Wa in summertime

The air con factor is massive, I know it will be hot, have been looking at karinjin? Nat park.. Any idea on what it would be like at that time of year, besides hot! Thanks

Errr... very hot. We were there in August a few years ago. Temps then in the mid 30's day after day. In Dec-Jan you'll cook.

Thanks Wayne & Sally
Was over wa a couple of years ago, pulled up at wave rock, 46C ... Same time of year.. If you put your hand on the glass, you could feel the heat.
Sue, my wife, an I did 8 weeks over there earlier this year, with the camp trailer, followed the coast around to cape le grand from Perth. It's so different out of school/Xmas holidays.. Like you, I prefer quite times.
Can't really book anything at this stage, due to where and what others are doing, or may be on my own.. Play it by ear, as they say.. Just trying to get some ideas happening. Thanks again for suggestions. Cheers Odog

You could stay at your young bloke's place and do a few day trips around the Perth area.
Shouldn't be too crowded, most of the population will have gone away for the holidays. Not all of them go south. Quite a mob go north, you know, to get away from the crowd...lol.
When we were working some mornings it could be a little trying getting out of our street onto the highway during non holiday times.
Xmas holidays I could drive out onto the highway, stop, get out and fire a shotgun up and down the highway and not hit anyone...figuratively speaking of course. (;=))

Just a thought

Cheers
Pop

Hi again,

It does get hot in WA and all the way through until April.
Maybe the best plan is to "wing it"
At least there is a flexibility that you don't have when all is "planned"

Enjoy your trip and we may see you out and about :-)

Cheers,
Wayne & Sally.

I agree with Pop - stay in Perth for Xmas. It is actually often fairly quiet if you stay away from the shops and mainstream locations and use the early mornings when most are still in bed. The trick to summer in Perth is to get up when the sun does - ie. 4.30-5am and go out for a walk in a park, go down to a beach, watch the action at a boat ramp, or take a drive through Kalamunda, Piesse Brook etc. All the other drunks and city folk are still in bed and you'll get 4 hours to yourself to enjoy nature at its best.

Here's some suggestions but do them all very early: The Lagoon at Yanchep, Kings Park at sunrise, Matilda Bay waterfront grass - walk along river on path/fish off bank, Pinnaroo Memorial Park (yes its a cemetery) early morning or evening to see hundreds of grazing wallabies and roos, walk around Lake Gooleal Kingsley, visit Perry's Paddock and ruins off Ocean Reef Road, fish (or watch fisherpeople) off jetty at Woodman Point, visit Deepwater Point cafe and walk or ride a bike around the river bike path, stroll around the marina boardwalks, watch the action at the boat ramp, and drool over massive boats for sale at Hillarys (Sorrento Quay), sunrise at Cottesloe Beach (marvel at the early morning "freaks"/oops swimmers braving the ocean). You get the idea.

Did you know there is a drive-in outdoor movie theatre in Kingsley see Galaxy Drive In - you can BYO everything and pull out your camp chair and table, or even sit on your roof - it's good but go when gates open and kill time by reading a book, or eating etc.

Browse the thrift shops on the main street in Guildford, especially the museum of natural history (lots of taxidermy) opens at 10am, cost $5.

Fish & Chips at Chippies - at one of the new suburbs north of Perth called Jindalee. Could get busy at lunch or weekends but check it out during a quiet time of day and you'll be surprised.

Many other outdoor theatres around but ones that are less crowded are further away from city, eg. ECU in Joondalup. For details look up Summer of Perth festival. Just stay away from City, Northbridge, Subiaco, Kings Park etc during main events, and main times of day.

The Perth zoo is actually very good if you go super early or super late - in fact they do twilight theatre and even a NYE family event on the lawns. Very low key etc.

Also, don't underestimate visiting AQWA, the Art Gallery, the Muesum etc too.

Even in summer you might enjoy a day's drive up via Chittering Valley through Bindoon and onto New Norcia. Or what about a drive up to York - its fantastic with beautiful old buildings and a great pub to stop for lunch. Just worth it for the drive! The Swan Valley is also a great place for a drive if you go early morning. Avoid the crowds for lunch on weekends at the brewery etc but still worth a peek.

Nothing wrong with a drive to Rockingham foreshore and a coffee very early morning on the waterfront! Then go onto Bunbury - its a magnificent bay of water!

Araluen is fabulous in spring but we've been there in summer too. If you can get there very early in the cooler part of the day it is still worth going.

Hope this helps you and anyone else looking for things to do in Perth's summer without crowds that are free/low cost. Enjoy!

one more place I forgot to mention is the Heritage Trail.
Maps & Brochure

I particularly like the section from Swan View - you can park here and walk to the Tunnel (take a head light) along the ridge formerly used by the railway - its a magnificent place and the falls are just nearby in the John Forrest National Park. The views in this section are excellent.