Hi all, heading to wa in april (10 days) for family holiday. Can anyone please recommend good hotel or beach to stay at. Have a 1yo so won't be site seeing too much. I am beginner windsurfer so also a easy spot near rental/lessons would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance

welcome to WA (when you get here)

Sorrento beach have a nice resort, self contained across the road from the beach which has a surf lifesaving club so it's patrolled beach and just down the road is Hillarys boat harbour that is also a tourist attraction complete with underwater world and other attractions. Fremantle is another nice spot but because i live in perth i really don't know where to stay there. i have mates that live all over the metro area so i just crash on the nearest couch.

but our beaches over here are really nice. some more kiddie friendly than others but when you get here ask some locals for safest beach, (sorrento, leighton, mettams, watermans, etc

windsurfing - April and may is awesome for boating and fishing, meaning the winds are dying off and the fresh mornings and calm days are arriving. but don't take just my word for it, contact these three shops for some info and possible windsurf lessons and rental gear. They are all very knowledgeable and helpful.
2ndwind.com.au 08 9317 2916
windsurfingperth.com.au (08) 9329 9333
windforce.com.au (08) 9386 1830

Oh and i forgot Lancelin (sorry Lano crew!!!!) aboult 1.5 hours north of perth but nice little fishing town with great beginner windsurfing area and hire equipment. I don't know the details for them. If you're heading over for easter it may be a little busy there as it is quite popular spot

Thanks for that. I heard hillarys was good spot for young ones. So sorrento sounds good if close. Thanks for the rental options also, will check them out.

Don't forget to take your wallet. My wife and I did a WA trip 2 years ago and it was one of the most expensive holidays I've ever done (on par with Europe/UK). Mind you, we flew from the East Coast, hired a 4WD and headed SE to the WA/SA border on the Bite and then slowly made our way along the entire coastline well Nth of Perth. It just seemed like accommodation and food had crazy prices man!! ...that's not to mention the 7 point $800 fine I got for doing 150 in a 60klm zone (it was a one house town!), which I never paid btw, so my misses will be driving next time we visit.

Anyway, yeh, budget for blowing your budget.

EDIT: It was an awesome trip though and worth doing once or twice. Gotta experience your own backyard.

Consider Shoalwater around the corner from Safety Bay. Most beautiful coastline in Perth in my humble opinion.

www.manueltowers.com.au/Manuel_Towers/Manuel_Towers.html

Not much wind in April, but enough for a beginner. Morning easterlies are often the windiest times.
Because it is the end of season lessons may be hard to organise. 2nd wind are probably your best bet.

Select to expand quote

2035 said..

Don't forget to take your wallet. My wife and I did a WA trip 2 years ago and it was one of the most expensive holidays I've ever done (on par with Europe/UK). Mind you, we flew from the East Coast, hired a 4WD and headed SE to the WA/SA border on the Bite and then slowly made our way along the entire coastline well Nth of Perth. It just seemed like accommodation and food had crazy prices man!! ...that's not to mention the 7 point $800 fine I got for doing 150 in a 60klm zone (it was a one house town!), which I never paid btw, so my misses will be driving next time we visit.

Anyway, yeh, budget for blowing your budget.

EDIT: It was an awesome trip though and worth doing once or twice. Gotta experience your own backyard.

If you come back 2035 keep your head down as well as get the missus to drive, I can assure you there will be a warrant out for your arrest by the time you come back. But you are right, nothing is 'cheap' in WA, a cold meat and salad sandwich from my local servo costs $9!

Lancelin is definitely an option with different accommodation options close to the beach and Werner and his gear hire/school should still be around until the end of the school holidays. School holidays start on the 14th April so that will bring a bit of butt-hurt to paying for accommodation.

Select to expand quote

2035 said...
..that's not to mention the 7 point $800 fine I got for doing 150 in a 60klm zone (it was a one house town!), which I never paid btw, so my misses will be driving next time we visit.

I copped a fine in europe that I never paid, someone said just use different credit card on nextcar hire. Not sure if that does the job.

Select to expand quote

LittleOnion said..

2035 said...

..that's not to mention the 7 point $800 fine I got for doing 150 in a 60klm zone (it was a one house town!), which I never paid btw, so my misses will be driving next time we visit.

I copped a fine in europe that I never paid, someone said just use different credit card on nextcar hire. Not sure if that does the job.

Yeah cops never check the names of people in hire cars....?

Anyway what is your budget? A good hotel or a hotel that is close to windsurfing, or better for a family (self contained sort of deal) all quite varied .....

WA is a bit different with regards to hotel prices. In Sydney or Melb you pay a premium for weekends. Here it is reversed, midweek is horribly expensive and on weekends you can geta really good deal. Have seen deals for 2 nights for $150 with breakfast at some pretty decent hotels. Not a bad way to see the city stay for a couple of nights, free public transport in CBD.