2012, Sept 16/22 - Moore River to Perth

Luke and Nicole, view to city from Kings Park

Trip Meter Reading Start –  5507

Interim Trip Meter Reading –  5609 (102 km)
Trip Meter Reading Finish – 5991
Total kms travelled – 484 kms

Filled Up Wanneroo
ULP $1.39/ litre; 53.6 litres; $75.00
Filled Up Caltex Morley
ULP $0.869/ litre; 65.701 litres; $57.09; Unleaded $1.59/litre; 56.371 litres $89.00 - $146.09
Accommodation
Big 4 Perth Vineyards Holiday Park, Benara Road, Caversham
$240 for  6 nights plus 1 night free (x2 adults & 3 people)
C lose to Guildford station which has free parking; trains to Perth and Freemantle run every 15 mins during the week; 30 mins on weekends.  This park was quiet, very clean and well maintained.  Great games room with pool table and tv lounge area; playground equipment and pool for the kids.  Staff at the front desk were so helpful and professional; in the heart of the Swan Valley food and wine trail; this is a great park and value for money for those on a budget wanting to stay close to the city.

Comments – Luke

Sun – Today we stopped at our neighbours friends whinery.  Mum didn’t want to leave.  After that we stopped at a big four caravan park.  Jake and Erin came over for there afternoon visit; we played on the playground and had a swim in the pool; after that we had a nice hot shower; it’s probably the last time we will see him.

Taste testing at Rob and Therese's - Charlies Winery, Swan Valley

 Mon – Today we went to Kings Park and saw heaps of spiecies of wild flowers; after that we had a look around town then came back to the caravan park and had a swim in the pool it was freezing; after that we had a shower.

Beautiful wild flower - Desert Pea

Tue – Today it rained so we stayed at the caravan park all day but I played on the play ground and met some kids and played with them.  After that me and Dad played two games o pool then had a shower.
Wed – Today it was a nice sunny day so we went to go to the water park but it was closed so we went down to some markets on the water and walked along a jetty there. And saw what we thought would be the Irukanji Jelly fish after that we went to a marine centre ad saw heaps of creatures.  After that we went to Ikea to look at some furniture, then we went back to the caravan park.

Luke gets his hands wet at the Marine Science Centre, Hillarys

Thurs – Today me and Dad posted Nan’s birthday present and did a bit of shopping.  Then came back to the caravan park and baked a cake.  First it turned into a disaster but when we ate it, it was delicious (good try Luke, DELICIOUS).  After that I played on the playground with another kid and his dad and played tips.
Fri – Today I went to a science centre and saw mechanical dinosaurs and saw heaps of wierd (good try Luke WEIRD) and cool things.  After that we watched a spaced movie that felt like you were there and made me feel sick.  After that we went to Maccas and had lunch.  After that we went back to the caravan park.

Sat – Today we went to Fremantle and had a look around; we also had a pizza.  After that we watched the Dream State Circus (buskers)n they were very good acrobats.  Me and Mum also went on a farest wheel and we saw Rottnest island.  After that we went back to the caravan park.

Sun – Today we stopped and set up camp at a free camp at night.  A friend of ours named Scott came over with his friend and we had cake and tea.

Comments – Mum and Dad
Sun – We packed up early at camp and hit the road at 7am to make our way south the Perth; with no idea where we were staying we decided to find our neighbours friends winery in the Swan Valley to get some information and say a quick gidday.  Theresa and Rob purchased Charlies Winery, in the Swan Valley appox 2 years ago.  We had a delicious coffee (thanks to Rob’s mum) with them and did a little wine tasting; loved Rob’s white port so purchased some right then and there.  With their advice, we headed to the Big 4 Perth Vineyards caravan park on Benara Road, Caversham a mere 5 minute drive south through the Swan Valley.  As the Tarplees were still in town one more night, they headed over for catchup drinks and nibbles after touring Kings Park in the afternoon.  The kids braved a cold pool while the oldies had a couple of coldies.
Mon – Up early this morning; beautiful warm sunny day we packed a picnic and headed south to explore the magnificent Kings Park; we just parked and made perfect timing to join the Wildflower tour (free of charge; duration 1.5 hrs).  The tours are conducted by volunteers; they are extremely knowledgeable; the wildflower displays were gorgeous and the natural display of the park prior to early settlement was very interesting.  Cost - $0 (if you bring a packed lunch)

Tues – As it was a rainy day and we had been on the move over the past week, we had a quiet day catching up with emails. I managed to get my nails done at Nudie Nails in Caversham, by a fantastic Vietnamese woman who was also the owner. 
Wed – The skies had cleared somewhat; we hit the road and headed west to the coast visit the marina in the suburb of Hillarys.  The boat harbour features boardwalks over the marina with an array of shops and restaurants where families can relax and watch their children on the manmade beach and playgrounds.  We spent a couple of hours here before visiting the Natural Marine Science Centre which is adjacent / north of the marina.  Entry was appox $20 for  our family.  The centre has interactive displays and information on the local and diverse marine life including the effects of the Leeuwin currents on it in WA.  There was a live rock pool for Luke (with the assistance of staff) to touch  small species of shark, corals, sponges and star fish.  The staff were able to give informative information about how they are borne and survive.  As Luke loves anything with the ocean, he had a great time while getting an education.
Thur – Another rainy day today; so as car rego was due we caught up on bills and email.  Luke helped his dad on some errands to the shops and posted mum’s birthday present.   and chilled out....ahhhhhh...
Fri – Today was raining so we decided to take a trip into the city and take Luke to Scitech.  Scitech is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to increase awareness, interest, capability and participation by all Western Australians in science, technology, engineering and maths.  We spent a couple of hours learning a few thing ourselves.  The $38 total family entry fee included the viewing of the Wildest Weather in the Solar System in the Planetarium.  The Planetarium is an indoor theatre that presents high tech multi-media shows about our night sky, the solar system and beyond. The digital projection system accurately displays stars, planets and other celestial bodies on its dome screen, allowing you to journey through space without ever leaving your seat.  Wildest Weather in the Solar System is by National Geographic and brings you up close with the amazing weather of our planetary neighbours.  Very interesting. 
Sat – Finally some sunshine!  A perfect opportunity to explore Fremantle, 8 kms from Perth, for the day. Being the weekend it was extremely busy.  Freemantle is a historic city and a busy containerised working harbour and international port catering for ocean liners and fishing fleets.  We found a park and strolled up the mall and market areas for a browse and the chance to purchase some fresh produce.  The streets were abound with buskers and families. The undercover markets sold a variety of bric a brac and local handcrafts.  Luke and I paid $10 to ride the ferries wheel which was 100 metres high; views over the harbour and town were lovely.

Luke in the glass carriage with the harbour in the background, Freemantle

Esplanade Hotel, Freemantle