2012 Backpacking to Perth (12 days: 7 to 18 Sept) day 9

The south Perth foreshore is a great location to see the city of Perth.

Day 9 (15.09.2012) Kings Park and Taste Bud Tours

We had a heavy morning breakfast and then drove along the Swan River towards Kings Park. This large city park consists mostly of native bush and is an escape from the city with popular picnic areas and bike paths. There are good views of the city centre from the higher points in the park.

We then walked along the main streets in Perth: Murray St, and Hay St. We walked through the London Court by the north entry and end up at Wellington St.

At 1:15pm pickup from the Wellington Tourist Coach Stand for the Taste Bud Tours, a 4.5-hour half day tour in a spacious air-conditioned coach along the famous Swan Valley Food & Wine Trail. Sample local wines, sweet and savory foods, beers, ciders and coffees. Currently ranked #1 Tour in Perth on Trip advisor. The Deal: $249 for a half-day ‘Speed Grazing’ experience for 6 in the Swan Valley ($710 value). Taste Bud Tours offers a unique “speed grazing” experience to show you all the Swan Valley’s highlights in only half a day – it’s fast, fun and filling. Voted Best New Business in the 2011 Small Business Awards.

The Highlights are visiting:
Yahava Koffee Works
Cape Lavender
Mago Coffee
Margaret River Chocolate Co.
Jarrah Ridge Wines
The House of Honey
Mondo Nougat Factory
Roadside Farmstall
Ironbark Brewery

There were two surprises on this tour: 1st surprise: Pauline Toh met her Sitiawan ACS school colleague son – Mr. Chandra Bose and family. 2nd surprise: Ching Neng Bin met his former Public Bank colleague – Ms. Koay Seok Khim.

Finished the tour at 6.30pm we took the train from Perth Underground Stn. to Bull Creek where Dave waited to drive us back to Seah’s Haven. Again and again we had fantastic dinner and this time was the grill-out pork using the Weber charcoal grill at the backyard.

Sleeping: Seah’s Haven, 18 Polglass Way, Ardross, Perth
Temperature: Sunny 24°C/12°

Val Allan (Uncle Rudy) and Lim Kee Moon at the Bell Tower in Perth.

Betty Ching, Catherine Oon, Pauline Toh and Monica Seah at the Bell Tower in Perth.

Rotary Club of Perth - throw a coin and make a wish.

Catherine at the Swan River boat jetty in front of the Perth Bell Tower.

Kings Park is 400.6 hectares located adjacent to the Swan River, 1.5km from Business District of Perth.

It’s spring time and there appears to an overload of stunning wildflowers at Kings Park, Perth.

Kings Park is a popular place for picnics, pleasant walks, cultural and ceremonial events.

Val Allan (Uncle Rudy), Pauline Toh, Monica Seah, Catherine Oon, Ching Neng Bin, Betty Ching, Dave Seah at Kings Park Perth.

Kings Park is home to several memorials including the State War Memorial, the Cenotaph, the 10th Light Horse Memorial, the Queen Victoria Statue, the Floral Clock, the 2/16th Battalion Memorial, the Kokoda Memorial Plaque, the Court of Contemplation and many more.

The State War Memorial was erected in 1929. The Honour Avenues and special memorials throughout Kings Park are dedicated to those who died during service to Australia.

The State War Memorial at Kings Park in Perth.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden overlooks the Swan River and the Perth skykline.

Catherine Oon and Ching Neng Bin at Kings Park Botanic Garden overlooks the Swan River and the Perth skykline.

Betty Ching and Lim Kee Moon at Kings Park Botanic Garden overlooks the Swan River and the Perth skykline.

Pauline Toh and Val Allan (Uncle Rudy) at Kings Park Botanic Garden overlooks the Swan River and the Perth skykline.

ON THESE BRONZE TABLETS ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF THE SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA KILLED IN ACTION OR WHO DIED FROM THE EFFECTS OF WAR SERVICE IN THE WORLD WAR 1939 – 1945.

A bird at Kings Park bushland in Perth.

This is the Australian Cedar three (Toona ciliata) the most valuable timber tree in Kings Park Perth.

The Canning Bridge joining south Perth to north Perth.

Catherine Oon and Ching Neng Bin in front of the Giant Boab Tree in Kings Park.

The story of the Giant Boab 'Gija Jumulu' captured world-wide media coverage during July 2008 as it journeyed over 3200 kilometres, from Warmun in WA's Kimberley region, to Kings Park in Perth. Never before had a mature tree of this nature been transported across such a distance on land. The iconic tree, estimated to be 750 years old, weighs 36 tonnes and stretches 14 metres high and eight metres wide (branch span). Its trunk measures 2.5 metres in diameter.

A stunning variegated peppermint tree at Kings Park, Perth.

You can take a tree-top walk and enjoy the spectacular views of Perth City, the Swan River and the Botanical Gardens on the Lotterywest Federation Walk in Kings Park.

Kings Park Botanic Garden with a fountain lake in the centre.

It’s spring time and there appears to an overload of stunning wildflowers at Kings Park, Perth.

Lim Kee Moon standing under the sign "Moon and Sixpence" a traditional British Pub.

We walked along the Murray and Hay streets in Perth.

Hay Street and Murray Street Malls are the most famous shopping areas in Western Australia.

A painter at work on Murray Street in Perth.

Hay Street entrance and clock in Perth.

London Court is a three and four-level open-roofed shopping arcade located in the central business district in Perth.

London Court built in 1937 by wealthy gold financier Claude de Bernales for residential and commercial purposes.

Walked through the London Court by the north entry and end up at Wellington St. in Perth.

At 1:15pm pickup from the Wellington Tourist Coach Stand for the Taste Bud Tours, a 4.5-hour half day tour in a spacious air-conditioned coach along the famous Swan Valley Food & Wine Trail in Perth.

Taste Bud Tours in a spacious air-conditioned coach along the famous Swan Valley Food & Wine Trail in Perth.

1st visit at Yahava KoffeeWorks to sample coffees from around the world as well as refreshing Iced Coffee and Chai Latte. Witness roasting, blending and grinding of fresh coffee beans. Sample chocolate coated coffee beans and koffee toffee.

Loris Gundry is the tour operator of Taste Bud Tours in Perth.

1st visit at Yahava KoffeeWorks to witness roasting, blending and grinding of fresh coffee beans in Perth.

1st visit at Yahava KoffeeWorks to sample chocolate coated coffee beans and koffee toffee in Perth.

1st surprise: Pauline met her Sitiawan ACS school colleague son – Mr. Chandra Bose and family in Perth.

2nd visit at Cape Lavender to sample unique lavender infused scones, jam, cream and refreshing tea. Taste the range of lavender oils, jams, and honey, as well as unique lavender wines. Browse the sensuous gift shop.

2nd visit at Cape Lavender to sample unique lavender infused scones, jam, cream and refreshing tea.

3rd visit at Mago Coffee to sample freshly roasted cashews, macadamias, hazelnuts and almonds as well as awarded West Australian Grindon extra virgin olive oils accompanied by Dukkah (Hazelnut, Pistachio & Spicy). Explore the largest range of flavoured coffees in the region – Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Sambucca and Frangelico to name a few.

3rd visit at Mago Coffee to explore the largest range of flavoured coffees in the region – Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Sambucca and Frangelico to name a few.

3rd visit at Mago Coffee to sample freshly roasted cashews, macadamias, hazelnuts and almonds.

4th visit at Margaret River Chocolate Company for generous chocolate tasting in Perth.

L-R: Betty, Elissa, Aaron, Canada and Darlington at Margaret River Chocolate Company in Perth.

2nd surprise: Ching Neng Bin met his former Public Bank colleague – Ms. Koay Seok Khim at Margaret River Chocolate Company in Perth.

4th visit at Margaret River Chocolate Company for generous chocolate tasting in Perth.

5th visit at multi award winning Jarrah Ridge Winery to sample Swan Valley’s finest wines, Australian cheese, dried fruits, fruit paste and local marinated olives. Wine styles include Viognier, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Marginata Chenin Blanc, Marginata Classic White, Milly Milly Shiraz, Marginata Classic Red, Marginata Rose and Zinfandel.

5th visit at multi award winning Jarrah Ridge Winery to sample Swan Valley’s finest wines in Perth.

5th visit at Jarrah Ridge Winery to sample wines, Australian cheese, dried fruits, fruit paste and local marinated olives.

Ching Neng Bin at Jarrah Ridge Winery to sample wines in Perth.

6th visit at House of Honey in Perth.

6th visit at House of Honey to sample unpasteurised and unadulterated varietal honeys. Rupert the beekeeper who started keeping bees at the age of 8 only harvests honey when the bees have capped the cells allowing the honey to fully ripen and mature into an exceptional taste. All honeys have intense flavours and the highest nutritional value using traditional and sustainable farming methods. All honeys are for tasting including unheated liquid honey, sparkling honey water and honey boiled sweets. On display is a live observation hive where you can see bees at work.

6th visit at House of Honey to sample unpasteurised and unadulterated varietal honeys.

7th visit at Mondo Nougat Factory for famous nougat & chocolate sampling. Check out the Viewing Window into the production of this authentic Italian style delight. Also available an extensive range of honey roasted, hot & spicy and natural Macadamia and Cashew nuts.

7th visit at Mondo Nougat Factory for famous nougat & chocolate sampling.

Mr. Chandra Boss and family at Mondo Nougat Factory for famous nougat & chocolate sampling.

Uncle Rudy (Val Allan) at Mondo Nougat Factory for famous nougat & chocolate sampling in Perth.

Taste Bud Tours in a spacious air-conditioned coach along the famous Swan Valley Food & Wine Trail in Perth.

8th visit to Roadside Farmstall. As seasonal produce becomes available our tour will visit selected roadside stalls to sample fresh produce direct from the growers.

8th visit to Roadside Farmstall in Perth.

9th visit to Ironbark Brewery. Our tour concludes with an icy cold beer, alcoholic or non-alcoholic ginger beer or cider at multi internationally award winning Ironbark Brewery (boasting the largest range of beers in the Valley – 45 at the last count!!). Ironbark Brewery also provides an opportunity for guests to take home one of their popular six-packs.

9th visit to Ironbark Brewery for an icy cold beer, alcoholic or non-alcoholic ginger beer.

9th visit to Ironbark Brewery’s famous “Wood Fired Pizzas” before heading homeward.

We had lunch at Ironbark Brewery in Perth.

Uncle Rudy and Sitiawan gang had lunch at Ironbark Brewery in Perth.

We had lunch at Ironbark Brewery in Perth.

Chandra Boss and family had lunch at Ironbark Brewery in Perth. Finished the tour at 6.30pm we took the Perth City underground train to Bull Creek where Dave waited to drive us back to Seah’s Haven for a special dinner.

Again and again we had fantastic dinner and this time is the grill-out pork using the Weber charcoal grill at the backyard.

Daved Seah used a Weber digital thermometer - simply insert the probe into the pork, select the setting and the thermometer beeps on the remote when it is done.