If you are heading way down south on the WA coast you need to call in and see The Port of Fremantle. It is only 18 kms from Perth where the Swan River flows into the Indian Ocean. Fremantle is a busy containerised working harbour and international port, catering for ocean liners and fishing fleet. Besides all of this Fremantle has a European vibe with its cappuccino strip, where you can lazily sit on the sidewalk drinking coffee, or enjoy an a la cart meal with a bottle of wine or endulge in a beer from the brewery while watching the world go by. We did all of this while in Fremantle, also visited the markets which are open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We had a quick look on Friday, they aren't the biggest markets, however, fresh fruit and veg were worth the visit.
If you are travelling like us and need to stay in a caravan park the Fremantle Village Caravan Park is the one to stay in. The bus stop into town is at its front door and if you walk a block or two there is what they call the CAT, which is the free bus in and around the city. You can also walk or ride your bike on a wonderful bike/ walking path all the way along the foreshore and marina areas into the city.
On our first full day in Fremantle we rode our bikes along the bike track to the wharf area and caught the Rottnest Express ferry over to, of course, Rottnest Island.
You can either take your own bike, which we did, or hire a bike over there if you wish. There are no cars allowed on the island so if you can't ride and you wouldn't walk(just far too far) you can catch a small bus that does roam around the whole island.
We looked at the weather forecast and chose this day due to the sun shining and maybe warmer weather approx 17 degrees. Not being used to cooler weather we totally overdressed and on the ride were a little, NO A LOT, heated.
Very overdressed for the climate and the fact that we were intending to ride the 22 kms around the island.
Mez was standing on the cliff and I was down the road when I zoomed in to capture the removal of layers of clothing, just a short distance down the road from the previous picture.
The ocean water on the West Australian Coast is the bluest water I have seen, mentioned that before, and on Rottnest it didn't disappoint. When you get off the ferry head right and you will ride past the most amazing turquoise coloured water, deserted bays and rugged coastline, just beautiful,
In the warmer months Rottnest is packed and these villas are full of holiday makers.
Rottnest is now primarily a holiday island with no private landholders. The only people who live there are some workers and caretakers.
Lots of bays with heaps of yellow boat moorings everywhere. This lovely deserted beach will be full of boats in the warmer months, very busy. The bike ride was a little tiring with many hills and as they say if you go down one side you have to come up the other. The countryside was lovely and of course there is always the lighthouse looking after us all.
Mez got to meet some of the locals, the quokka, who is one of the smallest wallaby species in Australia. They are very tame and roam around and are very blase with the tourists.
How do you see the city of Perth in one day when you have never been there before? Well, you do the touristy thing and get on the hop on hop off bus that tours the city highlights.
This tour takes about 2 hours and we were lucky on an overcast day to dodge the rain and see the sites, such as the Perth Mint, Barrack Street Jetty and Bell Tower, Crown Perth Casino and lots more especially the city's King Park. This park is an area that covers 400 hectares of parklands, picnic areas and natural bush.
A great view of the Perth City skyline from Kings Park, a fantastic inner city park. Mez's birdseye view of the city from the top deck of the bus.
The Royal Perth Yacht Club is a very exclusive club that has been involved in challenging for the America's Cup in 1987 after Australia won the cup in 1983. View from Kings Park.
After touring Perth city we caught the train back to Fremantle and called into the Fremantle Yacht Club for some very late lunch. Had a great time in Fremantle, a very diverse city.
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