Perth & Western Australia - Australia 2004 - page 446

the peak Western Australian school vacation times are allotted on a ballot sys-
tem, for which you must submit an application form.
Apart from the very nice restaurants at the hotels listed below, the casual tea-
rooms, and a couple of lackluster takeout joints, your only other dining option
is the excellent DOME cafe at the jetty.
Shoulder season is usually April through May, and again September through
November or December. Winter is June through August.
Rottnest Hotel This 1864 building near the jetty, once the state governor's
summer residence, is now the local pub where day-trippers gather in the sports
bar or the large open-air beer garden to admire the ocean views over an ale or
two. The building contains pleasant, modern motel-style rooms, some with a
small patio and sea views. Apart from the Lakeside units at Rottnest Lodge,
below, these are the best hotel rooms on the island. No smoking indoors.
Bedford Ave, Rottnest Island, WA 6161. & 08/9292 5011. Fax [phone]. rottnesthotel@axis
mgt.com.au. 18 units (all with shower only). Peak (Dec 21-Jan 31) A$180-A$199 (US$117-US$129) double;
summer (Feb to mid-Apr, Sept-Dec) A$140-A$160 (US$91-US$104) double; winter (June-Aug)
A$115-A$135 (US$75-US$88) double. Extra person A$30 (US$20). Rates include continental breakfast. Ask
about midweek packages in winter. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; cook-your-own barbecue; 2 bars;
beer garden. In room:TV, fridge, no phone.
Rottnest Lodge The Lakeside Rooms at this former colonial barracks and
prison are Rottnest's most luxurious accommodations, built in 1989 with flag-
stone floors, cream painted brick walls, contemporary furnishings, and a living
area with a wood fireplace. Some have salt-lake views, not always pretty when
the water dries up. The remaining Deluxe, Standard, “Quod,” and Family
rooms, which sleep from 2 to 10, are in the historic quarters and are mostly
dark, viewless, and small. The two-bedroom family rooms have the advantage of
a kitchen and laundry. You are just a few minutes' stroll from the jetty and Vis-
itor Centre here.
Kitson St., Rottnest Island, WA 6161. & 08/9292 5161. Fax [phone]. www.rottnestlodge.com.au.
80 units (all with shower only). High season (mid-Dec to late Jan) A$175-A$265 (US$114-US$172) double.
Shoulder (Feb-Apr, Sept to mid-Dec) A$165-A$240 (US$107-US$156) double. Winter (May to early
Sept) A$130-A$185 (US$85-US$120) double. Additional person A$60 (US$39) extra. Quod rooms (sleep 4)
A$180-A$235 (US$117-US$153). Family apts A$375-A$450 (US$244-US$293). Ask about packages.
AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; 2 bars; small lagoon-style swimming pool. In room: TV, fridge,
coffeemaker; hair dryer, iron in Lakeside rooms only.
IN PURSUIT OF THE GRAPE IN THE SWAN VALLEY
20km (13 miles) NE of Perth
Twenty minutes from the city center is the Swan Valley, home to two of Aus-
tralia's biggest wine labels. There are 30 or so wineries, along with a wildlife park,
antiques shops, a few galleries, several good restaurants, and Australia's best golf
resort. Some restaurants and wineries close Monday and Tuesday.
Lord Street from the Perth city center becomes Guildford Road and takes you
to the historic Art-Deco town of Guildford at the start of the Swan Valley. The
Swan Valley and Eastern Region Visitors Centre is at the corner of Meadow
and Swan streets, Guildford ( & 08/9379 9400; www.swanvalley.com.au). It's
open daily from 9am to 4pm. Several companies (see “Whale-Watching Cruises,
Tram Trips & Other Tours,” above) run day tours or day cruises from Perth, and
local companies run tours by black cab or Rolls Royce. The winery at Sandal-
ford Caversham Estate ( & 08/9374 0000 ) runs its own upscale cruise from
Perth daily that includes a 2-hour winery tour, three-course lunch matched to