If you travelling to Perth, pop down to Fremantle by train and have a meal (lunch or dinner) at Sandrinos. Its clearly one of the best and well priced places to eat and the staff and food are just fantastic. If you don't take the time for a feed then you haven't experienced the feel of Freo (Fremantle). After that do a walk through the Fremantle markets (open Thurs - Sunday) and also consider a guided tour of the Fremantle Goal (Jail) which has some historical significance for the Perth colony dating back to 1829.

A trip over to Rottnest Island which includes an overnight stay will also enable visitors to gain a better feel of what the locals take for granted. Take your swimmers (bathers) and have a swim at any of the protected spots that exist around Rottnest. The benefit of staying overnight will immediately become apparent as soon as all of the tourists depart on the afternoon ferry when the island settles back down to its lazy pace and you can enjoy a quiet beer or two under a shady tree at the Quokka Arms Hotel. There is both luxury and backpacker syle accomodation available on the island. Ferries leave throughout the day from Perth, Hilary's and Fremantle.

Yes, you could stay in Perth and yes you could travel down to Fremantle BUT you cannot get a real feel for what Western Australia has on offer unless you get out and about and see some of the country side. On a budget contact a YHA and see what bus options they have on offer for getting about the state safely. The South West offers tall trees, great wineries, yoghurt factories, craft shops, fantastic food and some great history. North of the state offers far open plains, nothing happening in a hurry, and a feel of what the place must have been like in the early days 100 years ago. If, and its a big IF, you get a chance to travel to Walga Rock, aka Wanganna Rock on Austin Downs Sheep Station approx 750 kms N/E of Perth on a seal bitumen road in the town of Cue you will see some great aboriginal paintings, camp under the stars near a fire that you light and travel back in time to a special place that you will remember for the rest of your life. The rock is a smaller version of Bigger rocks Australia has to offer. Facilities are very basic and may require you taking a shovel with you to bury your own poo as there isn't a bathroom for 500 miles.

Not to be missed at any cost - ensure you notify the Police at Cue when travelling into the outback (Walaga Rock) so they know when to expect your return - it just makes sense to play it safe!!!

Hi all!
Renee here!
THanks for the suggestions.
The Jim Morrison quote is awesome. Perth is indeed very west. The Doors are one of my favorite bands ever!
The food descriptions in your posts are making me anxious to eat some good food in Perth! I like a lot of vinegar on my Fish and Chips. I look forward to checking out Cicerello's.

And...Fremantle or Freo sounds right up my ally. I'm there.
I'm also remembering King's Park to get a picturesque view of Perth.

Thanks guys...I mean, Cheers Guys!
Renee

Any chance of going to Adelaide? Will be moving there soon but it just never gets shown on any of the tv programmes (i.e. place in the sun, a place down under etc) Would love to see what it looks like as cant afford to go there for a holiday first.