Trip in Dec 2005 - self drive with family around Perth & the beautiful Southwest. I think our itinerary below is quite comprehensive already, and we didn't feel rushed at all!
Balancing Rock
Places visited in Perth itself:
Swan Bell Tower - unique looking building and one of the few attractions worth seeing in Perth city itself
Perth Central Station - i liked the night view of it
Rottnest Island - not worth going IMO, unless u really like to surf/swim. Good on hot, sunny days though. The ferry ride there is ex! I think its tought to cycle around there too
Fremantle - nothing much, except maybe the Prison and the Markets - go on weekends
Kings Park - try the Federation walkway!
Perth Mint
Harbourtown Shopping - You can spend the whole day here man!
Lake Monger - Where were all the elusive black swans when we went there? Not worth going all the way IMO
Cottesloe Beach
Pinnacles
Southwest:
Porongurup NP - Gilbatrar Rock, Tree-in-a-Rock (5 min stroll fromc arpark), Castle & Balancing Rock (abt 45 min walk one way. Trek up to Castle rock is tougher, but worth it)
Albany, Mt. Clarence Lookout
Brig Amity Replica - photo stop
The Gap & Natural Bridge - go when the swell is there
Goode Beach
Albany Wind Farm - interesting stop to see windmills
Green Pools @ Denmark - beautiful green coloured pools - safe haven for swimming
Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk - cheap and worth every cent
Ancient Empire Forest Walk
Gloucester Tree in Pemberton - make the 60m climb up! It;s not scary at all!
Beedelup Falls enroute to Augusta - not really worth the time
Old Water Wheel
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse - so so tour only
Jewel Cave Tour - intersting tour IMO, esp if u like staclactites etc
Busselton - jetty (didn't walk all the way to the obseravtory at the end though)
Magaret River Cheese & Chocolate Factories
Leeuwin Estate Winery - Go in Feb where concerts are held anually
Canal Rocks - Cape Naturaliste NP
Donnybrook orchards - some cheap fruits/cider on sale
Bunbury - (dolphins anyone?)
Mandurah - waterfront houses
Favourite spots:
Senset @ Busselton jetty
Sunset @ Cottesloe and Busselton
Harbourtown Shopping! You seriously need 1 full day at least to properly enjoy the shops. Think clothes more sutied to the udner 30s though
Kings Park - great Perth city views. The Federation walkway is quite nice.
Castle & Balancing Rocks - awesome Rock formations very worth the 45 min - 1 hr one way easy trek up
The Gap & Natural Bridge - Go when the tide is high and the waves crashing in would be awesome! Check out the blowholes too when the weather is foul/swell is up
Albany Wind Farm - Like windmills? Then this is the place for you!
Green Pools @ Denmark - Try swimming here! Many people were swimming in this beautiful, safe lagoon/pool
Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk - Perched 50m high up in the air, admiring trees as high as 60m!
Gloucester Tree - Try it! It's kinda once in a lifetime thing. Great views at the top. Many colourful parakeets to snap
Canal Rocks
Mandurah Waterfront houses are so beautiful
What's really great:
Sunset @ Cottesloe
The Sunset @ Busselton Jetty is a must!!! It's breath taking Or if you can't make it all the way to Busselton, the sunset at Cottesloe Beach is worthwhile too!!
I really liked the Green pools at Denmark too. The colours of the pool made nice photo ops!
Porongurup NP and the various Rocks were great hikes IMO. Try to find time for it and you would enjoy the views
Sights:
The Pinnacles
What i didn't Like: Don't bother making up the trip to the Pinnacles! It's so far! Wanted to try sandbaording down the sand dunes at Lancelin, but could not find time to do so though.
Bring tons of insect repellent along as the flies are so irritating! A mosquito net would be useful too IMO.
Accommodations:
Green Pools @ Denmark
Stayed at Comfort Hotel Perth City and The Alderney on Hay Apartments - nice apartment, though a bit far walk from downtown. But there's always the free CAT bus service though
Pelican's Holiday Village in Albany - very cheap and reasonable rates
Best Western Pemberton - nice built up motel in the very small town
Geographe Guest House - highly recommended, though rooms may be a bit small, but it is very homely and breakfast is great! Try to spend 2 nights in Busselton!
Benjamin,
So good of you to start writing straight away. Perth and surroundings sound fascinating, there is certainly enough to do. Do you think you could give a bit more information about some of the entries in your list. Just tell what I should know when I go.
I love your photos especially the sunset photo.
Marianne
Lists don't get very high ratings because people like to be told about what is best to do and why - in your opinion. I regard 3*, above your current average, as a generous rating. it's based on the fact that I like your photos and they do give a bit of information about the area, unlike most of the text.
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