Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Java Joints
Don't leave Freo without a “short black” (that's an espresso) or a “flat
white” (coffee with milk) at the port's “cappuccino strip” on South Ter-
race. On weekends this street bursts at the seams with locals flocking to
alfresco Italian-style cafes serving good java and excellent focaccia, pasta,
and pizza.
DOME, Old Papa's,
and
Gino's
are three to look for.
Tips
IN FREMANTLE
There's a Fremantle branch of
Fast Eddy's Café
(p. 435) at 13 Essex St. (
&
08/
9336 1671
) and another
Miss Maud Swedish Restaurant
(p. 435) at 33 South
Terrace (
&
08/9336 1599
), though this branch serves only the breakfast buffet
on weekends.
La Pizzeria
WOOD-FIRED PIZZA/SEAFOOD Freo has loads of restau-
rants, but this joint has an upbeat, easy ambience with its terrazzo tables, con-
crete and timber floor, and stainless-steel bar. Wood-fired pizzas come straight
from the funky oven at the rear, bearing toppings like grilled eggplant, roast cap-
sicum, and mushrooms. Traditional pastas and seafood main courses get served
up, too. Licensed to serve alcohol but you can also BYO beer and wine.
95 Market St.
&
08/9430 6126.
Pizzas A$13-A$18 (US$8.45-US$12); main courses A$16-A$22
(US$10-US$14). AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs noon-10pm; Fri-Sun noon-10.30pm. Train: Fremantle.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN PERTH
AQWA (Aquarium of Western Australia)
You won't catch performing
dolphins a la Sea World, but there's plenty to see here, including a moving walk-
way through an underwater tunnel of sharks, rays, turtles, and fish; a touch pool
that even has a (small!) shark; and lots of aquariums that showcase the marine
life of the Western Australian coast, including pretty leafy sea dragons, coral
reefs, jellyfish, cuttlefish, sea snakes, crocodiles, and deadly stonefish that look
remarkably like stones. Keepers feed the sharks and the touch-pool creatures
daily, and a program of talks and movies on marine creatures is scheduled
throughout the day. For A$90 (US$59) plus A$30 (US$20) for dive gear, qual-
ified divers can dive with sharks. You may need to book this experience weeks in
advance. Allow half a day here.
Sorrento Quay at Hillarys Boat Harbour, 91 Southside Dr., Hillarys.
&
08/9447 7500.
Admission A$20
(US$13) adults, A$17 (US$11) seniors and students, A$13 (US$8.45) children 4-14, free for children under 4;
A$58 (US$38) for a family of 4. Daily 10am-5pm; until 9pm Wed (Dec-Apr). Closed Christmas. Train and bus:
Take Joondalup train line to Warwick, transfer to bus 423. By car, take Mitchell Fwy. 23km (14 miles) north,
turn left into Hepburn Ave. and carry on to roundabout at entrance to Hillarys Boat Harbour; AQWA is at the
western end of the harbor. Free parking.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Most outstanding among this state
gallery's international and Australian works is the Aboriginal art collection,
regarded as the finest in Australia. Free 1-hour tours of a particular collection
run once or twice a day, Tuesday through Friday and Sunday; call for times.
Roe St. and Beaufort St. (enter near the walkway opposite Perth Railway Station), Northbridge.
&
08/9492
6600
administration, or 08/9492 6622 recorded information line. Free admission. Entry fee may apply to spe-
cial exhibitions. Daily 10am-5pm; from 1pm Anzac Day. Closed Christmas and Good Friday. Train: Perth.
Bus: Blue CAT Stop 7 “Museum.”
Cohunu Koala Park
Not all states in Australia permit
koala cuddling,
but
Western Australia does, and this large park set in bushland is a good place to try
Kids
