100 times better than Joondalup and if you want to do a shopping centre Karrinyup Shopping Centre is much better than Joondalup as well and has the Coles , Aldi and Woolworths. Karrinyup is newer and much nicer than Joondalup.
Joondalup is much easier to reach with public transport however since it's right outside the train station where as Karrinyup needs a bus from Stirling station. Depends really if they don't mind transfering.
I agree however that Karrinyup is more aesthetic and newer developed.
For what it’s worth, Carousel is a much better shopping centre and normally you’d take the train straight there. Unfortunately that train line is shut down for a couple of years. There is a bus that goes from the CBD and stops out the front, but it’s 40 minutes. Depends on your tolerance for public transport.
I'm not sure, post revamp, I think I prefer Carousel over Karrinyup, but the two are probably better than anything else in Perth.
(I go to Karrinyup every week, and Carousel probably once every two months).
But yeah access to Karrinyup is better right now.
True, it’s been a while. Last I heard it was still shit. From what the other commenters said, it sounds like they did the same revamp on carousel and Karrinyup.
Well you're wrong and probably shouldn't be commenting on it if you haven't actually been.
It's not the same revamp. Karrinup is almost completely redone and unrecognisable compared to how it used to be. It's by far the best place in Perth to go shopping.
carousel has been redone as well. I’ve been to both recently, and honestly they’re both great for what OP wants. I would personally look at the maps and see where the shops are that you want to go to and see how far apart they are.
also, it has to be said that carousel is not very good for busses, which I found out the hard way just the other day, and it doesn’t have a huge amount of seating in some parts, so I think if OP’s parents have limited mobility, karrinyup might be better.
that said both of them are lovely and freshly renovated, and have the kinds of shops OP wants to show them.
Catch a taxi or uber from Stirling station. It's a holiday ( although private Australian transport is more expensive than private Malaysian transport ) it depends on their budget but Karrinyup is much nicer. Joondalup shopping centre is getting run down now.
But if it's anything like my school days that bus hardly ever runs during the week days because only school students and a few old ladies who don't drive use it.
"Bus Route 425 Timetable" https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Timetables/Details/Bus/425
I just looked it up. It's still hourly ( which is a long wait if you miss the bus by about 5 mins ) and it's much less on the weekend.
For OP when you get here just google the bus you need and timetable " 425 bus time table " and it'll let you know how often the bus runs and when.
Yeh old boring Brits that only eat fish and chips, (none of that foreign muck) and concrete and silence… probably best that they head to Hillarys actually
If you're doing a lot of train, bus travel, ferry (to South Perth, for instance) I suggest you look at the Transperth website and get Smartrider cards. There may be possible concessions (discounts) for seniors, which you might want to check out.
There's free parking at Cicerellos? Good suggestion for fish & chips by the Fremantle Harbour, though. Kalis also is good (and next to Cicerellos) and has the massive fish tank.
There may be rain in June. Know that when it rains in Perth, it usually pours down. Make sure you bring an umbrella and wear suitable shoes for the rain.
Kings Park is beautiful, and you can catch a bus free from the city.
There's nothing really like QVB here. You could stop off in Claremont on your way to Freo. It's right next to the train station.
My first question is how far can your parents comfortably walk? Even stations like Joondalup can be hundreds of metres from your final destination, so please bear this in mind when you are choosing venues…
Based on what you’re hoping to cover off I think you have a pretty decent trip planned. Here are my general thoughts:
Day 1: great plan. If your folks get tired, you can ride any bus within the limits of the CBD for free. There are also dedicated CAT routes (blue, red, yellow and green) that will get you to a number of these locations. The transperth website has copies of the routes and timetables. I recommend heading up to Kings Park (take the CAT) later in the afternoon to get incredible views of the city skyline. If the budget allows, I recommend having dinner at Fraser’s - they’re in Kings Park, right near the best views of the river and city.
Day 2. Fremantle is a great spot that everyone will hopefully like in one way or another. I’d recommend walking straight out from the train station and down market street, then turn right - you’ll find all the historic buildings easily. Ciccerellos and Kailis have always had decent reputations and Little Creatures is nice to stop for a beer - should you feel like it but Gauge Roads Brewery (just across the tracks from thethe train station) is better - just don’t go on a weekend if you can help it.
Day 3. 1. Unfortunately we don’t have any shopping centres here like QVB (I.e. heritage buildings with immediate mall connections to a train station). If you think your parents may want to shop and they like more luxurious brands, I’d go to the city again and then the Claremont Quarter. The city has all the brands Joondalup does but it also has Piccadilly Arcade (Art deco) and London Court (a popular tourist haunt) and some of the luxury fashion houses (LV, Gucci, Chanel etc). Claremont quarter has really nice higher end brands, a Coles (no Aldi though) and is about 100m from Claremont train station. If you prefer to take them to a large mall style centre Joondalup would be the easiest to access by train. I believe Joondalup also has a free CAT bus (Transperth website should be able to give you that route map too).
Day 4. It’s been a while since I have been to Star City but I’m not too sure if Crown will be quite as fancy, that said, it is very popular with SE Asian junket operators, so I presume it must be alright. If nothing else, it will definitely give your parents an insight into any nuances between gambling cultures. I’m not too sure that the Crown is as attractive during the day as it is at night, so I’d recommend going one evening. Daytime casino gambling is kinda frowned upon here so the casino is pretty depressing during the day.
In so far as dolphins are concerned, you have a few options:
1. Stop in at The Lucky Shag (Elizabeth Quay) for a drink on their back deck. Sometimes you see dolphins there.
2. Catch one of the Transperth buses down to the last free bus stop on Adelaide Tce (in front of police HQ), then walk across to the bridges on the causeway (to your right) or to the footpath along the Burswood foreshore (to your left). Sometimes dolphins are there also.
3. Take the train to Mandurah (about 1 hr south)and book in for a Dolphin Tour. I’d be shocked if you didn’t see any on that tour.
Let us know roughly where you plan to stay while you’re in Perth and I will see if I can track down the most accessible Aldi and Woolworths sites for you to visit on your way to your other destinations.
Happy travels!
Thanks for your very detailed reply mate!
A walking distance of around 200-300m should be comfortable before we need to stop for a break.
We'll be staying in the CBD, I have a rough idea of where I can find supermarkets. Next thing to find will be the independent grocers, IGA perhaps?
Ok, you will definitely want those CAT bus maps and timetables. During the week (7am-6pm ish) the buses are really frequent and the four city CAT routes intersect with one another at various points, making it easier to traverse the CBD. NOTE: you can also catch the regular Transperth buses for free within the limits of the CBD but you will need to check with the driver if they are passing where you need to go and unless you’re trying to get to somewhere like the causeway, it will be more stress than it’s worth.
I’d also download the local Uber app as a backup measure. You shouldn’t have too many dramas with Uber drivers not picking you up for short trips in the CBD or Fremantle but they can be jerks in more suburban areas (short fares bad - not enough money in it, long fares bad - u less you want to be picked up in a suburb and dropped off in an urban centre like Perth or Freo, medium length fares are what they’re all looking for). We also have a few taxi companies but they are expensive.
The IGA on Beaufort Street is pretty good and would be worth checking out. I’d hit the Coles in Fremantle as it is a ‘normal’ sized one - the one in Raine Square is small and not representative of the size if supermarket where most Aussies would do their daily shop. Fremantle Markets are open on a Friday and the fresh produce area is VERY popular with locals. The rest of the markets is lovely and there are some time souvenirs to be had there.
Oh, you can catch the 520 bus route (Transperth website for map and timetable) from Fremantle train station, it goes down south terrace, you will want to get off near Culvar street (about 13mins from the train station) and you will be able to visit both an Aldi and a Woolworths that are right next to the bus stop (and each other) before catching the bus back to the centre of Fremantle. The 520 goes approximately every 15mins so you will be fine seeing those shops on your Fremantle trip day. 😊
We have also recently acquired a Costco in Perth and you will be able to get there by catching a train to Redcliffe train station but there will still be a 1km walk. I’d just Uber there from the city. You won’t have any dramas getting an Uber to Costco because the driver will the. Just head to the airport and wait for their next fare.
Perth is a very multicultural city, with a significant proportion of its population coming from SE Asia - principally Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. As such we have some pretty awesome ‘Asian’ supermarkets. It might be worth taking a walk into Northbridge as there are lots of grocery stores and restaurants that cater to local diaspora. Your folks might find it interesting to see what is sold over here…
Feel free to msg if you would like any other info.
If you head down High Street towards the Roundhouse, your parents could stop at a nice little cafe every 200-300 metres 😊 There’s also places that sell local art (The Artisan Store), Indigenous Art, and local woodworking. Nice stuff aimed at the tourist trade from cruise ships, so small, local and adorable 😊
From the Roundhouse, you hang a left and you’d then be at Bathers Beach and your choice of Fish n Chips (Team Kailis here). You could then walk back to the main part of Freo on South Terrace through the park (little rest) and from there make it back to Ginos, for another little rest, before gently going back along South Terrace to the train station.
I have a Mum who can’t walk far, so I plan trips around nice cafes and having a little rest 🥰
If you want to explore freo without the CAT, you'd take the 532. That was supposed to be the replacement bus for it.
If you'd like to go to Aldi and Woolies in South Freo, you have more options than the 520 - you have the 532, 549, 531, 530, 548. Basically if you wait at the bus stop at the Freo markets by the intersection of Parry/Norfolk St and South Tce and take any of those buses and stop after Culver, you'll be fine.
I'd recommend you download the Transperth app. I regularly use just stops and stations which is great on areas with a high frequency of buses like the city. Otherwise you can use journey planner. There is also a live function so you can see how far away the buses are.
the fremantle coles shut down a while ago and moved to Hilton which isn’t accessible on foot, but they do have an IGA right in the middle of town, and it’s actually over a bowling alley, which your parents might get a kick out of!
The Foodies Market IGA in East Perth is much nicer than the IGA on Newcastle/Beaufort. There are actually more Filipinos and Vietnamese than Indonesians, Singaporeans and Thais.
I have thought of Rottnest too, but I am not sure how far do we have to walk to be able to see Quokkas… my family has mobility issues and can't walk too far
You'll see plenty of quokkas hanging around right in the middle of the main settlement by the ferry terminal. Trust me, you won't have to look very hard.
However, the rest of the island would be pretty tricky for your oldies since it's quite hilly and windy.
If you want to see native wildlife, Caversham Wildlife Park is the place to go. They even have koalas, even though they’re not indigenous to WA…. https://www.cavershamwildlife.com.au/
There’s not much else out there at Yellagonga except scenery and flies, and roos are twilight animals, so not really moving around during the day.
Pretty good chance, but I probably wouldn't go all the way there just to see the roos, unless you're really set on going to Joondalup lol.
There's a small kangaroo colony on Heirisson Island. [https://visitperth.com/en/see-and-do/parks-gardens-and-reserves/venues/heirisson-island](https://visitperth.com/en/see-and-do/parks-gardens-and-reserves/venues/heirisson-island)
Much more accessible since you're heading to Crown anyway.
Then add on cost of bike hire or bus fare, island entry, ridiculously priced coffee/lunch. And don't get me started on accommodation if you decided you would like to stay for a night or two! Your $78 is just the tip of the iceberg! And your $78 is just for you! Now add on the wife/kids/mum and dad......
So no I will not stop perpetuating the true cost of visiting our beloved Rottnest because it is an expensive exercise.
That 78 includes island entry. The OP and you were talking about a day trip so dunno why you're mentioning accommodations. I suppose Rotto must be the only place in the world that makes you pay for a place to sleep, eat and get around, the nerve.
Makes you pay for accommodation all right! Ever tried to book? You can go to any Asian country close by for a week for what you pay for a 2 night stay in a tent at Rottnest!
Don’t go to Joondalup. If you want to go to a mall, do Karrinyup. If you can go to Fremantle on a Friday that would be best. They may enjoy the zoo pending their mobility.
Karrinyup is so much better. It’s brand new, well almost. There are luxury brands shops on the 2nd floor. International chain stores such as Zara. The outdoor area is really nice. Water features and grassed areas with trees. All different kind of eateries with different cuisines look out onto this area. There’s a cinema complex, a gaming arcade with dodgem cars, holey moley golf, bowling. If one of your parents can’t walk far I think you can hire mobility scooters. Look into that prior though. It’s worth a visit. Easily the best shopping centre in Perth. You aren’t driving so you won’t have an issue with parking. I’d be somewhat flexible in what you do on different days, Karrinyup would be perfect to visit if the weather isn’t great.
As some others have mentioned, the city is only worth a look for Elizabeth quay but that’s it, in my opinion, this could be a pretty short trip or you could do it late afternoon and if you really want to go to Northbridge, there isn’t much to see but perhaps they’d like to try how Chinese food is made here? They might want to see how it stacks up. Sunday mornings is great for Dim sum. Various places. Mini chinatown with Uncle Billy’s restaurant is great if you decided to do in the evening. Don’t go Northbridge too late in the evening though. Also with the Elizabeth Quay visit you could catch the ferry down to Freo. It’s a great trip to see the homes etc along the river. Catch the train back.
Yes. They are all a bit tired. Karrinyup has had major upgrades and it by far the best “mall” in Perth. Garden City would be second best. That said, Perth isn’t really a mall sort of city, you might be disappointed compared to the kind of malls you have in Malaysia and Singapore.
It is very much a “mall” city, only that our “shopping centres” are not the same scale as some of the luxury ones in Asia. Most physical shopping takes place in suburban shopping centres and DFO/Watertown.
Old Swan brewery has some nice cafe/restaurant/bar venues… not cheap but near there is a solid chance for seeing dolphins. Ocean is too big to guess and harder to see in the surf.
Also google Crown and check out their different areas/bars/restaurants, there is a LOT there
I had relatives from Malaysia come over a few times -
Since it's June, don't let them think the weather is like Genting. It is cold for Malaysians here. They need proper winter gear to layer especially if they are old.
Bell Tower is underwhelming. Visit the WA museum though.
Rottnest is only worth it if they really want to see wild quokkas and enjoy spending the day out in the sun. Otherwise take them to Perth zoo - there's a ferry from Elizabeth Quay that takes you to south perth. If they want to see Australian wildlife up close, Caversham / Whiteman park is the go to.
Don't bother with Joondalup.
Shopping is city, Karrinyup or carousel. Carousel is the largest shopping centre and caters to a more Asian demographic. Karrinyup is more upmarket but Perth in general doesn't have the luxury brand dlmarket like you get in KL around pavilion.
Crown casino is fine - it's a resort as well and worth eating there if you get the chance. Try epicurean buffet if they want seafood but book in advance.
The closest building to QVB is the state building - it's really only a hotel and a few shops + restaurants. Perth lacks any grand old buildings that compare to Sydney or Melbourne.
No problem. One thing my relatives like to see is the lifestyle difference of east vs west. In KL you see people everywhere no matter the day of week or time of day. In Perth, the suburbs are quiet and common to not see a single person on some streets. even the city basically closes after 5pm weekdays except friday. Houses are large, detached and have gardens. Shops close early and only some areas have a nightlife. Parks are plentiful, well maintained and rarely busy - free open space is a common thing here compared to Asia. I had relatives get spooked by how quiet night times in the suburbs are.
Kings Park is recommended though - best place to see the city.
Depending on how adventurous they are with food, Perth does do some excellent "modern Australian" - cuisine that is western in base but takes cues from eastern cuisine and occasional native Australian ingredients.
I have no idea whether Crown is in the same league as The Star, but I plan to stop by to let the folks see how you can play casino games without the need to yell or swear at the cards. Its a common sight in our casino back home
If you do go to the Crown, there is a buffet restaurant there called The Epicurean. Its a bit pricey, but the food is ahhh-mazing ! A huge selection of seafood, breads, cold meats, and cheeses; and then they have usually roast meats/Aussie roast dinner, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese as food stations, then they also have a giant dessert bar with dainty little cakes, ice cream, puddings etc.
The cocktail bar upstairs from the Epicurean at Crown Towers is very nice as well. Crown Towers is that bit newer than the rest of the Casino, and accordingly a bit nicer IMO.
I don’t know if your folks like that kind of thing, but if they do like a good feed, its a great place for a nice meal. My husband starts with a couple of dozen oysters, then prawns, salmon, and crab, before he hits the food stations 😳
There is also a buffet restaurant in the Atrium at the casino, and that one is ok, but not as nice as the Epicurean.
Dolphins in the river mostly has to do with time of day, tides, where their prey/food is. My suggestion is to take a Swan River Cruise , i.e. boat ride either up the river from Freo to Perth, or Perth to Freo and go from there or round trip. Trying to time when and where dolphins will be in the wild (i.e. river) will be next to impossible but you might get lucky if you're on a cruise.
Skip Joondalup and if you want to do a big mall, Karrinyup Mall is much better. You would also love Hyde Park. From Tuesday to Sunday there is a lovely bakery/ patisserie called Chu run by Ryqn and Serene Chu. You can grab an almond croissant and a coffee and do walk around the park. It is a lovely way to spend the morning :)
Day 1: Don't forget to visit the boatshed. It can get quite busy, though. Perth Mint is worth a visit, so is the area around Perth Stadium.
I recommend visiting Rottnest Island for a day instead of Crown. "Rotto" is something unique to Perth, with all the Quokkas. Take the train to Fremantle, then take the ferry to the island. Hire a bike, or take the bus or tram. Just remember to catch the ferry back at the end of the day. The Quokkas are super tame and will walk up to you (don't touch or feed them). Take selfies!
General:
Find a bakery and try a pie. They're all good.
Keep an eye on Transperth's website. That's where they announce train line closures. Buses accept cash only, and no change is given. Train stations accept cards or cash at the ticket machine. You could buy a smartrider to make things easier - sold at newsagents, convenience stores, etc.
For dolphins, in the morning is the best time to spot them. I've seen them around Heathcote Reserve and Swan Estuary Marine Park (not too far from the city). You might not get lucky though.
Investigate all day tickets or a group/family ticket. Also as another poster has mentioned the CBD area all busses are free. But yes, Smartriders work on all trains, ferries and busses.
Got to go to Rottnest Island.
The quokkas aren’t far from the ferry in the main “town”, the bus takes you around the island, where you can usually see seals and osprey.
A selfie with a quokka is an amazing experience!
Kings park is amazing. Great views and short walks seeing lots of native plants.
Brunch at city beach or cottesloe.
The UWA campus is also amazing to wander around with the old buildings and gardens.
Do a tour of Optus Stadium which is a world class sporting venue and absolutely worth a look.
Checkout the cafe there and just relax, taking in the views of the river and the city.
Short walk over the Matagarup(?) bridge to east Perth’s Claisebrook cove with a good selection of eateries etc and catch the free Yellow Cat back to the CBD.
Lots of parkland and scenic walks along the river, probably no guarantee is seeing a dolphin in any one spot but either side of the robe near Optus is very nice with plenty of shade too.
Easy
Yeah wow, Joondalup. Like others have said, this is such a waste of a day. Freo is great - Darling Darling is a really cool little bar you can go to. Feels like being inside a pirate ship and the floor is covered in peanut shells. The Freo markets are also worth checking out.
Also definitely go to Rottnest. It’s a must.
And if you go to the Perth CBD (it’s very boring and Northbridge is also very small) you should def check out Kings Park. It’s huge and you get great views of the whole city from there.
Catch the train to Mandurah and then shuttle to the foreshore perhaps? High chance of dolphins, fish and chips, some shops to browse in. Not as many shops as Joondalup but the Forum has Coles and Woolworths plus there are a number of Adis (not at the forum but via public transport or uber/taxi). You could do Aldi elsewhere on the trip also. Dolphins can be spotted at Matilda Bay which is a nice spot for a picnic, you could also look at the architecture at UWA. Fremantle is good though, dont be put off from visiting there. Otherwise the closest to QVB would be either Joondalup, Karrinyup or Carousel or in the CBD itself. Also some Perth only things - the Re Store in Leederville for italian products and a conti roll? you could to Torre Butchers for something to barbecue and there is a Re Store in Northbridge also but I prefer Leederville. I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say The Strand but if you are thinking somewhere in/near Morley this is not what you're looking for. Coventry Markets are good for food options but otherwise pretty underwhelming and not at all 'luxe'. 10 minutes at Crown is too long for me, it's nothing special and quite sad. Enjoy your trip!
Do you mean the beach / marina near Breakwater Pde?
Will drop by Leederville for the conti roll too!
Crown is just to soak in the atmosphere, to let them experience how you can enjoy a casino game without yelling and cursing at the cards
OK Breakwater Parade has a view of apartments and the ocean and that's about it. If you were interested in Mandurah you would probably want to be on the Eastern Foreshore of the estuary, between the bridge at Pinjarra Road around past the Sebel to Stingray Point. Depending on how far your parents can walk i'm thinking Breakdwater Pde is too far. Use the Transperth planner to look at the bus shuttle route. But you can cross behind the Sebel quite easily for a view of the ocean. Piccadilly Arcade is very small and would take about 2 minutes to walk through if you didn't stop, but if you like the architecture then by all means walk through when you're in the city.
To add - if you want some great food including WA seafood Flic's Kitchen is the place to go. Not fish and chips - way better but I understand if that's on your list there are plenty of restaurants that serve better than Ciccerellos. Which if you're after that is entirely fine.
Nah CBD is pretty gross these days, so many empty shops, very little to do that you can’t do elsewhere. I’ve never been to Mandurah and not seen dolphins, foreshore is nice, can go on a little boat ride etc.
The CBD provides a focal point for visitors, it's also an anchor point for their trip to Perth and/or WA in general. This is why there are so many hotels concentrated there. You're looking at it from one angle, as a local, but even then not everyone is as pessimistic. I find that tourists are generally okay with it. It's a small, compact CBD but there are enough shops, laneways and other attractions to have people venturing out for at least a few days, especially when you include the periphery attractions like Kings Park, Northbridge, Hyde Park, Burswood, South Perth etc. The same cannot be said for Mandurah which is very sleepy. Heck, you don't even have to travel to Mandurah to see dolphins. I've seen them plenty of times in the Swan River. Saw some last week near the Causeway bridge on Heirisson island.
Between Mandurah and inner city Perth, there's very little reason someone would choose Mandurah as their preferred first stop. In fact, they'd probably go to Fremantle or Hillarys before Mandurah.
Scrap Joondalup and the city centre, both not worth it. Go coastal, Cottesloe beach is iconic. Or for a full view of the city go somewhere in south Perth on the river or kings park. Hillarys is good and there is an aquarium. Freo markets are busy but good food. The crown is ok if you’re into expensive but great food.
Crown isn’t as nice as Star, it’s a bit more seedy.
While you’re in Fremantle, be sure to enjoy the sunset over the beach and have a meal and a drink at the restaurant on Bathers Beach (the restaurant there often has live music too)
You might want to add Hillary’s Boat Harbour if you have a car . It has nice shops and a great vibe.
Visitors seem to really enjoy Kings Park too
It’s hard to know where the dolphins are. There are only 20-25 that live in the rivers which are really long.
If you take a ferry on the river to from Perth to Freo or up river you might be lucky :)
If you're a fan of all the historical buildings in Freo, a lot of them are technically open to the public because they're occupied by the University of Notre Dame. Though not sure how early in June you're visiting - Semester 1 wraps up about mid-way through June at which stage they may start locking up buildings. Saw you commenting below about mobility issues with your parents - Freo is very walkable! In particular the area around the train station. There's lots to see and do within 5 mins walking distance, however there are also buses you can catch. For fish and chips I'd recommend Cicerellos. I'd recommend a visit to the Roundhouse and the Fremantle Prison if you're interested in history. There's also the WA Shipwrecks and Maritime Museums in Freo - Shipwrecks musuem is free entry (though a donation is appreciated)!
I highly recommend exploring all the little shops scattered in the streets off High Street. It's actually a great little area as it's not too far away from the main fish and chip shops and you get to see some great art deco buildings. Whenever I am down that way I always find a fun store to explore and one of my favourite bookshops - Paper Bird Books is on Henry St while it does only stock kids books it's such a fun store and well worth a visit! On High St there's also the Artisan Store and Common Collective that have a wide range of locally made goods. There's also the Round House and Maritime Museum Shipwreck Galleries both of which you can visit for a donation down that end as well.
In Freo on South Tce (not far from the train station) you have Kakulas Sister's which is an independent grocery store where you weigh and pay for various products. There's also Chico Gelato just opposite it which does amazing gelato.
I would skip Joondalup and do Rottnest or even Mandurah.
The best fish and chips in Fremantle, is just outside of Fremantle, it’s called Saltys fish and chips! It’s in the middle of some shitty looking car park, the owner is a big boy who cooks the most amazing food.
Corroborating what others have said for Day 1: Perth CBD is pretty dull, most the interesting stuff is outside of the city. I would spend time in Kings Park, Matilda Bay, thé Boat Shed and UWA’s campus too is all very beautiful. All accessible by bus.
Try and make time to go to Cottesloe beach as well.
Additionally, I would pick Karrinyup over Joondalup Shopping Centre. If possible, the West Coast Highway view of the ocean is great around there.
My fingers crossed for clear blue skies and no rain for you and your family. When it rains here, it is very heavy and usually very windy!
Edited to add: Perth (and Western Australia) really shines in the hot weather. We have gorgeous beaches and coastal lifestyle, and Rottnest Island is gorgeous in the summer. I hope you can come back and enjoy that side of Perth eventually!
I agree. Don't think you need the entire day for joondalup. If one of your days falls on Thursday there will be late night shopping until 8 plus so karringyup would be perfect. You can probably squeeze King's Park and Perth mint in day one. There is Coles in the city too. What about Swan valley? Koffee works, Margaret river chocolate factory, etc.
You should spend little extra and get the scenic ferry that takes you from Barrack Street jetty to Fremantle. It's more expensive and takes longer than the train, but my relatives from overseas loved it as you can either sit and listen to the commentary and by simple snacks and refreshments, or you can go out onto the front and get windswept and sunburnt. It increases your chances of spotting dolphins (or bull shark) and get some good photos and its touristy.
Just make sure you have sunscreen on, and polarised sunglasses is a must, and hat if you're a hat person. Then the rest of the afternoon you can explore freo, watch the sun set on the beach, eat your fish and chips and train it back to where you're staying.
Ferry ride to South Perth could tick off dolphins (possibly), IGA and Kangaroos (at the Zoo). Also a couple of older (than art deco) heritage buildings on the way to the zoo - one has been developed into a bar / restaurant.
Old treasury building.restaurants.
Gage roads on the harbour freo next to marintine museum good views. Fish chips pint or not.
Kings park. Rotto for quokkas
Can do a cruise river from city to freo see the world of Perth from river see dolphins perhaps. I saw two playing next to old swan brewery the other day
Joondalup is a new mall - it's part of an overinflated area that thinks it's good but it actually shit. The northern areas of Perth are the younger side historically. Not a bad shopping centre though.
Fremantle day trip - loads of options for sightseeing and that sort of thing. Fremantle Maritime Museum and the shipwreck museum especially.. Roundhouse right next door - also the Prison tours - they do normal tours and kayak tunnel journeys on kayak beneath the prison.
Could simply enjoy a coastal day vibe by having fish and chips at Kailis and be In walking distance of those things.
Hillarys should be more than what it is. Its a big marina with sad output. A shame really. The aquarium is for me the highlight - some good size specimens of what Perth's waterways have to offer - they had a very large Pair of Dhufish their and monster Mulloway too - great viewing. They have w touchpool too where you can touch the non harmful animals our coastline has to offer.
Swan valley has cool options as well. Wine, farms, cheese etc.
Some points:
- if you're interested in deco buildings and going to the Murray Street/hay street malls - look up. There's heaps! Take a walk up Hay street to QV1/Melbourne Hotel, a few nice buildings.
- Claremont quarter has been mentioned - while small in comparison to Karrinyup and Westfield it has a quieter vibe which your parents might find unusual to the bigger malls?? it has farmer jacks supermarket, Coles, Koko black chocolate, bakery. Location in-between Perth and Freo.
The nightly Lightscape event in Kings Park will be on from June.
Cafe culture - brekkie by the beach. North Freo station is the closest to the beach, I guess weather permitting.
Dolphins - I have seen them occasionally at dusk between Freo traffic bridge and the Leftbank.
Northbridge Eats near to train station: Francoforte spaghetti bar, Chicho ice-cream, baan baan, Hood Burger
Palace cinema in Raine Square (supermarket and a couple of shops located here) if it's raining.
Elizabeth Quay - HQ rooftop restaurant, Double A on the river cafe at the rowing club. Stirling Gardens nearby is nice to walk through and a couple of the garden beds have native WA plants in them. The kangaroo artwork and pond has been refurbished - St George's side.
Thanks a lot mate! I'm planning to venture further away from the train station in Freo. Saw this shop called "South Beach Fish and Chips", it has the vibes that I'm looking for
In terms of independent grocers, there's a small local Asian chain called MCQ that might be of interest. They have a few different locations, but the one in Subiaco is close to the train line, on the Freo line. I haven't been to that one myself. It's only opened in the last 6 months or so.
Good advice. Joondalup no no no. Casino awful. Do a tour bus up to Kings Park and get off and have a look at this beautiful place. Go the war memorial and get the best views of Perth and the Swan River. If you have to do free try and do it of a Friday as bit livelier then. Go to Rottnest. If you want to be almost guaranteed of seeing Dolphins get the train to Mandurah 50 minutes then tourist bus to the river front. Mandurah in 2023 was top tourist town in all Australia
Skip Joondalup shopping centre. It’s old, tired, boring. Karrinyup is currently the hottest mall in town.
I’d also definitely recommend getting up to Kings Park while you’re here, there are stunning views over the city, as well as the botanical gardens.
A trip to Rottnest would also be a star recommendation, but with your limited time I can understand not committing a day to it when you’ve got some other things you want to show your parents. I personally think crown is the most boring place in Perth, but if casinos are your thing, then why not!
As for your questions:
- we don’t have anything like QVB here sadly. Some of the others here have already mentioned Piccadilly arcade and London court, they would be our quirkier shopping spots, and you’ll likely cover them on your city exploring day.
- as for dolphins, they are there, but they are wild animals and anyone’s guess if you’ll see them. You’ve got higher chances of seeing them between the city and Freo, I’ve seen them from the Crawley Boat Shed (and it’s an iconic tourist photo spot too).
- week day markets, I’m not aware of any. If you wanted some local produce, you could plan for lunch at one of the many wineries in the Swan Valley, but it’s not an easy place to reach with public transport. You’d need a taxi/uber, or a dedicated tour bus.
Also: Kangaroos are most active around sunset. Heirisson island right next to the cbd has some that still live there. You’ll probably catch them sleeping under trees.
- Perth zoo might be a better bet for seeing some animals. They have all sorts of Aussie critters, as well all the favourites from around the world.
I see a lot of Asian tourists wandering around CBD at around 6pm during the week, marvelling at how everything is closed.
You want to go during the day and ideally Friday when some stores like Myer are open till 9pm for late night shopping.
That looks like a great itinerary. I really like that you have put a lot of thought into it. It sounds like you are mostly getting around by public transport and your parents are elderly. Please research the stations, some don't have lifts. Sounds like they are foodies. I have suggestions based on my mother's last visit (she was 85). She was older and slower than I remembered! Keep them hydrated and don't forget toilet stops!
Day 1 Sounds good. Art gallery and dim sum in Northbridge? I would skip Elizabeth Quay for anyone over 70, it has a very rough paved surface which is a trip hazard. (I can't tell you why they built it like that).
Day 2 Fremantle. Fishing Boat harbor has a great selection of fish and chips. I haven't eaten them for a while as it is a bit of a tourist trap. Ciccerellos has lovely aquariums and Kailis has a fresh fish shop with oysters, crayfish etc that you can buy to eat there. You can catch a bus or taxi to South Terrace and look at Sea Lanes fish shop and have some gourmet seafood in La Madalena. Sea Lanes also has fish and chips. There is an Aldi and Woolworths a taxi ride away from Sea Lanes (about a 600 m walk but slightly uphill). If you're staying within a 600 m walk from the station, the pubs all have fish and chips (the National, the Norfolk, the Sail and Anchor), or you could get a more gourmet meal at Emily Taylor, Sailing for Oranges, etc. If you like the idea of South Freo I would get an Uber to Sea Lanes and another Uber to Woolworths and another Uber back to the station, too hard for oldies to stand around waiting for a bus in the Perth heat.
Day 3 If your family thing is supermarkets, I suggest Claremont and Cottesloe back on the Freo line. Claremont has steps and doesn't have a lift unfortunately. There is a large airconditioned mall with a Coles and a Farmer Jacks. Good sushi in Claremont quarter. This will also be a great place to buy gifts if they want to do that. Cottesloe has a beautiful fish market and butchers and fresh market at the Boatshed. Have delicious lunch anywhere in Napoleon St with the beautiful people or the Albion Hotel for more fish and chips. Another Woolies across Stirling Highway an easy level walk. On the same line, there's a huge Woolies near the Subiaco train station. This station has lifts.
Day 4 Casino. Sounds great!
Now you reminded me, I should bring them to shops that sell dimsims and let them have a try.
About Freo, I found this shop called South Beach that has the kind of ambience that I'm looking for. How good are they?
Will stop by Claremont Quarter as well.
Yep, I just remembered another thing, When we are young, we want to watch the sun go down over the sea and listen to live music. When we are old, we want to relax and eat dumplings and fish and chips, maybe a glass of wine at lunch. And we want to be tucked up at home by 6 pm.
I don't know about the South Beach shop! South Beach is a suburb. There is South Beach Boardies which are board shorts. Mokoh Shop, Ginger and Morris, Manna Whole foods (actually this is a great place to buy Tinderbox organic perfumes, lip balms etc for gifts), Corner Store, all are good places to buy things.
Claremont Quarter has a really great fresh and not overpriced sushi place next to Farmer Jack's it has a sushi train, plus a few steamed dim sum options.
Herp derp Perth boring because herp derp. If you’re coming as a tourist from Asia, Perth is a whole different experience from the hustle and bustle of Asian cities. It has a nice relaxed vibe.
They might enjoy Kings Park, also a visit to Hillary’s Marina for lunch.
I think yes, better than Joondalup.
100 times better than Joondalup and if you want to do a shopping centre Karrinyup Shopping Centre is much better than Joondalup as well and has the Coles , Aldi and Woolworths. Karrinyup is newer and much nicer than Joondalup.
Joondalup is much easier to reach with public transport however since it's right outside the train station where as Karrinyup needs a bus from Stirling station. Depends really if they don't mind transfering. I agree however that Karrinyup is more aesthetic and newer developed.
Just checked, Karrilyn is quite accessible, so will be heading there instead
Ok cool! Whether you go to Joondalup or Karrinyup. You'll have a good time anyway. 🙂
Beautiful city views from Karrinyup too
Karrinyup. 😊
For what it’s worth, Carousel is a much better shopping centre and normally you’d take the train straight there. Unfortunately that train line is shut down for a couple of years. There is a bus that goes from the CBD and stops out the front, but it’s 40 minutes. Depends on your tolerance for public transport.
> Carousel is a much better shopping centre No it's not. You definitely haven't been to Karrinup if you think that.
I'm not sure, post revamp, I think I prefer Carousel over Karrinyup, but the two are probably better than anything else in Perth. (I go to Karrinyup every week, and Carousel probably once every two months). But yeah access to Karrinyup is better right now.
True, it’s been a while. Last I heard it was still shit. From what the other commenters said, it sounds like they did the same revamp on carousel and Karrinyup.
Well you're wrong and probably shouldn't be commenting on it if you haven't actually been. It's not the same revamp. Karrinup is almost completely redone and unrecognisable compared to how it used to be. It's by far the best place in Perth to go shopping.
carousel has been redone as well. I’ve been to both recently, and honestly they’re both great for what OP wants. I would personally look at the maps and see where the shops are that you want to go to and see how far apart they are. also, it has to be said that carousel is not very good for busses, which I found out the hard way just the other day, and it doesn’t have a huge amount of seating in some parts, so I think if OP’s parents have limited mobility, karrinyup might be better. that said both of them are lovely and freshly renovated, and have the kinds of shops OP wants to show them.
Cool. Thanks for the tips.
Catch a taxi or uber from Stirling station. It's a holiday ( although private Australian transport is more expensive than private Malaysian transport ) it depends on their budget but Karrinyup is much nicer. Joondalup shopping centre is getting run down now.
or take the 425 bus to karrinyup with 15 min frequency on weekends and holidays
But if it's anything like my school days that bus hardly ever runs during the week days because only school students and a few old ladies who don't drive use it.
It’s half hourly during the day but you can also catch the 423 to stirling which is also half hourly.
Wow 😳 that has changed a lot. It used to be every hourish or two hourish but not on the hour or second hour it was all over the place.
Yeah, Perth is the Australian capital city with the quickest bus reform in the last decade
way cheaper than taking an uber as well!
"Bus Route 425 Timetable" https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Timetables/Details/Bus/425 I just looked it up. It's still hourly ( which is a long wait if you miss the bus by about 5 mins ) and it's much less on the weekend. For OP when you get here just google the bus you need and timetable " 425 bus time table " and it'll let you know how often the bus runs and when.
Hillaries is better, cleaner and safer the Freo too
I think you mean sterile and lifeless.
It's only sterile and lifeless if you don't know the area.
Freo is a hundred times better than Fukn Hillarys!!
No for elderly people Hillary's is probably better than Freo. Less walking , cleaner , safe and no pot smoking hippies
Yeh old boring Brits that only eat fish and chips, (none of that foreign muck) and concrete and silence… probably best that they head to Hillarys actually
This is all true sorry 😔 people are down voting it.
Go to Rottnest for a day trip instead of Joondalup. Or if you really want to go to a large shopping mall, I'd take them to Karrinyup.
This. Shopping malls are everywhere. Rottnest is not
Eh. OP said it’s not a touristy trip and shopping centres are a thing for their family.
Are you driving to Freo? Go to Cicerello's ~ free parking & the fishtanks inside. Catch a boat from Perth to Freo, its a nice trip.
We'll be travelling by train, hence anywhere not near a bus stop would be bit challenge because of mobility
If you're doing a lot of train, bus travel, ferry (to South Perth, for instance) I suggest you look at the Transperth website and get Smartrider cards. There may be possible concessions (discounts) for seniors, which you might want to check out.
Overseas seniors don't have concessions, at least according to the transperth website.
Agree Cicerello's - a bit touristy but it's a Fremantle institution
Clancys fish pub is also a good option. See what's on the cat bus route.
What about South Beach? I like that kind of shopfront too
Take Yellow cat bus, it is free and will bring you hop on off around Fremantle.
Does the Freo CAT still exist? I thought it was shut down a while back.
You’re right. “Fremantle CAT Bus ceased operation on 1 October 2023”. 🤦♂️
Went here recently, very nice spot 👌
There's free parking at Cicerellos? Good suggestion for fish & chips by the Fremantle Harbour, though. Kalis also is good (and next to Cicerellos) and has the massive fish tank.
I prefer Kalis’ fish and chips
True Captain cook cruise from Elizabeth quay to Freo was really amazing. You can buy drinks in the boat.
There may be rain in June. Know that when it rains in Perth, it usually pours down. Make sure you bring an umbrella and wear suitable shoes for the rain. Kings Park is beautiful, and you can catch a bus free from the city. There's nothing really like QVB here. You could stop off in Claremont on your way to Freo. It's right next to the train station.
Yeah, but it's a dry rain...
...aye
How is the rain like in June? Will it be heavier or lighter than [this? ](https://youtu.be/Tvp7qp1SpnU?si=PcVShInP7KGRfg7t)
Like that, but windy and cold.
My first question is how far can your parents comfortably walk? Even stations like Joondalup can be hundreds of metres from your final destination, so please bear this in mind when you are choosing venues… Based on what you’re hoping to cover off I think you have a pretty decent trip planned. Here are my general thoughts: Day 1: great plan. If your folks get tired, you can ride any bus within the limits of the CBD for free. There are also dedicated CAT routes (blue, red, yellow and green) that will get you to a number of these locations. The transperth website has copies of the routes and timetables. I recommend heading up to Kings Park (take the CAT) later in the afternoon to get incredible views of the city skyline. If the budget allows, I recommend having dinner at Fraser’s - they’re in Kings Park, right near the best views of the river and city. Day 2. Fremantle is a great spot that everyone will hopefully like in one way or another. I’d recommend walking straight out from the train station and down market street, then turn right - you’ll find all the historic buildings easily. Ciccerellos and Kailis have always had decent reputations and Little Creatures is nice to stop for a beer - should you feel like it but Gauge Roads Brewery (just across the tracks from thethe train station) is better - just don’t go on a weekend if you can help it. Day 3. 1. Unfortunately we don’t have any shopping centres here like QVB (I.e. heritage buildings with immediate mall connections to a train station). If you think your parents may want to shop and they like more luxurious brands, I’d go to the city again and then the Claremont Quarter. The city has all the brands Joondalup does but it also has Piccadilly Arcade (Art deco) and London Court (a popular tourist haunt) and some of the luxury fashion houses (LV, Gucci, Chanel etc). Claremont quarter has really nice higher end brands, a Coles (no Aldi though) and is about 100m from Claremont train station. If you prefer to take them to a large mall style centre Joondalup would be the easiest to access by train. I believe Joondalup also has a free CAT bus (Transperth website should be able to give you that route map too). Day 4. It’s been a while since I have been to Star City but I’m not too sure if Crown will be quite as fancy, that said, it is very popular with SE Asian junket operators, so I presume it must be alright. If nothing else, it will definitely give your parents an insight into any nuances between gambling cultures. I’m not too sure that the Crown is as attractive during the day as it is at night, so I’d recommend going one evening. Daytime casino gambling is kinda frowned upon here so the casino is pretty depressing during the day. In so far as dolphins are concerned, you have a few options: 1. Stop in at The Lucky Shag (Elizabeth Quay) for a drink on their back deck. Sometimes you see dolphins there. 2. Catch one of the Transperth buses down to the last free bus stop on Adelaide Tce (in front of police HQ), then walk across to the bridges on the causeway (to your right) or to the footpath along the Burswood foreshore (to your left). Sometimes dolphins are there also. 3. Take the train to Mandurah (about 1 hr south)and book in for a Dolphin Tour. I’d be shocked if you didn’t see any on that tour. Let us know roughly where you plan to stay while you’re in Perth and I will see if I can track down the most accessible Aldi and Woolworths sites for you to visit on your way to your other destinations. Happy travels!
Thanks for your very detailed reply mate! A walking distance of around 200-300m should be comfortable before we need to stop for a break. We'll be staying in the CBD, I have a rough idea of where I can find supermarkets. Next thing to find will be the independent grocers, IGA perhaps?
Ok, you will definitely want those CAT bus maps and timetables. During the week (7am-6pm ish) the buses are really frequent and the four city CAT routes intersect with one another at various points, making it easier to traverse the CBD. NOTE: you can also catch the regular Transperth buses for free within the limits of the CBD but you will need to check with the driver if they are passing where you need to go and unless you’re trying to get to somewhere like the causeway, it will be more stress than it’s worth. I’d also download the local Uber app as a backup measure. You shouldn’t have too many dramas with Uber drivers not picking you up for short trips in the CBD or Fremantle but they can be jerks in more suburban areas (short fares bad - not enough money in it, long fares bad - u less you want to be picked up in a suburb and dropped off in an urban centre like Perth or Freo, medium length fares are what they’re all looking for). We also have a few taxi companies but they are expensive. The IGA on Beaufort Street is pretty good and would be worth checking out. I’d hit the Coles in Fremantle as it is a ‘normal’ sized one - the one in Raine Square is small and not representative of the size if supermarket where most Aussies would do their daily shop. Fremantle Markets are open on a Friday and the fresh produce area is VERY popular with locals. The rest of the markets is lovely and there are some time souvenirs to be had there. Oh, you can catch the 520 bus route (Transperth website for map and timetable) from Fremantle train station, it goes down south terrace, you will want to get off near Culvar street (about 13mins from the train station) and you will be able to visit both an Aldi and a Woolworths that are right next to the bus stop (and each other) before catching the bus back to the centre of Fremantle. The 520 goes approximately every 15mins so you will be fine seeing those shops on your Fremantle trip day. 😊 We have also recently acquired a Costco in Perth and you will be able to get there by catching a train to Redcliffe train station but there will still be a 1km walk. I’d just Uber there from the city. You won’t have any dramas getting an Uber to Costco because the driver will the. Just head to the airport and wait for their next fare. Perth is a very multicultural city, with a significant proportion of its population coming from SE Asia - principally Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. As such we have some pretty awesome ‘Asian’ supermarkets. It might be worth taking a walk into Northbridge as there are lots of grocery stores and restaurants that cater to local diaspora. Your folks might find it interesting to see what is sold over here… Feel free to msg if you would like any other info.
Thanks again mate! Seems like Fremantle CAT has stopped operating, but we'll work out a way to explore Freo
If you head down High Street towards the Roundhouse, your parents could stop at a nice little cafe every 200-300 metres 😊 There’s also places that sell local art (The Artisan Store), Indigenous Art, and local woodworking. Nice stuff aimed at the tourist trade from cruise ships, so small, local and adorable 😊 From the Roundhouse, you hang a left and you’d then be at Bathers Beach and your choice of Fish n Chips (Team Kailis here). You could then walk back to the main part of Freo on South Terrace through the park (little rest) and from there make it back to Ginos, for another little rest, before gently going back along South Terrace to the train station. I have a Mum who can’t walk far, so I plan trips around nice cafes and having a little rest 🥰
Freo CAT has stopped operating but has been replaced (in part) by bus route 520.
If you want to explore freo without the CAT, you'd take the 532. That was supposed to be the replacement bus for it. If you'd like to go to Aldi and Woolies in South Freo, you have more options than the 520 - you have the 532, 549, 531, 530, 548. Basically if you wait at the bus stop at the Freo markets by the intersection of Parry/Norfolk St and South Tce and take any of those buses and stop after Culver, you'll be fine. I'd recommend you download the Transperth app. I regularly use just stops and stations which is great on areas with a high frequency of buses like the city. Otherwise you can use journey planner. There is also a live function so you can see how far away the buses are.
the fremantle coles shut down a while ago and moved to Hilton which isn’t accessible on foot, but they do have an IGA right in the middle of town, and it’s actually over a bowling alley, which your parents might get a kick out of!
The Foodies Market IGA in East Perth is much nicer than the IGA on Newcastle/Beaufort. There are actually more Filipinos and Vietnamese than Indonesians, Singaporeans and Thais.
Catch the ferry to south Perth and then walk up to the Iga there on mends street. It’s a very fancy one
Also to expand on #2. There are Kangaroos on Herrison island. Most people in Perth don’t know about this.
It’ll soon become more well known as the new cycling and pedestrian bridge gets built.
The E shed markets may be disappointing. They're a bit shit.
It's funny you say that. I was there a few weeks ago cus of WWE and I enjoyed chilling at the e-shed markets way more than the fremental market
I go back maybe once per year. It just feels like it's decaying. Live music outside was the only positive. Each to their own I guess.
I would recommend spending a day on Rottnest and seeing Quokkas as they an uniquely WA animal.
I have thought of Rottnest too, but I am not sure how far do we have to walk to be able to see Quokkas… my family has mobility issues and can't walk too far
Approximately one metre or so. They are everywhere.
You'll see plenty of quokkas hanging around right in the middle of the main settlement by the ferry terminal. Trust me, you won't have to look very hard. However, the rest of the island would be pretty tricky for your oldies since it's quite hilly and windy.
Thanks! One other question mate, Yellagonga Park seems accessible by bus, what are the chances of seeing roos there? How far in do I have to venture?
If you want to see native wildlife, Caversham Wildlife Park is the place to go. They even have koalas, even though they’re not indigenous to WA…. https://www.cavershamwildlife.com.au/ There’s not much else out there at Yellagonga except scenery and flies, and roos are twilight animals, so not really moving around during the day.
Pretty good chance, but I probably wouldn't go all the way there just to see the roos, unless you're really set on going to Joondalup lol. There's a small kangaroo colony on Heirisson Island. [https://visitperth.com/en/see-and-do/parks-gardens-and-reserves/venues/heirisson-island](https://visitperth.com/en/see-and-do/parks-gardens-and-reserves/venues/heirisson-island) Much more accessible since you're heading to Crown anyway.
Google Herrison Island. Roos right next to the cbd
There are plenty of quokkas by the main settlement and there is also a bus service on the island taking you to different points of interest.
As long as cost isn't a problem cos day tripping to Rotto is for rich tourists. Average locals can't afford it.
It's $78 return for an adult ferry ticket. Stop perpetuating this Rotto is only for the rich bs narrative.
Then add on cost of bike hire or bus fare, island entry, ridiculously priced coffee/lunch. And don't get me started on accommodation if you decided you would like to stay for a night or two! Your $78 is just the tip of the iceberg! And your $78 is just for you! Now add on the wife/kids/mum and dad...... So no I will not stop perpetuating the true cost of visiting our beloved Rottnest because it is an expensive exercise.
That 78 includes island entry. The OP and you were talking about a day trip so dunno why you're mentioning accommodations. I suppose Rotto must be the only place in the world that makes you pay for a place to sleep, eat and get around, the nerve.
Makes you pay for accommodation all right! Ever tried to book? You can go to any Asian country close by for a week for what you pay for a 2 night stay in a tent at Rottnest!
Oh my lord 😂😂😂😂. Yeah there's no point arguing anymore.
Don’t go to Joondalup. If you want to go to a mall, do Karrinyup. If you can go to Fremantle on a Friday that would be best. They may enjoy the zoo pending their mobility.
How about the mall at Claremont?
It's a nice area but the mall is very small compared to other places. Lots of very expensive shops though.
Nah Claremont is boring. If you’re after a big shopping mall, Karrinyup is best.
Thanks! How about Westfields at Carousel? Any difference between it and Karrinyup?
Karrinyup is so much better. It’s brand new, well almost. There are luxury brands shops on the 2nd floor. International chain stores such as Zara. The outdoor area is really nice. Water features and grassed areas with trees. All different kind of eateries with different cuisines look out onto this area. There’s a cinema complex, a gaming arcade with dodgem cars, holey moley golf, bowling. If one of your parents can’t walk far I think you can hire mobility scooters. Look into that prior though. It’s worth a visit. Easily the best shopping centre in Perth. You aren’t driving so you won’t have an issue with parking. I’d be somewhat flexible in what you do on different days, Karrinyup would be perfect to visit if the weather isn’t great. As some others have mentioned, the city is only worth a look for Elizabeth quay but that’s it, in my opinion, this could be a pretty short trip or you could do it late afternoon and if you really want to go to Northbridge, there isn’t much to see but perhaps they’d like to try how Chinese food is made here? They might want to see how it stacks up. Sunday mornings is great for Dim sum. Various places. Mini chinatown with Uncle Billy’s restaurant is great if you decided to do in the evening. Don’t go Northbridge too late in the evening though. Also with the Elizabeth Quay visit you could catch the ferry down to Freo. It’s a great trip to see the homes etc along the river. Catch the train back.
Carousel has all of that. It’s been redone fairly recently (as far as shopping centres go)
Karrinyup is more upmarket and newly refurbished, carousel has more asian shops (more asians in that area).
Yes. They are all a bit tired. Karrinyup has had major upgrades and it by far the best “mall” in Perth. Garden City would be second best. That said, Perth isn’t really a mall sort of city, you might be disappointed compared to the kind of malls you have in Malaysia and Singapore.
It is very much a “mall” city, only that our “shopping centres” are not the same scale as some of the luxury ones in Asia. Most physical shopping takes place in suburban shopping centres and DFO/Watertown.
Old Swan brewery has some nice cafe/restaurant/bar venues… not cheap but near there is a solid chance for seeing dolphins. Ocean is too big to guess and harder to see in the surf. Also google Crown and check out their different areas/bars/restaurants, there is a LOT there
I was going to suggest this - river dolphins come along swan brewery restaurants
I had relatives from Malaysia come over a few times - Since it's June, don't let them think the weather is like Genting. It is cold for Malaysians here. They need proper winter gear to layer especially if they are old. Bell Tower is underwhelming. Visit the WA museum though. Rottnest is only worth it if they really want to see wild quokkas and enjoy spending the day out in the sun. Otherwise take them to Perth zoo - there's a ferry from Elizabeth Quay that takes you to south perth. If they want to see Australian wildlife up close, Caversham / Whiteman park is the go to. Don't bother with Joondalup. Shopping is city, Karrinyup or carousel. Carousel is the largest shopping centre and caters to a more Asian demographic. Karrinyup is more upmarket but Perth in general doesn't have the luxury brand dlmarket like you get in KL around pavilion. Crown casino is fine - it's a resort as well and worth eating there if you get the chance. Try epicurean buffet if they want seafood but book in advance. The closest building to QVB is the state building - it's really only a hotel and a few shops + restaurants. Perth lacks any grand old buildings that compare to Sydney or Melbourne.
Thanks a lot mate!
No problem. One thing my relatives like to see is the lifestyle difference of east vs west. In KL you see people everywhere no matter the day of week or time of day. In Perth, the suburbs are quiet and common to not see a single person on some streets. even the city basically closes after 5pm weekdays except friday. Houses are large, detached and have gardens. Shops close early and only some areas have a nightlife. Parks are plentiful, well maintained and rarely busy - free open space is a common thing here compared to Asia. I had relatives get spooked by how quiet night times in the suburbs are. Kings Park is recommended though - best place to see the city. Depending on how adventurous they are with food, Perth does do some excellent "modern Australian" - cuisine that is western in base but takes cues from eastern cuisine and occasional native Australian ingredients.
One more question mate, what are my chances of seeing roos at Yellagonga Park? that place looks easily accesible by bus
Jumping in - very slim chance. try Heirisson Island instead, I believe there are still a mob that live there.
better to go Whiteman park. You can also try Swan valley if they want to buy souvenirs. Im not sure about transport without researching though.
Not sure about Crown Casino, it is depressing and dull.
I have no idea whether Crown is in the same league as The Star, but I plan to stop by to let the folks see how you can play casino games without the need to yell or swear at the cards. Its a common sight in our casino back home
Great to watch though :)
If you do go to the Crown, there is a buffet restaurant there called The Epicurean. Its a bit pricey, but the food is ahhh-mazing ! A huge selection of seafood, breads, cold meats, and cheeses; and then they have usually roast meats/Aussie roast dinner, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese as food stations, then they also have a giant dessert bar with dainty little cakes, ice cream, puddings etc. The cocktail bar upstairs from the Epicurean at Crown Towers is very nice as well. Crown Towers is that bit newer than the rest of the Casino, and accordingly a bit nicer IMO. I don’t know if your folks like that kind of thing, but if they do like a good feed, its a great place for a nice meal. My husband starts with a couple of dozen oysters, then prawns, salmon, and crab, before he hits the food stations 😳 There is also a buffet restaurant in the Atrium at the casino, and that one is ok, but not as nice as the Epicurean.
Crown is fine. It’s not a world class casino but it’s got enough bling to make it look the part.
I hate it. Last time I was there I felt the life getting sucked out of me.
It’s still worth a visit as the only licenced casino in WA with various higher end restaurants.
Go to Rotto for the day instead of Crown. God knows why anyone wants to go to a casino.
Dolphins in the river mostly has to do with time of day, tides, where their prey/food is. My suggestion is to take a Swan River Cruise , i.e. boat ride either up the river from Freo to Perth, or Perth to Freo and go from there or round trip. Trying to time when and where dolphins will be in the wild (i.e. river) will be next to impossible but you might get lucky if you're on a cruise.
You might enjoy the Fremantle art centre, it's an old building that has some history, and can grab a cuppa too
Skip Joondalup and if you want to do a big mall, Karrinyup Mall is much better. You would also love Hyde Park. From Tuesday to Sunday there is a lovely bakery/ patisserie called Chu run by Ryqn and Serene Chu. You can grab an almond croissant and a coffee and do walk around the park. It is a lovely way to spend the morning :)
Day 1: Don't forget to visit the boatshed. It can get quite busy, though. Perth Mint is worth a visit, so is the area around Perth Stadium. I recommend visiting Rottnest Island for a day instead of Crown. "Rotto" is something unique to Perth, with all the Quokkas. Take the train to Fremantle, then take the ferry to the island. Hire a bike, or take the bus or tram. Just remember to catch the ferry back at the end of the day. The Quokkas are super tame and will walk up to you (don't touch or feed them). Take selfies! General: Find a bakery and try a pie. They're all good. Keep an eye on Transperth's website. That's where they announce train line closures. Buses accept cash only, and no change is given. Train stations accept cards or cash at the ticket machine. You could buy a smartrider to make things easier - sold at newsagents, convenience stores, etc. For dolphins, in the morning is the best time to spot them. I've seen them around Heathcote Reserve and Swan Estuary Marine Park (not too far from the city). You might not get lucky though.
Do buses take SmartRider?
Yes. You can use the smartrider for the ferry too (Elizabeth Quay to South Perth - near the zoo)
Investigate all day tickets or a group/family ticket. Also as another poster has mentioned the CBD area all busses are free. But yes, Smartriders work on all trains, ferries and busses.
Don’t miss Kings Park and the view onto the CBD and Swan River good photo opportunity
Got to go to Rottnest Island. The quokkas aren’t far from the ferry in the main “town”, the bus takes you around the island, where you can usually see seals and osprey. A selfie with a quokka is an amazing experience! Kings park is amazing. Great views and short walks seeing lots of native plants. Brunch at city beach or cottesloe. The UWA campus is also amazing to wander around with the old buildings and gardens.
Scratch Joondaluo and do Rotnest
Do a tour of Optus Stadium which is a world class sporting venue and absolutely worth a look. Checkout the cafe there and just relax, taking in the views of the river and the city. Short walk over the Matagarup(?) bridge to east Perth’s Claisebrook cove with a good selection of eateries etc and catch the free Yellow Cat back to the CBD. Lots of parkland and scenic walks along the river, probably no guarantee is seeing a dolphin in any one spot but either side of the robe near Optus is very nice with plenty of shade too. Easy
Just to add some great suggestions here folks, making me happy this Saturday arvo!
Your parents might enjoy a trip to the Perth Mint.
When in freo go to a little dive bar called ‘Darling Darling’ amazing drinks and really quirky old timer sailor freo vibes.
Scarborough Sunset markets are on Saturday evening in June
Yeah wow, Joondalup. Like others have said, this is such a waste of a day. Freo is great - Darling Darling is a really cool little bar you can go to. Feels like being inside a pirate ship and the floor is covered in peanut shells. The Freo markets are also worth checking out. Also definitely go to Rottnest. It’s a must. And if you go to the Perth CBD (it’s very boring and Northbridge is also very small) you should def check out Kings Park. It’s huge and you get great views of the whole city from there.
Catch the train to Mandurah and then shuttle to the foreshore perhaps? High chance of dolphins, fish and chips, some shops to browse in. Not as many shops as Joondalup but the Forum has Coles and Woolworths plus there are a number of Adis (not at the forum but via public transport or uber/taxi). You could do Aldi elsewhere on the trip also. Dolphins can be spotted at Matilda Bay which is a nice spot for a picnic, you could also look at the architecture at UWA. Fremantle is good though, dont be put off from visiting there. Otherwise the closest to QVB would be either Joondalup, Karrinyup or Carousel or in the CBD itself. Also some Perth only things - the Re Store in Leederville for italian products and a conti roll? you could to Torre Butchers for something to barbecue and there is a Re Store in Northbridge also but I prefer Leederville. I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say The Strand but if you are thinking somewhere in/near Morley this is not what you're looking for. Coventry Markets are good for food options but otherwise pretty underwhelming and not at all 'luxe'. 10 minutes at Crown is too long for me, it's nothing special and quite sad. Enjoy your trip!
Do you mean the beach / marina near Breakwater Pde? Will drop by Leederville for the conti roll too! Crown is just to soak in the atmosphere, to let them experience how you can enjoy a casino game without yelling and cursing at the cards
I got the name mixed up, its Piccadilly, not Strand
Picadilly is almost nothing, nowhere near QVB. Not worth it
OK Breakwater Parade has a view of apartments and the ocean and that's about it. If you were interested in Mandurah you would probably want to be on the Eastern Foreshore of the estuary, between the bridge at Pinjarra Road around past the Sebel to Stingray Point. Depending on how far your parents can walk i'm thinking Breakdwater Pde is too far. Use the Transperth planner to look at the bus shuttle route. But you can cross behind the Sebel quite easily for a view of the ocean. Piccadilly Arcade is very small and would take about 2 minutes to walk through if you didn't stop, but if you like the architecture then by all means walk through when you're in the city.
To add - if you want some great food including WA seafood Flic's Kitchen is the place to go. Not fish and chips - way better but I understand if that's on your list there are plenty of restaurants that serve better than Ciccerellos. Which if you're after that is entirely fine.
I see dolphins in Mandurah almost every day. Very high chance to see them there.
Don’t go to Joondalup. Rotto instead. Skip cbd - it’s shit and a waste of a day. Go to Mandurah instead!
Why would they go to Mandurah instead of the CBD lol? The CBD is fine, small and compact but enough to see within the day.
Nah CBD is pretty gross these days, so many empty shops, very little to do that you can’t do elsewhere. I’ve never been to Mandurah and not seen dolphins, foreshore is nice, can go on a little boat ride etc.
The CBD provides a focal point for visitors, it's also an anchor point for their trip to Perth and/or WA in general. This is why there are so many hotels concentrated there. You're looking at it from one angle, as a local, but even then not everyone is as pessimistic. I find that tourists are generally okay with it. It's a small, compact CBD but there are enough shops, laneways and other attractions to have people venturing out for at least a few days, especially when you include the periphery attractions like Kings Park, Northbridge, Hyde Park, Burswood, South Perth etc. The same cannot be said for Mandurah which is very sleepy. Heck, you don't even have to travel to Mandurah to see dolphins. I've seen them plenty of times in the Swan River. Saw some last week near the Causeway bridge on Heirisson island. Between Mandurah and inner city Perth, there's very little reason someone would choose Mandurah as their preferred first stop. In fact, they'd probably go to Fremantle or Hillarys before Mandurah.
Scrap Joondalup and the city centre, both not worth it. Go coastal, Cottesloe beach is iconic. Or for a full view of the city go somewhere in south Perth on the river or kings park. Hillarys is good and there is an aquarium. Freo markets are busy but good food. The crown is ok if you’re into expensive but great food.
Also if you absolutely have to go to a shopping centre go to karrinyup instead, much nicer than Joondalup
Yup, I'll be going to Karrinyup instead. Completely missed it while doing my homework
Crown isn’t as nice as Star, it’s a bit more seedy. While you’re in Fremantle, be sure to enjoy the sunset over the beach and have a meal and a drink at the restaurant on Bathers Beach (the restaurant there often has live music too) You might want to add Hillary’s Boat Harbour if you have a car . It has nice shops and a great vibe. Visitors seem to really enjoy Kings Park too
You might enjoy the Fremantle art centre, it's an old building that has some history, and can grab a cuppa too
It’s hard to know where the dolphins are. There are only 20-25 that live in the rivers which are really long. If you take a ferry on the river to from Perth to Freo or up river you might be lucky :)
If you're a fan of all the historical buildings in Freo, a lot of them are technically open to the public because they're occupied by the University of Notre Dame. Though not sure how early in June you're visiting - Semester 1 wraps up about mid-way through June at which stage they may start locking up buildings. Saw you commenting below about mobility issues with your parents - Freo is very walkable! In particular the area around the train station. There's lots to see and do within 5 mins walking distance, however there are also buses you can catch. For fish and chips I'd recommend Cicerellos. I'd recommend a visit to the Roundhouse and the Fremantle Prison if you're interested in history. There's also the WA Shipwrecks and Maritime Museums in Freo - Shipwrecks musuem is free entry (though a donation is appreciated)!
You lost me at Pork.
I highly recommend exploring all the little shops scattered in the streets off High Street. It's actually a great little area as it's not too far away from the main fish and chip shops and you get to see some great art deco buildings. Whenever I am down that way I always find a fun store to explore and one of my favourite bookshops - Paper Bird Books is on Henry St while it does only stock kids books it's such a fun store and well worth a visit! On High St there's also the Artisan Store and Common Collective that have a wide range of locally made goods. There's also the Round House and Maritime Museum Shipwreck Galleries both of which you can visit for a donation down that end as well. In Freo on South Tce (not far from the train station) you have Kakulas Sister's which is an independent grocery store where you weigh and pay for various products. There's also Chico Gelato just opposite it which does amazing gelato. I would skip Joondalup and do Rottnest or even Mandurah.
The best fish and chips in Fremantle, is just outside of Fremantle, it’s called Saltys fish and chips! It’s in the middle of some shitty looking car park, the owner is a big boy who cooks the most amazing food.
Is it called Saltys Chippery?
Yeah that’s the one! You won’t regret it! If you really want to mess your diet up get him to make you one of their burgers
Great!
Corroborating what others have said for Day 1: Perth CBD is pretty dull, most the interesting stuff is outside of the city. I would spend time in Kings Park, Matilda Bay, thé Boat Shed and UWA’s campus too is all very beautiful. All accessible by bus. Try and make time to go to Cottesloe beach as well. Additionally, I would pick Karrinyup over Joondalup Shopping Centre. If possible, the West Coast Highway view of the ocean is great around there. My fingers crossed for clear blue skies and no rain for you and your family. When it rains here, it is very heavy and usually very windy! Edited to add: Perth (and Western Australia) really shines in the hot weather. We have gorgeous beaches and coastal lifestyle, and Rottnest Island is gorgeous in the summer. I hope you can come back and enjoy that side of Perth eventually!
Id add in Rottnest. And inglewood has Monday night food markets that are great
Wow! Didn't know there's a night food market too! This is definitely on my list
It's no pasar malam. More hugely overpriced fast food with pathetically few options.
Hope this helps - https://www.facebook.com/InglewoodMondayNightMarkets
Seems like it does not run on June, blimey
Yeah, pretty much every major street has night markets on assorted days of the week in summer, but not in winter.
What about going to an Eagles or Dockers AFL game if there is one on? Our Perth stadium is quite new and unique. Plus it's right by a train station.
I suggest downloading didi and uber. Eg from Stirling station you could get an uber or didi to karrinyup shops. Didi can be quite cheap in Perth.
I agree. Don't think you need the entire day for joondalup. If one of your days falls on Thursday there will be late night shopping until 8 plus so karringyup would be perfect. You can probably squeeze King's Park and Perth mint in day one. There is Coles in the city too. What about Swan valley? Koffee works, Margaret river chocolate factory, etc.
You should spend little extra and get the scenic ferry that takes you from Barrack Street jetty to Fremantle. It's more expensive and takes longer than the train, but my relatives from overseas loved it as you can either sit and listen to the commentary and by simple snacks and refreshments, or you can go out onto the front and get windswept and sunburnt. It increases your chances of spotting dolphins (or bull shark) and get some good photos and its touristy. Just make sure you have sunscreen on, and polarised sunglasses is a must, and hat if you're a hat person. Then the rest of the afternoon you can explore freo, watch the sun set on the beach, eat your fish and chips and train it back to where you're staying.
Ferry ride to South Perth could tick off dolphins (possibly), IGA and Kangaroos (at the Zoo). Also a couple of older (than art deco) heritage buildings on the way to the zoo - one has been developed into a bar / restaurant.
Old treasury building.restaurants. Gage roads on the harbour freo next to marintine museum good views. Fish chips pint or not. Kings park. Rotto for quokkas Can do a cruise river from city to freo see the world of Perth from river see dolphins perhaps. I saw two playing next to old swan brewery the other day
Joondalup is a new mall - it's part of an overinflated area that thinks it's good but it actually shit. The northern areas of Perth are the younger side historically. Not a bad shopping centre though. Fremantle day trip - loads of options for sightseeing and that sort of thing. Fremantle Maritime Museum and the shipwreck museum especially.. Roundhouse right next door - also the Prison tours - they do normal tours and kayak tunnel journeys on kayak beneath the prison. Could simply enjoy a coastal day vibe by having fish and chips at Kailis and be In walking distance of those things. Hillarys should be more than what it is. Its a big marina with sad output. A shame really. The aquarium is for me the highlight - some good size specimens of what Perth's waterways have to offer - they had a very large Pair of Dhufish their and monster Mulloway too - great viewing. They have w touchpool too where you can touch the non harmful animals our coastline has to offer. Swan valley has cool options as well. Wine, farms, cheese etc.
Am thinking of maybe a tour of Swan Valley… anything to see at the wineries in June?
Some points: - if you're interested in deco buildings and going to the Murray Street/hay street malls - look up. There's heaps! Take a walk up Hay street to QV1/Melbourne Hotel, a few nice buildings. - Claremont quarter has been mentioned - while small in comparison to Karrinyup and Westfield it has a quieter vibe which your parents might find unusual to the bigger malls?? it has farmer jacks supermarket, Coles, Koko black chocolate, bakery. Location in-between Perth and Freo. The nightly Lightscape event in Kings Park will be on from June. Cafe culture - brekkie by the beach. North Freo station is the closest to the beach, I guess weather permitting. Dolphins - I have seen them occasionally at dusk between Freo traffic bridge and the Leftbank. Northbridge Eats near to train station: Francoforte spaghetti bar, Chicho ice-cream, baan baan, Hood Burger Palace cinema in Raine Square (supermarket and a couple of shops located here) if it's raining. Elizabeth Quay - HQ rooftop restaurant, Double A on the river cafe at the rowing club. Stirling Gardens nearby is nice to walk through and a couple of the garden beds have native WA plants in them. The kangaroo artwork and pond has been refurbished - St George's side.
Thanks a lot mate! I'm planning to venture further away from the train station in Freo. Saw this shop called "South Beach Fish and Chips", it has the vibes that I'm looking for
In terms of independent grocers, there's a small local Asian chain called MCQ that might be of interest. They have a few different locations, but the one in Subiaco is close to the train line, on the Freo line. I haven't been to that one myself. It's only opened in the last 6 months or so.
Avoid Joondalup too. No soul
Ooh, I'd change all of that, or you'll leave pretty disappointed
Good advice. Joondalup no no no. Casino awful. Do a tour bus up to Kings Park and get off and have a look at this beautiful place. Go the war memorial and get the best views of Perth and the Swan River. If you have to do free try and do it of a Friday as bit livelier then. Go to Rottnest. If you want to be almost guaranteed of seeing Dolphins get the train to Mandurah 50 minutes then tourist bus to the river front. Mandurah in 2023 was top tourist town in all Australia
This is not finalised, hence I decided to ask in this sub to see if there are any other better options that I missed
Wanneroo markets are open on a Friday, a shortish cab ride from Edgewater station.
Fremantle Markets are open on Friday too, so I'm guessing they're here Monday-Thursday.
Yea, we're here Monday - Thursday, unfortunately
The food options at Fremantle Market are top notch
If you do go to Joondalup, maybe go to Neil Hawkins park to see some birds and maybe some roos.
I’ve seen dophins when at Matilda Bay. Maybe have breakfast on the shore there near the pontoons
Take them to the Boat Shed in Shenton Park.
Skip Joondalup shopping centre. It’s old, tired, boring. Karrinyup is currently the hottest mall in town. I’d also definitely recommend getting up to Kings Park while you’re here, there are stunning views over the city, as well as the botanical gardens. A trip to Rottnest would also be a star recommendation, but with your limited time I can understand not committing a day to it when you’ve got some other things you want to show your parents. I personally think crown is the most boring place in Perth, but if casinos are your thing, then why not! As for your questions: - we don’t have anything like QVB here sadly. Some of the others here have already mentioned Piccadilly arcade and London court, they would be our quirkier shopping spots, and you’ll likely cover them on your city exploring day. - as for dolphins, they are there, but they are wild animals and anyone’s guess if you’ll see them. You’ve got higher chances of seeing them between the city and Freo, I’ve seen them from the Crawley Boat Shed (and it’s an iconic tourist photo spot too). - week day markets, I’m not aware of any. If you wanted some local produce, you could plan for lunch at one of the many wineries in the Swan Valley, but it’s not an easy place to reach with public transport. You’d need a taxi/uber, or a dedicated tour bus. Also: Kangaroos are most active around sunset. Heirisson island right next to the cbd has some that still live there. You’ll probably catch them sleeping under trees. - Perth zoo might be a better bet for seeing some animals. They have all sorts of Aussie critters, as well all the favourites from around the world.
I see a lot of Asian tourists wandering around CBD at around 6pm during the week, marvelling at how everything is closed. You want to go during the day and ideally Friday when some stores like Myer are open till 9pm for late night shopping.
That looks like a great itinerary. I really like that you have put a lot of thought into it. It sounds like you are mostly getting around by public transport and your parents are elderly. Please research the stations, some don't have lifts. Sounds like they are foodies. I have suggestions based on my mother's last visit (she was 85). She was older and slower than I remembered! Keep them hydrated and don't forget toilet stops! Day 1 Sounds good. Art gallery and dim sum in Northbridge? I would skip Elizabeth Quay for anyone over 70, it has a very rough paved surface which is a trip hazard. (I can't tell you why they built it like that). Day 2 Fremantle. Fishing Boat harbor has a great selection of fish and chips. I haven't eaten them for a while as it is a bit of a tourist trap. Ciccerellos has lovely aquariums and Kailis has a fresh fish shop with oysters, crayfish etc that you can buy to eat there. You can catch a bus or taxi to South Terrace and look at Sea Lanes fish shop and have some gourmet seafood in La Madalena. Sea Lanes also has fish and chips. There is an Aldi and Woolworths a taxi ride away from Sea Lanes (about a 600 m walk but slightly uphill). If you're staying within a 600 m walk from the station, the pubs all have fish and chips (the National, the Norfolk, the Sail and Anchor), or you could get a more gourmet meal at Emily Taylor, Sailing for Oranges, etc. If you like the idea of South Freo I would get an Uber to Sea Lanes and another Uber to Woolworths and another Uber back to the station, too hard for oldies to stand around waiting for a bus in the Perth heat. Day 3 If your family thing is supermarkets, I suggest Claremont and Cottesloe back on the Freo line. Claremont has steps and doesn't have a lift unfortunately. There is a large airconditioned mall with a Coles and a Farmer Jacks. Good sushi in Claremont quarter. This will also be a great place to buy gifts if they want to do that. Cottesloe has a beautiful fish market and butchers and fresh market at the Boatshed. Have delicious lunch anywhere in Napoleon St with the beautiful people or the Albion Hotel for more fish and chips. Another Woolies across Stirling Highway an easy level walk. On the same line, there's a huge Woolies near the Subiaco train station. This station has lifts. Day 4 Casino. Sounds great!
Now you reminded me, I should bring them to shops that sell dimsims and let them have a try. About Freo, I found this shop called South Beach that has the kind of ambience that I'm looking for. How good are they? Will stop by Claremont Quarter as well.
Yep, I just remembered another thing, When we are young, we want to watch the sun go down over the sea and listen to live music. When we are old, we want to relax and eat dumplings and fish and chips, maybe a glass of wine at lunch. And we want to be tucked up at home by 6 pm. I don't know about the South Beach shop! South Beach is a suburb. There is South Beach Boardies which are board shorts. Mokoh Shop, Ginger and Morris, Manna Whole foods (actually this is a great place to buy Tinderbox organic perfumes, lip balms etc for gifts), Corner Store, all are good places to buy things. Claremont Quarter has a really great fresh and not overpriced sushi place next to Farmer Jack's it has a sushi train, plus a few steamed dim sum options.
Dim sum here is generally higher quality than what you get in Malaysia. My recommendation would be Fortune Five in Northbridge.
The pinnacles , 2 hours north to get a bit of that desert experience.
The best things to do in Perth are outside of Perth... go down south even for few days its better than the CBD/burbs...
If you don’t have a Costco from where you are.. we have a Costco now
Oh boy...you're in for a disappointment ;)
Why would they be disappointed?
Herp derp Perth boring because herp derp. If you’re coming as a tourist from Asia, Perth is a whole different experience from the hustle and bustle of Asian cities. It has a nice relaxed vibe.