Australia #5 - Perth - Western Australia

After a week in Manly and the Sydney area we flew Virgin Australia to Perth. We had several reasons for going there. One reason was to see as much of Australia as we could during our 2 month roadtrip, to say for example that we had been to the west coast and seen the Indian Ocean.

Indian Ocean at Sorrento Beach, Joondalup, on the West Coast Highway just north of Perth, a wonderful area called the Sunset Coast.

Another reason was to revisit driving on the wrong side of the road, become familiar with Australian driving habits, check out my new GPS, and decide whether we could do our trip with a sedan rather than an SUV, which is what we have in Canada.

Our first day trip was north through the Swan Valley wine region, heavily irrigated vineyards next to parched farmland. Driving on the wrong side came back to me quickly, particularly since rentals in Oz are automatics, unlike the UK, so there's no shifting with the wrong hand, but still the odd embarrassing moment when I signal a turn and the windshield wipers start up!

A third reason was to try renting a cabin at a caravan park, which is what the two couples who advised us during my trip planning suggested we do. If this didn't work out I would have to go to Plan B, which meant hotels, which we don't like due to the expense and having to eat out all the time - another expense, and definitely not the healthy option.

Our first cabin, typical of the places we'd stay. Discovery Parks BIG4 is an Australian caravan parks chain recommended by our friends. Our Camry sedan, which after a few days I realized wouldn't do for roadtripping, and brightonbonnie relaxing on the verandah.

Finally, one of brightonbonnie's second cousins had a grand-daughter who had emigrated to Perth 10 years ago, and we wanted to see her.

Our first extended day trip was to Margaret River. We learned a few things, which was the intent. Highway driving, despite what I'd heard before our trip, was relaxing, because due to extensive traffic cameras and no-tolerance policies everyone obeys the speed limits (unlike Canada, where the crazy drivers are right on your bumper or passing on the wrong side!). We are used to long distances in North America, but wanted to get a sense of what a long-day's drive in Oz would be like, going south on the motorway and returning on Caves Highway through the wine area and then the Old Coast Road. Finally, brightonbonnie learned that the iconic kangaroo-warning signs do not mean 'Oh, we're going to see some cute kangaroos!', but that more likely than not we're going to see one dead one.

Another day trip to Fremantle, a pleasant small fishing port with interesting heritage buildings.

It was 35 Celsius in Perth, a 10 degree jump from Manly, very dry but hot nonetheless, and typical of the weather we would have the rest of our stay in Oz, so this pool at our caravan park was very much appreciated. Our roadtrip plan included one day a week to chill, do laundry, and take a break from driving and touring - and in most parks the laundry was very close to the pool!

My biggest disappointment in Oz! After years of hearing about the barbie culture I discovered this was the typical barbie in caravan parks but also any public park - the metal plate was hard to heat up and harder to clean. I tried it once at another park, first and last time.

Sadly, no pictures of Perth proper. After our Sydney stay we decided after all our travels we'd seen enough museums and churches, and wanted to focus on countryside and small towns. So if you are following me expecting Melbourne, Brisbane, etc., not going to happen. But you will see some other great spots!

And we did get to meet our distant relative, over brunch in a wonderful little restaurant in Kalamunda in the Perth Hills about 10 kilometers from our park.

Join me for my next post - we fly to Alice Springs and the Red Centre!

Thanks to @benfenson for watching over my Oz posts!

!steemitworldmap -31.952448 lat 115.863391 long Perth Australia d3scr