In perth 15-20th may - recce! what should we do

[livejazz]

Hi,

We are in Perth for job interviews and a recce on may15th to 20th. We are a mid 30s professional couple (with family but they are staying at home this trip). We want to really understand how people have found perth, dislikes, likes, way of life, etc. Ideally it would be great I suppose to meet up with some friendly locals or groups, maybe there are some sort of help groups there? otherwise we were planning a trip to rottnest island, some time in some suburbs we liked (claremore, subatico, nedlands, dalkeith) and then try take a 1 day longer trip (we'll hire a car) and go south to visit a winery. Idea is to see some terrain outside perth (and hopefully not find a dust bowl!)

Issues for us are things like the weather (if kids can handle it, if people fall over with heatstroke, if people constantly have to cream up all day long (not nice and frankly all the chemicals in these creams are not good for our kids with ezcema). But sunny climates make for healthier people.

Otherwise, we are hoping to find out that people enjoy life, the parks, the sun! the amenities etc. We'll that is the plan. It is all a balance. The isolation does worry us a little, but that surely is a state of mind. You can be as isolated in London with 11 million people! depends on who you know and what you do.

The "beach lifestyle" worries me a little. Frankly..I have never spent any time on a beach. Going to spain and sharing a beach with a load of Brits does not appeal. I am hoping it means a little more in australia, like some beach sports and some decent resturants and walks. Not beering up and skin cancer burns with fried chicken legs.

thanks.

[ali]

The 'Isolation' of WA actually appealed to us, it does feel quieter than Sydney and Brisabane (we've visited both) and for us that was a plus (appreciate it's not fore everyone). I think you're right about it being a state of mind, i don't feel any less isolated than when I lived in Preston. Flights inter-state are a little expensive, but very reasonable if you want to explore asia.

I have 2 kids and they handle the weather, yes they 'cream up' if they're out in the sun for long periods, at my suns school if you don't have a sun hat you sit in the shade at recess.

We're not big beach goers ourselves, so living near to them wasn't top of our list, we live about 20 mins away, and enjoy it when we go ... but there's so much more to WA, some beautiful parks, walks, the swan valley and Margaret River for example are lovely.

Come with an open mind ... expect it to be different, there's lots of variety here.

[emmaj]

A trip to kings park is a must, such a beautiful area! Rotti was my other suggestion but youve already mentioned that.

Have a wonderful time!

Emma
x

[pommysteve]

Perth is a small town compared to Sydney, Melb, Brissie ect...
Head South and you'll find stunning scenery and load of smaller towns. I didn't go North...yet...
Look forward to hearing the results of your reccy! Please post!

[cartertucker]

Good luck on your recci....Would also love to hear all about it

I have found the following for you, which may help for the future:

http://www.sun-togs.co.uk/browse They have some great products & sunscreen that is good for children with ezcema

I realise this is a UK company, but im sure you can buy sunscreen in Australia for children with ezcema

[5x4_inches]

I thought the isolation thing might feel a bit strange, but I've never really thought about it since I've been here - I suppose when I lived near London I was never really comforted by the thought that Birmingham was only 2 hours drive away!

When we came here for a recce last year we went south for a few days and were very surprised by the lushness of the scenery - I'd certainly recommend more than a day trip. And even though I'm not a great lover of sitting on a beach, the coast is stunning and the ocean beautiful. It's also fun to go to the aquarium in Hillarys Boat Harbour, although it might put you off going in the ocean for life! You can stroke a stingray there (skin like sandpaper) and cutlefish (sort of velvety on the outside but hard underneath...)

[gpo1971]

Buy a 'what to do in Perth' book.
Just out of the index in mine, these are some of the things we did when we first got here;

AQWA Aquarium at Hillarys
Araluen Botanical Gardens
Barrack St Jetty
Beaches - Cottesloe, Scarborough, Trigg etc.
Burswood
Caversham Wildlife Park
City Centre inc London Court
Claremont Swimming Pool (might be too cold)
Fremantle
Galleries
Gloucester Park Trots
Guildford
Hillarys Boat Harbour
The Hills
King's Park (the best park you'll ever go to)
Leedverville
Mandurah
Mullaloo
Museum of WA
Northbridge (in the day, ha ha)
Perth Mint
Perth Zoo
Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park
Rottnest Island
Subiaco (inc a Dockers game!)
Two Rocks
WACA
Yanchep

All local to Perth really.

[sean and maureen]

For suburbs that are a little different and especially if you are not "beach" type people, go for a drive into the Swan Valley - fantastic winerys and of course the Chocolate Factory.

The Hills - Darlington, Helena Valley, Mundaring, etc are all lovely suburbs. The Sunday sessions at the Mundaring and Parkervile pubs are a must to visit, nice country pubs....

You are only around 20kms to the city and it only is about 40 mins to the beach.

5 days isn't a lot of time to see everything, just enjoy your time and take in as much as you can.

Good luck and if you need to be shown around our area, drop us a pm

[Mongrel]

For suburbs that are a little different and especially if you are not "beach" type people, go for a drive into the Swan Valley - fantastic winerys and of course the Chocolate Factory.

The Hills - Darlington, Helena Valley, Mundaring, etc are all lovely suburbs. The Sunday sessions at the Mundaring and Parkervile pubs are a must to visit, nice country pubs....

You are only around 20kms to the city and it only is about 40 mins to the beach.

5 days isn't a lot of time to see everything, just enjoy your time and take in as much as you can.

Good luck and if you need to be shown around our area, drop us a pm

Must check my odometer on my bike, stoney to perth is about 45 to 50 km, As for sunscreen ,the op must realise its an everyday thing here in Aus , the sun is very strong so sunscreen is a must ,

[sean and maureen]

Must check my odometer on my bike, stoney to perth is about 45 to 50 km, As for sunscreen ,the op must realise its an everyday thing here in Aus , the sun is very strong so sunscreen is a must ,

"Yorkshire Pom"

Never mentioned Stoneville (Stoneville is 20 mins away from us as well). Boya and Darlington and surrounding areas are only 22mins to the CBD, and we live on 1/2 acre of pristine bush.

These areas are seriously overlooked as most tend to want 360 sqm with a hint of sea breeze if you are lucky. Good luck in the flats....

Ps - we're from Yorkshire tooooo.