After the Rottnest Marathon: Perth

The Route: Rottnest Island → Fremantle → Perth → Perth Airport Logistics: Take the ferry to Fremantle, about 25 to 30 minutes, then the Transperth Fremantle Line train to Perth Station, about 30 minutes. Some ferry services run directly to Perth's Barrack Street Jetty, taking up to 90 minutes, so check the timetable. Marathon Month: June Duration: 2 nights

Rottnest Thomson Bay ──(about 25 to 30 mins ferry)──> Fremantle ──(about 30 mins train)──> Perth Station
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Perth Airport (PER) <──(about 20 mins on the Airport Line from Perth Station)─────────────────┘

The Wadjemup Rottnest Running Festival marathon finishes on the island, and the mainland leg brings you back to a city that suits a slow two days. The centre is flat, the river is close and the museums are free or cheap.

June in Perth: winter. Days are typically in the high teens Celsius, and nights are cool. Rain arrives in fronts, so expect a few wet spells. Winter is the wettest part of the year, which makes museums and galleries good choices. Kings Park has fewer visitors in winter and the bush is green.

Night One: The Waterfront and Elizabeth Quay

Elizabeth Quay is a level, paved waterfront precinct reached from Perth Station in a few minutes on foot, and it has ferry links, cafés and seating along its edge. A gentle circuit of the quay is about a kilometre. Barrack Square beside it is where river cruises and the Rottnest ferries leave.

For a bed, the DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront is on the riverfront and close to the quay, and the Hyatt Regency Perth sits on Adelaide Terrace, a taxi or a longer walk from the centre. Both have restaurants, and rates vary with events.

For a meal, Print Hall at Brookfield Place serves a broad menu in a restored building, and Petition Kitchen in the State Buildings is a popular central spot. Check current opening days and book for weekends.

Night Two: Museums and Kings Park

The Perth Cultural Centre, a short walk north of the station, holds the WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the State Library. The museum has lifts and seating, and general entry is free for some galleries, so check the current charges. Perth Mint is on Hay Street, and gold pours are held at set times, so check the schedule. It is indoors and level.

Kings Park sits above the city and has views across the river, but the ascent from the city is steep. Drive or take a bus to the top, walk the flat paths and the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, and take the stairs only if the legs allow. The park is a large botanic garden with paved paths and benches.

Fitting in a Ferry Ride

If the legs allow, Perth's own river is worth a slow trip. A ferry runs across the Swan from Barrack Square to Mends Street in South Perth, and the crossing takes only a few minutes. The foreshore on the far side is a level, paved promenade with a view back across the water to the city towers, and a walk of a kilometre or so along it is easy going. The Perth Zoo is close to the ferry landing, but it involves a lot of walking, so save it for a fresher day. Check the ferry timetable before you set out, because winter services can be less frequent.

A Wet-Weather Plan

June is the wet season, and Perth's museums are built for it. The Art Gallery of Western Australia has a permanent collection of Aboriginal art that is worth a slow hour with a seat nearby, and the State Library next door has a reading room where you can sit for as long as you like. Elizabeth Quay's cafés have covered seating, and the Swan Bell Tower, on the quay, has a viewing gallery and a bell-ringing display at set times. Check the opening times and any charges. If the rain is heavy, take a taxi between stops rather than walking, since the Perth street grid is level but the shelter between blocks is patchy.

Getting Home