I'm really sorry to see all the negative comments on here about Christmas and New Year in Perth - yes, Perth is at the end of the world, that is an accepted fact - and yes, it is slow and small-townshipish compared with over East, but that is part of the charm of the place, and quite frankly, those who don't like it need to go elsewhere. There actually was plenty to do in Perth over the period - first time many of the wineries in the Swan Valley opened their doors for Christmas lunch for example - and an absolutely magnificent job they did of it too. We went to Sitella, sat down at 11:45 and eventually staggered out at 4:00 - not much of Christmas Day left by then - and for $165 we were treated to five generous courses of the finest food WA can offer, coffee or tea and mince pies and an unrestricted flow of the winerys own wines - plus we were given 2 bottles of white, two bottles of sparkling and a bottle of red to take home. Many other venues were hosting similar events. Yes - a lot of people go to the beach, but that is a WA tradition - that is a WA Christmas - it is not over-commercialised as it is in the rest of Australia or, indeed, the rest of the world - and frankly it is better for that. As to Perth not being busy - we tried to visit Garden City on the Tuesday at 10 in the morning and the car parks were so full we had to go home again, and on Friday the city centre was absolutely heaving. Perth may not do New Year fireworks as every other city in the world (including Pyongyang as I was fascinated to hear this year) does - but the fireworks at Riverton on the evening of New Years day are certainly a feature as witness the crowds and the gridlocked roads - apart from which Perth itself probably stages the best fireworks and celebrations on Australia Day anywhere in Oz. Plus we have possibly the best concert hall in the world and one of the best symphony orchestras, world class opera and ballet companies both of whom stage free performances in the park for anyone to attend, world class acts at the Perth Arena and Perth Convention Centre, a magnificent fringe festival about to commence in January through February, world class theatre, and some of the finest eating anywhere in the world. Yes Perth is laid back, but that is how it should be in this modern world - there needs to be somewhere where we can get some peace, quiet and time to breathe, and if that doesn't suit, then go elsewhere that does - don't try to impose the hustle, bustle and commercialism of the rest of the world on us here - just chill out and enjoy some peace, quiet and a slower pace of life.