Advice needed: 6 days in Perth with a two year old and farm stay in March?

[therock]

So despite a long flight that wasn't enjoyable, my wife has decided she had enough fun to want to go through another. This time we will do a shorter flight and go somewhere with reasonably cool weather (baby loves the cold), and get a car..

Because she want to bring that mega cot again! haha 

So it's middle of March 2024, 6 days in Perth Australia and I will appreciate tips and advice again on places to go and stay.

I've got tickets sorted, plus a rental car with an infant seat. My MIL will be going again too - brave lady, haha 

Now both wife and I have been to Perth a few times, so the city itself isn't very interesting, and we will want to stay in a same region, ideally even the same hotel / cabin throughout.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

 

 

Accommodations:

So if we wish to do a farm stay, the Swan Valley area looks alright?

- Anyone done farm stays before and has places to recommend?

- I think we can go for two hotel rooms, OR a whole lodge / farm cottage for ourselves

- ideally these have a small kitchen to prepare baby's food, not far from amenities eg Coles / Woolsworth supermarket?

- Settler's Farm Stay - the only issue is that they don't have room for the whole stay, so I may have to get one night at the beginning elsewhere first -- does anyone have experience with this place?

 

Attractions:

Any tips on flying with a very active two year old - during the last flight, the entire aisle was the playground, haha

I booked an infant seat and specified 2 years old, is their infant seat ok? Do I need deep cleaning?

Any other attractions or recommended farm stays? 

Places to go 

- hiking? 

- markets?

- Rottnest Island - is it any good for a two year old?

- Caversham Wildlife Reserve - alpacas, and other animals (a few people have mentioned it)

- visit Fremantle market (Fremantle Markets is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s also open on Monday public holidays)

Thanks again!

Edited December 4, 2023 by therock

[Jman888]

are you back from Japan? please focus on the current holiday first ok

 

[therock]

On 12/4/2023 at 9:37 PM, Jman888 said:

are you back from Japan? please focus on the current holiday first ok

 

Long back lo.... that was November haha... 

Wife liked the cool weather and we survived the flights - but the train plus flight was not easy on baby..

[Hubwee]

On 12/4/2023 at 9:03 PM, therock said:

So despite a long flight that wasn't enjoyable, my wife has decided she had enough fun to want to go through another. This time we will do a shorter flight and go somewhere with reasonably cool weather (baby loves the cold), and get a car..

Because she want to bring that mega cot again! haha 

So it's middle of March 2024, 6 days in Perth Australia and I will appreciate tips and advice again on places to go and stay.

I've got tickets sorted, plus a rental car with an infant seat. My MIL will be going again too - brave lady, haha 

Now both wife and I have been to Perth a few times, so the city itself isn't very interesting, and we will want to stay in a same region, ideally even the same hotel / cabin throughout.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

 

 

Accommodations:

So if we wish to do a farm stay, the Swan Valley area looks alright?

- Anyone done farm stays before and has places to recommend?

- I think we can go for two hotel rooms, OR a whole lodge / farm cottage for ourselves

- ideally these have a small kitchen to prepare baby's food, not far from amenities eg Coles / Woolsworth supermarket?

- Settler's Farm Stay - the only issue is that they don't have room for the whole stay, so I may have to get one night at the beginning elsewhere first -- does anyone have experience with this place?

 

Attractions:

Any tips on flying with a very active two year old - during the last flight, the entire aisle was the playground, haha

I booked an infant seat and specified 2 years old, is their infant seat ok? Do I need deep cleaning?

Any other attractions or recommended farm stays? 

Places to go 

- hiking? 

- markets?

- Rottnest Island - is it any good for a two year old?

- Caversham Wildlife Reserve - alpacas, and other animals (a few people have mentioned it)

- visit Fremantle market (Fremantle Markets is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s also open on Monday public holidays)

Thanks again!

Why take the risk with a rented child seat for your gal when it’s so easy to bring your own … 

Have travelled with our own child seat for my daughter the last 2 years to europe / japan / bangkok / Bali . Just check it in or if your child is still under 2 , you can actually bring it up the plane and use it for her flight but that is provided you get a seat for your child . So much safer using your own .

Have actually book our flight to Perth also for early April next year , first time there so will be following this thread closely ..

[Tohto]

Perth March weather can still be quite warm or even hot.

Do not expect a cold weather.

A fast google show average temperature in Mar is 18 to 29deg.

Do take note Australia temperature under the sun feel a lot hotter than here due to strong UV at same temperature.  Just less the humidity. 

Edited December 4, 2023 by Tohto

[Thaiyotakamli]

Go on may then weather starts to cooling

[therock]

Thanks bro but wife has booked flights

she has this leave period that her boss approved 

so it’s in the middle of March 😛 

[Hummer]

I been to Perth twice in the last 16mths with 2 young kids so I’ll share some info which will be of interest for your 2 yo

 

We stayed at Ferguson for both times and the kids loved it. Remote area and can see stars in the sky at night

1 cabin can sleep multiple pax and this place is popular with sinkies. Go check out the website for the various room config. Clean and equipped with kitchen. Comes with everything you need. If you are driving, there are supermarkets everywhere. However, Ferguson is fairly remote so you may need about 20mins drive or so. 
 

nearby is Bunbury which has the Dolphin Discovery Center and Bunbury zoo

and also the Bunbury market. 
 

Caversham is recommended for kids. Can spend whole day there. You should go. However it is quite a distance from Ferguson. 
I would skip Rottnest if you are going with v young child.

Fremantle market nothing special, pls don’t push a big ass stroller into the place. It is very crowded. 
You can try the various playgrounds and also Kings park. Lots of playgrounds to explore. 

[Voodooman]

6 days in 1 location?  I will stay 3 days in Perth/ Swan Valley and another 3 days in Margaret River area just for a change of scenery. 

Hiking in Perth area with a 2 years old? Perhaps a walk along Cottesloe Beach or in King's Park.

Hamelin Bay to watch rays?

[Mkl22]

On 12/4/2023 at 9:54 PM, therock said:

Long back lo.... that was November haha... 

Wife liked the cool weather and we survived the flights - but the train plus flight was not easy on baby..

How was man packing your tons of kit in Japan ? With Perth you jump into the car at the airport. Much easier, can bring more stuff. Cot and play pen as well? 😂

Edited December 5, 2023 by Mkl22

[therock]

Thanks 🙏 

the idea was to stay put and drive around cos life with a 2 year old is very different 

no refugee style adventures 

but if all the above are nearby I’ll do them 🙏 

We don’t drink so maybe less about wines haha 

I was my class favorite to go for trip and I wondered why until I realized it’s because I’ve always been the designated driver all this while 😆 

[therock]

On 12/5/2023 at 3:27 PM, Mkl22 said:

How was man packing your tons of kit in Japan ? With Perth you jump into the car at the airport. Much easier, can bring more stuff. Cot and play pen as well? 😂

We came back with three suitcases we brought plus two bags of shopping and that cot plus three backpacks and a baby bag

so I bit the bullet and hired a MPV alphard to the airport 😆 

[inlinesix]

On 12/5/2023 at 3:32 PM, therock said:

We came back with three suitcases we brought plus two bags of shopping and that cot plus three backpacks and a baby bag

so I bit the bullet and hired a MPV alphard to the airport 😆 

This requires a holiday after a holiday

😂

[Lala81]

Don't spend all the time in Perth or swan valley lah. Do a farm stay and do some of the usual Perth stuff. 

[Lala81]

Caversham is a must. 

Then a simple farm stay at MG or outskirts. Mini petting zoo experience. 

The pier train at busselton is a nice short experience for the kiddo. 

March don't think can see whales at busselton. 

Playgrounds at 2 years old is all the same. When they are in primary school aussie playgrounds are heaven. 

Especially those in newish suburbs estates. 

Probably a cruise down swan river etc. 

I brought my girl to Perth when she was 2. Doesn't remember a single thing lol. 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Lala81

[Lala81]

On 12/5/2023 at 8:45 AM, Hummer said:

I been to Perth twice in the last 16mths with 2 young kids so I’ll share some info which will be of interest for your 2 yo

 

We stayed at Ferguson for both times and the kids loved it. Remote area and can see stars in the sky at night

1 cabin can sleep multiple pax and this place is popular with sinkies. Go check out the website for the various room config. Clean and equipped with kitchen. Comes with everything you need. If you are driving, there are supermarkets everywhere. However, Ferguson is fairly remote so you may need about 20mins drive or so. 
 

nearby is Bunbury which has the Dolphin Discovery Center and Bunbury zoo

and also the Bunbury market. 
 

Caversham is recommended for kids. Can spend whole day there. You should go. However it is quite a distance from Ferguson. 
I would skip Rottnest if you are going with v young child.

Fremantle market nothing special, pls don’t push a big ass stroller into the place. It is very crowded. 
You can try the various playgrounds and also Kings park. Lots of playgrounds to explore. 

I've stayed a few quieter places in aussie. Never saw stars once lol. 

[Beanoyip]

On 12/5/2023 at 9:36 PM, Lala81 said:

I've stayed a few quieter places in aussie. Never saw stars once lol. 

Is it because you never lookup or cloudy most of the time?

Tassie in recent months have been blessed with aurora australis.. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/auroraaustralis/permalink/7471952809506204/

[Lala81]

On 12/6/2023 at 8:11 AM, Beanoyip said:

Is it because you never lookup or cloudy most of the time?

Tassie in recent months have been blessed with aurora australis.. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/auroraaustralis/permalink/7471952809506204/

Haha the whole trip this time, I didn't even see the moon. 😄

i saw the milky way once in bali when wake up at 3am to climb mt batur. That's a magical sight. But we were already at elevation. definitely >500m up in the mountain regions. 

Edited December 6, 2023 by Lala81