Saturday 30th July, we woke early for a quick 30 minute gym session and enjoyed 1 last look at Roebuck bay. The next stop on our 3 week holiday was Perth where we were meeting my mother, Uncle Patrick and Frank.

Mid morning we shared a 5 minute taxi ride with a nice couple we had met the evening before at the Mangrove Hotel. Broome Airport is quite small with only 2 gates and a couple of stores. I was so happy to find the 4 gorgeous Broome coasters I missed out earlier in the week in town.

http://www.mangrovehotel.com.au/

After the first 30 minutes in flight the turbulence was quite frightening. I may be a frequent flyer but God knows how petrified I get over even over the tiniest little bump. However, this was a little more than a bump or two.

2 hours and 30 minutes later, we arrived safely into Perth and caught a 20 minute taxi to The Mercure Hotel approximately $25.00. Being a member of hotels.com I received quite a good accommodation deal at the time of booking. Hotels.com quite often have special promotions for non members and promotions with better discounts for members. Make sure to join for worldwide hotels.

www.hotels.com

Check-in was quick and thankfully our room was available prior to check in. The Mercure Hotel is quite central however the establishment is quite dated.

http://m.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1754-mercure-perth/index.shtml

With not much time in Perth we started exploring the CBD virtually straight away but not before a coffee at Bocelli’s cafe located in between Pandora and Forrest Chase Shopping Centre outside. The coffee was nice however James said the pizzette was horrible.

https://www.zomato.com/perth/bocellis-espresso-perth-cbd

My Uncle and his partner were spending the day in Fremantle while Mum spent the morning exploring the outer suburbs. Whilst we were having coffee Mum had returned to the CBD and join James and I for the afternoon. We walked around the mall and through London Court and admired the historic building that was being restored and walked down Barrack Street to the Elizabeth Quay and took photos of the Swan Bells tower.

http://www.londoncourt.com.au/

Whilst admiring The Bell Tower, my Uncle Patrick and Frank had coincidentally docked at Perth ferry wharf.

http://www.thebelltower.com.au/

We reunited at Elizabeth Quay and walked through the Supreme Court Gardens where we took photos of the artwork –
•    Kangaroo statues
•    Gumnut Babies
•    Harmony of Minerals
•    Pen Nibs

 

The rain was upon us so we headed back to the Mercure hotel and refreshed for the evening. Unfortunately, the restaurants I had been interested in were closed on a Sunday so after a bit of a walk I suggested we walked to Northbridge. The walk was approximately 25 minutes.

Northbridge is both a great location for locals and tourist with lots of cafes, restaurants, nightlife and cultural activities to choose from. It is hard to find a restaurant available for a walk-in booking so ensure you definitely reserve a table when in Perth. We tried at least 6 restaurants and came across this very busy Italian restaurant called “Sorrento”. The host was great and we were so lucky to receive a table. The ambiance is lovely and the staff were friendly. I had the lasagna and it was one of the best I have had besides Chez Black in Positano and my own. The evening finished with a walk back to our hotel.

http://www.sorrentorestaurant.com.au/

The following morning James and I went back to Northbridge for breakfast and stumbled onto Willy’s after an 18 minute walk. The breakfast is fantastic here. I highly recommend both the egg and bacon bagel and the brekkie wrap. Cappacinno’s are good here too.

https://www.zomato.com/perth/little-willys-northbridge/menu

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After a delicious breakfast we walked back to the Mercure Hotel in time for check out and the 5 of us headed to the International airport in a maxi taxi for our 8 hour flight to Mauritius.

Perth is not a destination I would recommend however it is a main stopover city to explore other WA regions like Fremantle, Margaret River wineries, Swan Valley, The Pinnacles, Monkey Mia, Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth and more. Ensure you research things to do and see and plan enough time in each city before visiting. If Perth is your destination and you choose to do daily tours ex Perth make sure it is cost effective too.

Website on Perth – http://www.experienceperth.com/things-to-see-and-do/experience-perths-attractions