January 11-12, 2018, Fremantle and Perth

January 11-12, 2018, Fremantle and Perth

We docked in the charming little town of Fremantle, just south of the much larger Perth, capital of Western Australia. We had two gorgeous days there, clear, cool, and windy, thanks to rough weather expected for Esperance, which caused us to skip that port, as we would have had to tender.

Perth plaque

Friends we made on a 2014 Uniworld river trip live in Fremantle, met us as we arrived, and took us on a wonderful tour of the area. This place is very livable, one in which we could certainly imagine making a life (should the US become totally intolerable). Beautiful water; lots of boats, houses and condos thereon; vibrant downtown in Perth; charming older feeling in Fremantle.

Elizabeth Quay and downtown Perth.

The Bell Tower at Elizabeth Quay is about to be swallowed up by cranes.

Barry and Leonie were born and raised in this area of Western Australia, and you won't find two more gracious people. We loved their personalized tour!

From the beaches to Kings Park (a large city park overlooking Perth with a beautiful botanic garden), from Elizabeth Quay to the America’s Cup site of the 1987 Aussie victory in Fremantle (and plenty of people to remind us of that loss), we found Perth and Fremantle to be lovely. The  homes along the Swan River are spectacular.

Two mansions along the Swan River; the one at bottom has a drive-in boathouse underneath (see arched door).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many modes of transport are used, but on land mostly buses and cars—very few scooters or motorcycles—and a very efficient train that runs right next to the port and between Fremantle and Perth. We did see a gondola, the occasional Segway, and a camel tour. Boats of every persuasion abound—the Swan River between Perth and Fremantle seems to have thousands of pleasure boats in marinas.

Cap visited the WA Maritime Museum, and saw Australia II, of America's Cup fame, as well as a lot of other memorabilia.

Ocean Shield Border Force ship.

Around us at the pier in Fremantle were an auto hauler, a cable layer, several large container ships, and two other cruise ships, Silver Shadow and Astor. Docked behind us  was Ocean Shield, the Aussie Border Force ship, originally intended for oil platform servicing, but procured before service by the Aussie Navy, then turned over to Border Force. It has two .50 caliber deck mounted machine guns and a helipad. Following the disappearance of Malaysia Airline #370, Ocean Shield was one of several Australian vessels to take part in the search.

Memorials of many types remind all of the tolls of the sea and of war. There’s an impressive tower and monument in Kings Park to Aussie WWII losses, as well as one commemorating lives lost fishing at sea. But one of the most charming was one representing all the children who were sent alone from Britain to Australia (post-convict settlers).

And, speaking of children, Fremantle's Little Creatures brewery (an impressive venture), where we had lunch, offered a large sandbox for kids to play in right next to the outdoor tables. Clever!

 

For the next three days, we are off across the Great Australian Bight--the southern coast of the Western and Southern Australia territories.