This past week we’ve been exploring out west! Judy and I flew to Perth last week and have had the opportunity to explore several places, up and down the coast.
Leaving a warm Brisbane behind our six-hour flight to Perth was smooth and without any incident, always the best kind of flight. However, we noted the significant temperature drop as we deplaned in Perth.
After a fitful night’s sleep, we decided to walk into the city from our hotel, which was a 5.0-kilometre stroll one-way (yes, we got our steps in), through parklands and some older inner suburbs. By the time we reached the city center we were able to shed our jackets and enjoy the warm sunshine.
Strangely, after a number of visits to Perth over the years this was the first time I’d actually been into the city center… The city is laid out in a standard grid format, with the Swan River at one end with its great waterfront restaurants and bars, buttressed by the north-south freeway at the other end of the grid.
Within the city center itself there and some incredibly beautiful and opulent old buildings strewn across the city blocks and for good reason. Perth has been the gateway to Australia’s mining empire since the 1890’s, beginning in the goldfields of Kalgoorlie to the current riches of the Pilbara in northwest.
As you can imagine all of the city’s tallest buildings are familiar mining giants including BHP, Rio Tinto, Santos…
We had also arranged to catch up with Tino a Canadian friend of mine from my football days in Toronto who lives in Perth. We met him and his girlfriend at Ascua for dinner. Great to catch up over an awesome meal and a bottle of wine. The food was fabulous and we’d definitely recommend it if you’re in Perth.
Day two saw us drive down to Fremantle to check it out and should be on your list of things to see and do if you’re in Perth, with lots of galleries, boutiques and restaurants.
Initially we had toyed with the idea of doing a day trip to Rottnest island, but the weather was a little inclement with rough seas, so rather than chance a dose of seasickness we decided a drive up the coast after lunch instead.
Perth has some gorgeous beaches which gave us an opportunity to go for a long walk along the foreshore at Cottesloe Beach. Although it’s not summer, the warm Indian Ocean breeze caressed us as we walked in the radiant sunshine – one of those days when you felt great to be alive.
One of the interesting exhibitions on during our visit was – Titanic – The Human Story which we went to see. Fascinating exhibition, in which it really delved into the human aspect of the tragedy across a broad range of passengers, including those that did and did not survive the sinking.
The next portion of our trip was to venture north to explore an area that has always intrigued me. The 2.5-hour drive north from Perth to the Pinnacles Desert situated within the Nambung National Park.
The desert is dotted with thousands of ancient limestone pinnacles protruding from the sand and bush, created over tens of thousands of years by the elements. When you get up close you can see the micro-fossils within the stones, with each pinnacle becoming a mosaic piece of ancient art… Stunningly beautiful!
Another thing I found fascinating was the range of micro-climates you experience when you drive north from Perth. As you leave Perth with the forests and large shady eucalyptus trees you transition into a coastal desert with low salt scrub trees and large sand dunes (much like the Sahara Desert) for as far as the eye can see.
Indian Ocean sunsets are world renowned, and we were not disappointed as we made our way to the town of Cervantes.
This town has a very intriguing history, because in 1844 the US Whaling ship – Cervantes was driven ashore near where the town is now situated. The ship was named after world-famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) who wrote Don Quixote.
What is most interesting is that the town of Cervantes was created only in 1962 after the government excised a portion of the Nambung National Park to create the town. They also decided to tip their hats to Miguel de Cervantes and named all of the streets Spanish. Hence, as you drive around, you’ll be driving down Seville Street, turning at Valencia Road onto Iberia street – which is unusual to say the least for rural Australia.
This popular locale is often brimming with people for a few reasons, not just the incredible National Park on their doorstep, or the fabulous beaches and sunsets but also home to some of the best seafood in Australia with local lobster (crayfish in Australia) being one of its main industries.
If you venture to Cervantes, you have to visit the Lobster Shack. Now, although a little commercial you can’t go past the fresh lobster roll or any of the deliciously fresh seafood on its menu. It’s also the jumping off point for scuba diving on its nearby reefs, or seal safaris – check them out.
Until next week where we explore further afield within Western Australia.
Ciao!