Day 12 and 13 were spent getting to Perth and around Perth.
The trip up saw us zigzagin inland and back to the coast. We went into Donnybrook, the apple capital of WA where they have streetlights in the shape of apples. There was supposed to be a big apple in the town but we failed to find it following the vague ‘6km north’ instructions we could find.
We headed back to the coast, going through Bunbury and Australind before heading back inland once again.
Bunbury from the lookout tower.
Inland, we went by road and forest track (love it) to find Lake Brockman, North Dandalup Dam and Serpentine Dam and, not surprisingly, found them not particularly full.
Just like in Victoria, they had picnic areas and and public facilities, and like Victoria, they looked like they had seen better times. I’m sure these places when they were first built, were summer lunch spots by a public that were interested in getting out and about, marvelling at the great engineering feats enabling them to have a city life.
The Serpentine Dam even had even has a cafe / restaurant, but not many people must still visit as the business is for sale.
We probably could have spent the entire day exploring the hills and trails but wanted to get into Fremantle at the reasonable time for dinner at Little Creatures.
Day 13 was the laziest day yet. I caught up with a friend (that now lives in Perth) for lunch and then met Stephen back at the Motel.
Now, then motel. I think I managed to pick the dodgiest motel in town. Red Castle Motel. Avoid it.
There were the ruins of a revolving restaurant out the back along with a heap of rubbish and phone books. There were chalk room number written outside the doors and handrail bannisters with broken welds wired into place.
Best of all, the was a pimp and his prostitute working out of a ground floor room.h
Oh well, I did well with my other accommodation picks.
One response to “Day 12 – 13 – Perth”
What a pity to hear the Red Castle Motel has gone so far down hill. I was there 12 years or so ago for a conference at the Burswood and although the motel was not modern even at that time .. i really enjoyed it. The room sizes were great and very comfortable. The restaurant was up, working and revolving (not revolting) and served great food. The pool with its frangipanis was a delight to use in the early evening.. it is situated in a great spot… such a pity someone does not give it a make over ..rather than letting it get swallowed up as real estate for units etc.