Trip to Perth -- Where to Start?

[JulieWent]

I had absolutely no idea this board was here! Thanks to those on the CB who steered me over here.

DH will be going to Perth this fall (probably early -- September) with a group from our local university to work on partnering with the University of Western Australia. We are from Alabama -- so near Atlanta, Georgia on the East coast of the USA.

DH is not a great traveler -- thinks the 8 hour flight to England is a killer, etc. So, I'm trying to help him plan for his trip to Australia (which he is looking forward to). He'll be traveling from ATL to Los Angeles, and then, it looks like from there to Sydney and on to Perth. Most flights seem to include a fairly long layover in Sydney -- 4 to 6 hours, and we are wondering if it might not be worth his while to just do a 24 hour layover and fly on to Perth after a night's sleep? Any thoughts from those of you who have done the flight? Is it better to just move on and get it done with?

Also, looking for great tips about Western Australia. He will probably be there for a week, and I'm hoping there will be plenty of time built in for sightseeing. (When he first told me he was going, he said, I think we'll fly in, stay for three days, and fly back. I rolled on the floor laughing. I love to travel and would give so much to go on this trip. Can you imagine, flying half way around the world and only staying for THREE DAYS? Anyway, I talked him into staying for longer, and he's gotten more and more excited about the trip as he's planned.)

What would you see in the area if you had a week?

Thanks! I'm so glad you all are here!

Julie

 

[battymum]

I think most of us are east coasters - but WAMUMOF4 might pipe up with some tips.

But thats a very long way to travel for 3 days - I would say he should take the 24 hour layover in Sydney - those flights are exhausting - he can take a train right into the city, the station is right in the terminal and only takes about 20mins - I assume he will be able to manage his luggage.

Stay somewhere near Circular Quay - its always awesome to wander around that area for an afternoon, / evening - at least he can tick off seeing a bit of Sydney.

 

[baf65]

A week is not long for Western Australia, it is so big and everywhere is SO far away, and after that long long flight he is goig to be uber jetlaggged!!
September weather can be unpredictable!
I would suggest a few things in Perth to see would be Fremantle, the beaches(scarborough and cottesloe), a trip into the city, Kings Park. Maybe a trip to the Swan Valley (wineries, restaurants) That would probably use up 2 days!! Perth itself isnt ultra exciting, but it is pretty and lots of open spaces and its nice to just be out along the river. Could look at a day trip over to rottnest Island if the weather is nice, or a wine cruise up the Swan River

Id definitely do a stopover in sydney and do a day tour in Sydney, far more exciting!!

If he does have the inclination to travel, about 3-4hrs drive south is Margaret River (surfing, wineries, forests) or 7hours north is Kalbarri (beaches, gorges, walking tracks)

 

[battymum]

Not sure of the exact timing but a lot of oeople go to wa in spring for the wildflowers

 

[WAMUMOF4]

We have done the trip both ways with the over night stop over the first time and last time straight through to be honest we prefer straight through but it would depend on whether or not you were going to come back and see Sydney another time. If this was his one and only trip to Australia I would say spend a day in Sydney on the way home when you are adjusted to the time difference and able to enjoy it.

have a look at the Qantas website there is a fight that flys from Dallas Fort Worth which would be less traveling time for your husband if he can book the flight from there with the Brisbane connection the lay hour is only 2 hours and by the time you clear customs and travel over to the domestic airport you do not have much time before the flight to Perth.

The most important thing is if you know your dates book your accommodation as Perth is often sold out due to the number of Fly in Fly out workers, will they want a kitchen or just a hotel?

What sort of things is your husband interested in? There are quite a few things to see in Perth but a lot of great things within a few hours.