The second half of our trip was a whirlwind of day trips and retail investigation. We learnt a ton about where to save money, what to skip, and the must-buy souvenirs.
1. Northern Perth Family Fun (Day 7 Wisdom)
Our Day 7 was all about the pick your own strawberry farm. If you go, pack nets for your face—the flies were intense!
Caversham Tip: We had an amazing upclose encounter with the koalas! But book the koala hugging tickets in advance—they were sold out by the time we arrived.
Whiteman Park: The vintage train wasn’t running when we were there, but the vintage tram ride was a super fun substitute.
2. Rottnest Island (Day 9 Wisdom – The Drama)
Ferry Warning: The ferry ride was quite bumpy due to strong waves and wind, making seasickness very real.
Logistics are Key: We missed both our outbound and return ferries! Be aware that staff may get you onto the next ferry.
Parent Tip: Skip the bikes. The hop on and off buses were the most practical way to explore the island with young children.
3. The Shopping Verdict (Days 10 & 11)
We did the retail reconnaissance so you don’t have to:
Fremantle Souvenirs: Fremantle Market is the best place to get souvenirs like coffee beans, stuffed toys, and handmade soaps.
- The Toy Hack & Best Value: Target had lots of good deals, but the real win for parents was the toys—they are incredibly cheap compared to back home!
- Supermarket Sweeps: Don’t ignore Woolworths and Coles. They aren’t just for groceries; we found they are a must to check out for generally good deals and snacks to bring back.
DFO (The Trap): Honestly, DFO was generally “meh.” Do not waste your time unless you are specifically looking for Tommy Hilfiger—that was the only brand worth checking out.
Final Tip: If you need a tax refund, the counter is after you clear immigration at the airport.