AFF Gathering #10 in PER on 11 - 13 November 2016

[Awesom Andy]

Not a golf person myself.

It's possible to fly to Rottnest as well, although the ferry is probably the better way to go since you don't need to walk the few hundred metres after landing.

Restaurants, not too fuzzed myself, just anywhere with good food, with a drink or 2 for a not too expensive price, I'm happy.

 

[Flashback]

Not interested in Golf.
Thought Margaret River was too far away for day trip??
I do the Swan Valley Visitors Guide - feel I already know the place.
Yes to Rottnest.

Food: will go with the flow.

Rotto is easily done as a day trip - early start though and will not get back till late. Did this with Mrs Flashback when we were last in PER as she had not been.

Can recommend this place for dinner and it's only a short walk from the Hilton: Best Indian Restaurant in Perth | Royal India Restaurant

Disclaimer: owners are family friends so I can probably get them to arrange something for the group.

 

[penegal]

Surely as AFF members a short flight could be a idea to Margaret River

haha, Virgin or charter?

 

[clazman]

haha, Virgin or charter?

Believe charter is the only option, something to ponder over https://leeuwinestate.com.au/visiting/fly-south-2/

 

[penegal]

Believe charter is the only option, something to ponder over https://leeuwinestate.com.au/visiting/fly-south-2/

Virgin [used to?] fly to Busselton (BQB)


EDIT - Not sure if this flight still operates?

 

[clazman]

Virgin also fly to Busselton (BQB), which is "most of the way" there.

Please treat me as stupid ...... what am i doing wrong

Virgin interactive flight map - says they dont
Virgin book a ticket dosnt have Busselton

The arrivals and departures page has Buesselton

 

[Major]

Back in the 80's I used to take a flight from PER to BUY. I don't think they operate now

 

[penegal]

Please treat me as stupid ...... what am i doing wrong

Virgin interactive flight map - says they dont
Virgin book a ticket dosnt have Busselton

The arrivals and departures page has Buesselton

I think the route has been cut or has become seasonal?
In any case - it was always going to be a "marginal" air route.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/27216182/virgin-cancels-busselton-trial/

---

EDIT - It looks like VA Regional (skywest) still use BQB for mining charters using F100s.

See flights VA92xx operating on an ad hoc basis.

https://flightaware.com/live/airport/YBLN

 

[samh004]

I think Swan could be the go, as Margaret is simply too far in a day (you'd probably get back and not do dinner as you'd be exhausted).

As part of the AFF Do or not, I shall be visiting Rottnest while I am there.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Swan is a nice day trip. It's nice and close, not too big, but still have enough variety to keep a group occupied for a day. Although, how many are planning to go to Margaret separately on another day (or 2)? If a lot of people are planning such a trip then going to Swan for a day might not be adding much value.

 

[JohnM]

Rotto is easily done as a day trip - early start though and will not get back till late. Did this with Mrs Flashback when we were last in PER as she had not been.

Can recommend this place for dinner and it's only a short walk from the Hilton: Best Indian Restaurant in Perth | Royal India Restaurant

Disclaimer: owners are family friends so I can probably get them to arrange something for the group.

The Royal India has been there for many, many years so they must be doing something right. Indian does make for ease with a largish group. Peeps could walk back to the CBD a little indirectly past Parliament House, with a stroll into Kings Park for night views if they so desired.

For Rotto (get with the local lingo peeps ), I would suggest the best option is to take the 0830 from Barrack St (so really not too early and only a c. 15 min walk from the Hilton). This takes about 1 hour for a very pleasant scenic ride down the Swan before it calls into Northport (N side of Fremantle harbour) to pick up more pax for the 1000 fast run to Rotto.

Then I would suggest taking the 1625 return to B Shed (on the S side of the harbour), walk about 200 m to the train station and train it back to PER Central. Then about a 10-15 min walk to the Hilton, so you could expect to be back there by 1800-1830.

There is a 1655 return ferry that calls at both Freo stops and then goes to Barrack St. I would suggest the return upriver journey may feel a little slow and tiresome at the end of the day.

See: https://www.rottnestexpress.com.au/

This gives some idea of the geography:

 

[JohnM]

Personally, I think the Swan Valley is underwhelming as a wine region and not the first place I'd think to take visitors. Others' MMV. Maybe it's because I spend so much time in the southern wine regions.

That said, an option is a boat cruise that calls into Sandalford, which is probably the most upscale winery in the Swan Valley:

Wine Cruises

A bit touristy, perhaps, but it would be a relaxing pleasant day out, I'm sure. The upper reaches of the Swan are much narrower than the estuary downstream of PER and less scenic.

Perth-Margaret River town is a 3 hour drive (by car), so not practical as a day trip in a bus.

I think Swan could be the go, as Margaret is simply too far in a day (you'd probably get back and not do dinner as you'd be exhausted).

As part of the AFF Do or not, I shall be visiting Rottnest while I am there.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Then I would suggest taking the 1625 return to B Shed (on the S side of the harbour), walk about 200 m to the train station and train it back to PER Central.

You'll probably see me sneaking off in the opposition direction at the B Shed, and heading into Little Creatures Brewery 10 mins walk down the road.

Also, Rottnest Express offers group bookings with a minimum of 20 pax, so if we can get there in terms of attendance, then we can all save a few dollars.

 

[penegal]

Perth-Margaret River town is a 3 hour drive (by car), so not practical as a day trip in a bus.

For those interested a pre-do or post-do in MR may be more feasible.

 

[JohnM]

For those interested a pre-do or post-do in MR may be more feasible.

I think so.

 

[JohnM]

You'll probably see me sneaking off in the opposition direction at the B Shed, and heading into Little Creatures Brewery 10 mins walk down the road.

I had mentioned that option earlier. I guess it depends how quickly folks want to get back to their accommodation to freshen up before dinner after a salty day at Rotto.

 

[JessicaTam]

An 830am start finishing at 630pm would make a very long day. Following that with dinner I think is too long. Whatever we do I reckon should be done by about 4-430 to allow people to catch their breath. And I am always happy if the start to the day is not too early!

Also, there have not been enough people interested in golf for the last do or three, so I suggest if golfers want to golf they can look into that themselves on the Sunday.

 

[JohnM]

There is a return ferry to B Shed leaving Rotto at 1410 which overcomes that issue, but it only allows 3 hours on the island.

IIRC, the run Freo-Rotto takes about 30 mins.

So, arriving on Rotto at about 1100 and departing at 1410 is doable for people wanting to take the shuttle bus around the island perhaps making only one or two stops. The circuit takes 1 hour and it is certainly worth getting off at least at the West End: Rottnest Island Authority - Rottnest Island Explorer - Bus Timetable

 

[Flashback]

There is a return ferry to B Shed leaving Rotto at 1410 which overcomes that issue, but it only allows 3 hours on the island.

IIRC, the run Freo-Rotto takes about 30 mins.

So, arriving on Rotto at about 1100 and departing at 1410 is doable for people wanting to take the shuttle bus around the island perhaps making only one or two stops. The circuit takes 1 hour and it is certainly worth getting off at least at the West End: Rottnest Island Authority - Rottnest Island Explorer - Bus Timetable

IMHO it's not worth going for just 3 hours!

 

[tuapekastar]

Royal India was very nice a few years ago when I dined there.

I agree that Rotto would be difficult to fit in but maybe not impossible.

Many many years ago I did a Swan River wine cruise (a dinner one). On the way up, we were given about one glass of wine and sat there meekly thinking what a dud we may have booked. Then we stopped and had a so-so carvery type dinner at a winery, a bit of dancing then got back on the boat. And did it go off or what!! Complete contrast to the trip out, and we had an absolute ball.

Ate at The Stables a year or two ago (lunch) and found it very good. There is a an apparently newish place called the something Garage in West Perth which a friend recently ate (lunch) at and said was very good.

Another thing I did a couple of years ago, and this could be problematic due to our group size, and that is a Segway tour. About as much fun as you can have with your pants still on IMHO. But groups are limited to 10, so it would take some creative thinking (or very limited interest) to include one in our schedule (perhaps we could stagger the times, but again, that requires some creative deviation from the traditional AFF type schedule). I believe they also operate at Rotto.

The Mundaring Weir Hotel has a great little amphitheatre and hosts Summer outdoor concerts (top bands) on Saturdays 'from November' (when in November is anybody's guess). Going there would also mean a break from 'Saturday Dinner' tradition so I guess it is an unlikely option but thought I would mention it. Would also likely require a bus as it is up in the hills about 45 mins from CBD