Travel: Australia - Perth

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Mon, 08 May 2023 09:04:29 GMT

mastertempo — Mon, 08 May 2023 09:04:29 GMT

Actually for self drive holidays New Zealand and Perth also most parts of Australia are pretty easy to get about. Children love chocolate factories, strawberry farms and the beautiful beaches. I feel the plus point of Australia is really the short flight time we have to "endure" with kids whom cannot sit still … Lol - Overall it makes for a picturesque holiday and generally safe to get around

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 01 Mar 2022 12:48:58 GMT

Terence Choy — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 12:48:58 GMT

MummyY\" post_id=\"1990903\" time=\"1597382139\" user_id=\"184520:
🤣🤣

I travelled to Melbourne in my younger days

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Fri, 14 Aug 2020 05:15:39 GMT

MummyY — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 05:15:39 GMT

🤣🤣

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Thu, 13 Aug 2020 16:34:12 GMT

Hendon — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 16:34:12 GMT

Danera\" post_id=\"1990827\" time=\"1597331222\" user_id=\"187805:

I always wanted to go on travel by car but I didn't have driving license that's why I decided to act. Last week I passed the exam at the first attempt, I am so happy! Hope I will visit some countries in Autumn.

in 2022 perhaps

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Wed, 09 Oct 2019 02:46:23 GMT

floppy — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 02:46:23 GMT

alternateshift\" post_id=\"1937128\" time=\"1569394362\" user_id=\"27496:

alternateshift\" post_id=\"1915706\" time=\"1561428524\" user_id=\"27496:
Thanks again floppy

Have sat in one of these before and there are some space behind the last row for some luggage. Seats can also be folded down to accommodate hence the reason why I am considering.

We are probably driving down and up Margret River with stops every 2/3 days before heading back to city and flying back.

In Class 4 license is required, then may have no choice but hire 2 cars instead.
Hi All .. just to update in case anyone interested in the future

Had managed to rent and drive the 12 seater communter

Seems there are 2 types of license in Aust .. namely for cars and for trucks

Since the 12 seater is considered under the 'car' category, we are deemed as able to rent and drive

At least this was what I was told when I rented the car .. but best to check again in case things change

:goodpost:

Thanks for the update

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Wed, 25 Sep 2019 06:52:42 GMT

alternateshift — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 06:52:42 GMT

alternateshift\" post_id=\"1915706\" time=\"1561428524\" user_id=\"27496:

Thanks again floppy

Have sat in one of these before and there are some space behind the last row for some luggage. Seats can also be folded down to accommodate hence the reason why I am considering.

We are probably driving down and up Margret River with stops every 2/3 days before heading back to city and flying back.

In Class 4 license is required, then may have no choice but hire 2 cars instead.

Hi All .. just to update in case anyone interested in the future

Had managed to rent and drive the 12 seater communter

Seems there are 2 types of license in Aust .. namely for cars and for trucks

Since the 12 seater is considered under the 'car' category, we are deemed as able to rent and drive

At least this was what I was told when I rented the car .. but best to check again in case things change

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Thu, 12 Sep 2019 17:37:41 GMT

floppy — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 17:37:41 GMT

Gilfa\" post_id=\"1935055\" time=\"1568292885\" user_id=\"180346:

Hi all,
We plan to hire a car in Perth on the 3rd week of Dec.
Any reason why not to take a car at the airport? We can take a bus downtown and rent a car in the city.
Any recommendation which rental company to use?
Is it advisable at this time of the year to pre-book before arrival to Perth or book on the spot upon arrival?
We have rental excess coverage from http://www.carinsurent.com. This is a worldwide policy, I used it in Europe and should cover Australia as well. The policy covers me for US$2,500. Do you think that it is sufficient when hiring a car in Australia?
Thanks in advance

If booking a car at the airport serves your needs, there's no reason why you shouldn't do it. Notwithstanding, I can think of a reason not to - surcharges (or a premium) for car bookings made at the airport. Usually, you can get similar vehicles at a lower price if you choose one of the non-airport pick up locations.

Recommendation on rental company for Perth - only one: https://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au/ - outstanding value! Their 'normal' rates already include damage excess (AUD $2,000) and if you include their Top Cover (AUD14 a day, capped at $98) your damage excess is reduced to AUD 0. No horse run. Top Cover price is more reasonable than the 'normal' price from the major car rental companies. The only complain (if there's one) is that if you want to book from the airport, they will pick you up from the airport and send you to Kewdale (< 10min drive away) where they are based to pick up the vehicle. It's a minor inconvenience but not a deal breaker. Personally, I prefer to pick up / return their car in the city centre.

The issue with using a third party insurance is that you will have to fork out and settle all the bills first. It could be a couple of hundreds to tens of thousands. After that, you will have to settle the claims with your insurance company - some insurers may be more generous than the others. Unless you are familiar with every single line of the policy wording, there could be one or two items that the insurance company will object to pay. By taking an insurance package from the rental company, all bills will be settled by them with the insurer directly. No out-of-pocket settlement and no fuss.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Thu, 12 Sep 2019 15:48:00 GMT

CMF — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 15:48:00 GMT

Gilfa\" post_id=\"1935055\" time=\"1568292885\" user_id=\"180346:

Hi all,
We plan to hire a car in Perth on the 3rd week of Dec.
Any reason why not to take a car at the airport? We can take a bus downtown and rent a car in the city.
Any recommendation which rental company to use?
Is it advisable at this time of the year to pre-book before arrival to Perth or book on the spot upon arrival?
We have rental excess coverage from http://www.carinsurent.com. This is a worldwide policy, I used it in Europe and should cover Australia as well. The policy covers me for US$2,500. Do you think that it is sufficient when hiring a car in Australia?
Thanks in advance

This article is informative on car rental etc (including excess coverage): https://www.choice.com.au/travel/on-holidays/car-hire/articles/car-hire-excess-and-hidden-fees

I have purchase my rental car excess coverage separately thru: https://www.allianz.com.au/travel-insurance/rental-car-excess/

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Thu, 12 Sep 2019 14:41:48 GMT

Estéema — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 14:41:48 GMT

Gilfa\" post_id=\"1935055\" time=\"1568292885\" user_id=\"180346:

Hi all,
We plan to hire a car in Perth on the 3rd week of Dec.
Any reason why not to take a car at the airport? We can take a bus downtown and rent a car in the city.
Any recommendation which rental company to use?
Is it advisable at this time of the year to pre-book before arrival to Perth or book on the spot upon arrival?
We have rental excess coverage from http://www.carinsurent.com. This is a worldwide policy, I used it in Europe and should cover Australia as well. The policy covers me for US$2,500. Do you think that it is sufficient when hiring a car in Australia?
Thanks in advance

Dec is Australia’s summer peak holiday season. Best to pre-book yr vehicle if u’re planning to self-drive for sightseeing.

We did as u’ve planned to do - take the transperth airport bus to your hotel or nearest drop off point. Take yr rest & picke up yr car when u’re ready to drive off. For us, our next day is usually relaxing, meeting frds for yum-cha, visit spots we hv reason to ard City e.g. taking the train to Subiaco or Fremantle or even Joondalup before heading to city using the free greyhound buses to pick up our rental car & top up our groceries - bread, easy to cook gyoza, fruits, etc

We always go along with the rental car insurance coz we don’t want to take any risks for disputes. One year, we met a SG family & they were flabbergasted that they were charged for wheels that supposedly hv problems but they were not aware there was any such situation all thro’out their sightseeing before returning the car.

We didn’t hv to worry abt filling up insurance claims, since we had taken cover fr rental company for which paperwork all done before commencement of trip & just sign again to acknowledge if indeed we had to be faced with any damages. Just sharing our perspectives.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Thu, 12 Sep 2019 12:54:45 GMT

Gilfa — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 12:54:45 GMT

Hi all,

We plan to hire a car in Perth on the 3rd week of Dec.
Any reason why not to take a car at the airport? We can take a bus downtown and rent a car in the city.
Any recommendation which rental company to use?
Is it advisable at this time of the year to pre-book before arrival to Perth or book on the spot upon arrival?
We have rental excess coverage from http://www.carinsurent.com. This is a worldwide policy, I used it in Europe and should cover Australia as well. The policy covers me for US$2,500. Do you think that it is sufficient when hiring a car in Australia?
Thanks in advance

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 25 Jun 2019 07:12:51 GMT

floppy — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 07:12:51 GMT

Nebbermind\" post_id=\"1915760\" time=\"1561444623\" user_id=\"15571:

the last time I drove in Perth I ended up on some dirt track when following google! :oops: had to quickly backtrack before sundown.

BTW, if you need more luggage/cargo space, I believe a saloon such as camry will offer more space than a small suv

Google may not be wrong. Some dirt roads are passable, proper roads in the rural area. Whether your vehicle agrees to it or otherwise, is a different matter altogether.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 25 Jun 2019 06:37:03 GMT

Nebbermind — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 06:37:03 GMT

the last time I drove in Perth I ended up on some dirt track when following google! :oops: had to quickly backtrack before sundown.

BTW, if you need more luggage/cargo space, I believe a saloon such as camry will offer more space than a small suv

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 25 Jun 2019 04:49:14 GMT

floppy — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 04:49:14 GMT

alternateshift\" post_id=\"1915706\" time=\"1561428524\" user_id=\"27496:

Thanks again floppy

Have sat in one of these before and there are some space behind the last row for some luggage. Seats can also be folded down to accommodate hence the reason why I am considering.

We are probably driving down and up Margret River with stops every 2/3 days before heading back to city and flying back.

In Class 4 license is required, then may have no choice but hire 2 cars instead.

A ‘convoy’ of 2 cars should not be that difficult to coordinate. It’s a lot more maneuverable as well. Plus, you can get good deals from https://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au/.

That said, if you insist on the commuter, there’s still plenty of time to go for that class 4 Licence

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 25 Jun 2019 03:12:29 GMT

Joanne25 — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 03:12:29 GMT

The Aussie tradition of a “Sunday Session” (Sunday drinking) is at its finest in Perth. Perth’s Sunday Sessions are famous throughout the whole country — people get dressed up like they are going out on a Saturday night. Make sure you go to the Cottesloe Hotel for the best scene in town.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 25 Jun 2019 02:08:44 GMT

alternateshift — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 02:08:44 GMT

Thanks again floppy

Have sat in one of these before and there are some space behind the last row for some luggage. Seats can also be folded down to accommodate hence the reason why I am considering.

We are probably driving down and up Margret River with stops every 2/3 days before heading back to city and flying back.

In Class 4 license is required, then may have no choice but hire 2 cars instead.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Mon, 24 Jun 2019 10:26:15 GMT

floppy — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 10:26:15 GMT

alternateshift\" post_id=\"1915618\" time=\"1561368535\" user_id=\"27496:

Hi floppy. Thanks for the info

Actually Hertz Perth does have such a vehicle available, which is why it got me interested.

In that case, you would need a Singapore class 4 Licence: Heavy motor vehicles of unladen weight exceeding 2500 kg which are constructed to carry load or passengers.

Do note that if the vehicle is in such a config, there isn’t much internal space for luggage (hence, “commuter”). Not sure how useful would that be if you intention is to travel out of the city for anything longer than a day trip.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Mon, 24 Jun 2019 09:28:55 GMT

alternateshift — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 09:28:55 GMT

Hi floppy. Thanks for the info

Actually Hertz Perth does have such a vehicle available, which is why it got me interested.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Mon, 24 Jun 2019 08:37:37 GMT

floppy — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 08:37:37 GMT

alternateshift\" post_id=\"1915564\" time=\"1561346532\" user_id=\"27496:

Hi All. Just wondering if anyone has rented a 12-seater Toyota Commuter (https://www.toyota.com.sg/showroom/new-models/hiace-commuter#AMAZING%20FEATURES) in Perth before?

Planning a trip for 2 families so wondering if the usual Class 3 driving license in Singapore can drive this in Perth? Currently have 5 adults, 2 children (10yo and 6yo) and 2 toddlers (both 2yo).

Many thanks in advance

Class 3 license - motor cars less than or equal 3000kg with less than or equal 7 passengers, exclusive of the driver. Hence, if it’s set up as a mini-bus config, ie 12 seater, your class 3 license won’t cover and can’t be used.

Also, you are unlikely to find a rental company that has such a vehicle for rental.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Mon, 24 Jun 2019 03:22:12 GMT

alternateshift — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 03:22:12 GMT

Hi All. Just wondering if anyone has rented a 12-seater Toyota Commuter (https://www.toyota.com.sg/showroom/new-models/hiace-commuter#AMAZING%20FEATURES) in Perth before?

Planning a trip for 2 families so wondering if the usual Class 3 driving license in Singapore can drive this in Perth? Currently have 5 adults, 2 children (10yo and 6yo) and 2 toddlers (both 2yo).

Many thanks in advance

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 18 Sep 2018 08:05:13 GMT

floppy — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 08:05:13 GMT

winnieng78:
Hi, on my way to monkey mia, I plan to stop by shell beach as I have read about how different it is - shells instead of sand .

However, may I seem the advice of those who have gone before? What is the destination I should key in to gps to reach the part of the beach that will be nice?

I don't think you need to key in the GPS since there's only 1 road up / down (Shark Bay Rd). You can't miss it.
Just keep a look out for the car park. It should be at this location: -26.216774, 113.777356.

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 18 Sep 2018 07:27:46 GMT

CheLee — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 07:27:46 GMT

Hi, on my way to monkey mia, I plan to stop by shell beach as I have read about how different it is - shells instead of sand .

However, may I seem the advice of those who have gone before? What is the destination I should key in to gps to reach the part of the beach that will be nice?

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Wed, 12 Sep 2018 00:24:41 GMT

CheLee — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 00:24:41 GMT

Thanks! yeap will not attempt to drive in the night at all.

after all the tips on the rest stops for the trip back from Monkey Mia, I am set to plan the rest of teh journey!

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 11 Sep 2018 03:51:53 GMT

Estéema — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 03:51:53 GMT

Floppy has raised a very impt & valid point - don’t drive late at night on Perth roads in spite it being summer in Nov.

Kangaroos knock is real hard & fatal accidents always happen at night. As Australia’s vast land is very different fr Spore, esp the outbacks, it’s very expensive to run street lights for long, long stretches on dirt roads. We got our directions lost when driving fr Fremantle to Mandurah coz kids just love Fremantle & wasn’t ready to move off at our planned time. We missed a few roads as ‘small’ roads are not shown in maps & some small roads are not indicated on maps & we drove in unwittingly thinking that’s the road indicated on our map. With GPS, it might be easier but our culture of not navigating long stretches of road made us impatient s’times & we tend to make mistakes.

Give yourself more time to reach yr destination & not try to pack too many travel spots. During one other trip, we brought our elderlies with us & they got really bored & tired sitting in car for long hours. So, unless u like driving long stretches on end & just reach destination to eat & sleep, I’d suggest you select one section of Perth & enjoy each pit stop a longer time & then leave ano trip to complete yr Perth sojourn.

I’ve lived in Perth for a few years & made several more trips with my young family & yet I’ll say there still parts of Pert outbacks I’ve not covered. We did Fremantle/Margaret River/Bunbury/Mandurah/Busselton in one trip but went up Monkey Mia via Geraldton on ano trip. The Monkey Mia one was the most challenging tho done when we were most young & fit. Thinking abt it now I’m shuddering. What were we thinking when younger? Guess it’s just sense of adventure. Yeeks!

Hope you hv great fun planning & hv a great traveling experience, winnieng78!

Reply to Travel: Australia - Perth on Tue, 11 Sep 2018 02:07:07 GMT

floppy — Tue, 11 Sep 2018 02:07:07 GMT

winnieng78:
Thanks so much for both your tips!

May I know what is the difference between brand highway and NW Coastal highway please?

Which one is easier to navigate?

Cos google map shows can take either one.

Cos we took a break of 2 nights going up to monkey mia, u thought coming back can do it 6.5 hours slowly in a day to jurien bay.

But suddenly I found myself stuck in the planning.

Brand Highway and North West Coastal Highway are parts of National Route 1 (also known as https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_1_%28Australia%29). Depending on which segment of Highway 1 you are on or the towns / cities you are in, there may be different names used. You can refer to the following https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_road_routes_in_Western_Australia for an understanding of the routes in WA.

If you think it takes 2 nights (i.e. 3 days) to get up to Monkey Mia comfortably, you should understand that it's going to be a challenge to get back down in 1 day, considering the fatigue and distance covered after a couple of days of holidaying. Doable if you are used to driving long distance (e.g. Singapore to Ipoh / Penang / Hatyai) but risky nonetheless. IMHO, making your way back to Jurien Bay in 2 days (i.e. with 1 night stop) from Monkey Mia may be more prudent.

One of the thing that you want to avoid, if possible, is driving at night as street lights are limited in less populous area and wildlife, such as roos, can be very active.