Back in Perth for One Last Week – A Lovely End to Our Australia Adventure

After our packed road trip up the coast, it felt great to return to Perth for one last, slower-paced week. There’s something special about winding down after a whirlwind journey—time to rest, reflect, and just savor a few final gems before flying home. Our last days were highlighted by two standout experiences: Caversham Wildlife Park and a whirlwind half-day at Rottnest Island. Both gave us that sweet sense of closure on an already incredible Australia trip.

🐨 Caversham Wildlife Park – Up Close with Australia’s Icons

We spent about four hours at Caversham Wildlife Park, and honestly, it zipped by—we could have stayed longer. The park’s charm lies in letting you get truly close to Australia’s native animals, far beyond what you’d ever get in most zoos. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed to linger and engage.

• A Koala Moment: You can stand right next to a koala for a photo (they’re that calm!) and gently feel their fuzzy leg—no rough petting, just a respectful brush with the back of your hand. A rare, gentle encounter that’s peak Aussie travel.

• Kangaroo Encounters: Feeding kangaroos by hand is always fun, but here the experience was next-level. We’d tried kangaroo feeding in Kelowna before, but these ones were playful, lively, and there were so many. Watching joeys peeking from pouches and kangaroos bounding around added magic to the moment—all in a relaxed, open environment.

• Farm Show Highlight: The sheep shearing show turned out to be both impressive and oddly soothing—a masterclass in artistry and tradition.

• A Winter Weekday Visit: Winter weekdays meant tranquility. No crowds, just us and the animals, soaking in a unique slice of Australian wildlife.

🚲 Rottnest Island – A Fast-Paced, Fully Worth-It Visit

Rottnest is not the cheapest outing, and we debated if three hours was enough to justify the adventure. Spoiler: it absolutely was! Even a quick spin here is memorable.

• Pro Tip: Book in Advance: We turned up on a Saturday in winter and got the only available return ferry at 2:30PM. They do guarantee a way back for everyone, but with minimal accommodation and high demand, booking ahead is wise. I could happily see myself anchoring here on a yacht someday!

• Start Early for More Island Time: We left Perth lazily and nabbed the 11AM Sealink ferry from Fremantle (locals call it “Freo”). Next round, an earlier start is definitely in order—there’s just so much to see.

• E-Bike = Maximum Fun: Renting an electric bike was a game changer (80AUD each)—super easy in winter, and the hills, sand dunes, lighthouses, wildlife lakes, and ocean views kept us moving and in awe the whole time.

• Summer Dreaming: I’m already plotting a return. The coves beg for snorkeling (the colors! the clarity!) and there’s the hop-on/off bus for those who’d rather take it slow.

• Great Amenities: Spotless roads, water refill stations, ample bathrooms, plus friendly quokkas everywhere near the ferry—Rottnest nails the details.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

🚗 A Quick Fremantle Spin

By the time we got back, we were too tired to explore Freo fully, but wow—those historic streets, the quirky downtown, and glimpses of street art from the car linger in my mind. I did learn there’s a real submarine you can board at the Maritime Museum (next time for sure). If you want relaxed, artsy vibes, you’ll love it.

🧺 Saving for Next Time: Mystery Picnics & Southern Road Trips

Someone tipped us off to Mystery Picnics—a geocaching-style adventure where you solve riddles, collect picnic goodies, and (hopefully) discover new favorite bites. I’m sold! Australia always leaves you wanting a “next time.”

When we come back, we’re heading south: Mandurah, Busselton, Margaret River, Albany, Esperance Beach. Each place promises new stories.

So we leave with full hearts, tired legs, and an even longer travel bucket list. Here’s to future adventures, and to all the “next times” that make every journey special