20 replies to this topic

[Nia]

Aaaa...

I'm planing to go to Perth this may, with my fiancee, and wondering how accessible it would be for wheelers. I plan to stay in hostels for their cost, but i cant book any as i dont even know if its accessible.Any feedback? anyone would like to give me a stay? ^_^ i dunno anybody at perth....

[DaveP]

Nia, on Jan 10 2010, 12:18 PM, said:

Aaaa...

I'm planing to go to Perth this may, with my fiancee, and wondering how accessible it would be for wheelers. I plan to stay in hostels for their cost, but i cant book any as i dont even know if its accessible.Any feedback? anyone would like to give me a stay? ^_^ i dunno anybody at perth....

I've been to Perth twice - last time was in Aug 09. You'll love it! Very accessible. In fact, proabably the most accessible city I've been to.

They have a fantastic train system that's fully accessible, so you can get out and about to all the suburds and beyond. Here's a link to the web site that shows the routes, timetables and fares.

http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/

Perth city centre has a long walking precinct with loads of shops, bars etc which is flat etc but the roads to it can be a bit steep.

I'd look for accommodation in Fremantle. There's a hostel there - I think it's called the Fire Station. It's next to the train station, ferry terminal and town centre is only a short push You can jump on the train and get into Perth city centre in something like 15 to 20 mins.

I took a drive south and there are some really lovely places to check ot, like Margaret River. If you get to Margaret River on a Sat night, this is when the people that work on the vinyards come in to town and there's a big bar/saloon with live music.

I rented a car with hand controls from Hertz.

Let me know if I can help with any more info. You'll love it!

[DaveP]

When Googling for info on Perth, use

www.google.com.au

Here's a link to the Old Fire Station Hostel...

http://www.old-firestation.net

And a link to Freo web site...

http://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au

We did the tour of the prison at night - highly recommended, unless you have a weak heart!

And going to Rotnest Island is a must! There are good paths all over the island, but you'll need a handcycle or something to get all around. I had a Viper power attachment.

http://www.rottnestisland.com

They organise regular comedy festivals, concert, etc on the island so check on their web site for what's coming up as they get sold out quickly. We tried to book but it was too late.

We also went to a rugby match - Australia v South Africa - at the Subiaco Stadium. What an excellent stadium, and it was one of their old ones!

[TjTheQuad]

i live here in perth. i must say we are a lil behind in the fun things to do. but most things/places are accessable

[Nia]

Sad to hear that from you Quad, but Dave sounds like he had all the fun ^_^ give me your best itinerary...I'm on a tight budget, having about aud700 for a 9 days vacation...so, what's the best plan? ^_^

[Acer]

http://www.scia.org.au/home IS THE SPINAL CORD INJURY ASSOCIATION Australia. Suggest you log on and at the bottom of the home you will see RollAwayz. click on that link. You will need google earth. Open the link type in your destination and heaps of wheelchair accessible accommodation will be highlighted. Also books available from paraquad.org.au. I feel sure Western Australia State Government could help you out. Enjoy your trip

[HiltonP]

I have travelled to Perth on three occasions in a wheelchair. It is a pretty easy city to wheel around, although the slopes up from the river might be a problem depending on your strength, or travelling companions willingness to push.

If I remember correctly there are four different coloured bus routes, all accessible, and all interlinking, which cover most of the city, and Kings Park. They operate on a continuous loop basis (i.e. every 15-20 minutes), and appear to operate well into the evenings, but you can check on any one of the signboards.

Most of the restaurants are located in and around Williams Street, so you can cover a number of choices without having to move very far. There are a couple of underground food courts in the city as well which cater to the lunchtime trade, always a good option for cheap and interesting food. Alternatively down along the river there are a number of places to eat and hang out, it's all pretty level down there, and there are some nice long perfectly paved walking paths running along the banks. All very pleasant on a warm summers evening!

For budget accommodation you need look no further than the local YHA, which is clean, safe, accessible and centrally located.

http://www.yha.com.a...fm?hostelid=234

I've used YHA's in Sydney and Melbourne as well and found them to be an excellent choice.

[Nia]

Thanks Hilton! That YHA u mentioned really save me a lot from browsing other.not the cheapest, but cheap enough with good facilities.i'd take that...

how about itinerary?any 'must go'?thanks to dave, i put the rotnest island on my list, and heard that swan river is a cool place.still, finding things to do in 9 days...really love any feedback!

[HiltonP]

Nia, on Jan 11 2010, 01:46 PM, said:

. . . finding things to do in 9 days . . .

9 days in Perth?! . . . that's a L-O-N-G time (with all due respect to any Perth-ians)

We've never spent more than two nights there. If you're going to be based in the
city for all 9 days then that is a very long time indeed.

On the one trip we rented a car and toured down through Williams, Albany, Pemberton
and Bunbury, taking 6 days to do the round trip, which was very enjoyable.

[Nia]

HiltonP, on Jan 12 2010, 05:36 PM, said:

9 days in Perth?! . . . that's a L-O-N-G time (with all due respect to any Perth-ians)

I can see how L-O-N-G it is...thanks...^_^

Actually I can make it short, but since the cost of the flight is the same, and this is my first travel to oversea after injury, so i wanted to make it a long trip. But if you think it doesn't worth it, i might consider. After all, i dont know anything about perth. The only reason i'm going is the flight ticket is cheap! =D (from where i am)

So, is six days enough? Also thinking about renting a car, but we might spend all the time being lost wherever...=.= but still, it's fun being lost! (despite the fact we're lost, we might run into some scene..lol...). Aren't there any Australians here? Give me some advice! I dont want wandering in the city dont know where to go just taking pictures...(which is what we actually planned...=.=)

[DaveP]

9 days too long? No way!

I was there nearly 4 weeks and could've stayed another 4 weeks and still not got to see everything I wanted.

If you have a tight budget, renting a car will be a problem. Hertz rent a car with hand controls but it is expensive as it's not a small car. If your partner can driver, then you can rent the smallest car and the cheapest, but it wont have hand controls. Renting a car is the best idea as you can drive out to all the different areas around Perth. The beaches at Cottesloe... inland to the Kuala Park... north to the lakes... south to Fremantle...

Get a SatNav and you wont get lost. Maps are also useful!

Stay in the low budget accommodation in central Perth and go out each day to explore different areas. All roads are very good, good signage, you won't get lost.

There's loads and loads to see and do and you'll be busy for 9 days.

[Nia]

@Dave : My fiancee can drive, but i wonder, is the driving license in my country valid to be used in australia?since my country is a british based country, the roads layout is pretty much the same (left way up, instead of US' right way up).

How much is the car rental cost in australia?I'm thinking about the smallest car available, since it'll be cheaper, and low fuel cost. How about the fuel itself?and is there any tolls in hi-way?

Aaa...since we rent a car, why dont we sleep in the car?yeah!good idea! =D

[DaveP]

Nia, on Jan 14 2010, 03:08 AM, said:

@Dave : My fiancee can drive, but i wonder, is the driving license in my country valid to be used in australia?since my country is a british based country, the roads layout is pretty much the same (left way up, instead of US' right way up).

How much is the car rental cost in australia?I'm thinking about the smallest car available, since it'll be cheaper, and low fuel cost. How about the fuel itself?and is there any tolls in hi-way?

Aaa...since we rent a car, why dont we sleep in the car?yeah!good idea! =D

What am I? Your travel agent? lol

Go online and find car hire companies in Perth and see what their prices are and what licences are OK and what fuel costs are.

I didn't come across any road tolls.

[pistol_pete]

Nia,
I can't give you any advice on the cost of car hire, but you can hire vans from a company called "wicked", they have normal van sized campervans. Pretty adventurous though for an SCI.
It would solve your accommodation and travel issues in one hit.

Getting a car would be the best idea as the attractions are spread out and the public transport is OK but won't get you everywhere.
Take a drive down to the southwest, Margaret River, Busselton, wine tasting, caves ( might be tricky, Mammoth cave you will get halfway in I think), Augusta, Walpole Denmark, River cruises.
There are cute little towns all through the sthwest forests. I live in one, Dwellingup. Come and say G'day.

Fremantle is cool, you coyuld easily kill a couple of days there.
Cottesloe, scarborough are the main popular beaches. Go nude at Swanbourne if you want. There are beaches all the way along the coast. All beautiful.
Rottnest Island is awesome, a must if your budget stretches ( accommodation can be expensive but I think they might have a backpackers)
Most people come to Perth to see the city but mostly for the greater surrounding area.

I think you can just apply for an international licence. Travel agent will tell you all this.
Yes we drive on the left so you don't have to worry about that.
Like dave said the world is at your fingertips. I'm just throwing some names out there to get you started.
Fuel is about $1.30 AUD a litre at the moment.
There are no highway tolls.

700 AUD is a small budget so it won't go far, but doable. I would suggest picking a couple of places to base yourself then do short trips out from there.
A few days in Perth seeing the city abd beaches, then maybe Margaret River. Lots to see in between.
Have a look at the West Australian Tourism website. The internet has many answers.
Hope any of this helps
Good Luck
P.S starts to get cool around April, especially if you're from Malaysia ( Penang, spent a week there in 2006, gorgeous)

Edited by pistol_pete, 14 January 2010 - 03:39 PM.

[Nia]

@Dave : lol...i just thought u've been touring there so u might as well have budgets before...just in case u've been thinking what i think...and you can share all your concerns when travelling in australia...

@pete : Wow...cool!You've been to penang...it's a hot island..and guess what, u see the long bridge there?that's the place which makes me an SCI...and thanks!just the info i need!all i need to do is mark the place on my map.

I know there's a lot of suggestion in the internet, but sometimes the things doesnt worth a visit.so ideas from pure australians is much of a help then internet. And you can give accurate advice about fuel and budget, since i dont really have an idea. (the internet wont provide the cost...they assume ppl have money).

btw, i dont use travel agents, as they will mark up the price.but i know it's a little tough not having contacts for services, and we have to find it ourselves. so here I am, asking for itinerary from ppl.

hey, u have a car i could rent? ^_^ owh, btw, the temperture u mentioned in april, should i buy a sweater, or a jacket?

[pistol_pete]

Nia,
The only spare vehicleI have is a classic old '68 VW Kombi. But she's not running right now, so can't help you there.( I'm gonna do her up into a semi camper so I can go travellin, hippy style)
I don't know what you'll get for the budget you have
April in Perth. It's pretty much fully into Autumn so it'll be around 20 - 30 degrees. Autumn is the best time of year, not too hot, not too cold. But since you're from Penang you micht feel the cold more than most so I would pack a jumper or two, no need for a big bulky jacket.

I think that for nine days you're malaysian licence would probably cover you. I think if you stay longer, like months, they like you to transfer it. I went to New Zealand a few years back and was able to hire a car on my Aussie licence no probs. Look into it when you get here. The main tourist bureau will help you out a lot.

[MDK]

Nia ,

I am a west Australian as well and I can answer some questions.
-price of petrol:1.20 for ULP , more for diesel.
- if you do not have an international licence , to my best knowledge , no car hire will allow you to drive their car as the insurance does not cover you.
-food is expensive in Perth, average meal out in the restaurant is ~30 AUD , one loaf of wholemeal bread about 4 AUD
- taxi is expensive as well in comparison to Malaysia.
It is considered a discriminatory act not to have w/c access in Australia and Perth is very accessible. An all day ticket which you can use on the train, bus ,ferry, is about 9 AUD, unless it has gone up
There are so many nice things here is the link : http://www.bcl.com.a.../historical.htm
Aqua, Rotness, Whiteman park , the reptile center in Armadale is very interesting as well and 9 days is not too long.
Margaret River is very nice but is a holiday place and priced as such.

Hope that it helps,
Mioara

[Nia]

aud30 for average meal?what the...i can get kebab or pizza for a little over gbp3-4 in uk...are you serious?or u're the "demanding" type?

i guess i need to spare some instant noodle and sardine can in my backpack... :,(

hey pete, any good restaurant u would suggest in town?i think i'll base in town for a little while...about the taxi, aaa....i'll use the train instead.would it be any problem?now, how could i find a car to hire...i'mm stuck...the ticket is in my hand...n i really dun want to waste it....i guess wherever i go travelling, the problem will be the same.money, n high living cost...so, just go on with it!

any car up for hiring?hee....^_^ i dun mind small car, as long as it works...the only car i dont want is smart-for-two...thanks!

[pistol_pete]

Nia,
I'm sure you could eat cheaper than $30 per meal. Avoid restaurants and trendy cafes. Food fairs in shopping centres are good. I don't know any good restaurants, I haven't lived in the city for 10 years, a big night out for me is steak and prawns down the local pub amongst the hillbillies. Can't beat it.
Anyways....

When you roll into the backpackers they will have heaps of info for budget travellers, cheap car hire, places to eat etc
Car hire will eat into your budget. Maybe its best for you to use public transport and plan your holiday around the city. Hang in Fremantle , chill out at the beach, try your luck at the casino, put everything on red and you might be able to buy a car ha ha. 'People watching' in the city and Fremantle can keep you occupied for hours and give you a sense of the place.

Travelling by the seat of your pants is sometimes the most rewarding. Go for it.

[abundance]

Nia, on Jan 10 2010, 09:48 PM, said:

Aaaa...

I'm planing to go to Perth this may, with my fiancee, and wondering how accessible it would be for wheelers. I plan to stay in hostels for their cost, but i cant book any as i dont even know if its accessible.Any feedback? anyone would like to give me a stay? ^_^ i dunno anybody at perth....

Hi There,
the below website was released last week after 2 years in the making

www.accesswa.com.au

it will give you all the info you need ( I hope) You will find Perth quite flat and we do have some buses that have wheelchair access and lovely pathways around the river, infact you can get 90% of the way around the river

enjoy your stay

[Skrads]

You may be pushing your luck with $700 over 9 days. I'm going over to Perth in April for 3 and a bit days and still trying to decide whether I'll be ok with $500, and thats with free accommodation. I will be living it up a bit and doing some shopping etc. $700 might be alright if you backpack but I'd reconsider your spending amount just in case.

Edited by bradgrove, 16 February 2010 - 10:22 PM.