F&E(Self-drive) in Perth

[ASummerDay]

Hi All

Planning a F&E self driving holiday in Perth in October with my family of 6 include 2 senior cittizen and 2 toddler. First time going to Perth, so i need some advice and comment on my itinerary, also hope to have recommandation on accomodation and place for dinner and lunch.
Thank you so much for all your help

Itinerary
Day 1Reach Perth at 6.30am
Take a cab to the city
King's Park, Lake Monger n Bell Tower
Lunch -
Dinner -
Accomodation -

Day 2 Pick up Car after drive to Hyden (visit Wave Rock)
Accomodation - May be at Hyden

Day 3Start off to Albany in the morningVisit -Old Whaling Station,Mt Clarence,The Gap & Nartural Bridge
Accomadation - somewhere at Denmark

Day 4Visit - Tree Top Walk,Some Winery visiting
Accomadation - somewhere at Margaret River

Day 5 Visit -Leeuwin Light House, Giant Cave
Accomodation - will drive down to Rockingham

Day 6One day tour - Rockingham Wild Encounters to see Dolphin, Penguim & Sea Lion
Accomodation - Back to Perth

Day 7Visit - The Pinnacle
Accomodation - Perth

Day 8Visit Swan Valley
Return rented car
Accomodation - Perth

Day 9 Fremantle
Accomodation - Perth

Day 10Caversham Wild life Park
Leaving for Singapore 1.55 am

 

[mr_voodoo]

Great that you allocated one full day for freemantle.

Go visit the island off freemantle..forgot the name..
its named after this unique species of kangaroo, that cant be found in other place..
think its rottnest island...

Freemantle by itself is just like Bugis area...

Caversham is quite small, and you can complete it very fast.
So have something else to do..

 

[ASummerDay]

Hi Mr Voodoo

Yes the island off fremantle is rottnest island, was still pounding whether to go to that island or not as reading there isnt much except the nice beach.

I have two small kid so i think they will like to spend more time with the animal that why i have a full day there. If there is really nothing then i will spend rest of the time in the city or do you have any nice sugguestion?

Is there any sugguestion of what to do in night before i broad my plane as i hear the shop in perth close rather early around 5pm.

 

[ASummerDay]

Hi

For those that being to Fremantle and Perth city before, please advice is it ok to move around in this two place without a car, is the transport there expensive?

Also please sugguest what is nice to do and must do in Fremantle and Swan valley.

 

[Cheepoozz]

The Rockingham island is quite small.. dont think you will need one day.
i made an early trip out and hv this cover by noon time .. then again. i didnt not went for the sea lions. only went for the penguins and the show.

did you left out the Busselton jetty.. worth the visit

with so many family mebers, i dont think i would it would be easy to go without a car .. anyway rental is dirt cheap as compare to the hefty taxi bills. the trams in my opinion are not as extensive as melbourne or sydney.

can skip swan valley since you are covering Margerat river since thy are pretty much alike .. for your consideration

 

[ASummerDay]

The website state there is half day and full day tour i thought since going might as well join the full day if not half day also dunno go where.

Wish to go to Busselton Jetty also initially but the website state it is under renovation starting from early this year to early next year so will give it a miss, Pemberton steam train also close for this year. Haiz why so many thing is close for this year

Ok den shall keep renting the car for a few more day. How about moving in Fremantle was thinking to take a train there to let the children have a feel.

Anyone can help give advice of the 4WD ride near Pinnacles area. Like to know where to take the ride how much the ride cost and is there age limit, thanks.

Is supermarket easily found there cos think of cooking for dinner everynight since hearing eating out is expensive and i have kid and elderly so i guess self cooking is a better choice .

 

[n2btg]

I think you have most destinations covered.

Try make your trip to Frementle on a weekend, either Sat or Sun. The market only open from Fri-Sun so more lively there. Remember go to the pier for lunch Fish & Chips are nice. If you like beer go Littel Creatures. I would take a train there more convenient, finding parking at Frementle on a weekend can be quite a challenge.

I normally go to Cottlesloe seaside for sunset and an evening run! some eating places there so can eat there after watching sunset. You can see Rottnest Island from there.

For Swan Valley my favourite winery is Houghton Vinyard. It got a very large garden and nice little eatery.

Other places which you might be keen for the kids are Kohunu Koala Park or the Zoo. Can also try Subiaco just about 2 stops from Perth. It's a nice little place with some upmarket shops and eateries.

If I remember correctly one way train ticket from Perth to Frementle is about A$2.50 for adult. Senior Citizen is about half of that. Takes about 30mins.

 

[mangomilkshake]

Very useful info. I'm on F & E to Perth in Nov!
Thanks to all!

 

[krisflyermiles]

If you have kid, remember to visit the Chocolate factory in Fremantle. Should be CAT bus stop 11 or 12. it's on the main road. It's look something like a Petrol Kiosk station.

I just came back from Perth last month. Nice 8 days trip.

 

[bigpunch]

mangomilkshake! wad are the dates u goin? i goin on the nov too alone. lolx. is those places mention above ex?

 

[krisflyermiles]

This is the biggest tour operator in Australia.
Most of the small agency are using this company.
http://www.aptouring.com.au/content.asp?Document_ID=17

For Perth, there is another company called http://www.pinnacletours.com.au/
They also combine their tour with APTtouring.com

Their office are located near to Kings Hotel. From Hay street (main shopping area) is about 10-15mins walk.

 

[slowth84]

woohoo! i'm goin 22-30th oct!

 

[Dr.Vijay]

I just did a small 5-day Perth Trip to celebrate my wife's birthday last month
Well, more like 3 days since my flight schedule was eating into the first and last days.

Highlights were - Sand Boarding on Sand Dunes, 4 Wheel Drive coach over Sand Dunes, Caversham Wildlife Park, Pinnacles Desert, Mammoth Cave (limestone cave), Eagles Heritage Raptor Centre, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Busselton Jetty, spectacular coastal views, wine tasting at Xanadu Winery, Penguin Island, Seal island, dolphin + seal watch cruise and feeding of penguins.

Basically, stayed in a hotel very near the Perth Sightseeing Centre.
Then booked 3 tours in advance from Pinnacle Tours (http://www.pinnacletours.com.au)

These are the 3 that I booked to see the above...

1 Day Margaret River, Eagles, Cave, Wine & Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
http://www.pinnacletours.com.au/tours_details.php?id=455

Dolphin, Penguins and Sea Lions Day Tour
http://www.pinnacletours.com.au/tours_details.php?id=724

1 Day 4WD Pinnacles, Koalas & Sand Boarding Adventure
http://www.pinnacletours.com.au/tours_details.php?id=462


Just a helping hand for those looking for a small, hassle free trip. I'm the sort where I rather take a local tour group than driving here and there as I really don't want that hassle. Plus the professional tour guide is there to relate a lot of information which I like to hear and learn - I will never get to hear about it if I'm on my own. But if there are locations that aren't serviced by the local tours, I would surely take up the drive option

Cheers.

 

[bigpunch]

Hey Dr Vijay! the above mention cannot be gone alone is it? is it a must to follow the tour like 4WD and the sea tour? coz if i am goin alone its abit bored to go see these stuff alone while the rest are all couple.

 

[krisflyermiles]

Hey Dr Vijay! the above mention cannot be gone alone is it? is it a must to follow the tour like 4WD and the sea tour? coz if i am goin alone its abit bored to go see these stuff alone while the rest are all couple.

there are many single people onboard the 4WD. Actually, it quite tiring (8am to 8pm). But fun.
Journey is around 600km for both ways. 1 of the Pinnacle tour bus broke down.
In the end, return back to town around 9.30pm

If you have children, this is good.
They also visit the Koala bear and Kangaroos (Caversham Wildlife Park)

 

[chimpchimp]

4WD bus ride to Pinnacles and back can be tiring yea because of the hard seats and possibly bumpy ride. But then the experience is all worth it because you have the sand dunes and rock formations at the Pinnacles to look forward to! But best to bring along some form of entertainment, it will keep you occupied. Also, you also can tend to fall asleep in the bus as well.

 

[Cheepoozz]

any places for fruits picking in June ?