Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

430
CHAPTER 9 . PERTH & WESTERN AUSTRALIA
6:50am to 6:20pm, and once every 35 minutes from 10am to 6:15pm weekends.
The Blue CAT runs north-south as far north as Northbridge and south to Barrack
Street Jetty every 7 minutes from 6:50am. The last Blue CAT service Monday
through Thursday is at 6:20pm, and on Friday it continues every 15 minutes from
6:20pm until 1am Saturday morning. Saturday it runs from 8:30am to 1am (Sun
morning) every 15 minutes, and Sunday every 15 minutes from 10am to 6:15pm.
The Yellow CAT runs between East Perth and the city center every 10 minutes
from 6:50am to 6:20pm weekdays and every 15 minutes 10am to 6:15pm weekends.
There are no CAT services on public holidays. Look for the CAT bus stops.
Transperth InfoCentres (see above) dispense free route maps.
The Perth Tram Co. tours (see “Whale-Watching Cruises, Tram Trips & Other
Tours” later in this chapter) are a good way to get around, too.
By Train Trains are fast, clean, and safe. They start from about 5:30am and
run every 15 minutes or even more often during the day, and every half-hour at
night until midnight. NightRider trains depart Perth at 1 and 2am Friday and
Saturday night (meaning Sat–Sun morning) December through March, stopping
at all stations on all lines. All trains leave from Perth Railway Station opposite
Forrest Place on Wellington Street. Buy your ticket before you board, at the
vending machines on the platform.
By Ferry You will probably only use ferries to visit Perth Zoo. They run every
half-hour or so, more often in peak hour, weekdays from 6:50am and weekends
from 7:50am, until 7:15pm (9:15pm Fri–Sat in summer Sept–Apr) from the
Barrack Street Jetty to Mends Street in South Perth. Buy tickets before you
board from the machine on the wharf. The trip takes 7 minutes.
BY TAXI Perth’s two taxi companies are Swan Taxis (& 13 13 30) and Black
& White Taxis (& 13 10 08). Ranks are located at Perth Railway Station, and
at both ends of Hay Street Mall.
BY CAR Perth’s signposting is notorious for telling you where you have been,
not where you are going—for example, some interstate highways are announced
with insignificant signs more suited to a side street.
Wilson Parking’s Central Park, 152-158 St. Georges Terrace between William
and King Street (& 08/9226 3577), charges A$2.90 (US$1.90) per hour, and is
open Monday through Friday 6:30am to 8pm (until midnight Fri), Saturday from
8am to 6:30pm, and Sunday from 8:30am to 6:30pm. The maximum charge is
A$5 (US$3.25) between 5pm and midnight Friday, all day Saturday or Sunday.
The major car-rental companies are Avis (& 08/9325 7677), Budget (& 08/
9480 3111), EuropCar (& 08/9226 0026), Hertz (& 08/9321 7777), and
Thrifty (& 08/9464 7444). All except Hertz also have outlets in Fremantle. ATC
Rent-A-Car (& 1800/999 888 in Australia, or 08/9325 1833) is a locally owned
outfit with offices in Monkey Mia and Broome; it also rents camping kits. Hawk
Rent-A-Car (& 08/9221 9688) is another local operator worth a try.
FAST FACTS: Perth
American Express The bureau at 645 Hay Street Mall (& 08/9221 0777) is
open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to noon.
Business Hours Banks open Monday through Thursday 9:30am to 4pm
and until 5pm Friday. Shopping hours are usually 9am to 5:30pm Monday