We spent a couple of weeks in Perth (1 as we arrived and then again after our road trip). On our first day, temperatures of 40 degrees plus knocked us for 6, but then when it cooled down to mid-20s, we took advantage of the free CAT buses that run around the CBD and explored. We visited the Perth Mint for an entertaining tour that saw a gold pour and where we learnt that Andy’s weight in gold is worth $8,266,966 AUD – sadly, I couldn’t trade him in!!
We saw the oldest building in Perth that holds a very interesting law museum now, visited the St Mary Cathedral with it’s unusual modern extension and St George’s Cathedral with some stunning traditional and modern stained glass windows, admired the beautiful His Majesty’s Theatre and had a tour inside (hard to believe this building was going to be destroyed in the 1980s),
popped into the old Fire Station (now a museum), where the old stables are still marked out on the pavement along with the horses names, listened to the Swan bells in the Bell Tower at Elizabeth Quay (which includes the old 12 bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields, the ANZAC Bell and the old Ascot Race Course Tower clock),
enjoyed a walk around King’s Park with the War Memorial, eternal flame and lovely Botanic Gardens,
we mingled with the Perth Wildcats NBL fans one evening before their game and of course watched some cricket at the stunning Optus Stadium.
Perth CBD has managed to hang on to some of the old buildings showing off its Victorian history amongst the modern glass and steel towers.
One day, we took the Rottnest Express ferry from Perth, along the Swan River (where we passed some very expensive properties), down to Fremantle and out across to the small island of Rottnest. It’s a beautiful place where no cars other than service ones are allowed. There’s a Hop On, Hop Off bus which we took or there’s a small Discovery Tour you can do – weirdly for the size of the island there’s also a train, which takes you to some historic tunnels and gun placements. The beaches are stunning and the sea is crystal clear (but cold!). We stopped off to check out the 2 lighthouses
and met the local inhabitants – Quokkas. They are small marsupials that look like tiny Kangeroos. They can be quite inquisitive or just simply sleep – one seemed to fall asleep in the middle of the main shopping area and just ignore all the comings and goings of the day visitors!
The island was getting ready for the annual Rottnest Channel swim – a 19.7 km open water swim from the mainland to the island! (Sadly it got cancelled due to high winds and swells). Our trip back was on the premium cruise, which included a cheese and wine experience – a lovely way to end the day.
