TRAVEL WESTERN AUSTRALIA by FACTS4YOU.NET

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Yesterday I posted an article on this blog about the paradisical area of ocean not far from where we live on the northern beach area of Perth, Western Australia. Today I want to show you how modern society can take a piece of west aussie paradise & totally wreck a whole bushland environment in one easy lesson. Below are a couple of photos I snapped of the natural bushland that USED to exist just a short walk from our home only a short time ago back in August 2006:

Author’s photo of beautiful bushland just a short walk from his home in August, 2006

Photo of the Author in the same bushland August 2006

Photo taken by the Author of native trees in full bloom same bushland August, 2006

You must agree that the above three photos show an area of natural bushland that is exquisite. My Wife & myself used to enjoy our walks through this spectacular countryside only five minutes from our home which is situated around 35 kilometres north of the center of Perth city. Just walking through this paradise provided relaxation of the mind, & the blossoms, trees & shrubs that covered the whole region provided the lungs with plenty of fresh air perfumed with a fragrance that only mother nature can provide.

Now I want you to prepare yourself for a shock at the next photo. I know we both received an awful shock ourselves when we discovered that the developers had moved in with great speed & left us with :

Author’s photo of same bushland region as in above photos, vandalised by developers enmasse in April/May 2008

this disastrous mess of dirt, mud & not a single tree or shrub for acres & acres in all directions. People will say tough, that’s the price of progress? Wrong, that’s the price of enmasse development without a thought for the future of our region, let alone the future of our  environment.

Yes, by all means scroll up the page & compare the photos again, & again, because I still do so as the total devastation is almost incomprehensible.

Now my friends, this act of enmasse degradation of our environment did not take place 10 or 20 years ago when the world was largely blind, &/or deliberately oblivious, to the environmental disaster looming just around the corner. This was  just a short few months ago in May 2008, as shown by the dates in the photo.

The developers  bulldozed every living thing in sight. They did leave one pathetic little stand of trees which I recently noticed is gradually withering & dying due to the pollution resulting from the mass clearance of all living vegetation. One would think that in this world that is trying to concoct environmental plans to combat global warming, rising sea levels, melting glaciers & icecaps that this wholesale vandalisation of outer city bushlands would have ceased by now, or at least huge tracts be left between cleared areas,  or something left for the future.

Tragically no…it’s all gone….forever!

This morning the news broke that the state government had brokered a deal between the idigineous owners of land some 60 kilometres north of Broome, way up in our remote north west. The deal is for a huge gas pipleline hub to be constructed in that region. Guys & Gals I sincerely trust your spectacular coastline fares better than our  destroyed bushlands! And therein lies the reason for my posting this article today!

So there you have it. Even in the backblocks of the most isolated city on the face of planet Earth, our councils, governments, & cash happy land developers continue to wreak havoc even in this lonely part of the world.

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The Author Enjoying Kyacking on the 11th April at Mindarie – The resort, restuarants & cafes are in the background. The photo care of my Wife taken from her kyak!

That’s me in the photo above taken last Saturday. Now, for all you folk currently living in cool places such as Alaska, I bet you wish you were in the photo! Sorry, I should not say things like that. Anyway, for any would be travellers to Perth, Western Australia, this photo will provide some idea as to the perfect Autumn weather you will enjoy if you choose to visit Perth  in April!

Today, the 14 th April,  the temperature was 28 c, light winds & a glorious calm Indian Ocean. The temptation was too great for my Wife & myself so we hitched up the trailer containing our two kyaks, paddles & life jackets, & drove the short distance from our home north of Mindarie Quays to our private little beach snuggled in amongst the enormous homes surrounding the Quays.

We launched our kyaks & paddled along the main arm of the Quays out into the open Indian Ocean. We only venture outside the Quays on days when the sea breeze is absent. Otherwise conditons outside the heads can be very rough & dangerous for even larger vessels, let alone a small kyak. During April & May the winds are largely absent.

We took our time inspecting the reefs which are clearly visible thanks to the perfectly clear salt water. Over the couple of years we have enjoyed kyaking around Mindarie Quays we have developed a “track” that provides plenty of excellent exercise & takes us around an hour or so to complete. Of course there is never any rush & we usually end up being out on the water for a couple of hours.

Anyway that’s how we enjoyed Tuesday morning the 14 th April, 2009. One thing Perth has plenty to offer is stacks of sunshine, beautiful crystal clear oceans, & hardly anyone around. Trust you include a visit to our favourite paddling arena one of these days.

Have fun!

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There are many details to consider when planning a family vacation.  Whether your family includes two or ten people, you will, no doubt, be presented with the challenge of including sights and activities that appeal to all in your group.  This can become especially important if you will be traveling with children, since it is likely they will not wish to take part in all the activities that interest you.  Nevertheless, there are ways to plan your vacation that can make it memorable while appeasing everyone in the process.

One of the most difficult aspects of planning a family vacation is finding a time that will suit everyone.  This means having to juggle work and school schedules, and figuring out how to optimize the time you will have in a way that will meet the needs of everyone.  Because it is very likely that every individual in your group has different schedules, and likewise, different interests, you’ll need to plan as far in advance as you possibly can.  The key here is knowing what everyone enjoys and planning it with the resources you have at your disposal.

Figure your expenses.  The first step to planning a family vacation is to figure out how much money you will be able to spend.  Knowing this will help you narrow your options.  This is especially important if you do not travel to the same destination every year or for every vacation.

Optimize your costs.  Just because you have a certain amount of money you can spend doesn’t mean you have to spend it.  Instead, save where you can.  This can also help you plan for the next vacation by leaving with money left over when you return or, in some cases, before you ever begin.

The second step to planning your next family vacation is exploring your options.  You will probably want to base this on the interests of everyone in the group, so as to optimize the experience and try to complete as many of the activities as possible.  This can be difficult if you will be traveling to a new location, or if the age range of your family varies widely.  Still, a well-constructed plan can definitely reduce the stress of planning, so keep this in mind while you are making all the important decisions.

Plan each day of your vacation, but at the same time, be prepared to make changes.  This is important because you or other family members may decide to do something else instead of the planned activity.  Also, some activities are done outdoors, so you will want to plan for various weather conditions that could occur.  This s also why you should have a back up plan or at the very least, alternate activities.  The more you are able to plan, the less stress you will encounter, which will bring you optimal fun on your next family vacation.

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Geographe Bay. One of the most beautiful stretches of endless white sandy beaches. Emerald green ocean crashing onto coast that varies from rugged rocky cliffs & outcrops, to ideal waves for some of the best surf imaginable. The Bay is an enormous expanse of open ocean that  offers excellent fishing from both beach or boat. To get to Geographe Bay from Perth is a pleasant drive along excellent roads for some  290 k’s. The trip takes an average of  three hours.

Bunker Bay Sunrise

One of my most favourite regions of Geographe Bay would have to be Bunker Bay. That’s not simply due to the fact that one of the most dreamy holiday resorts on that coast is nestled into the natural bush right on some of the most fantastic beaches in the Bunker Bay area. It’s because the views from the coastal road that follows much of the Geographe Bay area are spectacular.

On our holidays at the “Quay West Bunker Bay Resort” we use the resort as our launching pad to spend pleasant, relaxed days walking around the beach & bush that surrounds the resort. The weather was perfect. Mild, balmy days with vivid blue skies during the day & vivid many hued violet to reddish purple sunsets & sunrises. Each evening we enjoyed walking the couple of hundred metres from our apartment to the beach with a chilled bottle of local Chardonay, a couple of glasses & beach towels. The water was great. The wine superb. The scene totally dreamy, as the sun set over the curving headlands & white topped surf to the west.

In the mornings amongst the total quiet & peace of Bunker Bay we did the reverse. We walked to the beach to enjoy what would have to rate as the most gorgeous sunrise on the planet. The sandy beaches at Bunker Bay are pure white & the colours of both sunrise & sunset reflecting off the pristine beaches & ocean are a paradise for photographers.

Bunker Bay Beach at the back of the Resort – late afternoon

After enjoying breakfast we would go for a drive along the coast road from the resort, select a perfect piece of paradise & enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the ocean crashing onto multi coloured rocky outcrops. I took my fishing rod on one venture & managed to catch with ease plenty of energetic bull herring which we enjoyed that evening cooked on the BBQ.

Occasionally we would  drive into the coastal town of Dunsborough, only 20 k’s or so from the Bunker Bay resort, to enjoy a cappucino at one of the many delightful cafes in this somewhat yuppie, upmarket town. Dunsborough is a delightful, medium sized, modern setup of a town. Very friendly & well worth a few visits for either just a coffee, doing some food or clothes shopping, or enjoying an evening out at one of the numerous & varied restaurants offering many cuisines.

The region is packed with plenty of sights to enjoy. The amazing old lighthouse just a short drive further west from the Bunker Bay Resort is well worth a visit. The surrounding bushland & wildlife will surprise you. Sadly since our last visit bushfires moved through the region surrounding the lighthouse. For that reason the area is no doubt somewhat the worse for wear until nature regrows the shrubs & trees.

Plus there are a number of famous vineyards close by for you to visit, taste the vintages & purchase some of the best the south west region of Western Australia has to offer. In fact it is as good as any wines available anywhere. “Wise Vineyards” is right in the middle of the Bunker Bay region. Dont miss visiting.

When next visiting the southwest of Western Australia ensure you include a few days to stay in the Bunker Bay region. If you cant get into the Bunker Bay resort there is ample excellent apartment or motel style accommodation in nearby Dunsborough. You will be absolutely thrilled with your stay on the coast of geographe Bay.

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Yesterday we entertained friends from Sydney for the day. After a delightful lunch at our home we suggested to them that we take them for a drive north of where we live on Perth’s northern beaches, up to Yanchep National Park. The weather was superb. Clear blue skies, no wind (a rare event in Perth!), temperature down in the mid 20c & at long last the humidity had gone! Perfect Autumn weather to enjoy a pleasant drive on roads that are not jammed with traffic!

Yanchep National Park Koala Bear…ah it’s a hard life for a bear!!

Recently,  West Coast Hwy, better known as Marmion Avenue, was extended north of our suburb right up to Yanchep. A great bonus as the new road cuts off some extra 15 k’s from our home to Yanchep. These days we leave home, drive the short distance to Marmion Ave, & it is only 12 k’s upto Yanchep. We are there in 10 minutes instead of close to half an hour prior to the new road opening.

Yanchep is approx 60 k’s from Perth  & takes around an hour’s driving to reach Yanchep National Park from central Perth city. As well as the National Park, if you continue across to Two Rocks on the coast of Yanchep township, you can enjoy excellent ocean scenery from a couple of perfect cafe/restaurants located right on the coast. When visiting Perth make sure you drive up to Two Rocks at Yanchep, as well as book in half a day, at least, to visit the National Park.

Just a few short weeks ago there was an enormous bushfire that swept around the national park & almost wreaked havoc in the park itself which would have been a disaster. Fortunately the valiant fire fighting teams fought the fire to a halt just on & within the national park borders.

We arrived at the National Park around 2 pm. I purchase an annual pass which only costs an extra $15 or so for as many visits as I like during the year. The park contains a 9 hole golf course, which while nothing grand, is  a lot of fun & is rarely very busy. Not like most golf courses these days where waiting to tee off at each hole can be a very frustrating experience. Anyway thats one extra reason I buy an annual pass. I can toodle upto Yanchep National Park for a hit around the course whenever I please. One of the pleasures of playing golf on that course is that it is packed with wild life.

Kangaroos abound, & while most visitors are amazed to see several roos enjoying the green grass on the greens, I have become quite used to them. In fact, one has to take great care to move them out of the way of flying golf balls. As well as the roos, birdlife abound in the thick bushland that surrounds the fairways. Ducks are very common to be seen wandering around the fairway edges digging for worms & so on. And must not forget the gorgeous Kookaburra who often reminds me of my golfing antics when I hear Kook’s pealing laugh from a nearby tree. Fascinating experience as the Kooka peals with laughter at one of my more awful golf shots!!

And if you visit in the summer take extra care of walking through long grass as there are plenty of deadly snakes!

Sorry, I digressed there. However, if you are a golfer enjoy a hit…it’s an honour system & only costs a few dollars per 9 holes. You will need your own golf bag, clubs & trolley, as there is nothing like a Pro shop on this course….great! Make sure you put your money in one of the little brown envelopes & drop it in the honour safe. The Rangers make occasional checks to make sure everyone is doing the right thing!

Anyway getting back to yesterday. We drove our friends around the Park to show them the golf course, the graceful old turn of the 19th century hotel where excellent meals & drinks abound, the entry area to the crystal Caves…yes, Yanchep has it all…finally parking next to the wild Koala park. Now, for overseas visitors the Koalas are a must see event. We walked into the Koala park, which is free, & counted 10 koalas perched high up in the many gum trees. No doubt there were many more, however the cuddly, furry bundles are masters of camouflage! Otherwise they are not too hard to spot as they usually sit in a comfy perch & sleep 80% of the day away!

A very happy Koala bear snoozing high up in a Gum tree on 30/3/2009 at Yanchep National park

We next walked to the chocolate Cafe & enjoyed an excellent coffee…& some chocolates. After a pleasant rest we moved on down to the Lake which is dotted with little islands. Flocks of galahs flew noisily overhead & one quickly relaxes in this idylic setting.

Yanchep National Park offers you numerous natural bush parks & BBQ areas for you to enjoy a perfect day out in the Aussie bush. Organised tours are available via your travel agency. Dont miss this grand old national park on your next visit to Perth. I never tire of visiting the park & I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed this excellent natural region over the past 50+ years.

After we had enjoyed a few hours wandering around enjoying the myriad wild life amongst such a peaceful setting we had to depart. However, the visit whetted my appetite to pop up there shortly to enjoy 9 holes of golf amongst the wild life!

Have fun! Visit the Yanchep website for full details.

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I imagine that most people outside Western Australia have never heard of Wave Rock? Everyone on the planet has heard of Ayres Rock, or as it is now known.. Ularu. However, Wave Rock is also a spectacular natural rock formation & if you are travelling in the region well worth a visit.

Situated some 340 kilometres south east of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, Wave Rock is a really weird geological formation full of colour, very high, & really, really gives every appearance of an ocean wave curling prior to breaking!

I have visited Wave Rock a number of times over many years. Each succeeding visit has proved  better than the last as the supporting eco structure has been improved by the local council & various government support agencies. The nearby town of Hyden provides more than adequate motel or caravan accommodation for travellers wishing to stay in the region for a few days.

Visitors can climb various sections of the structure following walk trails laid out for that purpose. Keep in mind that one needs to be reasonably fit & able to get around Wave Rock. The best times to visit are in the cooler months between April to October. I visited once during mid summer & man was it ever boiling hot clambering around the rocky outcrops & walk trails in the summer heat. Regardless of the time of year you visit make sure you carry a bottle of water while tripping the light fantastic in the outback!

The drive from Perth to Hyden is very pleasant travelling via rural country on excellent roads for around 4 hours. Obviously this is a lengthy trip so dont think of doing a return trip from Perth the same day, plus fit in enough time to have a really in depth examination of Wave Rock. Best to book into the Motel or Caravan Park at Hyden & take your time. Or, if travelling to other eastern or southern destinations, such as Esperance or Albany, you would still be wise to arrange an overnight stop as the distances are quite substantial!

For further information please visit : Wave Rock & Hyden

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Just a couple of hours drive north of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, there is a natural wonder well worth your visit. I last visited the Pinnacles about a year ago on a trip north to Cervantes en route to Geraldton via the coastal highway, instead of the inland Brand Hwy.

I consider the fastest way to drive north to Geraldton, & beyond is via the Brand Highway, an excellent road, if not somewhat lonely as there are very few towns on the trip north. If you ever travel the Brand highway be particularly careful, as the Brand Hwy is very busy with huge triple tandem trailers being towed by enormous  trucks. These huge beasts travel at speeds fast enough to almost blow you off the road as they pass…so be very careful, especially during wet, windy weather!

Anyway, back to the Pinnacles. We stayed at Cervantes, just north of the Pinnacles  overnight, in order to be able to spend plenty of time enjoying the weird, spectacular sights at the Pinnacles. You have to drive about 30 kilometres from Cervantes to get to the Pinnacles National Park region. Last time I did the trip the last few k’s were still unsealed & it proved a bit of a bumpy ride in a normal sedan. Hopefully that last unsealed section is now sealed.

Okay, what are these pinnacle thingies? View these photos before reading further as a picture is worth a thousand words. Have a look, then please wander back here, as I have some interesting personal info to improve your trip to the Pinnacles.

Hi, welcome back. Well, aren’t they the strangest rock formations? However, the photos can never replace the excitement of viewing these formations up close & personal.

Firstly, be aware that at last count the cost of entry into the Pinnacles was $10 per car. A fair enough fee as the council has to maintain the roads, etc; plus keep rangers in the area to keep the crazy folk out who would love nothing better than to attack these wondrous rock formations with a jack hammer or similar. Defacing the country appears to be alive & well! Thank goodness for the Rangers!

Secondly, you should know that the tracks through & around the vast region of the Pinnacles are just that. Sand tracks;  which are easy to drive on if you have your own car or a hire car. (Make sure your hire car company allows you to drive off road before you leave the bitumen!!).

When I arrived on our last visit I remained fascinated at the sight of the aloof appearances of these tall, needle like rock formations. I could really picture many of them as maybe being the result of people being turned into limestone rocks in a myriad shades of whites through to stained yellows & browns. Many of the formations have amazing shapes. One of the great aspects of a personal visit is to make sure you get a friend, or someone, to take your photo alongside many of the more spectacular pinnacles.

The best way to enjoy these wonders, I think, is to park your car & walk around the region. Driving through without getting out to wander on foot for an hour or so will not do your visit justice. Walking around the Pinnacles, particularly during very early sunrise or at sunset is an amazing, even a bit scary experience.

For that reason try & target your visit to conincide with very early morning or late afternoon as the silhouettes of the formations & shadows in the changing light are amazing. Your photos will be spectacular…. certainly they will remain excellent memories of your visit to the Pinnacles. And make sure you provide a couple of hours for your tour…you will NOT be disappointed!

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When planning your holiday to Western Australia make sure you allow time for a driving tour to the gorgeous south west, & in particular ensure your southerly trip ends in Augusta. One of my favourite coastal holiday towns is Augusta, the southern most town situated on the south west coast of Western Australia. You cant drive any further south without ending up in the Great Southern Ocean!

Augusta is approx 380 k’s south west of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. The drive south to Augusta via Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton & Margaret River is a very relaxed drive on excellent roads through a mixture of bushland, farming regions, tall timber country & vineyards. In fact, if you take a couple of leisurely days on the trip south, there is so much to see & enjoy along the way, you will need that extra time to drink in the scenery, plus maybe taste the excellent wine vintages at a few of the world famous Margaret River region wineries!

Once you reach Augusta you will find plenty to keep you occupied. Augusta is not a large town. Providing you make sure your visit does not coincide with school holiday seasons this gorgeous little coastal town is peaceful & friendly. If you have your own vehicle make sure you drive the short trip to view the spectacular coast south west of Augusta where you can tour the famous lighthouse looking over where the Indian & Great Southern Oceans meet!

The coast & the massive surf that crashes onto the spectacular rocky, craggy coastline is absolutely beautiful. If you are into photography make sure you take your gear on any drives as you will capture gorgeous landscape photos as well as plenty of wildlife!

Within the town site itself you will find several excellent & friendly cafes & coffee shops. The town boasts several caravan parks, & a few quality affordable motels. Make sure you prebook accommodation during the summer months. Augusta is very popular due to the Blackwood River that runs past the town & the excellent boating & fishing available.

Augusta is the place to enjoy a peaceful holiday away from the big busy towns along the way. If you travel down to Augusta via Margaret River make sure you do the return trip to Perth via the coast road as the scenery includes travel through devine Karri tall tree country. Enjoy!

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Okay, so what am I getting at by using the title  “How boom times busted low cost travel accommodation”? Let’s begin back in the early 1990’s to get some concept of why you will find it more difficult to locate lower cost accommodation in 2009 in Western Australia!

Back in the early 1990’s if you travelled to the coastal holiday town of Mandurah,  80 k’s south of Perth, for example; you would have had little trouble locating very affordable motel, caravan park cabins or on site vans, or mid level basic resort accommodation at affordable daily tariffs. Ten years ago you could have selected from several caravan parks, a couple of motels, &  two mid level holiday resorts. I have stayed at most of those places over the course of many years & knew the pricing structures were well within the means of the average family for their annual holiday.

Then the late 1990’s arrived. With them commenced the slow, but certain demise of affordable holiday accommodation  to Mr & Mrs Average Citizen in & around Mandurah! I actually moved from Perth to Mandurah to live in 2001, just in time to witness the rapid destruction of most of original Mandurah.

The glorious old Peninsula Hotel that was located on the  estuary foreshore opposite central Mandurah since before the 2nd world war (at least), is a classic case of the wanton destruction caused by rampant delevelopers since 2001. The Peninsula Hotel was a famous landmark. The delightful old building had served the general public extremely well for a long, long time. At the rear of the Peninsula there also used to be a delightful, very large caravan complex where families had holidayed at very low cost way back into the distant 1930’s!

Then, around 2004, the boom time developers moved in big time. Despite the best efforts of the general public to have the Pensinsula Hotel & the lovely caravan park left alone, within a couple of short years the bulldozers moved in & now they are gone…for ever!

In their place you will now see an eye sore of a  towering multi story apartment style complex, where the Peninsula used to stand. And where the caravan park used to stand there are now multi million dollar complexes of ugly “millionaire” style gigantic homes on man made canals. Mr & Mrs Average Citizen certainly can not afford to purchase such properties, nor could they afford to outlay the upmarket prices to stay in the apartment style complexes now occupying the place of the Peninsula!

They did build a small, very ugly, supposedly cheap set of holiday villas, squeezed in between the hideous new building complex’s. However, they aint low cost & they look hideous. Small change for what the developers & the city council bulldozed!

In one foul swoop, modern “boomtime” property developers removed low cost accommodation at that caravan park, & simultaneously eliminated one of the most popular & historic hotels in the region. And that is just a small sample of the rampant development in that holiday region.

Now the town is a mess of ever increasing  high rise buildings, massively heavy traffic, hotel & resort accommodation way too expensive for Mr & Mrs Average, & I am sure they aint finished yet! Hold on a minute though. Maybe they are finished because the boom went bust in mid 2008. The tragedy is that Mr & Mrs Average is also well out of pocket due to the “bust”.  And the removal of so much low cost holiday accommodation also means that Mandurah is no longer the place for the average Joe, Josie & kids to go to enjoy the simple pleasures of a low cost family holiday!

And of course the story does not end there. Such development is taking place all over the state. Rottnest Island is about to become the latest casualty for the average citizen as another up market resort is built!! Maybe the end result within another ten years will be that the average family will have to stay home & enjoy their annual holiday in their own back yard!

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Tragic to report that in March, 2009, Perth, Western Australia, is far from the friendly & hospitable city it was known as many years ago, and is still advertised to the world. Sadly,for many overseas travellers who travel to Perth to enjoy the sunshine and the friendly environment, they may discover much to their horror, that the “friendly” environment is rapidly disappearing!

I have resided in the coastal suburbs of Perth for most of my life…and that extends way back to the 1950’s! Back in the so called “good ol days”, yes, one could venture out for the day and leave the doors to the house unlocked & all the windows open! You could drive the car down the road to the shops and not worry about locking the doors! You could enjoy a few beers with your mates at the local pub without the fear of being bashed, or worse, killed by some drug crazed mob of thugs, out looking for a fight!

However, “no way Hosie”, would you dream of enjoying such relaxed security in the 21st century here in little old Perth! These days an unlocked door, or an open window, is a welcome sight to the seemingly ever increasing multitudes of “bad” folks out there. Drugs are alive and well all over the city and surrounding suburbs. Rarely does a day pass without further bad news reports of the latest muggings, murders and car smash related deaths caused by alcohol and drugs!

Out in the “burbs” hoons thrive with their high powered cars to harass once quiet and peaceful neighbourhoods and leave their tyre rubber on the roads to disfigure the environment. Then we have the “graffiti” crazies who get some weird kick out of disfiguring public property as well as the private residences the owners work hard to possess.

Ride the electric rail system at the risk of being harrassed by crazy teens, or be forced to witness their disfigurement of train windows by scratching their nutty signatures into the glass.

No I am sorry to report Perth is NOT the friendly, welcoming city of the pre 1990’s. Yes Perth does remain a very clean and tidy city built on the shores of the rapidly being polluted Swan River. So what went wrong?

For starters Perth’s population has tripled since I was a kid. The population increase in the 1990’s was probably almost exponential as myriads of workers from overseas and interstate flooded into Perth and the north west to capitalise in the mining and mineral boom…which, just quietly has now “unboomed”!

The boom in crime is related to the rapid boost in population. And I remain amazed as our government and business world continue to ramp up the supposed need for even bigger population. Hell, we cant sustain what we already have…water restrictions, huge increases in power costs, rampant traffic jams, second rate public transport systems in outlying suburbs…so why would we want to double our population. Someone is nuts!

Anyway,  I  needed to let potential visitors to Perth be prewarned that this aint the peacefull little backwater of the 1970’s. Far from it. There is plenty to see and enjoy in and around Perth, but be on your guard,because Perth has sadly joined most other cities in their downward spiral due to the numerous bad elements that always thrive amongst big sprawling populations!

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