When and where to go in WA???

[Monster's Mum]

Hi everyone!

We have some frequent flyer points to use up and so are thinking of visiting WA next year. I am hoping some of you that live in WA or have visited WA can help me as I don't know much about the area.

We would probably like to stay near the beach somewhere but would hire a car to visit the Margaret River area, so my questions are:

1. What time of the year is a good time to visit (we want to avoid school holiday times) but still want it to be warm enough to swim.

2. Can anyone recommend a nice area to stay near the beach or in Margaret River? Or somewhere that is accessible to the beach and Margaret River. Any service appartment, caravan park (or accommodation where we can do our own cooking) recommendations??

We are expecting to spend 5-7 days there and need to do this trip as cheaply as possible. Depending on what time of the year we do this we will have a 12-20 month old on our hands and potentially I will be preggers again :fingerscrossed:

Any help or ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

[JuliaL]

Hi there,
I'm originally from WA so can give you some ideas, but I gotta say 5-7 days is a very rushed trip. I'd try to stay 7-10 days minimum if you can.
It will take roughly 4 hours to drive from Perth to the Margaret River region, which is certainly worth a few days' visit. February / March can be good as it's still warm and school is back by then.
Another must-see (I think) is Rottnest Island. It's reachable by ferry (approx 1 hour) from Perth, Fremantle or Sorrento, depending on where you are staying (personally I love Fremantle, but again it's personal taste).
If you can stay a couple of days 'Rotto' is a beautiful place to unwind and everyone there gets around by bicycle. Thee are special ones to carry kids on etc and lots of cafes too. Beaches have snow white sand and aqua water - it really is spectacular and quite historic as well with a number of lovely old cottages (you can stay in) and lighthouses.
I feel like I'm advertising it! If you can it would be best to check some websites including WA Tourism and the Rottnest Island Board. www.margaretriver.com is a good starting point for ideas and activities down south. Best of luck and I hope you have a great time!

Julia

[mumma_2_mia]

Before Mia was dorn we went to Monkey Mia I really want to take her back there when she is older

[Monster's Mum]

thanks for the responses ladies. Need to get cracking and organise this trip....christmas shopping is out the way so I can now concentrate on this....

Thanks a bunch, have a merry christmas.:thumbsup:

[blessedmummy]

hmmmmm the last time i went to monkey mia was when i was a bub..i dont remember it at all of course! anyhow...apparently its changed immensly and grown tonnes...i havent been there for prob 20 odd years...so, yeah... hope you have a great time!!! sounds really exciting and relaxing!!
oh...have been to rottnest..very nice, but very expensive..... still, it was relaxing! anyhow....love perth and fremantle too! hehe! hope this helps!

[sugar n spice]

i live in albany and its beautiful here, i also love margaret river we go there and bunbury, bussleton for our holidays.

[mythreelittlemonkeys]

mainly cos of the distances not sure if 5-7 days enough...though there is plenty to do in Perth and surrounds...all the above mentioned and more...agree WA Tourism good site to go on...when I was 5 months pregnant we went to Rotto and to Whiteman Park and the wildlife park - loved both despite it being very hot! Think perhaps unless you up to very long car trips or you have deep pockets for the extortianate inter state flights over here that maybe up north not so suitable with little one and pregant tummy! But heaps to do in the south west!! adn a bit cooler :) weather that is!!