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Beaches That Will Take Your Breath Away On Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 17:00:42 +0000

Beaches That Will Take Your Breath Away On Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Published August 31, 2019

My recent trip to the Perth metropolitan area in Western Australia was nothing short of amazing. The city’s parks, beaches, bars, and restaurants were a joy to explore via the city’s good public transit system. The nearby town of Fremantle also offered a beautiful historic center and additional culinary delights. But perhaps my favorite part of the trip was the day I spent on Rottnest Island.

This mostly undeveloped island is only a half hour away from the city by ferry. However, the stunning landscapes and seemingly endless supply of world-class beaches make it an absolute must for anyone visiting the Perth area. It’s also a small island and thus the perfect day trip! In this post, I’ll entice you by sharing some of the most beautiful spots, followed by some tips including how to book the ferry and how to get around by bicycle. Let’s dive in!

Points of Interest

If you’re curious about any of the following areas on the island, click any link below to skip to that section.

Pinky Beach & The Basin
Little Salmon Bay
Green Island
Herschel Lake
Lighthouses
The Western Half
Thomson Settlement
Quokkas!

1. Pinky Beach & The Basin

The closest beach to the ferry terminal is also one of the island’s nicest. Pinky Beach has white sand and beautiful blue gradients in the water. Despite having a beach club on its shores, there was no one else around.

Pinky Beach is only about a five or ten minute bike ride from the ferry terminal. To learn more about getting around the island on bicycle, click here.

2. Little Salmon Bay

Located on a small peninsula on Rottnest’s southern side, Little Salmon Bay (and the southeastern coast in general) offer some really stunning views.

3. Green Island

Green Island is basically just a small rock right off the shore, but the area around it (including Mary Cove) seemed to be a popular place to swim. There’s a restroom here with shower facilities.

4. Herschel Lake

Take a look at the map of Rottnest and you will see a bunch of lakes in the center of the island. These saltwater lakes are very shallow and remind me of salinas (man-made ponds used to collect ocean salt) that you might find in parts of the Caribbean. However, a tour guide told me that these lakes on Rottnest are not man-made. They’re interesting because the calm, glassy water stands in stark contrast to the sandy beaches and bright blue oceans that surround them.

The most interesting landmark near the lakes is Digby Drive, which crosses right over the water, separating Herschel Lake from Government House Lake.

5. Lighthouses

Rottnest Island has two lighthouses: Bathurst Lighthouse near Pinky Beach, and Wadjemup Lighthouse located in the center of the island. While Bathurst is worth a quick look, Wadjemup offers tours that go up to the top.

The tour of Wadjemup was run by volunteers who did a really great job of explaining the history of the island. The views from the top were also amazing and unobstructed. From up here, you can even see the Perth skyline in the distance if you really squint!

At the base of this lighthouse is the only place to get a snack in this part of the island, called Lexi’s on Rotto. This little shop is run out of a stylish copper-plated camper, but since it’s the only choice around, it’s a bit pricey. If you’re running low on water, restock here; the only other option is The Settlement (more on that below).

6. The Western Half

Rottnest Island’s western portion (further west than Wadjemup Lighthouse) has basically nothing man-made other than paved roads, dirt paths, and one (maybe two) public bathrooms. However, you should really check it out if you have time. This part of the island is much drier than the eastern half, so the landscape looks pretty different. There are almost no trees; only short shrubs that make the area feel much more like a desert. Here are some of the highlights of western Rottnest.

Rocky Bay Beach

This beach is located on a narrow isthmus connecting the two “halves” of Rottnest Island. It was one of my favorite beaches here because there are sand dunes nearby, which give it a vibe unlike the other beaches (which despite having white sand, are fairly rocky).

West End

This is your reward for biking all the way out to the end! Check out beautiful Fish Hook Bay, or watch the waves come crashing in. From this lookout, there’s an interesting rock formation where the waves blast through a small hole, creating firework-like explosions one or two times per minute. See the video below.

Crocodile Rock

This rock formation looks like a crocodile (head on the left). Do you see it?

Cathedral Rocks

I was told during my lighthouse tour that a New Zealand Fur Seal colony lives on the Cathedral Rocks, but if they were there, it was too far away and bright to see any of them clearly. There’s some free binoculars to use on the lookout deck, but that still didn’t help. If you’ve seen the Fur Seals here, leave a comment below and let me know how it was!

7. Thomson Bay Settlement

Also called simply “The Settlement,” this area near the ferry terminal is basically the island’s only town. While some may call it quaint, I was a little annoyed that at 3:00 p.m., the few restaurants in the main square had all closed down and the only option for food was Rottnest Bakery. There’s grocery stores and souvenir shops, but that’s about it.

8. Quokkas!

These adorable marsupials are one of Rottnest Island’s biggest attractions. They’re not afraid of humans, so people tend to get really close. While they will allow you take a selfie with them, you aren’t supposed to really handle them, and definitely don’t give them “human” food.

Not surprisingly, the biggest concentration of them are in The Settlement, although you may spot a couple further west. Feel free to check them out up close, but just be respectful. Don’t be that tourist who goes viral for doing something stupid!

Tips

Navigating Rottnest Island is pretty straightforward, but here are a couple tips to guarantee a smooth day on this island paradise.

Rent a Bike

Cars are not allowed on Rottnest (except for government vehicles and buses), so your best bet for getting around is renting a bicycle. It’s gonna be a tough workout depending on how much exploring you do, so be ready! The ferry company I booked with offers a bike rental, which I recommend. More on ferries below…

Taking the Ferry

I took the Rottnest Express ferry from Fremantle which was overall a good experience. They also offer add-ons such as bike rentals and snorkeling equipment. The ferry ticket cost 70 AUD for a round-trip and the bike rental cost 30 AUD for one day.

My ferry departed from B Shed in Fremantle (located here) and all ferries dock at this point on Rottnest near The Settlement. Rottnest Express offers a couple of services per day, but I woke up at the crack of dawn to take the 7:30 a.m. departure and the 4:30 p.m. return (the first and last one of the day). Even with nearly eight hours on the island, I still didn’t see everything I would’ve liked, so I recommend you do the same (or even look into spending a night on the island if you are really keen on exploring every beach).

The ferry ride lasts about 30 minutes from Fremantle. There’s also services from downtown Perth. To see more options, check out the Rottnest Express website.

Be Prepared (Especially on the Western Half)

Although the western half of Rottnest Island is beautiful and definitely worth the effort to check out, be aware that there’s almost nothing over here except roads, wilderness and beaches. I think there is one public restroom near the Cathedral Rocks, but don’t quote me on that. Other than that, there’s no place to get water or food, so bring what you need.

Lexi’s on Rotto is your last chance to pick up a snack before heading further west, and since this little trailer is basically the only option outside of The Settlement, you’ll pay a premium even for a bottle of water or a sandwich. If you really want to be prepared, pack a big water bottle before you get on the ferry.

Weather

As you can probably tell, a trip to Rottnest Island will basically be spent almost entirely outdoors. It would be pretty unfortunate to take the ferry over to Rottnest only to have it rain the entire day. Therefore, I recommend waiting until you’re able to check the weather forecast a few days in advance before booking tickets. Although I visited Perth during the winter (presumably the off-season), I had no trouble booking the day before. I’m sure weekdays are also less likely to be fully booked than weekends.

Are You Ready to Visit Perth and Rottnest?

Congratulations: you’re now ready for the perfect day trip to the beautiful island that is Rottnest! However, the greater Perth area has even more to offer than this incredible nature reserve. Be sure to check out my post on how to get around the city without a car and my other post featuring quaint and historical Fremantle.

Have any questions? Have you been to Rottnest Island before? Leave a comment below, and thanks for visiting!

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This post was published on Aug 31, 2019

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Beaches That Will Take Your Breath Away On Rottnest Island, Western Australia appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Fremantle: The Day Trip From Perth You Won’t Want To Miss

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:00:05 +0000

Fremantle: The Day Trip From Perth You Won’t Want To Miss

Published August 30, 2019

If you’re doing research for an upcoming trip to Perth in Western Australia, you may have found blog posts or articles suggesting you spend a day in the nearby town of Fremantle. And I’m here to tell you: listen to that advice! Not only is Fremantle fun to explore, but it’s also easily accessible from Perth via the city’s public train system.

I loved almost everything about my recent trip to the greater Perth area, but Fremantle had a special charm to it. Its historic center is full of beautiful architecture on a picturesque waterfront. Despite being much smaller than Perth, Fremantle has an equally impressive (if not better) bar and restaurant scene.

This quaint town is also home to the Fremantle Prison, a World Heritage Site where you can learn about Australia’s history as a British penal colony (more on that below).

Since the food scene was my favorite part of Fremantle, I’ll start with an overview of some of my favorite restaurants I discovered around town! After that, check out the section on the historic downtown, followed by my review of the prison tour I did.

Food & DRINK

For a town of relatively small size, Fremantle has a ton of restaurants and bars that foodies are sure to love. While I wouldn’t call any of the places I went super budget friendly, meal prices tended to be in line with what you’d find in the US. Alcohol, on the other hand, is generally more expensive in Australia. But even if you only have a few meals or drinks in Fremantle, you’re sure to find something delicious! Here are some of the places I tried.

Restaurants

1. The Mantle

The first place I went to in Freo (a commonly seen nickname for the town) was The Mantle. It’s a food court in a converted warehouse with a modern vibe, but since I was there on a Tuesday night, only one of the vendors was open: the Freo Pizza Factory, shown below.

It’s cozy and the pizza was delicious. Freo Pizza Factory is one of many Italian options in the town, and that’s no coincidence: the town has a history of migration from Italy, making it the perfect place to get some pretty authentic pizza or pasta!

2. George Street Quarters

This brunch joint and cafe is technically in the neighboring town of East Fremantle, but good things come to those who walk (or take an Uber). It’s about a half hour on foot through mostly residential streets. Upon arrival, I ordered a green omelette with cherry tomatoes and feta cheese. It tasted incredibly fresh and healthy, and it was pretty big. I left feeling completely satisfied!

I also liked the turmeric latte I got, pictured below.

3. Bib & Tucker

This fancy restaurant with waterfront views is also technically outside city limits (it’s located on the beach in North Fremantle), but the good news is that it’s only one stop away on the metro (Transperth Trains). This is a fun restaurant to try because they specialize in Australian cuisine.

I tried their duck leg ragu pasta, pictured above. It was tasty and the service here was great. If you want some traditional Australian dishes with a modern flare, Bib & Tucker is a great choice.

4. The Raw Kitchen

If you made a list of everything hipster and rolled it into one, you’d get The Raw Kitchen. Inside a huge converted warehouse in the heart of Freo, they’ve got a cafe, a restaurant, a store that doesn’t use any plastic packaging, and a yoga studio in the back. When I first read about it online, I worried that I might not be hip enough to have lunch there. On the contrary, the space is really welcoming and staff are very friendly.

According to their website, The Raw Kitchen offers “progressive plant-based cuisine, made without the use of any dairy, gluten, refined sugar or additives.” I think that means vegan, although I’m not 100% sure. In any case, I tried their raw pad Thai with a glass of white wine from the nearby wine-producing region of Margaret River.

At first glance, this may just look like any old plate of Thai-style noodles. But if you look closely, you’ll see that those noodles are actually strands of zucchini. They take the concept of raw food seriously: everything was served cold (i.e. not cooked). However, it was still really flavorful and (I assume) very healthy. Check out The Raw Kitchen for a unique and memorable dining experience!

Bars

You can probably guess that a town with this many trendy restaurants is bound to some interesting bars as well. Here are some of the ones I liked.

1. Jungle Bird

This tiki bar surrounded by historic buildings on High Street was so good that I had to go back a second time. Everything about Jungle Bird resonated with me: the extensive menu of tropical cocktails, the incredibly chill vibe, and the friendly bartenders.

On my second visit, I decided to try their “Loaded Caribbean Fries” which were piping hot and deliciously flavored. The curry aioli dipping sauce that came with them was to die for.

Although their menu has every rum-based cocktail you could think of, I tried their “Pirates Breakfast” pictured below. This unique drink contained multiple types of rum, espresso, almond, and a whole egg. It tasted delicious and creamy, but definitely packed a punch. Fellow rum lovers shouldn’t pass up a drink or two at the Jungle Bird!

2. Little Creatures Brewing

If you love breweries, Little Creatures brewery is reason enough to visit Freo. This massive industrial space on the water offers a full food menu in addition to a huge list of beers on tap. It’s also the headquarters of an international award-winning craft beer operation established in 2000.

When you first enter, be sure to check out the tasting room on the right. For about 10 USD, you can sample nine different beers on tap (which is a great deal in Australia). They may look like shot glasses in the picture, but they’re bigger than that and filled generously. The menu also includes detailed descriptions of each sample in case there’s one you particularly like.

Although I’ve never seen it in the US, I first tried Little Creatures beer in Hong Kong, so clearly it’s enjoyed throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (On a side note, apparently they’ve just opened their first US location in San Francisco. If you live in the Bay Area, check it out and let me know how it is in the comments below!)

3. The National Hotel Fremantle

What I like most about this historic building is its striking exterior that looks like it belongs in the French Quarter of New Orleans. In addition, the ground floor is a spacious bar that happened to have an open mic night when I went.

Since I visited Australia during the winter, it actually got sort of cold after dark. I stopped in and got a hot toddy after dinner one night, which was a perfect way to warm up. Be sure to go check out the balcony on the second floor as well.

Explore the Historic Town Center

If the food scene was my favorite part of Freo, then its historic downtown was a close second. Fremantle is a port city that was built up in part by a gold rush at the end of the 1800s. This is reflected by the beautiful, ornate buildings that can be seen around the heart of downtown.

Give yourself a few hours (at least) to explore both the main avenues and the side streets.

Cappuccino Strip

In case none of the restaurants and bars mentioned above appeal to you, the Cappuccino Strip is another good area to grab a bite to eat, a coffee, or an alcoholic beverage. This collection of eateries is located on South Terrace and there are dozens of options to choose from.

Fremantle Markets

One thing I unfortunately missed were the Fremantle Markets. I was in the Perth area from a Monday to a Thursday, and unfortunately this famous attraction is only open on the weekends. If you’re in Freo while it’s open, be sure to check it out!

Fremantle Prison Tour

When I first learned that Fremantle is home to a historic prison, I decided I had to go check it out. I was aware that Australia’s colonization started off as a penal outpost for the British Empire, but I knew little beyond that. The Fremantle Prison is the perfect place to brush up on your Australian history and see the inside of a jail in person.

The prison’s historical significance lies in its main building, shown in the two pictures below. From 1855 to 1991, prisoners lived in this huge white structure. That’s right; convicts and ex-convicts who are still alive today were housed in this ominous building less than thirty years ago. You can really sense the “recently lived-in” feel as you go through the tour.

The only way to see the prison is to go on a group tour led by a guide, but it was excellent and I highly recommend it.

Fremantle Prison offers nearly half a dozen different tours, so you can come back again and again and learn something new each time. Some focus on the prison’s early history while others focus on the years leading up to its decommissioning in 1991. I was particularly intrigued by their underground tunnel tour, but unfortunately it’s much more expensive and they weren’t offering that one on the day I went. The one I went on lasted about an hour and a half and cost 22 AUD.

My tour focused on the prison’s more modern history in the 1900s. However, our group guide also explained briefly how the prison came to be and what it was like to be a convict in the era when Great Britain was sending its criminals to Australia in droves. Both chapters in the prisons history are fascinating. It was also interesting to compare the modern Australian prison experience to the challenges regarding incarceration in the US.

The most unexpected part of the prison is the abundance of art that can be found both in the cells and in public areas. Particularly dangerous inmates were sometimes given license to decorate their cells as a creative outlet. In the final years of operation, more and more prisoners were allowed to create art on their cell walls. Much of it is stunning and looks professionally done.

Check Out the Waterfront

In addition to great food, a beautiful downtown, and a World Heritage Site, Fremantle also has no shortage of beautiful waterfront. Here are three highlights.

South Mole Lighthouse

Walk along the jetty to see this picturesque green lighthouse. As far as I can tell, you can’t go up, but views of the shipping port along the way are reason enough to go on this short stroll.

Beach Views from The Roundhouse

The Roundhouse is a massive stone structure that stands on Captains Lane, where the town meets the sea. It’s actually the oldest building in Western Australia that survives to this day (only built in 1830-1831, so really not that old!). It functioned as many things, including the town’s first prison. Go through the tunnel to get to the beach, or climb up onto the upper level for a great view of the Indian Ocean.

The Fishing Boat Harbor

This quaint little marina is only a one or two minute walk from Little Creatures Brewing. There are a number of restaurants selling fish and chips here, but I didn’t get a chance to try any of them. In addition, the little stretch of nearby Mews Road that faces west is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the ocean.

One Last Stop: The Rainbow Sea Container

This one is a little out of the way, but it’s mentioned here because it’s the de facto icon of Fremantle. This massive arch constructed out of nine rainbow-colored shipping containers is only a few years old, but it pays homage to the city’s roots as a port city and fits right in with all the other quirky things around town.

If you are interested in trying George Street Quarters (a restaurant mentioned above), this piece of art is located along the way from downtown Fremantle.

Freo: There's More Than Meets the Eye

Although I only spent about a day and a half in Fremantle, it will hold a special place in this traveler’s heart until the next time I’m able to visit. Freo may be small, but I’m willing to bet that even people who live there are constantly finding new things to see, do, and taste.

A trip to the greater Perth area isn’t complete without a visit to the city center and Rottnest Island. Both are easily accessible from Fremantle and offer some equally amazing (yet very different) experiences. Be sure to check out my blog posts featuring those destinations as well! Thanks for reading!

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This post was published on Aug 30, 2019

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Fremantle: The Day Trip From Perth You Won’t Want To Miss appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

How To Visit Perth, Western Australia Without A Car

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:00:00 +0000

How To Visit Perth, Western Australia Without A Car

Published August 29, 2019

Australia has always been on my travel wish list. But as American readers can attest to, it’s just so far away from the States. Taking a trip from the US to Australia requires a fair amount of time and money, so a vacation there was always on the back burner for me. Now that I’m based in Vietnam, Australia is much closer. However, I didn’t choose Sydney, Melbourne, or even Brisbane for my first visit. Instead, I decided to check out the city of Perth, the capital of Western Australia (WA)!

So why did I choose Perth? For one, Air Asia offers some surprisingly cheap flights between Vietnam and some of Australia’s smaller cities such as Perth and Darwin. But more importantly, I met a backpacker from Perth while I was in Sa Pa who had only good things to say about the city. That piqued my interest, and once I read a few more blog posts about it (like this one), I decided to bite the bullet and check out Perth for my first major vacation since I started teaching in Vietnam this May.

A trip here is actually a three-for-one deal: spend a day or two in the city of Perth itself, but don’t miss the quaint suburb of Fremantle or the stunningly beautiful beaches on nearby Rottnest Island. Since there’s so much to mention for each of these three distinct destinations, I’ll be writing a separate post about Fremantle and another about Rottnest Island. Don’t forget to check those out, too!

In this post, I’ll focus on the city of Perth. Despite being quiet and relaxing, the capital of Western Australia has no shortage of fun sites to check out. Every attraction mentioned here is accessible by the Transperth Trains network (the city’s metro system). Since Australia isn’t the most budget-friendly destination, public transportation can be a huge help in keeping costs down while you explore the area.

Why Visit Perth?

Before going into the details of how to get around the Perth metropolitan area without a car (click here to skip to that section), I’m sure you’re wondering what the city has to offer. Read on to see just some of the city’s parks, restaurants, bars, and beaches that are easily accessible by public transportation!

Elizabeth Quay

The Quay is basically Perth’s compact downtown waterfront. It can be explored easily in half an hour, and my favorite parts of it were this funky pedestrian bridge and the views of the skyline. There’s also a few cafes and bars nearby as well as a little water park for kids.

Next to Elizabeth Quay is The Bell Tower. This famous and unique structure pictured below contains a collection of church bells, but I didn’t have a chance to go inside. If you want to go up, you’ll need to book a tour. I definitely want to come back and see what the bells are all about!

Kings Park

This truly massive park offers the best views of the city as well as the Swan River (Perth’s major waterway). Although it’s a bit of an uphill walk from downtown, it’s worth the effort.

In addition to being a great place for views, the park itself is really nice. It’s full of uniquely Australian plants and birds, and the expansive green lawns are beautifully maintained.

Two things I missed in this area were the DNA Tower and the Blue Boat House. The latter is a Perth icon and is located on the far end near the neighborhood of Crawley. If I had known at the time that they were there, I would’ve walked over to check them out. Don’t forget them if you visit Kings Park!

Cottesloe Beach

Take a quick look at the map of Perth and its surroundings. You’ll notice that the city is incredibly close to miles of coastline. These sandy beaches along the Indian Ocean are simply stunning, but most of them (especially to the north) aren’t accessible by city train. If you’re looking to spend an afternoon by the water, the most convenient one to get to is Cottesloe Beach.

The color of the water is incredible here, but I also liked the tall evergreens along the shore. They give the neighborhood a unique vibe that will remind you more of the Pacific Northwest than say, Florida or the Caribbean.

Cottesloe has a charming little strip of restaurants and cafes along the water. A bunch of them serve fish and chips, so I decided to pop into one called Amberjacks for lunch. To read about how the food was there, click here to skip to the section on restaurants below.

The Central Business District (CBD)

Perth’s downtown is pretty standard as far as city centers go, but you’ll likely pass through it on your way to the other points of interest mentioned above. One nice place to walk is the area near Murray Street Mall and Hay Street Mall. These few blocks are basically an outdoor shopping center with various stores, street art, restaurants, and bars.

Speaking of restaurants, Perth is home to a lively culinary scene with cuisine from all over the world. To learn more (including what it was like to taste kangaroo for the first time), read on!

Some Dining Ideas

You could stay in Perth for weeks or months and still not have time to try all of the city’s top-rated restaurants. The city is famous for high-end Asian cuisine, but since I live in Vietnam, I tried to seek out some more local options. The first place I’ll mention is a modern Australian restaurant that didn’t disappoint…

Petition Kitchen

This large eatery with three distinct sections (the restaurant itself, a wine bar, and a beer “corner”) is housed in a centrally-located historic complex called the State Buildings. I went for an early dinner on a weeknight, which is why it was so empty, but the dining experience was so good because most of the ingredients they use come from Australia. The oysters and cheese plate shown below were both sourced locally. Petition is also a great place to try a glass of wine from Margaret River, a region of WA famous for its vineyards.

For the main dish, I went with their beef cheek, which was excellent. It was so tender and the shaved sprouts on top added the perfect amount of crispy texture and variety to this filling dish.

Mary Street Bakery

There’s no other way to describe this place than as a really good bakery. There appears to be a handful of locations throughout the city, but I went to the one in the CBD one morning. I tried one of the rosewater and pistachio donuts pictured below, which was so rich and delicious. Don’t forget to order a coffee as well to wash it down!

Adelphi Grill

This restaurant is connected to the CBD’s Hilton Hotel, and honestly has that “hotel bar and grill” kind of vibe. However, I came here on a mission: to try kangaroo for the first time. I didn’t actually see it on their menu, but I read online that they offer it and asked my waiter before sitting down. He confirmed that they do; this is what it looked like.

At least here, it’s served sort of like a steak with mashed potatoes and a side of cranberry purée. While it was definitely an interesting experience that I recommend trying in Australia, I can’t say that kangaroo is my new favorite meat. That’s largely because it’s supposed to be served quite rare due to the fact that it’s so low in fat. Apparently, overcooking it even a little totally ruins it. However, that left me feeling like I was eating an almost raw, unfamiliar red meat. I honestly walked away with fingers crossed that I wouldn’t get sick (luckily, I didn’t).

I’d be willing to give it another chance eventually, but once was enough for this trip. If you want to try it, Adelphi Grill does a set meal which includes the sides pictured above as well as a salad bar buffet for 48 AUD.

Amberjacks in Cottesloe

Mentioned briefly above, this casual fish and chips joint is a good place for lunch if you’re wandering around the Cottesloe Beach area.

The fish was good and fried upon ordering, so it’s piping hot when you get it. The whole thing comes wrapped up in a big paper package that looks like it could be sent in the mail. They also have great views of the ocean across the street if you decide to dine in. My only complaint was that they charge extra for ketchup and tartar sauce.

Nando's

Okay, so disclaimer: Nando’s isn’t Australian at all (it’s actually South African), but if you’re from a part of the world that doesn’t have it, by all means, take the opportunity and get it in Perth! I tried their famous Portuguese peri-peri chicken and instantly became a fan. Their fries are also to die for. I’ll be sure to keep my eye out for Nando’s on all future travels!

Perth clearly has a huge number of options for food. And as you might guess, the city has an equally impressive and diverse bar scene. To get a sense of what’s out there, I’ve mentioned a couple of the ones I liked below.

Libations

Most bars in Perth have a specialty or theme. They might serve a huge selection of a specific liquor such as rum or gin. Others have a more comprehensive menu but have tried to cultivate a unique vibe.

You might be thinking that this all sounds sort of expensive. And in general, it is. It’s hard to find a cocktail for under 12 AUD (approx. 8 USD), and it’s not uncommon to find drinks for as much as 20 AUD. But if you’re willing to spend the money, checking out even one or two bars can be a fun and memorable experience.

The Flour Factory

This local favorite (located here) is a perfect example of what I’m talking about. It wasn’t exactly cheap, but it was a unique bar. I popped in a Monday afternoon, so it was almost empty. I’m not much of a gin person, but the bartender did a great job of explaining what makes a certain bottle or distiller unique. It was clear that she had a passion for gin, but she knew how to make the experience accessible to those (like me) who don’t normally drink it.

A gin and tonic is a drink I tend to avoid, but I really enjoyed the two I had at the The Flour Factory. The first one pictured below was smooth and floral and the second was spicy and well… ant-y! That’s right, you can even try a gin flavored with green ants at this bar! If you’re curious how that’s a thing, click here to learn more.

All in all, The Flour Factory was probably my favorite bar in Perth. Give it a try even if you don’t love gin. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Bobèche

This bar was probably the most upscale that I visited on this trip. It’s dimly lit and technically in a basement, but don’t let that scare you away. Bobèche seemed to be the hottest spot for after-work happy hours among professionals in the CBD, so cocktails are even more expensive here than at the other bars mentioned.

However, the drinks are also really good and the bartenders are clearly experts. I especially loved their “Aztec flip,” a mezcal-based seasonal drink with dark chocolate liqueur and a whole egg (pictured second below). It almost tasted like ice cream, but had the undeniable spicy aftertaste that only mezcal can provide. It made me nostalgic for Mexico!

Hula Bula Bar

The rum cocktail I got at Hula Bula Bar was just okay, but the atmosphere inside is what made this bar fun. It’s small and relaxed, and the decor is on point. This bar is located here.

If you’re in Fremantle and are looking for a tiki bar with a fun vibe and outstanding drinks, click here.

Long Chim

Last but not least, this Thai-inspired bar and restaurant has a hip vibe and is actually located in the same building as Petition, so it’s a great place to have a before-dinner cocktail. The drink menu is creative with a cohesive Thai theme. For example, the “floating market” I ordered (pictured below) was a frothy pisco-based cocktail that was undoubtedly interesting and tart.

They also have some delicious Thai-style wings as well as other appetizers. I would’ve loved to try a full dinner here, but there’s only so much you can eat in four days! I’ll have to come back and order a proper meal next time.

Clearly Perth is a little slice of heaven for foodies. However, don’t get too full within city limits: Fremantle has an equally lively food and drink scene, despite being a much smaller town. Click here to jump on over to my other post and learn about the equally enticing options in this waterfront suburb!

Well, there you have it; that concludes my list of things to see and do in Perth! Everything mentioned above is accessible by the city’s train system, so you won’t even need Uber to get to any place you’ve read about so far. To learn more about getting around Perth on public transportation, check out the section below!

How to Get Around Without a Car

One of my favorite parts about Perth is that it has a really great public transportation system, aptly called Transperth. If you tailor your itinerary and do a bit of planning, you won’t ever need to rent a car or even hire an Uber (althought you can if you want). Here are my suggestions.

Take Advantage of Transperth Trains!

Acquaint yourself with the commuter rail system. Just turn on the “transit” filter on Google Maps while looking at Perth, and you’ll see each metro line snaking out from downtown miles and miles into the suburbs.

As a visitor, you’ll probably spend most of your time along the blue line, which runs between Perth and Fremantle. Tickets typically cost between 2 and 5 AUD and depend on how far you’re going. Stations are clean and well-kept, and employees are helpful in case you have any questions.

Ride the Bus To and From the Airport

The only problem with the metro system is that it doesn’t connect to the airport (as of August 2019). However, bus #380 runs between the airport and downtown and is fairly straightforward. The bus fare is a few dollars, while an Uber for the same ride costs about 30 AUD. Ask airport employees if you need any assistance.

Use Uber Pool

In case you are headed somewhere that isn’t near a metro line, Uber is an option in the Perth area. As in the US, Uber Pool offers significantly discounted rates as long as you aren’t in a hurry to get where you’re going. I used Uber two or three times during my trip, but the vast majority of my commuting around Perth was by train.

Where to Stay

I recommend staying at an Airbnb somewhere between Fremantle and Perth within walking distance to one of the stops along that metro line. Lodging is cheaper outside of the city center, but you don’t really give up much in terms of convenience by staying in the suburbs. I stayed in the Subiaco area and paid 130 USD for four nights at a two-bedroom Airbnb shared with the host, which was overall a good experience.

Luggage Storage Downtown

I arrived to the Perth airport at 5:30 a.m. after an overnight flight, but I couldn’t check in to my Airbnb until the late afternoon. If you find yourself in a similar situation and need to store your bags for a day, there is a luggage storage venue called Citiplace Rest Center located right in the heart of downtown (next to Perth Station). They charged about 10 AUD for a very big storage locker for the entire day. Staff are on-site at all times and I recommend using them.

That's Not All, Folks!

If this post has inspired you to consider Perth for your next trip, congrats! You definitely won’t regret choosing this laid-back city for your next getaway. If you still need a bit of convincing, check out my posts featuring Fremantle and Rottnest Island, both of which can be done as day trips from Perth! In four or five days, you can see everything I’ve mentioned here as well as a quaint town with a rich history and an island with no urban development and unbelievable beaches. Thanks for checking out my very first post featuring Australia!

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This post was published on Aug 29, 2019

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The post How To Visit Perth, Western Australia Without A Car appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Western Australia Archives - Caffeinated Excursions

Beaches That Will Take Your Breath Away On Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Points of Interest

1. Pinky Beach & The Basin

2. Little Salmon Bay

3. Green Island

4. Herschel Lake

5. Lighthouses

6. The Western Half

Rocky Bay Beach

West End

Crocodile Rock

Cathedral Rocks

7. Thomson Bay Settlement

8. Quokkas!

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Rent a Bike

Taking the Ferry

Be Prepared (Especially on the Western Half)

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Fremantle: The Day Trip From Perth You Won’t Want To Miss

Food & DRINK

Restaurants

1. The Mantle

2. George Street Quarters

3. Bib & Tucker

4. The Raw Kitchen

Bars

1. Jungle Bird

2. Little Creatures Brewing

3. The National Hotel Fremantle

Explore the Historic Town Center

Cappuccino Strip

Fremantle Markets

Fremantle Prison Tour

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South Mole Lighthouse

Beach Views from The Roundhouse

The Fishing Boat Harbor

One Last Stop: The Rainbow Sea Container

Freo: There's More Than Meets the Eye

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How To Visit Perth, Western Australia Without A Car

Why Visit Perth?

Elizabeth Quay

Kings Park

Cottesloe Beach

The Central Business District (CBD)

Some Dining Ideas

Petition Kitchen

Mary Street Bakery

Adelphi Grill

Amberjacks in Cottesloe

Nando's

Libations

The Flour Factory