The Swan Barracks were built in 1896, and this imposing stone structure is one of the oldest buildings in Northbridge. But you won’t find soldiers in the cavernous drill-hall – the historic building has been converted into a bright and breezy hostel, and the modern rooms have a laid-back vibe, with bar fridges and widescreen TVs. A stone’s throw from the bus and train station, and next door to the lively bars and clubs of Northridge, this hostel is a quirky mix of old and new, and even has its own ‘Barracks Bar’, complete with barrel bar stools.

2 - 8 Francis Street, Perth, 6000, Australia
www.theoldswanbarracks.com/

Google map: tinyurl.com/ltnz2q

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Rottnest Island (or 'Rotto' to the locals), is a 30 minute catamaran ride from Fremantle. It's the only place where you can see quokka, which resemble small kangaroos.

Rottnest has fabulous beaches in crystal clear water and is great for a day out or short trip from Perth. No cars are permitted, so cycling is popular.

A hotel and beer garden overlook Thomson's Bay and there are a selection of food outlets and cafes at the Settlement.

You can even stay in the former Aboriginal jail, which is now a hotel.

Ferry from Fremantle to Rottnest (booking ahead is recommended). Return journey approx $60 at time of writing.

Google map: tinyurl.com/kuw36s

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It's a hostel booking site that I used when I travelled to Perth. They have a quite a good selection and I found them to be cheaper.

www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/australia/perth/

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Northbridge is a suburb of Perth which is the place to go for bars and restaurants be they Italian, French, seafood or Asian and everything in between. Catch the free CAT bus from the city and they take you straight there, or you can walk it easily from the city centre too.
On sunday catch a train to Cottesloe and head for the beach and have a few drinks watching the sunset in the Cottesloe Beach Hotel.
Do it!

Cottesloe - catch a rtain from the city
Northbridge - catch the free Blue CAT bus from the city.

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What do you want when you go on holiday? Great scenery, things to do, excellent restaurants... oh hang on, let's throw in some world class adventure sports and free wine, and not just some cheap plonk but some of the high-end stuff, too.

Despite its rather sedate sounding name, Margaret River, three hours drive south of Perth, has all of these.

It's the home of world-class surfing competitions with frighteningly large waves which break against the rugged coastline with awesome power and regularity.

It's the home of Moss Wood, Leeuwin Estates and a hundred other world-class wineries, many of which have cellar door tastings and attached restaurants.

The local produce is so fresh and tasty that most of the restaurants deliver something a little special. Vasse Felix is particularly good for a smart dinner, but most of them are interesting.

Margaret River Cheese Co. (yummy cheddar), Chocolate Factory, Simmo's Ice Cream and Bootleg Brewery are all good stops between wine-tastings.

And that's just inland. The coastline of this area is one of the most beautiful on this side of the continent - or any side of any continent to be frank.

And the coastline offers up plenty of places to stay: north to south you've got Dunsborough, Yallingup, Gracetown and Prevelly/Gnarabup, where you'll often get stunning sea views from your deck, as you sip your day's purchases.

Some of the comments on Perth are pretty critical - but they also miss one of the great advantages: when you've got an area this beautiful, you don't want it to get too over-crowded. Margs gets pretty busy around Christmas, but the rest of the year you can normal find a corner of it - a beach-break, a vineyard, a restaurant - to keep to yourself.

Margaret River is three hours south of Perth. We like staying at Bavu Beach House www.bayubeachhouse.com

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