Arrived in Perth, took bus to a main CBD drag called St Georges Trc, then walked approx 2 kms to The Witches Hat hostel. To get there we had to traverse Northbridge, where surprisingly I felt more likely to be shanked than most parts of Melbourne. We witnessed a domestic, broken into cars and dodgy dodgy backpacker accommodation. But once we were out the other end and had walked down a quiet suburban street we arrived to a warm welcome and a private room (in a hostel this is very cool). We even had our own TV.
Next morning we picked up our Wicked Van, nicely painted and not too offensive. It’s some sort of Tarago, very plush surprisingly. Made our way down to Harvey via Fremantle and the little creatures brewery, to visit Uncle Phil and my cousins Anne, Julie and Luke. Had a great BBQ and waxed lyrical. Set up the Van for the first night in the back yard, which was cozy but a little chilly. WA can turn on the cold.
Next day got up early and departed Harvey via an awesome op shop for some warm clothes, first hit Busselton, which has a 1920meter Jetty, gorgeous little beach town.
Drove onto Dunsborough, Yallingnup and finally Margaret River. Made dinner on the side of the road at Prevelly beach and watched the sunset from the van while eating our pasta - West Australian life is pretty sweet, especially when you have no job!
Parked the van at Prevally caravan park and left at around 7.30am to leave, punched it through to Bunbury, detoured past Harvey as I (Amelia) left my travel towel there (not a great way to start my ’losing stuff’ track record).
Got back to Perth and then headed north to Hillary’s for lunch, eyeballed some amazing cruisers for sale and ate at a place called DOME…a WA phenomenon like Chicken Treat?
After lunch we had to drop off our Van at 4pm, then took a bus to the Perth Domestic airport just in time for our 2.30am flight!! We had nothing else to do and with 30kgs worth of baggage not much choice but to hang around. I suspect there was no rock unturned during the 11 hour wait for our flight.
Please NOTE - about Perth:
- shocking sinage, no map with the wicked van meant many a wrong turn off. Mostly off the many badly signed freeway exits and unhelpful street signs.
- don’t go to Perth Domestic and expect to get to Perth International, without paying $20. Even if it is 500 meters across the tarmac, and somehow 11km by road. NOT EVEN A FREE SHUTTLE, what sort of operation are you running PERTH?
- I have heard much about the beautiful beaches and loveliness of WA, but I must admit after being at the Prom and witnessing Waterloo bay I failed to 100% agree with the hype. Dave thinks otherwise, but he is more interested in the size of the swell.
- WA for was very peaceful, and I found driving to one spot to another always interesting and of course the weather was divine, so far Perth is my 3rd favorite state :)
Got on our VALUAIR flight (Singapore version of Jetstar), to be greeted wide seats, leg room like nothing I’ve seen on Jetstar or Virgin. We then were met with a MUFFIN and some WATER for FREE?! Huh? We booked this through jetstar. As Dave says, the Singaporians don’t do things by halves, even if it is a budget airline.
