Need to get away? Perth’s best staycations

Have you ever needed to get away but don’t have the time or ability to get on a plane? If that is you, a staycation can fit the bill: relax, explore, and revitalise? We don’t believe it is just about staying overnight in a hotel. We think it is about finding an area with unique character that you haven’t really “explored” before. We discovered this when we did this staycation in Fremantle:

Here are our top five places to go and get away but within the Perth area: Staycations.

Convict Fremantle

We caught a bus into the city and jumped on a boat and eventually arrived in Fremantle. Yes, our adventure begins as we left the front door.  Coming from Perth, we thought we knew Freo. But here’s the thing, most of us ‘drop ins’ usually get there, go to where we are meeting friends and drive out again. On this staycation we immersed ourselves in the uniquely Freo vibe. The Hougoumont Hotel is a funky hotel named after the last convict ship to come to Fremantle. On the wall in the foyer bar, are the names of the convicts brought out here. This bunch of convicts are quite famous because some escaped known as the Fenians. One name JB O’Reilly is the name of the Irish Pub in Leederville. The rooms of the hotel are made from shipping containers, staying with the shipping theme.

In the convict theme, we walked around Fremantle absorbing the convict-built atmosphere. Breakfast or lunch at the Fremantle Arts Centre and catch a gig their later, explore the Roundhouse, Whalers tunnels, Fremantle Prison and Kidogo House art gallery. The Ball and Chain at the Esplanade is the oldest pub in Fremantle.

Claisebrook Cove and Burswood

Now joined by the Matagarup Bridge, we love walking the Swan River loop. It is a great place to explore as a staycation. Accommodation ranges from 5 star at Crown Towers, apartments, and motels. We love Claisebrook for brunch or a late lunch. Can’t even imagine what is was like when it was a bit of rubbish dump for early Perth. Follow up the “Claise Brook” for the Indigenous story of the area, ending where the brook bubbles up outside the ABC offices. We have hired bicycles on the city side of the Causeway. You can get kayaks there at About Bike Hire too.

Crown Casino is obviously vibrant at night. In summer, there are often markets outside Optus Stadium. Some of the cities best playgrounds are in the gardens surrounding the Stadium, to keep the kids entertained. Pubs are the Royal on the East Perth side and Camfield on Burswood side.

Swan Valley

If you want to feel more rural, Swan Valley is for you. We found Mandoon Estate had everything on offer. Apartments, brewery, winery and restaurants. There are lot of gourmet food and wine trails to follow. For a full itinerary go to our Pelusey Life Blog Spring the Valley

Perth Hills

There are so many villages in the Perth Hills to choose from but we like Mundaring as a staycation because of its network of trails that fan out from there. We use the classic Mundaring Hotel as a base and entertaining on a Sunday afternoon session, often with live music and a lamb on a spit. The Bibbulmun Track passes over the Mundaring Weir and up the hill to the Perth Hills Centre. The Munda Biddi and Kep Track leave from Mundaring as well.

Scarborough

Spend a weekend at the beach because being near the ocean for couple of days is rejuvenating. There is nothing like falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves. Or is it the negative ions that increase our mental energy and emotional wellbeing. There are great places to stay and eat. Scarborough has many hotel rooms of all standards and apartments to stay in. Food wise, we like the Wild Fig and the Sandbar.

Walking is a great way to take in the ocean vibes. Scarborough Beach is a long white expanse from Trigg to way south past City Beach. The walk trail north goes for miles with spectacular views, from the long white beach of Scarborough to little coves of Trigg, North Beach and Watermans Bay.