Perth & Margaret River

Day two & three – Fremantle & Margaret River

We took the Captain Cook Ferry to Freemantle. It was a very pleasant way to journey up the Swan River & see more of Perth. The river is an estuary with a mixture of fresh & sea water. Also has small colonies of dolphins residing in it all year round. We took the free bus to the famous Fremantle market area. The market was vibrant and varied with produce from all over the world. Some of the buildings were built in Art Deco style. The heat was immense, 38C we took every opportunity to take shade. We also visited Fremantle Prison – $20 each. The tour guide -Steve was obviously an ex prison officer. He talked in a very clipped no nonsense manner. He told us all about the prison history from 1880s when convicts arrived & first had to build the prison! It was an extremely hard regime in those days with no modern amenities like flushing toilets in cells. It was very thought provoking when you saw the conditions prisoners lived in less than 30 years ago. Back to hotel & sleep at 2030 hrs – still not over jet lag.

Swan River view

Fremantle Market

Relaxing in Margaret River

Day 3. – Picked up our hire car from Perth airport & drove south to Margaret River about 3.5 hrs and easy journey. Google maps was fab We stayed at The Edge of the Forest Motel which was delightful. Denise the hostess was a very helpful friendly lady. Giving us loads of tips & marking them on the map. We had a walk in the afternoon then a meal in the Margaret River Bistro. It was good food & friendly service.

Day 4 – Beautiful sunny day started with a trip to Cape Leeuwin where the Indian Ocean meets the Pacific. We took the audio tour around the lighthouse but we didn’t climb up it as we were quite hot!! Very interesting and in winter you would see Whales coming by Cape from the antarctic once the ice starts forming but it is summer .. We drove back stopping off at Hamelin Beach to see the Stringrays. There was a mother & baby. They really seemed to like people and kept swimming towards us. Really beautiful to see them. See my photo. Day 5 – We visited the amazing Lake Cave & walked in the Forest. Later we stopped off to see Kangaroos. It was so two of them kept fighting each other – hilarious to watch,they can be quite aggressive. Tomorrow – travelling to Darwin.

At Hamelin Beach

Fremantle Prison

Lake Cave lit up