Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Perth and Beyond

I have searched the board, and there isn't too much on Perth, but the information we have gathered thus far is very helpful We are planning on visiting over the Christmas holiday, but don't have an inkling of what we will do. We can make our trip 7 to 10 days and the focus will be a leisurely pace. A few days here and there is perfect for us!

We live in the California wine country, so not sure if the Margaret River or the Swan River will be of much interest to us-- though we do love a great glass of wine. We are big foodies, and also enjoy the sun and surf.

About 5 years ago, we had a great time in Melbourne, Sydney & Lizard Island. The highlight of that trip was being on a boat chasing the yachts at the start of the Sydney to Hobart race. I have always wanted to visit Perth for its remote location and well the remote location. We are very varied travelers and enjoy many different things as long as it makes us absorb the present culture and lifestyle. We have even considered driving form Perth to Adelaide, but understand much of it will be red dust. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have always wanted to visit Perth for it's remote location and well it's remote location. We are very varied travelers and enjoy many different things as long as it makes us absorb the present culture and lifestyle. We have even considered driving form Perth to Adelaide, but understand much of it will be red dust. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
You can take a train to/from, Perth: its a long drive in a car & Dec / Jan is hot weather
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/18671744-post6.html

Perth is my home town, although I haven't lived there for over ten years.

If you like food, you'll love Fremantle. Visit the Fremantle Markets (http://fremantlemarkets.com.au/) for local market-garden grown produce, baked goods, clothing, jewelry and gifts. Make sure to cruise down the cappuccino strip along Market Street; stop and grab a coffee or lunch at one of the many sidewalk cafes. Check out Kakulas Sister. End up with fish n chips on the waterfront (I recommend Little Creatures (https://littlecreatures.com.au/)).

There are beaches up and down the coast for miles. Like hundreds and thousands of miles, literally. Cottesloe is a nice town beach with some cafes and restaurants nearby (typically there are not places to eat on the beach proper, as there are environmental regulations that prohibit it). You can also rent boats or take trips up and down the river.

If the weather is nice, King's Park has walking trails through bushland as well as landscaped gardens. Take a stroll through Northbridge on a Friday or Saturday night and have dinner. Visit the campus of the University of Western Australia.

For day or overnight trips, consider a boat trip to Rottnest Island (http://www.rottnestisland.com/). You can rent a bike to ride around the island, and it has nice beaches.

I'm personally a big fan of Margaret River (or if you prefer less driving, Busselton, Dunsborough, or Yallingup), but I'd also recommend trips to the inland southwest to see the karri forest. There are sweet bed and breakfasts in little towns like Donnybrook, Bailingup and Manjimup.

I would head north to Kalbarri and Shark Bay. Kalbarri National Park is stunning. The dolphins at Monkey Mia have sadly become very touristy but are still worth visiting, as are other areas around Shark Bay.

Audrey

...We live in the California wine country, so not sure if the Margaret River or the Swan River will be of much interest to us-- though we do love a great glass of wine. We are big foodies, and also enjoy the sun and surf.
...Lving in sonoma makes margaret river that much more important to visit. Quite a different approach to wine country and very refreshing. Like Napa in the 70s done right, but with better wine and a quaint culture (hippie beach bum meets fine wine).

Thanks for the interesting and varied advice. Our tentative plan is start the trip and head north for a couple of nights and visit Kalbarri National Park & Shark Bay, as falconea recommended, then head south to the Margaret River where "hippie beach bum meets fine wine", (thanks number_6) and finish our trip in Perth leisurely visit the towns & paces Anna Phor recommended.

Any thoughts? Is the drive from Shark Bay to the Margaret River too much to tackle in one day?

Really appreciate all the help.

Any thoughts? Is the drive from Shark Bay to the Margaret River too much to tackle in one day?

Really appreciate all the help.
Yes. Also going north in summer means heat, serious heat. Going south means cooler weather. I'd use this chance to get down around Albany way, lovely there.

We have decided to head to the Margaret River area & Albany for 5 days. As we will be traveling on Christmas day, would the Margaret River area be a better option than Albany, as far as finding a restaurant open, and things to do on Christmas day?

We have decided to head to the Margaret River area & Albany for 5 days. As we will be traveling on Christmas day, would the Margaret River area be a better option than Albany, as far as finding a restaurant open, and things to do on Christmas day?
There definitely will be some places open but it's definitely on a case by case basis. No supermarkets, petrol stations, bottle shops or the like will be open, certainly not before midday anyway and any restaurants open will almost certainly require a booking. Christmas Day is pretty quiet down that way. Note that on Christmas Day licensed premises cannot serve alcohol without a meal as far as I'm aware.

Supermarkets should be open until 9pm at least on the 24th so I'd stock up then. Please note also that prices of accommodation go through the roof in the Margaret River area from the 26th. Boxing Day (and Good Friday) is also known to be one of the busiest days on the roads and delays are possible if travelling from Perth. Perhaps Margaret River before Christmas and Albany after? The drive from Margaret River to Albany is particularly nice.

Note that on Christmas Day licensed premises cannot serve alcohol without a meal as far as I'm aware.



Ah yes, the Christmas Day 'alcohol rule'. A few years back we decided to fly back from Lizard Island, via Cairns to Sydney. What a mistake. The inbound flight was delayed for 4 hours, as the crew claimed they didn't know they had to work. So, stranded in the Cairns airport we needed a beer. Only to be told we had to have a food receipt to get a beer. The only thing open was a Hungry Jacks. Needless to say, we got our beer!

We have to be back in Perth on the 26th, so hopefully traffic will be going the other direction. We were planning on hitting Albany first, then onto Margaret River for Christmas Eve/Day. We did book a catered apartment that has a bbq so if need be, we will stock up on Christmas Eve.

Thanks for all the great input!