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

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CHAPTER 9 . PERTH & WESTERN AUSTRALIA
in natural habitats, or in a walk-through aviary. There are plenty of exotic animals,
too, including orangutans, Rothschild’s giraffes, zebras, lions, rhinos, and
elephants. Feeding demonstrations and talks run throughout the day. Koala cuddling
is not permitted; for that, head to Cohunu Koala Park (p. 438).
20 Labouchere Rd., South Perth. & 08/9474 3551 for recorded information, or 08/9474 0444 administration.
Admission A$14 (US$9.10) adults, A$7 (US$4.55) children 4–15, A$38 (US$25) family of 4. Daily
9am–5pm. Ferry: Barrack St. Jetty to Mends St. Jetty, South Perth. Bus: 35. Ample free parking.
Western Australian Museum Kids Kids will like the dinosaur gallery, the
drawers full of insects, the blue-whale skeleton on the well-stocked aquatic zoology
floor, the “megamouth” shark preserved in a tank set in the ground in the
courtyard, and assorted other examples of Australia’s weird natural creatures. The
main attraction for grown-ups is one of the best collections of Aboriginal artifacts
and rare photographs in the country. Allow 90 minutes to see most highlights.
Francis St. at Beaufort St. (or enter off James St. Mall), Northbridge.& 08/9427 2700. Free admission (donation
requested); fee may apply to temporary exhibitions. Daily 9:30am–5pm; Anzac Day and Boxing Day
1–5pm. Closed Christmas and Good Friday. Train: Perth. Bus: Blue CAT Stop 8 “Museum.”
HITTING THE BEACHES
Perth shares Sydney’s good luck in having beaches in the metropolitan area—19
of them, in fact, along the 35km (22-mile) Sunset Coast from Cottesloe in the
south to Quinns Rocks in the north. Mornings are best as a strong afternoon
wind, known as the “Fremantle Doctor,” can be unpleasant, especially in summer.
Always swim between the red and yellow flags, which denote a “safe swimming”
zone.
A walk/cycle path runs along 15 beaches from Sorrento Beach in the north
down to Port Beach on Fremantle’s outskirts in the south. It veers inland for a
few kilometers at Swanbourne, where it also cuts out for a few blocks; you
should easily pick it up again.
On weekends and public holidays from the last Saturday in September to the
last Sunday in April, bus no. 458 stops hourly during the day at most beaches
from Fremantle to Hillarys. It operates in both directions. You can take a surfboard
under 2m (6 1 ⁄2 ft.) on the bus.
All beaches have ample parking. The three most popular are:
COTTESLOE This pretty crescent, graced by the Indiana Tea House restaurant
(see “Dining” above), is Perth’s most fashionable beach. It has safe swimming,
a small surf break, and a kiosk. There are a couple of cafes nearby. Train:
Cottesloe, then a walk of several hundred meters. Bus direct to the beach: 71,
72, 73, or 883.
SCARBOROUGH Biggest of them all, Scarborough’s white sands stretch for
kilometers from the base of the Hotel Rendezvous Observation City Perth.
Swimming is generally safe, and surfers are always guaranteed a wave, although
inexperienced swimmers should take a rain check when the surf is rough. The
busy shopping precinct across the road means there’s always somewhere to buy
lunch and drinks. Bus: 400.
TRIGG Surfers like Trigg best for its consistent swells. It has a kiosk. Bus: 400
to Scarborough, then a 10-minute walk north.
A DAY OUT IN FREMANTLE
The heritage port precinct of Fremantle, 19km (12 miles) from downtown Perth
on the mouth of the Swan River, is probably best known outside Australia as the