Only 120km away was the big city of Perth. We are having a few days here to sightsee, restock and do some van maintenance. At this point in time we have been away 6 months and done over 22,000 km.

We are staying in the suburb of Karringup, a huge van park with “wow” all the mod, cons. It is about 10 km from the city which is not a worry, the public transport in Perth is excellent for the over 60’s, an all-day rider ticket will cost you $4.80, bus, train and ferry great for visitors.

We explored the streets of this mixed City, old architecture preserved for history, yet still in use today, alongside modern slimline towers that are today’s offices buildings.

We went to the WA Mint, did a tour to hear the history of gold, saw a demonstration on the high temperatures needed to melt gold down, held a gold bar in one hand and got weighted in the price of gold on the day. “Now that was a talking point”.

We caught a free inner city bus to the famous Kings Park, where you could see the City landscape from high on the hill. The gardens were set out in different regions of the state and showed their flora, it was excellent, wildflowers at their best. The park paid tribute to our fallen soliders, to today’s artists, indigenous women groups and the Founders of Perth City. To really appreciate the acres of land here you would need days to see it all. There was just not enough time.

Another free inner city bus and we were down to the wharfs, past the old Supreme Court building and Parliament House to another modern structure, the Bell Tower.

Next day we were on public transport again with the day rider ticket, taking us to Fremantle. This day trip is like taking the train from Brisbane down to the Gold Coast in Qld. The old stone buildings that have been renovated to be today’s coffee shops, art galleries and museums. The walk around took us to the Port area, through the old port warehouses, that are now today’s e-markets and the brand new Maritime Museum.