Suggestions for Perth holiday

My sister and her family ( two young very energetic and sporty 10/13 yr old boys) going to Perth for three weeks. Have read previous threads but most suggest a good bit of travel. They really want to limit the travelling- anything to do in and around Perth? Or maybe one really good and worthwhile trip from Perth?

Depending on when they're going, they could maybe take in the Highland Games, or go fishing on the River Tay, visit the William Wallace Monument or Bannockburn......................

or maybe they're going to a different Perth altogether?

Some nice beaches such as Cottesloe near the city. Freemantle is also nice a train ride or shortish drive out south of Perth. Rottnest island is beautiful get the ferry from Freemantle - hire bikes and cycle around for a day trip (there are few or no cars) or stay on the island for a few days. Beaches are beautiful. Kids love it.

I'd really recommend getting out of Perth for a week or so and head down to the south west - as far as Albany and hug the coast along the way.
There are great beaches all along the way, some place of the beaten track such as Madfish bay, the gorgeous Margaret river area (vineyards and beaches) there are dolphins to be seen in Bunbury, the giant Karri forests, whale migration can be observed from june to december - all amazing and it really is the real australia.
It was five years ago when we just hired a camper van for a week and took off - brilliant. I reckon it would really suit youngsters as well.

well, Perth as a city is quite small and there isn't a whole lot to do around the city centre itself. The beaches are where the action is - Cottesloe Beach is probably the nicest but they're all good really. The beaches are very close to the city. Wind and kite surfing are very popular.

Fremantle is a lovely little town (a suburb of Perth really at this stage) and is worth a couple of visits - a lot of interesting convict history, if thats your thing.

Rottnest Island (about 20kms off the coast) is a great spot for a day trip - hire bikes and take them on the ferry (leaves from Fremantle). You can cycle right around the island is a few hours and there's lots of nice beaches and coves to stop off and have a dip.

There are wildlife parks, zoos, waterworld parks etc around Perth - I lived there for almost 2 years but never visited them so I can't comment.

Any other trips out of Perth typically take a few hours drive. Margaret River is the most popular - a big wine region and also a good spot for surfing.

Rottnest Island - well worth a trip. Freemantle is over rated - actually not a whole lot to see when you get there.

Albany, Margaret River, and all of that south-west "corner" of Oz is fantastic. Good chance of catching sight of whales/dolphins just by driving along the coast.

Was in Oz a few times and that is my favourite part of the country...

Been in Perth lots of times (family there). Always found lots to do…

Breakfast in one of the restaurants in King’s Park
Shopping in London Court City Centre/any shopping centre (cheap clothes in Target)
Hillarys Harbour – north of Perth – lots of restaurants etc.
Night out in the irish pub and casino in the Burswood Complex
Fremantle is a must – great fish and chips and I don’t like fish. Fremantle jail a good trip
Wineries in South Perth – pity the designated driver – can just drive from winery to winery
Boat trip on the bay
Rottnest Island is a must – gorgeous beaches, and cycling round the island is great fun

If going further, you can take internal flights (there’s a budget airline called something blue). We flew from Perth to Alice Springs, and then took a coach for 4 hours to Ayers Rock and stayed there for a few days. The complex there although very touristy had everything you’d need in terms of accommodation from camping to 5 star plus restaurants and tours etc.

I’m heading to Perth at Christmas and we intend to head to Bali for a shopping trip. I would also take the opportunity to stop over in Singapore.

And my top tip for Perth - if highlighted hair, avail of the cheapest highlights I have ever found!

virginblue and jetstar for cheap internal flights...

Adventureworld near Freo. Brill outdoor waterpark...make sure you try tunnel of terror! Near Hillarys Marina there is a play area with Trampolines, waterslides etc. We used to head down in evening and have fish and chips at marina then kids could go wild on Trampolines. Special rates after 6pm. Get boat from Hillarys to Rotto too you can stay on island but if it's school holiday time book well in advance. Can rent bikes on island, swim, snorkel etc. Oh don't forget AQWA also at Hillarys Harbour. Fab aquarium where if you are brave enough you can swim in the huge tank...with the sharks! My kids went there dozens of times and loved it..although the youngest one got a bit freaked when he saw his Mammy swimming with sharks.

Find out if there are any surf comps around Marg. River...we were really lucky and came across a masters comp and it was great to watch. Great place for kids I could think of loads more if you need more info pm me.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. Will forward on to my sister.

bogwarrior said:

well, Perth as a city is quite small and there isn't a whole lot to do around the city centre itself. The beaches are where the action is - Cottesloe Beach is probably the nicest but they're all good really. The beaches are very close to the city. Wind and kite surfing are very popular.

Fremantle is a lovely little town (a suburb of Perth really at this stage) and is worth a couple of visits - a lot of interesting convict history, if thats your thing.

Rottnest Island (about 20kms off the coast) is a great spot for a day trip - hire bikes and take them on the ferry (leaves from Fremantle). You can cycle right around the island is a few hours and there's lots of nice beaches and coves to stop off and have a dip.

There are wildlife parks, zoos, waterworld parks etc around Perth - I lived there for almost 2 years but never visited them so I can't comment.

Any other trips out of Perth typically take a few hours drive. Margaret River is the most popular - a big wine region and also a good spot for surfing.

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Distances are long since the state is vast.
Freemantle is a bit overrated.
Yanchep to the north is couple of hours drive and offers nice park with loads of cockatoos, koalas, kangaroos etc.
Nice to wander aorund for a few hours.
You can go further north upto the Pinnacles but you are talking a full day to go up and come back. There isn't anything there apart from the rocks.

Margaret River is more than a few hours drive, beware.
Margaret River is nice and you can visit some wineries, we visited Luewin Estates, the one that hosts the classical convcerts. It is a bit pretentious so then we visited small family run one which was way more relaxed and down to earth.
Further south you can do a fantastic drive through the very tall tingle and yarri tree forests, the roads go right between these colossal tree and you can visit the Valley of the Giants and it's tree top walk near Walpole.
You could allocate 4/5 days to do this trip. You can visit the Southern Ocean but it is cooler than the Indian Ocean for swimming.

Do not go for the drive upto Monkey Mia to see the dolphins. It is featureless road according to my missus, the most boring trek in the world. Personally I thought it was interesting counting the dead roos along the road.