Citadines St Georges Terrace, Perth

We're currently mid renovation, we have no floors, some rooms have no ceilings and as a general statement my house is not currently a homely sanctuary. So when the folks at Citadines St Georges Terrace invited me to experience the recently renovated Apart' hotel in the centre of Perth's CBD I couldn't say no.

Right in the heart of Perth, Citadines St Georges Terrace is within a 3 minute walk of the convention centre, shopping malls, Elizabeth Quay and some of Perth's best bars and restaurants like Bobeche, Bar Lafyette and the Trustee (amongst many others!). It was quite literally the perfect location for a city break. 

After a quick and easy check in, I was getting to know my new apart' hotel space for the night. We stayed in a one bedroom apartment, but also had a look at some of the other rooms which are all equally as gorgeous. 

The one bedroom apartment at Citadines St Georges Terrace is perfect for business and holiday alike, the open plan area is perfect for relaxing in and there's a desk (not pictured) for getting work done or writing postcards home.

The bedroom was wonderfully spacious, with a huge wardrobe, king bed and TV. I love how all the rooms have artwork based on the Perth skyline! The bed was firm, but extremely comfortable and there were enough pillows to crash in to after a long day (hidden in the wardrobe).

A huge spa bath was perfect for relaxing in, after a busy day wondering around Perth city!

The kitchen space is perfect for making meals, if you don't fancy eating out. Though she be small, she is mighty- with a fridge, hob, microwave, toaster and kettle...and bonus points for having a washing machine, no taking dirty clothes home- heaven!

Citadines St Georges Terrace have partnered with the neighbouring restaurant BS & Co to offer room service food for hungry visitors. We decided to check out the breakfast the next morning in the restaurant...

Dan went for the omelette and I went for mushroom bruschetta, we both agreed the food was great and was standard prices for brekkie in Perth (around $25 per person) even if delivered as room service.

We hadn't stayed in an Apart hotel before our night at Citadines Perth, however were both amazed at the space you get in comparison to staying in a hotel suite. Citadines St Georges Terrace is the perfect base for exploring Perth city, the rooms were all clean, modern and comfortable whether your trip is for business, leisure or both. I also loved the amenities for guests, including free business centre, access to local goodlife gym and onsite laundry facilities.

You can enjoy weekend accommodation at Citadines St Georges Terrace from $135 per night, by visting their website - Citadines St Georges Terrace 

Have you stayed in an Apart Hotel before?

xo

Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup

Around 100km from Perth ( and less than an hour and a half in the car) is Lane Poole Reserve, a 50,000 hectare park managed by Department of Parks and Wildlife. Lane Poole Reserve is a beautiful spot to camp for the weekend, or to spend a day walking through the trees and swimming in the Murray river which runs through the park.

It's a $12 entry fee (per car) to get in to the park, and well behaved dogs are welcome however need to remain on leads during their stay due to 1080 poison in the area. There are extra fees for campsite, many of which can be booked online through the Park Stay website, although we didn't stay overnight we made an effort to check out the facilities and were impressed by the spacious camp grounds and relatively new amenities in all the sites!  

We were given a map as we entered the park which covers both Marrinup Reserve & Lane Poole Reserve and also has a handy guide to Dwellingup village aswell. The maps mark all of the facilities at each site, including the best swimming spots, BBQ areas and day use only parts of the park.

Jessie the dog had the best day exploring the forests and river banks in Lane Poole Reserve, we love that DPaW allow leashed dogs in to the reserve! 

Taking a dip in the Murray river to cool off

We decided to follow the main roads through the park and explored all of the swimming holes (which are usefully marked on the map!). Despite it being the middle of the school holidays, and a weekend, when we visited there was still plenty of room on the edges of the more popular swimming spots- I would highly recommend Island Pool particularly if you want to spend the day playing on your kayak or floating on a super trendy inflatable swan (BYO). For those who prefer to stay dry there's 100's of km of 4 wheel drive track and plenty of walking trails, including a stretch of the Bibbulman track. 

All three of us can't wait to go back for a long weekend camping, swimming and exploring- and can't stop telling all of our friends about Lane Poole Reserve! It honestly is the perfect spot for a quick escape from the city. 

You can find out more information to help you plan your adventure at Lane Poole Reserve here. 

Have you been to Lane Poole Reserve before?

xo

Pearth organic kitchen review

PEARTH Organic Kitchen  

PEARTH is all about creating wholesome and healthy food. We don’t prescribe to any particular diet. On our menu you will find food to feed the gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian and meat eating people of Perth. What you won’t find in our food is processed products or refined sugars. We cook this way because we believe that health is the natural consequence of using whole foods, organic ingredients and conscious cooking techniques.

Over the past few years the Perth brunch scene has taken off, meaning my 'to visit' list has got ever longer. When Pearth opened in West Leederville I knew I had to visit, with an incredible menu focusing on wholesome and nutritious food and enough options to keep any vegetarian or vegan happy for days.

I met Catherine mid morning and was pleasantly surprised to find two empty tables, we grabbed menus and started deciding what to have. Catherine went for the banana bread and I went for an acai bowl. 

How incredible does it look? Catherine assured me it tasted just as good as it looked, if not better. 

Two pieces of fresh banana bread divided by laters of coconut yoghurt, house-made berry chia jam, fresh fruit and drizzled with maple syrup, Vegan and gluten free. $17.50

Kommunity Brew in Wild Jasmine ($8) is my all time favourite Kombucha, it's made here in Perth and tastes incredible! 

PEARTH have a hearty list of smoothie bowls, but with a little bit of advice from one of the staff I decided to go for a trusty acai bowl, it was totally delicious and the serving was so generous I had to pour the remainder in to a smoothie cup to take home. The PEARTH acai bowl is quite possibly the best acai bowl in Perth! 

Acai bowl containing acai, blueberries, banana, cacao, dates, almond milk served with fresh fruit and house-made granola. Vegan with gluten free option available. $17.50 

Our food was served really quickly, and I'm sure you'll agree the presentation and serving sizes are amazing. The service was great and the decor inside is light, bright and modern. Price wise, it's on par with other trendy brunch locations across the city. 

PEARTH Organic Kitchen

106c Cambridge Street West Leederville 

Monday - Friday 6:30am - 3pm 

Saturday + Sunday 7:30am - 3:30pm

Have you visited PEARTH Organic Kitchen before?

xo

Where to spend New Years Eve in Perth 2016

There is quite literally something for everyone in Perth this New Years, whether you want to welcome 2017 singing along to Frozen with the family, watching fireworks on the beach, jumping around in a mosh pit or drinking cocktails all night with your girl gang- Perth has you covered.

I've scoured the web for the best New Years Eve events in Perth and made a quick list, there really is something for everyone....

Perth New Years events for 18+ 

hint - click on the title to get more info / book tickets 

New Years Eve at Wolf Lane (18+)

Discover what's behind the hidden door on Wolf Lane this New Years Eve. One of Perth's best small bars has planned the ultimate new years soiree of juice and jivin' - $70 gets you a loaded apple cocktail on arrival and a selection of delecious treats through the night. With DJ Philly Blunt on the decks from 8pm, it's set to be an incredible night. If you've not been to Wolf Lane before, the atmosphere is always incredible and the bar's always filled with friendly people.


New Orleans Leederville Mardi Gras  (18+)

4 of Leedervilles best venues have joined forces to bring the Mardi Gras party spirit to Perth this New Years, your ticket grants you roaming access across The Garden, Bills, Babushka and Blue Flamingo. There's a mix of amazing DJs, roving entertainment, street food and a drink on arrival all for a reasonable $65.

Coast Port Beach New Years Eve Party (18+)

Want to watch the final sunset of 2016 at Perth's best new beachside bar? Then this one's for you. Coast Port Beach opened at the start of summer and has quickly become one of Perth's most popular beach side venues, with a friendly beach house vibe it's the perfect place for any occasion. Just $25 gets you a ticket for the Coast Port Beach New Years Party, you'll be greeted with a glass of champagne and light canapés and there's drinks specials on all night long.

Midnight in Cali at the Guildford Hotel (18+)

After undergoing an incredible transformation, The Guildford Hotel re-opened it's doors in 2016. This year The Guildford Hotel is throwing a Midnight in Cali New Years Party, with a 4 hour inclusive food and drinks package featuring the Tanqueray Gin garden bar, Nitro espresso Martinis and an In-N-Out burger bar to name just a few! Tickets start at just $100, there's also a shuttle bus service on offer for the night.


Redfest at Redhill Auditorium (18+)

For the metal kids who want to see out 2016 in a mosh pit, Redhill Auditorium have you covered. Party like there's no tomorrow with a lineup including Deez Nuts, Saviour, Hellions and Northlane before counting out 2016 with The Amity Affliction. Tickets are $90 and there's shuttle buses leaving from across Perth.

Origin NYE 2016 (18+)

If metal's not your thing but you still want to jump around this New Years, check out Origin. Celebrating it's tenth year, Origin is one of Perth's best music festivals. This years line up includes A$AP Rocky, Chase and Status & Pendulum. Tickets are on their final release at $180.

Perth New Years events for families 

New Years on Rottnest 

Could there be a better way to spend the last day of 2016, than on Perth's island paradise? There's a stack of free events happening on Rottnest this New Years eve, from roaming performers and face painting to food trucks and silent discos. Karma are also offering a free pool party with DJs to help you dance your way out of 2016, and then to finish the day there's going to be a firework display over the beautiful Thompson Bay. Rottnest Express are offering free travel for those under 12 and $55 return fares for adults, they've even put on late night ferries to get you home!

New Years Eve Frozen Sing-a-Long 

As part of Perth City's New Years eve celebrations they've arrange every 5 (and 25) year olds dream, a Frozen sing a long. It's free to attend, simply grab your besties and head to Northbridge Piazza for 4:30pm.  Perth City have put on a whole range of activities around Northbridge on New Years Even, you can check the full range at Visit Perth City everything is family friendly and completely free!


Where will I find you this New Years Eve?

xo

4wd at wilbinga

I never thought I'd be one to enjoy four wheel driving, but it seems to have become a fairly regular activity to fill our weekends. We grabbed our friends D & N and made the 70km trip from Perth to Wilbinga to make the most of a sunny Sunday afternoon. 

The majority tracks at Wilbinga are fairly tame, however for safety's sake I'd recommend taking sand flags to let other vehicles know you're around. There's always a great mix of families, young lads in modified barbie jeeps (yeah I went there) and 4WD enthusiasts testing their cars on the more advanced tracks.

We always end up at the beach, and with views like this (in the middle of winter may I add) you can probably see why. We'd planned on taking the BBQ however decided no in favour of a stop at the British Fish and Chip shop in Currambine on the way back home. Massive shout out to my iPhone for filling in for my camera and producing some pretty nice snaps! 

Have you been 4 wheel driving before?

x

Bells rapids, Brigadoon

Bells rapids is one of my favourite places in Perth, and it's only 30 minutes from the CBD on the edge of the Swan Valley. To get there pop Cathedral Avenue, Bridadoon in your sat nav and follow the road right to the end- be careful when it turns to dirt track there's a horrid blind hill leading in to the car park!


In summer Bells Rapids is bustling with families playing in the water and cooking up BBQ lunches, in winter it's a luscious green escape perfect for a long rambling walk and some kangaroo spotting! Bells rapids is also one of the most famous sections of the annual Avon Descent and makes an awesome spot for white water kayaking.

Jessie wasn't too sure about crossing the stream! 

Gotta get the perfect snap right dan?

Have you been to Bells Rapids before?
There's more information on the Swan Valley website

xo