Anyone know Perth well?

holtjv · 10-12-2009, 04:51 PM

I'm headed to Perth in January to do a half-continent motorcycle ride to Sydney.

Since I've been to Sydney and not Perth, I'm wondering where to stay and what to do. I've been all over tripadvisor and so forth, but it's hard to get a feel for where in the city to park my butt.

Cottesloe beach hotel looks good so far--walking distance to the city center, I think.

Anyone have any better ideas? I think ideally I'd like a beach view but close enough to interesting areas in the city for walking.

thanks...Oh and if there's a pelican in perth, I'd be interested to see if you guys can still drink me under the table...

Skytrooper · Skytrooper's Garage

Wish I could help but, last time I was in Perth was 1980. I am sure that a lot has changed since then. It was a beautiful city when I was there. I stayed at the Savoy right on the mall...which is basically just a rooming house. The Cottesloe Beach hotel sounds great...nice views , especially since January is summer in the southern hemispere.

Seahawk · 10-13-2009, 06:20 AM

Been awhile for me as well...I stayed at the Hilton downtown. Great bar (don't know if it is still there) called 'Julies'.

Very nice city, very walkable.

Enjoy!

m21sniper · 10-13-2009, 08:17 AM

I know a girl that lives in Perth. If it would be useful to you i can probably get you her email.

dewolf · 10-13-2009, 01:50 PM

Lived in Perth for a while. Beautiful place. Very easy to get around. Very friendly people. If your there long enough head to Shark bay for the dolphins. Other than that you are in for a long ride. Perth to Sydney, lol, far out. You will need to very weary of 'roos and camels along the Nullaboor. Good luck and enjoy!

Welcome to Western Australia - Tourism Western Australia

holtjv · 10-13-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I know a girl that lives in Perth. If it would be useful to you i can probably get you her email.

Sounds...enticing.

Looks like we'll only be there for 2 nights then off to the nullarbor plain, etc.

Thanks

Graelin · 10-22-2009, 12:31 AM

I am in Perth ride a R1100S and have done the ride to the WA /SA border a couple of times.

Cottesloe, a bit far to walk to City center but you can get the train from there to Perth. Lovely views of the Indian Ocean.

Heat will be the biggest enemy at this time of the year on the bike. Plenty of water on board incase of any break downs would be handy. Fuel stops are OK for the 1100S on the WA side so shouldnt have any issues but we do stop for a break when we see one and top up.

What type of bike will you be on?

Animals such as roos and emus are a problem early and late so we try and stay off the roads at those times. Eagles will be feeding on road kill in the mornings and and take a bit to get off the ground!

We have a small group of us that do rides on Friday nights if you are interested in joining us.

Graelin

holtjv · 10-22-2009, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graelin

I am in Perth ride a R1100S and have done the ride to the WA /SA border a couple of times.

Cottesloe, a bit far to walk to City center but you can get the train from there to Perth. Lovely views of the Indian Ocean.

Heat will be the biggest enemy at this time of the year on the bike. Plenty of water on board incase of any break downs would be handy. Fuel stops are OK for the 1100S on the WA side so shouldnt have any issues but we do stop for a break when we see one and top up.

What type of bike will you be on?

Animals such as roos and emus are a problem early and late so we try and stay off the roads at those times. Eagles will be feeding on road kill in the mornings and and take a bit to get off the ground!

We have a small group of us that do rides on Friday nights if you are interested in joining us.

Graelin

Thanks for the info, Graelin. I'll be on an 800GS, my buddy on a 1200GS. We're doing a Australia and New Zealand motorcycle tours and rentals - BikeRoundOz trip, if you happen to know those guys. We'll be in Perth on Wednesday, Jan 20 then pick up the bikes and start riding on Friday the 22d.

We have a general route to follow but will probably take some liberties if we see somewhere we want to stop, or somewhere we want to blow through. Although we're a bit older now, we're going to try to camp in some of the parks (I'll be curious how long this holds up).

Couple questions for you--do you know of a good camping supply store where I can get a light tent and bag? Just so I don't have to haul everything to Perth on the trip over.

Talk to you soon...Jack

HardDrive · 10-22-2009, 06:39 AM

Well if you like beer, do check out the Little Creatures brewery down in Fremantle. I spent a couple lovely afternoons there sitting on the water enjoying their product.

https://www.littlecreatures.com.au/

Bill Douglas · 10-22-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

down in Fremantle.

I was going to suggest staying in Fremantle. A run down to Margaret River might be nice before you head east.

Graelin · 02:05 PM

Anaconda was where I bought my tent but there are many other stores where you can get a good tent. This was bigger than I really needed.

The longest straight

camping in the bush

Camping across the road from Border Village

Two mates on their bikes at the border

Hope these pics give you some enjoyment for the trip ahead. I am envious!

Madurah Pass. Good photo opportunity, also stop at the Cliffs as well but we were on a mission lol so couldnt stop. (Border Run is a tradition been happening 33yrs, riders from all over Aust meet for a drink and meal at Border Village first Saturday night in August). Pics on wall of road house about this.

Graelin

Bill Douglas · 10-22-2009, 02:10 PM

When you arrive in Australia and you go through customs, and they ask you "have you got any criminal convictions?" You answer "I didn't know you still needed one" They like that joke.

Skytrooper · Skytrooper's Garage

I would suggest if you like beer to go to the Swan brewery. (if they are still in business). Fleet landing was in Freemantle. The people I met in Australia were fantastic....I didn't want to leave.

holtjv · 10-22-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graelin

Anaconda was where I bought my tent but there are many other stores where you can get a good tent. This was bigger than I really needed.

The longest straight

camping in the bush

Camping across the road from Border Village

Two mates on their bikes at the border

Hope these pics give you some enjoyment for the trip ahead. I am envious!

Madurah Pass. Good photo opportunity, also stop at the Cliffs as well but we were on a mission lol so couldnt stop. (Border Run is a tradition been happening 33yrs, riders from all over Aust meet for a drink and meal at Border Village first Saturday night in August). Pics on wall of road house about this.

Graelin

Definitely getting me excited.

Sure you don't want to lead the group of 2? At least for a few hundred K?

Jack

Graelin · 08:30 AM

As long as I am not away when you are here be happy to lead for a bit.

There is a BMW club here they mainly ride GS bikes and they do lots of touring off the beaten track stuff where S models fear to tread.

Here is a link

BMWMCCWA

This hotel in Norseman on your route cost me $35-00 on my third night of my trip. Seems to help if you dont need a reciept to get a good price in some of the hotels. Put my bike around the back locked away too. Usually get a good meal for reasonable price too.

This hotel is not on your trip but some more examples of the architecture. My old RS and my friends other bike a Lemans

Yalgoo, again looked after our bikes safe and secure.

Mt Magnet

Kalgoorlie also has great Architecture form Gold Rush days

6.30 am and a days riding ahead!

See you are from Austin a friend of mine has moved there. As mentioned by others will be very hot at this time so water a neccesity Austin gets very hot so I guess you know about the heat.

Graelin

stuartj · 10-23-2009, 04:14 AM

Across the Nullabor in mid January. Its going to be very hot.

HardDrive · 10-23-2009, 07:49 AM

Wow does this look like fun. I have a niece in Perth the wife wants to visit soon......hmmmmmmmmm.....

Bill Douglas · 10-23-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartj

Across the Nullabor in mid January. Its going to be very hot.

Number one rule in outback Australia - don't run out of water.

holtjv · 10-23-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Wow does this look like fun. I have a niece in Perth the wife wants to visit soon......hmmmmmmmmm.....

Australia and New Zealand motorcycle tours and rentals - BikeRoundOz

Go for it, HD. Got 3 so far, maybe some Graelin time makes 4.

holtjv · 10-23-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graelin

As long as I am not away when you are here be happy to lead for a bit.

There is a BMW club here they mainly ride GS bikes and they do lots of touring off the beaten track stuff where S models fear to tread.

Here is a link

BMWMCCWA

This hotel in Norseman on your route cost me $35-00 on my third night of my trip. Seems to help if you dont need a reciept to get a good price in some of the hotels. Put my bike around the back locked away too. Usually get a good meal for reasonable price too.

This hotel is not on your trip but some more examples of the architecture. My old RS and my friends other bike a Lemans

Yalgoo, again looked after our bikes safe and secure.

Mt Magnet

Kalgoorlie also has great Architecture form Gold Rush days

6.30 am and a days riding ahead!

See you are from Austin a friend of mine has moved there. As mentioned by others will be very hot at this time so water a neccesity Austin gets very hot so I guess you know about the heat.

Graelin

Thanks for the links and keep the pics coming!

As to the importance of water, 3 summers in 29 Palms CA gave me a good appreciation. I need to get a couple of the desert water bags to hang off the bike--you fill them, wet them, then drink cool water.