spend the first week in Perth, then move onto Sydney and Melbourne for roughly a week each.<BR><BR>My main question is, any recommendations of things to do/not to do in Perth? Favourite beaches/eaties/pubs/restaurants etc...?<BR><BR>Also interested in any suggestions people have for the other two cities, but have family in them, so hopefully they will take care of me there!<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR><BR>Alistair<BR><BR>

Rottnest Island

Alistair,<BR>In Perth we enjoyed a visit to the old Mint - very interesting and a wonderful guide/gold pourer who was worth seeing just for himself.<BR>I don't know whether you are in to Art - but the Art Gallery is also worth a visit. We did not get to the Museum, but apparently it is also worthwhile.<BR>We also enjoyed a boat trip to &amp; from Fremantle - there is lots to see there and it is a beautiful old city - well restored and 'tarted up' for the Americas Cup several years ago.<BR>We had a very nice lunch at a Pub/Restaurant right opposite Cottesloe Beach - wonderful view of the beach which I am sure you would enjoy - and Cottesloe is a haven for the younger generation - lots of surfing, etc.<BR>I am sure you will enjoy Perth - we found it very 'user friendly' and easy to get around. There is a wonderful free bus system that services the city and suburbs.

Thanks for these answers.

IN regards to Perth, there are lots of great things to do. Beaches wise you can't go past the well-known Scarborough and Cottesloe Beaches. I don't know how old you are but if you're 18-30 a sunday session at Cottesloe cannot be missed. <BR><BR>I would also recoomend doing a tour of the Swan Valley, great wineries and food.<BR><BR>NOrthbridge also has some great bars and restaurants. <BR><BR>Rottnest is also good to see. Hard to describe though. Completely went across my expectations. <BR><BR>I guess this where I become a bit of an advert, but I also work for a co. that does really fun and different day trips to Rottnest and Carnac Islands. We have a yacht that we take over and do lunch and then go snorkelling with the seals. If you're interested check out the website at www.starsand.com.au<BR><BR>I'm sure you'll enjoy Perth its very pretty and laid back.<BR><BR>p.s. Kings Park at night is a must

Scarborough and Cott are both great beaches. Scarborough is better if you want to surf/boogie board. Cott is more calm. Sunday session at the Cottesloe Hotel is a must. In fact, I will be there the week before you will. <BR>Also spend a day walking around Fremantle. Rosie O'Grady's is a great pub there. Rottnest is a good day trip as well. Bike around the island and snorkel in the clearest water.

During your stay in Perth, I would recommend going to Margaret River for 2 nights or so (I believe it was a 2-3 hr bus ride, or you could rent a car and drive). It is a beautiful area with many wineries and nice beaches. I also did a one day 4WD tour to the Pinnacles which also included driving on huge sand dunes, optional sandboarding, and lunch at a remote beach. This was a highlight of my trip, and if you can try to find a tour company that does the Pinnacle part of the trip in the afternoon rather than morning because it will be less crowded. Fremantle was another of my favorite parts.

Yole Alistair<BR>We are heading to Perth for a month and we never seem to get bored there, having family helps out. If I had a week in Perth I would do the following.<BR>Hit Perth city for a day. There is a visitor's center in the Forrest Place which gives great advice and can organise tours. Walk around town, hit the mall, museum, zoo if you like.<BR>Rottnest - stay overnight if you wish, rent bikes, go on tours, visit the underground tours in the Guns, lunch at the Bistro or the quakka arms.<BR>Fremantle - hit any bar for a Redback with lemon. Fisherman's harbour for seafood and fish n chips. The old jail has tours. The museum has history for the old sailing days.<BR>Day trips to the Pinnancles, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri (overnight). Or south to Bunbury, Albany.<BR>Wineries are popular in the Swan Valley near Perth or even better around Margaret River. Eat at the wineries!<BR>Beaches are best at Scarboro, Cott and my favourite City Beach/Floreat. Hillaries is nice for kids with a safe beach, shops and Underwater world.<BR>Eat good Mexican, Italian, Seafood and anything Asian (Thai is my Fav). Have a great trip, you will love Perth, plenty of Poms there to keep you company.<BR>We will be there Dec 17!

Topping for aussie

Is the Roma restaurant in Fremantle still going strong? One time I was there - about 20 years ago when still living there, a guy came in with a big pot and asked them to fill it up with Spaghetti Bolognese - they did not blink and filled it to the brim. It was one of the great value Italian restaurants of Perth for the basic pasta with steak/veal/chicken etc. Is it still?

any new inputs? will be going there next month