Self Drive Holiday Perth Blog : A Week Long Adventure - TheWackyDuo.com - Singapore Wacky Digital Underground Outpost

Self Drive Holiday Perth Blog : A Week Long Adventure

The Wacky Duo
Best. Holiday. Ever



The title would probably be reserved for places like skiing in the snowy Swiss Alps, relaxing on the beautiful sandy beaches of the Maldives, a culture-filled trip to Europe, or anywhere with Disneyland for the kids. However, associating it with Perth would fetch far in most eyes, especially since Perth was named one of the 10 worst cities on the planet!

Perth was NOT our original holiday destination.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, it became our alternative to our original self-drive tour in New Zealand that we planned months ahead. For Perth, I had only 2 weeks to prepare for the trip. Given that it was Winter and most of the amusement parks in Perth were closed during this period, our expectation was set at a low bar.

It was anything but dull during this one-week self-drive and hastily planned vacation. In fact, we are calling it our best holiday ever. Perth is perfect for families with young kids. Self-drive is a painless experience and adds flexibility to our holiday agenda. However, considering the short time spent in Perth, we had probably just scratched the surface.

Ride with us as we take you on a week-long adventure in Perth!

Warning: Super long post ahead! 

Looking for a longer holiday? Extend your holiday in Perth by a week with our Self Drive Magaret River One Week Guide.

Day 1: Checking in

We took the morning flight to Perth and reached Perth by 1 p.m. Flight time to Perth is a mere 4.5 hours. It was a short flight, but it took us from Sunny Singapore to Cool Perth. Someone just turned on the air-conditioner for us 24/7.
The adventure started when we collected our car keys from Hertz. Our choice of car was an SUV, the Nissan Qashqai. Given the travelling time spent on the room, we reckoned an SUV would be more comfortable for the rides.

The bill from Hertz is about $100 more than what was indicated on our online booking. However, we were told these additional fees were not included in the package. It was only much later that we realized that it was a holding fee that would be refunded at the end of the booking.
Nonetheless, it will not take a bill of $100 to ruin a holiday. So off we go.

It was a short ride into the City as we checked into our home for the week. Quest on James Street. It was a 2-bedroom apartment with free parking ( a must in Perth City as parking rates can be pretty expensive!

Since it was a weekday, most shops closed at 5-6pm. So, with limited places to go, we decided to venture out of the apartment and found a playground steps away from Quest.

It may be a short day, but it marked the relaxing spirit of the trip. It was a good break from the hustle and bustle of busy Singapore.

Updated 2018 - Quest on James Street has rebranded to Best Western Northbridge Apartment.
You can book the apartment from this link.


Day 2: Day trip to Swan Valley

Highlights: Breakfast at quirky Taylor art and coffee house, Caversham Wildlife Park, Margaret River Chocolate Factory, Winery, Coles

Swan Valley was an easy 30-minute drive to Perth City. Getting to your location is relatively easy. Either pop in the coordinates in your car GPS or your handphone GPS, and you will be there in a jiffy. We used Google Maps and the car GPS and found no difference. You can ditch the car GPS and rely on the handphone to save cost. $100 may not go a long way, but it will pay for a meal for 4 in Perth.
Taylor's art and coffee house
Our day began with breakfast at Taylor's Art and Coffee House. It was a quirky destination with one restaurant and a gallery in the exact location.
Inside Taylor's Art and Coffee House
Let's start with breakfast.

Who could resist a platter of eggs, mushrooms, beans, bacon and sausage?

It was a hearty ( but pricey) meal indeed.

As for the arts, you can view the impressive tree made up of waste from the sea.

There is plenty of artwork incorporated into the setting. You just need to look a little closer...

The space outside the restaurant is excellent for kids to roam about. There is even a sandpit for them to jump in and play.
Caversham Wildlife Park
Next up was a visit to Caversham Wildlife Park at Whiteman Park.

Seeing Koalas is a must in Australia; you could do it at Caversham.

The highlight of the Park is the Kangaroo feeding sessions. Plenty of Kangaroos are in the garden and are accustomed to humans. Feeding them was an easy task with the feeds provided. Farm shows, which feature sheep shearing and dogs mustering sheep, are held at specific intervals.

Other museums, playgrounds, and even a tram ride in Whiteman Park exist. You can spend a whole day at Whiteman. However, since we had limited time, we decided to skip the rest of the attractions and continue to explore Margaret River.

After a 5-minute drive, we reached The Margaret River Chocolate Company.

If you are a chocolate lover, this place would be heavenly,

Especially when you have 3 huge bowls of FREE chocolate for tastings.

There is a cafe there, too, and the white-hot chocolate was divine.

For wine lovers, you will enjoy the wineries found in Swan Valley. Free tasting is available at most wineries, too. In addition, there are plenty more things to do at Swan Valley, such as Swan Valley Cuddly Farm, the Maze, reptile farm and more.

A repeated trip in the future is a must... at least for us.

Our last stop was at Coles. If you live in an apartment, we recommend a trip to Coles to stock up on food and drinks. A trip to a restaurant can be an expensive affair. Our breakfast alone costs almost $90 for 4. A full 3 meals a day would set you back by $300.

We got freshly cooked chicken and pizzas for dinner back at the apartment to mitigate the cost. It cost us less than $30, but it tasted great!

Day 3: Exploring Fremantle

Highlights: The Blue Boat House, Fremantle Market, Fremantle Prison, Fremantle Seafood, King's Park

En route to Fremantle, we stopped at The Blue Boat House (Crawley Edge Boatshed). If you are driving, park at Perth Dinghy Sailing Club and take a 5-minute stroll.

This is the most photographed spot in Perth. The iconic Blue Boat House would be an excellent spot to take OOTD ( Outfit of the Day)
After a 15-minute photo session, we headed off to Fremantle Market.
Fremantle market
On the way to Fremantle market, we spotted several buildings that seemed to need to be put in the right place in London. The early colonial buildings still stand tall and proud, giving Fremantle an old-school European charm.

Fremantle was a perfect getaway for a day trip for someone who admires old historical buildings more than modern skyscrapers.

Fremantle Market is a charming place with a combination of shops selling (mostly) Aussie-made stuff, eateries and a fresh market. If you spot something you like from there, we advise you to get it as you would probably not find one anywhere.
Fremantle Prison
Drivers note that car parks can be found in the multi-storey carpark adjacent to Fremantle markets or around the compound of Fremantle Prison.

Fremantle Prison is an easy 5-minute walk from Fremantle Market. This was the most extensive intact convict Prison in Australia. It had seen the last of the convicts in 1991. Today, it is Western Australia's only World Heritage Site.

There are different tours conducted around Fremantle Prison. From the relatively tame Doing Time tour to the eerie Torchlight tour on the selected evening, there is bound to be a tour to suit different groups.

We took the relatively docile Doing Time tour. It felt a little spooky in parts, especially when we visited the death row section. Kids should be OK during the day, but the creepy night tour is not recommended for their age.

Read our review here.

At least the boys got to view life in a real prison. This would discourage them from chasing a life of crime when they grow up. Seeing the 2-by-1-meter room without TV or iPad insight is a great deterrent. After one visit, The Wacky Duo agreed unanimously that they would walk the righteous path in the future.

I would bring them here again if they started to turn to the dark side.

You could also head to one of the museums found in the vicinity. But, unfortunately, we had to skip that for this trip due to limited time.

In a nutshell, we needed more time for this trip. So the next time we come, it will be for at least 2 weeks.

We did make a pit stop at the famed Kailis Waterfront Fremantle to taste their renowned fish and chips. There are other Seafood restaurants around, but Kailis would be one of the most popular ones in Fremantle.

We took the seafood platter, which was big enough to fill the 4 of us.

Fremantle is a good 45 minutes away from Perth City. By the time we head back, we probably have less than 30 minutes of daylight left. That did not stop us from driving to King's Park for a bird's eye view of the City of Perth.

King's Park is a charming place to picnic and watch the world go by.

If time permits, visit Synergy Parkland with dinosaur-themed play equipment or the Lotterywest family area for kids under 6.

Sadly, we did not have the luxury of time (again). However, that did not stop the boys from enjoying the beautiful lawn in the Park.
Fancy an alternative?
You can leave the car and book a relaxing day tour to explore Perth and Fremantle at a reasonable price from Klook.

Day 4: Pinnacle Day tour with Exploretours Perth

Highlights: Get close to Koalas at Yanchep National Park, visit a lobster factory, savour yummy lobsters, explore the Pinnacles and slide down Lancelin Sand dunes
Okay, I cheated.

It was supposed to be a self-drive tour, but I decided to give myself a break and checked the family into a day trip instead.

Book your Pinnacle tour here from Klook.

We could probably do this portion on our own. What stopped me was that I thought I needed to drive through miles of desert road to reach Pinnacles.

Hey, it's the family's first trip to Perth, so it was forgivable that I had such notions in my head.

It was an easy trip, with the first stop at Yanchep National Park to see Koalas and Kangaroos. It was our second encounter with them during this trip, and it was not our last either!

There was something new for the trip: a visit to the Lobster Shack. The Lobster Shack is open to the public, so you can make it independently if you are self-drive.
The self-tour around the Lobster factory was right. You walk around a big room and see Lobsters in different sections.

That was about it.

The trip's highlight is not the tour but the Lobster itself. The lobsters are available in different grades. The grades determine the size of the lobsters. We had the Grade A Lobsters. Grade A does not mean the lobsters are the most expensive. On the contrary, the grade points to the most miniature lobsters on the menu. It may be the smallest, but it was the freshest lobster I had ever tasted!

Yummy!
Lobster meal at the Lobster Shack
After lunch, we headed down to the Pinnacles.
The Pinnacles are interesting, with plenty of limestone rocks around a desert patch. The initial fear of driving in the desert itself is a complete farce. The roads leading to the desert are (ahem) paved. You get to move around the desert, but it was an easy ride with a path that guided you in a loop. You would find it almost impossible to get lost.

Before the sunset, we drove to Lancelin Sand Dunes for the last activity of the day.... sliding down the sand dunes. It may look daunting initially, but it was a tonne of fun.

Since it was Winter, the day ended quickly. It was already pitch dark when we made our way back to Perth. If you are driving, note the time as the stretch of road leading to Perth has NO street lights.

Klook.com interested in a Sand Dunes Experience without a self-drive?

Book your Pinnacle tour here from Klook.


Day 5: Perth City

Highlights: Mends Street Breakfast, The Bell Tower, Scitech, Myers, Timezone

The day started a little gloomy with rain. Thankfully, the rain did not last long, and we managed to head across Swan River for breakfast.

The next time we plan another Perth holiday, this is where we would love to stay. It felt a lot more relaxed compared to living in the City itself.

Breakfast was at one of the restaurants along Mends Street. After a few days, we realised it would be futile to search for Bee Hoon. So, we had to make do with the standard eggs and bacon menu.

Next up was a trip to The Bell Tower. We had wanted to ring the Bell, but unfortunately, we were there on a bad day, and the bell-ringing session was not open to the public. Check The Bell Tower schedule before a visit if you plan to ring the bells.

Not wanting to lock ourselves up in the Bell Tower, we decided to head to another location.

The rain came again, and we headed towards Scitech Perth. Actually, I gave the boys a choice. Immerse themselves in culture with a visit to Perth Museum or explore interactive exhibits at Scitech, Perth equivalent of the Science Center.

It was an easy decision for the boys. Unfortunately, we ended up in Scitech for the rest of the day. However, it was a good choice, as hours were spent exploring Scietech.




Day 6: Road Trip Margaret's River Day 1

Highlights: Adventurescape, Busselton Jetty, Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

We saved the best part of the trip for the last. At first, I contemplated a day trip to Margaret's River and back to Perth. Thankfully, my senses got to me at the last moment, and we decided to make it a 2-day trip instead of one. In hindsight, we should double the time spent here, as there are plenty of things to do for the kids.

As the ride towards Margaret's River was a good 3 hours from Perth City, we decided to make several pit stops before we reached the hotel. The first stop is Adventurescape, a new playground about an hour's drive from Perth. This is a good stop for kids to stretch their legs and get so tired that they will fall asleep for the next leg.


After all, I can take only so much ' Are we there yet?' while driving.
Busselton Jetty
After another hour or so, we reached Busselton Jetty.

There is a Jetty there with a train ride to the end of the pier that brings you to an underwater observatory at the end of it. Unfortunately, the underwater observatory was closed when we were there.

Busselton Jetty is a place where budding photographer likes to hone their skills. So naturally, the little one decided that HE would be the photographer for the next shot.

Not too shabby.

(Disclaimer: Edited in Lightroom)


After a quick lunch, it was off to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, a mere 20-minute drive away.


We booked the above and below passes so we could tour the lighthouse.

The pass includes entry to the nearby Ngilgi Caves, an easy 15-minute drive away. We guarantee you will be wowed without going to the limestone cave. Ngilgi Caves is the first cave that was opened to tourists in 1900!
Ngilgi Caves
Since then, other caves have been discovered in Margaret's River. There are over 150 caves in the region; the famous ones are Ngilgi Caves, Lake Cave, Mammoth Cave and Jewel Cave.

After a long adventure, we finally went to Margaret's River town.

Our home for the night was the beautiful and modern Margaret River Forest located at the edge of town. It was a 2 story inter-terrace. We wished we had stayed there much longer.

Need a room at Margaret Forest?

Make a booking here.


Day 7: Margaret's River Day Trip 2

Highlights:
Whale Watch, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Cheeky Monkey Brewery

Our last day at Margaret's River started with a bang. We headed towards Augusta and took a whale tour with Whale Watch Western Australia. Before this, we had been on another whale-watching time on the Gold Coast. It was a great experience then, but it pales compared to what we witnessed on this tour.

We were greeted with pods of whales from all directions within minutes of departing from the pier. There were pods of 2 or 3 whales swimming next to us, while at a distance away, we caught a glimpse of a whale breaching. All in all, we spotted over 20 whales.

To cap off the experience, one particular whale entertained us with its breaching. He did it over 8 times within 50 meters of our boat. This was precisely what he looked like below.
We were awestruck.

Best whale watch to date.

Whale Watch at Augusta is only for selected times of the year. We were there in June to catch the whales. See the highlights of our whale watch here.

After the exhilarating experience, we took 5 minutes to drive to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

Initially, I had planned for a lighthouse tour. However, the plans were shelved, given the long trip back to Perth. However, we have decided to be back in Margaret's River shortly. There are many things, such as farm stays and caves, that we have yet to explore.

Locals will tell you you should attend the wineries if you head to Margaret's River. We spotted more open or more wineries along the journey and stopped at one for lunch.
Cheeky Monkey
The one we decided to head to is Cheeky Monkey. However, it is not a Winery but a Brewery!

No wines but beers on the tap.

No matter, the famous cheeky burger helps. Besides, since I am driving, I can't drink anyway.
As for the kids, a brewery or winery does not matter to them. Not when there is a playground on site for them to explore.

Soon, it was time for a 3-hour ride home. Unlike the initial trip, there was no pit stop as the boys and mommy fell asleep in the car. As for me, it was one of the most pleasant and peaceful rides I ever took. At least no one asked.

'Are we there yet? '

If you plan to do the same, we recommend a pit stop about 20 km before you reach Perth City. This stop has McDonald's and Red Rooster. The address follows

You could pick up some dinner before returning to your apartment/hotel in Perth. Trust me, you would need it as you are too tired to head out after a 3 hours drive.

Updated (Sep 2017) - We love Margaret River and decided it warrants a week's visit.

Read about our Self Drive Margaret River experience and 25 activities for kids in Margaret River.

Day 8: Goodbye Perth!
Perth Zoo
Saying goodbye to Perth was not easy, so we headed to the zoo after checking out the hotel. Our flight was in the afternoon, so we had enough time to squeeze in one last tourist spot.

Perth Zoo has everything from the mini dinosaur-looking chameleon to the T Rex.
The T-Rex may not be honest, but they moved and were life-sized!

We did say our goodbyes to the Kolas before we left.

Perth was a great city to visit for us. Compared to other cities, there are more natural attractions to explore than manmade attractions. There are theme parks in Perth, but they are closed for Winter. Truth be told, we do not miss them at all. Perth had wowed us so much that we thought of getting a small apartment there to make it our holiday home.

We will be back in Perth!


Need more suggestions?
 

Here are 25 top attractions in Perth for kids

Tips for Perth
It is easy to live in Perth. Here are some tips to make your holidays easier.
1) Get your SIM card at the airport.

There are Optus and Vodafone outlets at the airport. We got Optus because they have a deal at $2 per day. The reception was pretty good throughout the trip. Before your trip, check the respective telco sites for the best sale.

Do note the SIM cards do not allow tethering ( at least ours does not). If you need a shared connection, Changi Recommends outbound wifi as a must based on our past experiences.

#update 2017: If you are travelling to Margaret Rivers, the Telstra Card works the best as it covers most areas. Optus do have reception issues in Margaret River.

2) Rent a car
It is almost a must if you stay in Perth. Forget about renting the GPS unit, as Google Maps works just as well. Do note, however, the speed restrictions in the City. The traffic police are very ' on the ball', and you could be fined if you exceed 1 km of the speed limit.

Remember, it is the speed limit, not the speed target. So drive like a turtle; no one will honk at you.
Driving is on the same side as in Singapore, so everything should be clear for Singapore drivers.

These are the guidelines for child seats for those going with young kids.
  • Birth to under six months to be restrained in a rearward-facing child restraint (e.g. infant capsule).
  • Six months to under four to be restrained in a rearward or forward-facing child restraint with an in-built harness.
  • Four to under seven to be restrained in either a forward-facing child restraint or booster seat restrained by a correctly adjusted and fastened seat belt or child safety harness.
For more information, refer here.

*Do note that some portable booster seats are not allowed in Australia.
Refer here to the approved child seats.
Source: Kmart

Consider getting a booster seat in Australia instead of renting one.
This booster seat from Kmart is retailing at AUD49. It is foldable, and you could use it for other self-drive travels. Best of all, it is Australian Approved!

3) Get a pocket full of coins
You would need it for parking. Parking is by meter, so do get your coins ready. As parking is expensive, do prepare a lot more cash.

4) Stay in an apartment with a car park

Apartments will be a better deal than hotels. You get more spaces and bedrooms to roam about. A family of 4-5 should be comfortable in a 2 bedroom set up. Some apartments come with free parking, so it is a great deal. Getting an apartment with car parking is also helpful as you are not guaranteed a parking spot, especially in popular places.

You can book your apartments here from booking.com.


5) Shop for groceries early if you get an apartment.
With a meal averaging $20-$30 with drinks EACH, it is best to prepare some meals on your own. If you are willing to splurge, no problem, go ahead. If not, getting some food from Coles is a good alternative. Coles is also stocked with freshly cooked chicken, shepherd's pie, and more for a complete meal. Staying in an apartment will be great as you have a proper meal dining table.

6) Learn to relax
Do very little or do a lot. It does not really matter. The pace in Perth is much slower compared to Singapore. So just take a deep breath, relax and enjoy Perth!


Drop us an email if you want us to plan your holidays. We can customise an itinerary according to your requirements for a small fee.

Disclosure
All expenses on this trip are from our own pockets. If you like what we do for this post, support us by clicking on the affiliate links above. All the costs will be the same as the website. TWD will get a small remuneration for the tours/rooms booked in return.



Information correct as of July 2016

187 comments:

  1. Hi, may i know if optus sim card coverage is good at margaret river areas?

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    Replies
    1. It was ok for Margaret River but I did lost signal on the way to Pinnacles

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  2. Thank you for your post! really interesting we are going to Perth for 2 weeks in winter next year so some good places to visit x

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  3. Thank you for the indepth post. I was planning for a trip to Perth for my family and lot's of idea was generated through your sharings.

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  4. may i know if you need to get the whale watching ticket and the above and below pass in advanced? thanks!

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    1. I book them in advance for the trip. The above and below pass can be bought on the spot. The whale watching too... but we do advise to book in advance for the whale watching just in case it is full

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  5. Thanks for your post too! It is very helpful!

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  6. Great info given. Thanks! Btw may i know how much u spend for petro in Perth? Also any tips or other services i shd look at for car rental?

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    Replies
    1. Surprisingly the Nissan Quashi is an economic car. We only top up twice. Less than $100.
      If you have an European car, fuel economy might not be that good

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  7. hi thnks for sharing..its very interesting..as we are going in the next couple of weeks..it really helps and give us some pointers to note...thanks again..

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  8. hi thanks for sharing..its very interesting..as we are going in the next couple of weeks..it really helps and give us some pointers to note...thanks again..

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  9. Thanks for sharing. Great info for my upcoming perth trip. Btw Will u recommend for additional insurance coverage instead of juz basic one? Thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you drive safely , basic one will be just fine. If you are heading out of town and it is your first time there, for a piece of mind, a comprehensive insurance deal might be better

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  10. Loved your write-up and details. I'm going there this weekend, so I find this really helpful.

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    Replies
    1. You are welcome Maryanne. Enjoy your trip!

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  11. Just sharing. Whale watching is at busselton jetty instead of augusta from September to December period.

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  12. Hi there,

    Appreciate if you can share the location of the pitstop 20km before reaching perth. The one that has Macdonalds and Red Rooster which you mentioned. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. It should be this one BP service centre , lot 191 , paparone road, baldivis wa 6171 . 45 mins away to Perth

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  13. I spotted the place when we exited Perth . It's one of the rest stop along the freeway. Can't recall the exit point but it was the first stop out of Perth city

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  14. Hi, can I have all your accommodation list from day 1 to last day. Thanks

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    Replies
    1. We only stayed at Quest in Perth and Margaret Forest in Maragret River

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  15. Excellent journal with pictures and details. Just in time for my coming Perth trip end next month

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  16. Hi, if i follow your itinerary, can i take Caravan instead of car?

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    Replies
    1. Are you staying in the caravan? You need to look for caravan parks if you do ( we spotted some along the trip)If you are staying in hotels, it should not be an issue ( except for indoor parking)

      Delete
  17. Hi, Thank you and what a wonderful article on Perth. I am going there in Nov with my family. Do you think it's feasible to drive all the way from Margaret River to the Perth Airport to catch a 2:15pm flight back to SG? Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. It takes about 3-4 hours without break and jam to get from Margaret River to Perth. I would not recommend it especially if you need to be in the airport by 12pm. Personally, I would not do it as it is a very tight timeline

      It would be much better if you take a night flight or stayover in Perth for the night.

      Delete
  18. Hi! Thanks for sharing all the lovely photos and comprehensive itinerary - they're going to be so useful in planning our trip there in Dec! I'm just wondering, would you say the Ngilgi Caves are manageable for our 2.5 yr old tot to explore with us? I would love for him to experience being in a cave, but I'm not sure if it's safe for us to visit with him in tow. Thanks lots for taking the trouble to reply!

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    Replies
    1. For 2.5 yr old , climbing up and down the caves might be a tad challenging by themselves . If you are willing to carry them , it should not be difficult as the Ngilgi is pretty easy to explore . Hope it helps :)

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    2. Alright, I see... Thanks for sharing your view on this!

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  19. Hi, may I know for the car rental, what were the hidden addition charges and did you book through hertz own website or through other websites like vroom vroom? I am going to perth in mid November and was thinking of using Hertz until I read your post.

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    1. I booked through their website directly . Till now I still can't figure out why the difference in the price I book and the price they charge . Also they actually charge you before the night before trip from your cc. When I asked them for explaination at the counter , the staff was clueless . I send them an email and no reply too . That's my own experience . You might like to read reviews on TripAdvisor to decide on their services .

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    2. Sounds risky to book from hertz. I will try other renters. Thank you for your advise!:)

      Delete
  20. Hi TWD, can I ask where is the stop where theres Mcdonald's and red rooster? Is it near stock land or baldivia?

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    1. It should be this one BP service centre , lot 191 , paparone road, baldivis wa 6171 . 45 mins away to Perth

      Delete
  21. hayy, thank's for sharing the story and pictures, it's lovely. I have a question, i'm going to Perth on 25th November 2016 and plan to buy a sim card at airport, do you think they can activated the sim card on my phone? because i ever bought a sim card at coles from the last time i visit Australia, i went to Darwin and i tried activated it by myself but it didn't work and it was pretty confused me on that time.
    cheers

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  22. We got it install on the spot for SIM card at airport :)

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  23. Thanks for such a comprehensive articles and it is such a joy reading it. we are traveling as a couple. food sold at coles are cooked? how much does it cost for an apartment?

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    Replies
    1. Hi there.
      There are
      Cooked food available at coles . You can find BBQ chicken and lagsana there . It's like cold storage in Singapore . As for apartment , it ranges . Checking booking.com for prices :)

      Delete
  24. hayy . may i know can the optus reception help me to activate the sim card?

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  25. hi, may I know if the Margaret River accommodation was Margaret's Forest at Bussell Highway? Were there decent food options in the area? Thanks!

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  26. Great adventures with nice pictures, thanks for your posting

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  27. Hi,

    May I know if we need international driving licence to drive in Australia?

    Regards
    EUgene

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi, intend to do some driving in perth, May I ask what are the parking charges like ? and tips on parking, like coles, are those free parking or?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Parking charges varies at different parts of town . Can be quite expensive especially in the city . For outskirts like swan valley , parking is much cheaper . Can't remember if coles is free parking . It might be for the one near swan valley .

      Delete
  29. Hi, how do I book Lancelin sand dunes slides if I plan to drive there myself?

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    Replies
    1. Get them from the petrol station located before you turn into the sand dunes . Alternatively I think there might be so locals renting out boards on site .

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    2. Thanks so much! Really like your post! Youre so funny too!

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    3. Oh .. you are too kind . Thanks for the compliments . Glad you like the post as much as I enjoy writing it :)

      Delete
  30. I'm planning a 6 day road trip in Perth with my parents and my 1.5 year kid, so your blog post was very informative and useful, thanks! How was the temperature in June? It gets more chilly at night doesnt it?

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    Replies
    1. Weather was great while we were there . It was cool but not too cold . Most nights we were indoor , so did not notice the weather :)

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  31. HI May I know which package you chose for the whale watching? thanks

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    Replies
    1. It's from Whale Watch Western Australia. It's the standard package

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  32. thank you for your awesome write up. Im going to perth for the first time in July this year for 5d4n. your article was helpful to plan my itinerary

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  33. thank You For Your Post. Its very interesting to see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome . Do read our other travel adventure .

      Delete
  34. hi, I figured you stayed in MR and drive to Augusta for the jewel cave and Whale Watching? Would it be better to stay in Augusta instead?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi, im going to Perth in May. May i have your itinerary? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This blog post was the itinerary :)
      We did exactly what was written here for our trip.
      Enjoy Perth !

      Delete
  36. Hi, may I know how much did your family spent over at Perth in total (estimated amount in SGD)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excluding airfares, it was about 5K for 8 days.
      Includes Accommodation, Car Rental ( Full coverage), Food , Attractions and miscellaneous.

      Delete
  37. how much is the lobster charges? is it expensive?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had it as part of the tour we took .
      For their menu, it cost about Aud 33 and up . Menu can be found here http://www.lobstershack.com.au/at-the-shack/food/

      Delete
  38. Hi TWD. May I know does childseat/booster is required if you bring kids and driving in Perth?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. By law , you would need it for 6 and below or if of a certain height .

      Delete
  39. Hi TWD,

    Can I know how you booked for your margaret River Modern Home. We would like to stay there too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We book directly through their website
      http://margaretsforest.com.au/

      Delete
  40. Hi there, may I know the place that you mentioned you would like to stay next time, is it in Perth city? Do you know any street name/ neighbourhood name etc? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi, I am travelling to Perth tomorrow. Is there any way to pay the parking charges using cards (smart)? Or should we need to pay only using coins? Where did you manage get coins?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi, Thanks for your informative and interesting post. May I know after 6pm what are the usual activities we can do in Perth?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most malls close at around 6-7pm . The places that are open are the restaurants. We just head back to the apartment after our dinner .

      Delete
  43. Your photos are marvelous! Thanks for taking the time to share your itinerary. Very useful and practical tips.
    Wishing you all the best in your travels.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Ohhh! Really love your post! So much inspiration! Thinking of doing a short slow pace relaxing one this June, perhaps 5-6days n easier on the pocket. What's your recommendation for itinerary for 2 adult + 14 & 9 yo?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you are just looking at Perth , just head to Swan Valley , Fremantle , Botanic Gardens plus zoo . most activities are budget friendly . Alternative skip Perth and just head to Margaret River to chill at the wineyards and caves :)

      Delete
  45. Thanks a lot for the tip! Will look through your suggestions!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I were to follow your recommended itinerary and maybe plus pinnacle, which area (NSEW Perth) would you recommend that I stay?

      Delete
  46. If I were to follow your suggested itinerary, which area would you recommend that I stay at?

    ReplyDelete
  47. Thanks for the sharing. May I check which apartment did you stayed in and if it's close to town?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stayed in quest in James street ( it's now call Best Western Northbridge Apartment ) . It's near the town centre . South Perth is also a good location . Don't think you need to stay too close to the city if you are driving as you would most likely spend your time out of the city exploring .

      Delete
    2. Hi, was it noisy with the police HQ opposite Best Western Northbridge?

      Delete
    3. I am also looking to the 2 apartment configuration. Do you have any idea what is the difference between standard and executive rooms?

      Delete
    4. It was not noisy at all. The unit we stayed actually face the main road. The police station is actually on the other side of the road so we did not even see it .

      Delete
    5. Not quite sure about executive vs standard . You might want to check their website for more details .

      Delete
  48. Very good blog. Easy to read yet informative. I'm planning a family trip to Perth in June with 2 young kids so your blog is a godsend. Do you find that wifi is readily available in restaurants and cafes?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping in . We were not quite sure about the wifi in cafes as we were using our changi recommends wifi router. If you are going on a road trip , that is a must have item . The apartments we stayed had wifi though , so you might like to check that out when you book your hotel / apartment . Have a good trip !

      Delete
  49. Very informative blog.how safe on the road for a new driver?
    My son just got his license n we intend to rent a car to access outlying area!
    How long from Perth city to Pinnacles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The outskirts are relatively safe due to less cars on the road . However do watch the speed as some areas can be quite fast. Some roads are single lanes , so you have to be careful on those . Perth to Pinnacles is about 2.5 hours drive .

      Delete
  50. Hi

    Thanks for sharing all these information. Love the pictures and how thorough you were. I was thinking of doing a short Perth trip too this June and your itinerary is perfect for our family with three rascals!

    Also, may I know if you booked your own flights and accommodation?

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hi TWD,

    Thanks for the informative post! Very useful for my upcoming self drive trip to Perth this June! May I ask for your Fremantle Market visit, are the road jam with cars going to the multi storey carparks near to the market? Or would you recommend parking like 15min away and walk over to avoid the jam? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was quite ok for us . We parked at Queensgate car park. Otherwise, park at Parry Street carpark near Freamantle Prison. It is only a 5 minutes walk away:)
      Use Google map to find the carparks. We rely on that throughout our trip.

      Delete
  52. May I know your accommodation during your family trip in Perth?tq

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We stayed at Quest on James street in Perth and Margaret Forest at Margaret River .

      Delete
  53. Hi, may I know the month u went? do u have your itinerary in excel/word? Could send me a copy at char8018@gmail.com? Tia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi . We went in June . Unfortunately we do have not have a copy of the trip . However this online itinerary pretty much indicated what we did for the trip :)

      Delete
  54. Hi hi, may I check is parking in Perth chargeable for most??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you are in Perth City - yes. If you are in Margaret River - quite a few spots are free.

      Delete
  55. Hi hi is parking in Perth all chargeable?

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hi, may I know which petrol station you topped up at before you returned the car at Perth airport?
    Thanks
    Joe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't remember as we took the one that was on the way to the airport in the city . It should not be a problem as airport is only about 15-20 mins away .

      Delete
  57. Hi,
    Can i check with you do we need to apply for International Driving Permit with Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) in order to drive in Perth?

    Thank you in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Hi,
    Can i check with you do we need to apply for International Driving Permit with Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) in order to drive in Perth?

    Thank you in advance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Spore license is good enough . Remember to bring it with you :)

      Delete
  59. Hi, am travelling to Perth for the very first time in a couple of days. I was doing some readings and came across your post. Can you share more information about The Pinnacles?

    Is it free-entry? Do you need to hire a guide in advance for the visit? Or can we just self-drive, park and then explore the area, own time own target? What else is interesting there in the arena. Thank you. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's free entry and you can self drive . We took a tour for our trip . Our review can be found here http://www.thewackyduo.com/2016/08/pinnacles-lancelin-dunes-and-lobster.html?m=1

      Delete
    2. Thank you very much for the reply. Ok, will go check out the link. :)

      Delete
  60. How many days to stay in Margaret River is enough?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We stayed foe 2 days but it was not enough. We love how laid back it was and decided to go there for a week this coming holiday :)
      It really depends on the agenda. If you are into Caves, Lighthouses, Farms, Wineyards , outdoor maze and even whale watching. You might want to spend a few days there.

      Delete
    2. I'm looking at a apartment located at prevelly and my friend do recommend staying at Busselton. Based on your experience, which area would you recommend to stay if I'm going to spend 3nights there?
      I've booked an apartment at Mullaloo Beach for 3nights for exploring Perth city, Fremantle and Pinnacles followed by MR and lastly 1 nights in Swan Valley for exploring arnd Swan Valley and Caversham Wild life park before or flight back. For this itineraries, Do you think I should save 1more night for Swan Valley?
      Tq!

      Delete
    3. Not quite sure about Busselton hotels as we only made a quick stopover there. Pinnacles and MR are in complete opposite direction so it is best to stay at the respective areas if you want to travel more efficiently. We spend a day at Swan Valley . Should be enough unless you are planning to make stops at the vineyards .

      Delete
  61. Good Afternoon.. Thank you for this travel blog. Great information and I relied on it for my family travel plan. May I know what time did you depart from Perth to Busselton Jetty?Is there anything to do other than the uderwater observatory. It seems that you still can manage to squeeze in time for the lighthouse and cave tour. Did you book in advance? I plan to follow your itineary but worried that I might be late in checking in the Margaret Forest apartment as the reception closed at 6pm. Thanks to advise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi . We left pretty early from Perth .
      Think is was about 8 . Reach Busselton by 1130 ( we had a stopover at the playground ) had to rush through the caves and lighthouse and checked in at about 5. It was too close ! You might want to consider 2 nights at MR . It will be worth it .

      Delete
    2. Hehee..so is very rushed..therefore I had followed your advice hence I already booked 2 days in MR. If not it will be rushed and so tiring to drive...Thank you and continue to enjoy your family blog...

      Delete
    3. You are welcome. . You will enjoy MR . We love it so much that we plan to back just to spend a week there :)

      Delete
  62. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We paid by credit card. .it was deducted a day before the trip with an additional cost for bonds . The final bill is settled when you return the car

      Delete
  63. Hi, Do you mean that Optus prepaid does not allow tethering?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure it was my device , but I could not do it the last time . If you are heading to places like Margaret River , Telstra will be better

      Delete
  64. Hi, just to clarify. In day 2, you mentioned you went to Swan Valley and then you said took 5mins to reach Margaret River Chocolate Company. Looking at the map, I thought Swan Valley and Margaret River is very far apart? Kindly enlighten me. Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret River Choc factory has another branch at Swan Valley . The website should have the address . Ps. It looks almost similar to the Margaret River branch . We had been to both( on separate trips .

      Delete
  65. Had a great read, like the photos very much. Do you mind to share the camera model that you used to take those wonderful photos?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the compliments . Photos were taken with an Olympus omd em 1

      Delete
  66. Hi, would you recommend Quest on James Street? Is it a good accommodation other than the fact that it has free parking? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We tried the Peninsular Service Apartment and like it better there . You might want to check it out

      Delete
    2. Hi, what is the name of Aparment in Margaret River? Thanks..

      Delete
  67. Hi does we need to pay toll fees in perth as I plannning my 1st road trip. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hi, for the pinnacle tour, may I know how much per pax? Does it include 4 wheel drive? Any idea if we self drive, can we book a 4 wheel drive at the park there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We book from http://www.exploretoursperth.au you might want to check the prices there . It's a chartered bus . Not sure what 4WD you are looking for but a normal car should take you there . Self Drive might be cheaper too :)

      Delete
    2. I heard is a four-wheel driving over the dunes. Drive down from a steep slope, just like sand boarding. Only special vehicle can do that.

      Delete
    3. There are private 4WD at the sand dune . It would be better if you Self Drive there instead of taking the tour . The tour has limited timing and that means little extra time to hire 4WD

      Delete
    4. Hi, thank you very much for your advice :)

      Delete
  69. Would you recommend going Perth in November? Would it be too hot vs Singapore? Would whale watching be available at that time, that seems like the best item on your trip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nov is spring , so weather is still good . Spore will still be hotter during this time .
      http://www.australia.com/en-sg/facts/weather/perth-weather.html
      Whale Watch season will be over in Augusta , but should be available in Perth . Do check with the Whale Watch companies there. Do note every Whale Watch experience is different . Not everytime you can catch a breach .
      Perth is a good city to explore on your own , so go discover its hidden treasures :)

      Delete
  70. Thanks for your complete article on Perth.

    I've been traveling to Sydney and Brisbane with our young kids. And it never have crossed my mind to have a trip to Perth because it sounds boring and hot ... Well it appeared I thought wrong then lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome. If you intend to visit, spend more time at Margaret River. We spend a week there for our last holidays and it was fantastic! Look out for our experience on the blog :)

      Delete
  71. June in Perth is known to be the wettest month, however, from your pictures it seem to me of good weather when u were there in June. Were you there during early June?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Forest. It's in the heart of the town. Plenty of food options.

      Delete
  72. Hello! May I know how much SGD did you all (adults) spend on avg per day? Will be going there for 8 days, but not too sure how much AUD to change. Thanks in advance! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I budgeted aud 100 (sgd 110) per day for food and entertainment . It should be sufficient . Add another Aud 500 for petrol / shopping /etc . More if you are going there for wine and fine dining !

      Delete
  73. Hi I was planning on bringing our own booster seats until I saw you mentioned portable booster seats are not allowed. Are they very strict on this? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  74. hi, i'm bring my 2 year old and 4 year old kids to perth soon. So i will need to rent the childeat and booster seat with the car rental company?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes , you would have to as it is required under the law . Better be safe than sorry .

      Delete
  75. Thanks for sharing. Been looking at your itenary many times. The tour agencies seem to recommend staying a day in busselton and mandurah along the way to margaret river, but i googled and didn't see anything much other than the jetty in busselton and the dolphin watch in mandurah. Would you recommend a stopover in mandurah for a day for the dolphin and cruise?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi James . Thanks for reading . It depends on when you visit MR . During June , Whale Watch was only available at Augusta . Mandurah is about 2 hours drive to the heart of MR . You might want to consider a stop at Dunsbourough instead if you are heading for Whale Watch in Mandurah . We have another itinerary dedicated to MR road trip . You might like to check that out http://www.thewackyduo.com/2017/09/margaret-river-self-drive-holiday-blog.html?m=1

      Delete
  76. Hi Wacky Duo. This self drive Perth tips is exactly what I was looking for. Bless you. You really saved me a lot of time and research. Please continue to write and go on holidays. I’m probably gonna be a copycat and just follow ur itinerary. I’m going in September - 8 days and I hope I can get to watch some whales as well but they migrate so I’ll probably hv to follow the appropriate tour for that

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like it. Do support us if you are booking your hotels through booking.com by clicking on the links above :)

      Delete
  77. Hi. Thanks for sharing your itinerary. However, your comment: "*Do note that portable booster seats are not allowed in Australia." has me puzzled. I brought portable booster seats both times to Australia. 1st time to Perth and 2nd time to God Coast and no one said anything. Where did you get this info from?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Serene . You might want to check here to see if the booster seat you carried are allowed. https://www.productsafety.gov.au/standards/child-restraints-for-use-in-motor-vehicles Certain portable models (eg mifold) are not on the list. If yours match the information , it will be good. Technically all restraints in Australia must have the AS/NZS 1754 Stickers as per the law.
      http://www.roadwise.asn.au/child-car-restraints-faq.aspx
      We had not been stopped before by the police, but it may be safer to follow the rules set. Hope this helps!

      Delete
    2. Hey thanks for replying. I shall check it out. But my booster seats are so old I doubt if the stickers are still there! Lol!

      Delete
  78. Hi, thank you for your great post!!! We are going this june and thinking going to have apple or fruits picking. Any recommendations? Why you didn't go for that during your trip? Any special reason?
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Too many activities in Perth and that did not cross our mind :) Will save it for the next trip down !

      Delete
  79. Thank you for your super fast reply!!! We only going for 5 days ~ 3 full days in between. Grabbed the deal when SIA got promotion to perth ~ 420 per person!!!
    Thought of going MR for 1 day but after read your post, think need to put aside. Going swan valley for 1 day, Fremantle and city and factory outlet for 1 day, fruits picking and shopping for 1 day.

    ReplyDelete
  80. hi, will be bring my kids this coming Jun. Your blog is good for me to plan my coming trip. I booked 3N @ Margaret Forest too. If i depart from Perth @ 9am (the day before will be going Pinnacles) stopby: Mandurah, Adventurescape, Busselton Jetty, and final check-in Margaret Forest. What would be your advice? Will the sky turn dark if i reach at MR about 5.30pm? Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You probably can skip Mandurah. With stops your drive time is about 4-5 hours. Probably reach there around 2-3pm. If you are going in June, it will be winter. It gets dark at about 530 pm.

      Delete
    2. Do check out our posts on Margaret River for the activities to do there with kids :)
      https://www.thewackyduo.com/2017/09/margaret-river-self-drive-holiday-blog.html

      Delete
  81. Hi, your blog was very informative and helpful :). Am going to Perth in mid august with my kids aged 10 and 8. Noticed the weather in August is about 8 to 19 deg celcius. Was wondering how i should dress my kids and in how many layers. Thank you in advance :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simple layering would do. It's like Air conditioning 24-7

      Delete
  82. Hi, thanks for your great post! I didn't realise there are so many activities in Margaret River region and they looked so fun. In your post, you guys stayed at Pullman Resorts, followed by the Margaret Forest Holiday Apartment. I haven't been to Margaret River before, so wondering why you guys did so. Or is it possible to stay put at Margaret Forests and move around to the various places of interests? Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret River is closer to caves, farms and whale watch. To save time from traveling, we split the hotels. One way from Pullman to Augusta is about 1.5 to 2 hours

      Delete
  83. Hi...greetings fom M'sia! I must say that your write up is really interesting. I will be going to Perth next month, Is it easy to travel around the city by grabcar ?

    ReplyDelete
  84. Hi! How was the weather when you went in June? I heard that it gets rainy, but your photos seem to show otherwise. Also, you didn't go to Rottnest to see the quokkas? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's cool and hardly rain. Did not get to go to Rottnest. Maybe the next trip :)

      Delete
  85. Hi! May I know where is the place that you took the ferries wheel? Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  86. HI, you only stay one night at Margaret River Forest?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For this trip , yes only one night. It was not enough and we were back at Margaret River for a week the next year!
      https://www.thewackyduo.com/2017/09/margaret-river-self-drive-holiday-blog.html

      Delete
  87. Perth is an amazing tourist destination and i always love to visit in Perth specially in Fremantle.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Hello, really enjoyed your blog... Thanks for all the useful information. Between Yallingup Maze and Amaze'N, which would you recommend as we only have time for one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If it is maze you are looking for , Yallingup Maze is more interesting. We have been to both, check out the photos here https://www.thewackyduo.com/2017/09/margaret-river-self-drive-holiday-blog.html

      Delete
  89. Thanks for the wonderful description! Do you think having a home base in Perth, or driving through staying at different places every night is better? I'm planning a similar self-drive vac with a 12 & 15 year old mid-June - probably 7-8 days. We're not really keen on cities - so staying in Perth has little interest for us - other than perhaps an overnighter on the day of arrival or departure.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really depends on where you want to head off to. If you are planning to head to Margaret River, a stay there is necessary due to the distance. If you are only visiting Perth , Fremantle and Swan Lake, just stay in one spot as drive is only 30mins to 1 hour. Does not make sense to switch hotels daily due too the check in / check out time + the hassle of packing and unpacking

      Delete
  90. Hi! What an awesome itinerary, looks like you had a lot of fun! I'm so happy when I see other families traveling with their kids in Perth! We live here and already visited Margaret River, Busselton, the beaches on the western coast, etc.! Lots of things to do for families!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Caversham wildlife park is great for getting up close and personal with kangaroos!

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  92. Such beautiful photos! And some great ideas. We're heading over there later in the year and you've provided some fantastic places for us to look into.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Informative content. Thanks for sharing the great piece of information with us.

    ReplyDelete

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