The City of Lights (Australasia / Pacific)

Member Name: dragonone

Product:	Australasia / Pacific
Date:	13/08/01 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, in-expensive

Disadvantages: remote

<REVISITED>
Perth in Western Australia is a clean bright city, sometimes referred to as 'The city of Lights' and seen at night from Monument hill it is easy to see why.

Perth is on the Western coast of Australia stradleling the Swan River with a busy commercial Harbour. It is a modern city with a surprising number of lat 19th and early 20th century building. In Freemantle, where I stayed most of the main building seemed to be from this era.

Getting around perth was easy, with an intergrated Rail and bus service, certainly London Transport can learn a thing or three here. I thought that the best feature of the public transport was that children are not entitled to a seat if there is an adult standing. If they want a seat they have to pay full fare.

While in Perth I stayed in the South Beach Apartment Hotel which is about a mile outside Fremantle along South Terrace Drive. The apartments were clean and spacious with a full kitchen, two good sized bedrooms, bathroom and a full living/dining area with entertainment system. Sadly I have been told they are closed, but the prices quoted below are typical.

I arrived at Perth International airport from Singapore about 2am, the day before I phoned ahead to South Beach to advise them of my arrivel time. They gave me instructions on how to open the night safe for my apartment key and even stocked my fridge for me.

What to do while there:-

Take the Rottnest Express and do a little Whale Watching (Au$35-40 return) Rottnest island is a great place to relax and explore. Bike tours (Au$25), Snorkeling (from Au$25).
Take a cruise up the swan river(Au$85-100) and enjoy a good glass of two of wine, tastings at Sandelford Winery and an excellent two course meal.
Try the Tour of Freemantle Prison (Au$15)
Shop till you drop in downtown Perth, opals, native art, Clothing are at least 35% cheaper than the UK

Weather - When I went in Mid October it wa
s bright and sunny, temp up in the high 20s early 30s deg C

Some more costs, some of these prices are a year or so out of date, I have tried to update them.

Airfair London-Perth RTN from £670+tax
Train Ticket Free'o-Perth : Au$3
Stay at Apartments like where I stayed in : from Au$35 to Au$120
Car hire, toyota jeep: From Au$25 a day, longer periods gets a discount

I hope I have included some interesting info here, if you want more give me some feedback and I will dig a bit further in my holiday memories.

Summary: