Greater Perth Fun Coast Take some time to explore the Fun Coast region which stretches from the City of Melville through Cockburn and Kwinana down to Rockingham. From the beaches to the wetlands, with some great attractions to visit in between, this area has something to please everyone. Located on the banks of the Swan River between Fremantle and Perth, the City of Melville is a vibrant area with many attractive natural settings perfect for leisure activities plus restaurants and cafes, museums and galleries as well as one of Perth’s finest boutique shopping complexes, Garden City. Enjoy Point Walter in Bicton for fishing, golf or a coffee - you might even spot a dolphin. Visit the Heathcote Heritage Precinct in Applecross for premier views of the city skyline over the river then enjoy fine dining, an art exhibition or a picnic. You can be inspired by environmentally sustainable technologies at the Environmental Education Centre or enjoy the unique nocturnal sights and sounds of the bush on a night walk through Piney Lakes Reserve in Winthrop. In Bull Creek, visit the RAAFAWA Aviation Heritage Museum which has planes, planes and more planes and works hard to promote and preserve our aviation history, both military and civil. The displays are interesting, dynamic and informative, with over 30 complete aircraft to see, including a Lancaster, Spitfire and Tigermoth. Complementing the aircraft are numerous exhibits and displays, tracing our conquest of the air and space and preserving some of Australia’s military history. Perfect for aviation experts or just interested novices. Bull Creek Dve, Bull Creek Phone 9311 4470. The Town of Kwinana, just 25 minutes from Mandurah and Perth, has a wealth of natural reserves and wetlands, the perfect environment for nature walks and picnics. Located in the Beeliar Regional Park, the Spectacles Wetlands are part of a major ancient trade route following freshwater swamps and lakes which link the Aboriginal people of the Murray and Swan rivers. The Spectacles Yargan Tours feature local guides sharing their culture, language and history with guided walks, dancing and traditional storytelling. The wetlands also feature more than 100 species of birds and animals and a diverse range of wildflowers and paperbark trees. Tours run from October to April, phone 9439 0200. Heading south from Perth, the City of Cockburn (pronounced ‘Co–Burn’) is home to areas of clean and inviting coastline including Coogee Beach and Woodman Point, which offer a variety of activities for boating and fishing enthusiasts. There are many parks and reserves to explore; Manning Park is home to the Azelia Ley Homestead Museum, the old Wagon House and the Davilak Heritage Trail. Also in the area are the exciting Cockburn International Raceway. In Bibra Lake, experience the excitement of Adventure World, Perth’s premier fun park. Cockburn is also home to Jandakot Airport, where you can take a range of sightseeing flights via plane or helicopter to really see the city of Perth. More information... In Baldivis, make sure you visit MacNuts WA and see for yourself the secrets of a working macadamia nut factory. Take a guided tour, enjoy the tranquil atmosphere, relax with a cuppa and sample fresh nuts in assorted flavours, oils, spreads, honey or homemade cookies. A range of body care products is available.with their amazing range of macadamia nut products, phone 9524 2223. Bonneys Park Ski Shop has all the water skiing fun you can handle. With five man-made lakes and four slalom courses, tube rides, ski jump plus cafe and barbecues this is a great leisure destination. 136 St Albans Rd, Baldivis phone 9523 2200. The sparkling waters of Warnbro and Cockburn Sounds which surround Rockingham are ideal for all sorts of aquatic sports. Fringed with award-winning sandy beaches, these are among the best stretches of coastline in Australia. You can find coral reefs relatively close to shore as well as plentiful marine life and interesting shipwreck sites. The more sheltered northern beaches are usually calm for swimming while the southern beaches offer great sailing and windsurfing. Sea lions, dolphins, penguins and a multitude of bird and marine life abound along the coast and adjacent islands. Rockingham Wild Encounters offers a range of ecotours to see the best of the local wildlife. Tours depart daily from September to May. Phone 9591 1333. Also in Rockingham, experience the fun and safe rides at Rockingham Water Sports (more information). View map of Perth's Fun Coast. A visit to Mandurah can be as strenuous or relaxing as you like. Less than an hour from Perth by road or soon to be rail, Mandurah is perched on the coast overlooking the magnificent Indian Ocean. This is where the locals come to holiday. Canals make up many of the city streets and the cosmopolitan lifestyle offers a myriad of activities. entrally located in the hub of these activities is the Mandurah Visitor Centre - just look for the italic ‘i’ sign on Mandurah Terrace. The visitor centre will also be the final stop for the free shuttle bus operating from the railway and bus station. View map for locations of attractions. Numerous cafes and restaurants line the beautiful foreshore. On offer is a vast array of flavours and styles, everything from traditional fresh fish and chips to award-winning restaurants, bakeries and bars. The Stage Door Bar & Brasserie (map spot 4) is located within the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on the water. Ormsby Tce, Mandurah Phone 9586 3733. At the opposite end of the foreshore is the Red Manna Restaurant (map spot 8) adjacent to the old traffic bridge, with views of the water back down the bay. 5/9 Mandurah Tce, Mandurah Phone 9581 1248. Water activities will keep you busy in Mandurah, whether it be frenetic beachside fun or a leisurely dip in the calm waters of the estuary. There are children’s swimming beaches on the central foreshore and at the marina, providing shallow swimming for all ages. For fishing, swimming, crabbing, surfing, scuba diving, jet skiing, sailing or kayaking, the Mandurah waterways can offer it all. While you’re on the water, Bouvard Cruises (map spot 5) can take you on a canal or dolphin watching cruise, a leisurely lunch trip or an all day tour. 80 Mandurah Tce, Mandurah Phone 9581 1242. A walk along the boardwalk will take you past the new Australian Sailing Museum (map spot 3) which will open in early 2008, although the cafe will open sooner. An architectural statement in its own right, the museum will house a private collection of sailing memorabilia from around the world, collected by an internationally renowned sailing identity Rolly Tasker, now a local resident. 22 Ormsby Tce, Mandurah Phone 9534 7256. Further along the boardwalk and over a suspension bridge you will see the ocean as you make your way to the diverse shopping outlets at the Mandurah Ocean Marina (map spot 1) located within the Dolphin Quay complex. Boasting indoor markets full of atmosphere, this Brighton-inspired landmark building houses a number of casual dining options on the vibrant award-winning Mandurah marina. Watch it light up the night with its colourful theme lighting, phone 9586 3011. Further afield there are wineries and national parks to explore, nearby towns to visit, festivals and live performances to attend and markets with local produce and unique gifts to tempt you. If golf is your passion you can choose from several spectacular local courses. Ready for a sleep over? The Crest Hotel Group are Mandurah’s leading accommodation providers, offering a number of properties and styles of accommodation, on the water or in the CBD. Whatever your choice, Crest will ensure that your experience is exceptionally accommodating. Crest Mandurah Motel & Apartments (map spot 2) is located at 10 Mandurah Tce, Mandurah Phone 9582 9488 or (tollfree within Australia) 1800 334 714. For a comprehensive snapshot of everything to do and see whilst in Mandurah, visit the Mandurah Visitor Centre (map spot 6) at 75 Mandurah Tce, phone 9550 3999. Cicerello's Mandurah (map spot 5), much more than your average fish and chip shop you'll find a world-class aquarium display so you can explore the spectacular local marine environment without even getting your feet wet! 73 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah. Phone 9535 9777 Subiaco Subiaco is one of Perth's most thriving inner suburbs, home to shopping centres, markets and a wealth of cafes and restaurants. An alternative to Northbridge, Subiaco is alive every day and night. Before European settlement, Subiaco was a significant site for Aborigines. The nearby lakes, Lake Monger in Wembley and Lake Jualbup in Shenton Park, were important sources of water and food. Many fine old buildings such as the Subiaco Hotel and the Regal Theatre have been renovated, and many homes in the area are heritage listed to preserve their historical value. The Subiaco Museum, located on Rokeby Rd between the Council chambers and the library, is the only remaining original municipal building in Subiaco, dating back to 1911. The 'Subi', as local pub-goers call it, is the most popular meeting place in the area, while the Regal Theatre regularly hosts live performances including musicals and stand-up comedy acts. Another popular nightspot is the Red Sea Nightclub, located opposite the pub on Rokeby Rd. Just up from the train station you will find Subiaco Oval, home of Australian Rules football in WA. The ground was upgraded recently to seat around 40,000 spectators, and has floodlights for night games. If you hear a chorus of cheers or boos echoing around the streets of Subiaco, you'll know there's a game of footy on. When shopping in Subiaco you'll find almost every type of store including jewellery, homewares, art and craft and technology. The Colonnade Shopping Centre on Hay St, with its designer label shops, is a haven for the fashion conscious. The Station Street Markets are centrally located right next to the train station. These fascinating markets are home to over 100 independently-owned stalls featuring clothing, shoes, jewellery, art and craft, souvenirs and much much more. Relax and treat yourself to a massage or healing session with an expert practitioner, or find out what the future holds - several resident 'readers' provide a variety of services. Enjoy a snack or a meal in the undercover or alfresco garden food court, with its array of international food shops and live entertainment. Open Friday through Sunday plus public holiday Mondays, 9am to 5.30pm. Station St, Subiaco Phone 9382 2832. Subiaco is also a mecca for those seeking to satisfy their gastronomic desires; you may find it hard to choose from numerous tempting restaurants and cafes. Ranging from a la carte dining in restaurants and cafes to quick and easy take-away food, you can find Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Greek, Italian, Australian and many other cuisines. The easiest way to get to Subiaco is to catch the train - Subiaco is only the third stop out from Perth on the Fremantle line. The Subiaco train station is built underneath the Subi Centro shopping centre. If you're driving, the Hay St exit from the Kwinana Freeway takes you through to Subiaco. Coming from the north along Wanneroo Rd, join Thomas St then turn left into Hay St; from the Mitchell Freeway, the Vincent St exit takes you to Thomas St; from the east, exit the Graham Farmer Freeway on to Thomas St. Street parking in Subi can be tricky, but there are a good number of car parks tucked away in side streets. View map of Subiaco. Sunset Coast If one aspect of WA were to characterise life in the West, surely it would be our beaches - those magical places where the Indian Ocean meets the land, each coastal hideaway as awesome as any glossy brochure's promise. Here in Perth we have the cleanest of unspoilt white beaches and the contrasting landscape of native bushland, including the Yanchep National Park with its thriving colony of koalas. The Sunset Coast encompasses a strip of unspoilt beach which stretches north from Fremantle all the way up to Yanchep, 45 minutes' drive from Perth. It is this proximity to the city that has helped make the Sunset Coast such a popular spot, as well as the memorable sunsets, busy beach-side cafes and safe swimming beaches, all within just a few kilometres of Perth and Fremantle. More information on beaches. Sorrento Quay at Hillarys Boat Harbour is a leisure, dining and entertainment centre 20 minutes from the heart of Perth. It sits in the sheltered bay of Hillarys Boat Harbour, and offers one of Perth's safest swimming beaches. The Harbour is probably best known as the home of AQWA, the Aquarium of WA, but visitors should make sure to leave time for a leisurely browse through the many shops on Sorrento Quay itself, which is open seven days a week. There are also many dining options at the Quay, including a la carte seafood restaurants, smorgasbords, cafes and takeaways...and because you're on a quay, the ocean views are panoramic and plentiful. AQWA - The Aquarium of Western Australia is one of the Sunset Coast's major attractions. AQWA gives visitors the opportunity to discover the incredible and unique marine life of Western Australia's 12,000km coastline. Featuring Australia's largest aquarium and underwater tunnel, the world's largest collection of Western Australian marine life, beautiful living coral reefs, giant sharks, rays and turtles, and playful seals and hands-on fun, this is a great day out for the whole family. Rottnest Fast Ferries can take you to Rottnest Island - it’s just a 40 minute journey from Hillarys Boat Harbour on the Sunset Coast. They operate a wide array of Rottnest Island day tours and also offer accommodation packages. Alternatively, discover Rottnest at your own leisure; just take the ferry transfer and hire a bicycle and snorkelling gear. Free coach pick-ups are available from hotels, caravan parks and backpackers accommodation. There are also whale watching and twilight cruises in season. Shop 56 Hillarys Boat Harbour Phone 9246 1039. The City of Joondalup is proud to present the FREE 'Summer in the City' event series, featuring sunset markets every Friday (except 28 Dec); Summer CBD concerts with Latin Fever, The Bank Holidays or Hip Mo Toast; the Joondalup Festival on the weekend of 12-13 April 2008, with music, fireworks, street parade and much more; and other activities. For more information visit the website or phone 9400 4912. Transport Transperth operates many services in the Sunset Coast area. To get to Scarborough, catch a train on the Currambine line to Glendalough Station, then bus route 400 heading west, or to Stirling Station, then bus route 410 heading west. Both of these services terminate at Scarborough Beach.The fastest way to Hillarys Boat Harbour is by train on the Currambine line to Warwick Station, then bus route 423 heading west. The 469 bus from Whitfords train station (on the Currambine line) will take you east to Wanneroo and Wangara (home of the Wanneroo Markets). A 468 bus runs from Whitfords to Joondalup train stations, via Wanneroo and Burns Beach Roads. You can also take a bus direct to Wanneroo from the city - the number 346 bus leaves Wellington St Bus Station approximately every hour. If you plan to explore this area by car, leaving from the city, there are two main routes. If you head north up Thomas Street and keep following it (despite its name changes), this eventually becomes Wanneroo Road. This road runs up to and through the Sunset Coast region, and will take you to all the wildlife parks and activities located in the Eastern part of the Sunset Coast. If you head north on the Mitchell Freeway (there are several entrances in the city), and travel until you reach either Hepburn Avenue or Whitfords Avenue, turn left (heading West) as you're leaving the Freeway and this will, in almost no time, bring you to the white beaches and casually elegant lifestyle of Sorrento Quay and surrounds. If you are heading North from Fremantle, a slightly longer but very scenic drive will take you along the ocean to the Sunset Coast. Start on Port Beach Drive in North Fremantle, which will become Curtin Avenue and West Coast Drive. View map of Perth's Sunset Coast or visit the Sunset Coast Tourism Association online. Swan Valley Lush green vineyards, vines bursting with grapes, wine, delicious food and other delights are all part of the experience in Perth's leafy Swan Valley, nestled at the foot of the Darling Ranges to the east of the city. Encompassing the towns of Midland, Guildford, Caversham, Whiteman, Henley Brook, Herne Hill, Upper Swan and Middle Swan, the region houses boutique restaurants, art and craft galleries and enough beautiful scenery for a thousand postcards. There are over 40 wineries to visit, from small family-run concerns through to world-famous vineyards; recent years have also seen the establishment of several boutique breweries in the area. You can also visit art and craft galleries and workshops, a chocolate or nougat factory and a host of cafes and restaurants, all of which will combine to ensure a great day out for the whole family. In order to see and do as much as possible, drive up either West Swan Road or Great Northern Hwy, then come back down the other one. Captain Cook Cruises offers a range of daily wine cruises visiting the vineyards of the Swan Valley. ‘Perth’s Famous Wine Cruise’ departs daily at 9.45am and remains the most popular wine cruise in Perth. Enjoy morning tea and local ‘Wines of the Month’ on board, then transfer by coach for premium wine tasting at WA’s historic Houghton Winery and Sandalford Wines. Afterwards, sit back for a delicious three course lunch with live entertainment at Waters Edge Winery overlooking the Swan. If you don’t have a full day to spare, try the ‘Swan Valley Lunch Cruise’ departing at 1.15pm with a buffet lunch served on board before wine tasting at Waters Edge Winery. Both cruises include return city hotel transfers. Pier 3 Barrack Square Perth and C Shed Victoria Quay Fremantle Phone 9325 3341. Caversham Wildlife Park at Whiteman Park is home to most of Australia's favourite cuddly animals and exotic birds. With shady picnic areas plus a kiosk, it's a great spot to relax at lunch time while taking the opportunity to make friends with some unique Australian wildlife. The park also has a souvenir shop where you can purchase Australian souvenirs including CDs, videos, kangaroo skins, carved emu eggs, books, badges, t-shirts, cuddly toys and much more. Open every day of the year from 8.30am through to 5.30pm. Located within Whiteman Park, Lord St, Whiteman Phone 9248 1984. Oceanic Cruises While in Perth enjoy a Swan River wine cruise aboard Oceanic Cruises' 'Queen of the Valley'. Sit back on the open deck or in air-conditioned comfort whilst sampling a selection of Western Australian wines. This truly is a beautiful way to experience Perth's Swan River. Learn about wine making and enjoy a delicious lunch at Chesters' Restaurant and Winery, then take a short coach trip to Houghton's Vineyard for further wine tasting. Once the wine tasting is over it's off to the Margaret River Chocolate Factory before rejoining the Queen of the Valley for the return journey back to Perth. A wine cruise on the glorious Swan River is one of Perth's 'must do' experiences. Barrack St Jetty, Perth Phone 9325 1191. Looking for a wine experience with a world class reputation? Founded in 1840, Sandalford Wines is one of Australia’s oldest, largest and most prestigious privately owned wineries. Whilst enjoying an international reputation as one of the state’s leading premium wine producers, it has in recent years three times been awarded best wine tourism operator in the state by the WA Tourism Council. Take a winery tour on suspended walkways, dine indoors or alfresco under 160-year-old vines, or enrol in a wine appreciation class. Located on the banks of the Swan River, Sandalford is just a twenty minute drive from the Perth business district. Offering luxury river cruises, culinary distinction and world-class concerts and events, this is a ‘must-visit’ tourism destination, open 7 days a week. 3210 West Swan Rd, Caversham Phone 9374 9374. Whiteman Park Home to Caversham Wildlife Park, ‘Revolutions’ WA’s most diverse transport exhibition, the Motor Museum of WA, tram and train rides, a variety of quaint craft shops, a fantastic birds of prey flying display and much more. There is always lots happening, so be sure to allow plenty of time to explore. There are playgrounds and paved cycleways through picnic areas, and multi-sport courts for volleyball, basketball and tennis players, with equipment available for use. Bring a picnic, have a barbecue or purchase a meal from the cafe. There is plenty of free car parking, even on busy days. Best of all, entry to the park is free, and it’s open all year round. Lord St, Whiteman Phone 9209 6000. So what are you waiting for? Grab a free Swan Valley wine-tasting map from the WA Visitor Centre in Perth City and head east for the day. For further information on the Swan Valley contact the Swan Valley and Eastern Region Visitor Centre, open 9am to 4pm Mon-Sun. Cnr Meadow & Swan Sts, Guildford. Phone 9379 9400 View map of Perth's Swan Valley. © 2008 COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS Disclaimer: The information on this website, which is believed to be accurate and current at the time of publishing, has been prepared in good faith and is given as a guide only. The publisher accepts no responsibility for loss, injury, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of using this information. Customs, travel, safety and health issues should all be confirmed with the relevant authorities before you travel. |