Western Australia trip

I used to live in WA but visit once or twice a year now as my kids still live there, so know it well from a tourist perspective as well as past resident.

I get what you mean about relaxing on Rottnest, but options to do anything other than swim/sunbathe/snorkel are few and far between. I'd chill in Fremantle as you are still close to South Beach (especially if you look in the Thomas Street area for a self catering cottage) and all the lovely cafes. shops and galleries and the market, that Fremantle is famous for. If it's hot, you get the afternoon sea breeze, aka, the Fremantle Doctor providing relief. It has a lovely relaxed vibe and much nicer than Perth city. From Freo you can get the ferry to Rottnest, either a day trip or overnight - it is with going to, if only for the Quokkas! Snorkelling is good too.
Free is a good base for getting to Perth city if you want to, by ferry or train, but also good for heading south to the Karri forests, wineries and Esperance (8 hour drive). As I said, the area there is stunning (water is not very warm, but warmer than our sea in summer).
The orca trip we went on in February from Bremer Bay was wonderful and we got really close to several pods - there are occasion blue and sperm whale sightings from the boat too (Naturaliste Charters).
The coast from there, to Denmark is also beautiful, and Denmark is a nice base for a day or two, then Margaret River for the coast and wineries - three hour drive back to Perth from there.
Hope this helps!
We'll be back in December/January - doing a house swop in Freo...

I hate to disagree, but Fremantle is the most over-rated non-interesting place west of Adelaide. Its only saving grace is that it's better than Perth, but sadly, that isn't saying very much. Neither is engaging or enthralling.

OP avoid Perth, Fremantle, and Rottnest if you can ... there are significantly better options both north and south - in my view. And unfortunately I lived in Perth for a couple of years.

thanks for the advice, that's really helpful to know!

What am I - chopped liver? I've already provided all that obvious advice, but no thanks were forthcoming>

Sorry - did you not see my response - I said thanks in earlier threads? Why say that????

Yeah well ... perhaps you did. All is well.

But please take my advice and enjoy WA outside of the main city.

Thanks bellart1
> You don't need four days on Rottnest! You can get round the whole island on a bicycle in one day.... We go for day trips when in WA and have stayed on the island only once, years ago, and found one night was plenty.
>
We wanted to spend a few days somewhere, just chilling out and relaxing after our long flight from the UK and Rottnest seemed appealing. Is there any other places near Perth that you can recommend for this?

One way hire car from there is ridiculously expensive if indeed possible and it's a VERY long drive in intense heat - simply not worth it really. In January, and for a contrast to the east coast, I'd look at the south coast, Esperance is incredible, easier to get to - you can fly there and drive back through Bremer Bay (and go on an Orca watching charter - fabulous) then Albany, Demark, Walpole, Margaret River - Perth. That is much more doable and Esperance's beaches are the most beautiful in the world. It won't be as stifling hot as the north either and more manageable.

Yes, I did wonder about the one way car rentals - thanks for the advice, that's really helpful to know!

Gonna work on a new itinerary and post on here so any advice would be much appreciated.

W.A. Generally is chilled and you won't have to go far to find a place to sit back and relax.

50 kms south of Perth is the suburb of Rockingham .
It has a beautiful bay and swim with the dolphins tours are offered. We opted instead for some kayaking and had the bay to ourselves, 3 kayaks in all with several sea lions frolicking up close and personal around us!
Snorkelling around the sea grass beds was mesmerising .
Penguin Island is just off this coast and this same island hosts many MANY ( !) lol, Pelicans also.
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/outdoor/destinations/2012/09/paddling-penguin-island

I am not sure if I can recommend Airbnb here, but if so check it out for some accommodation that will get u ocean views to complete your jet lag recovery.

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