GOLF IN PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

After eight air tickets and bookings for two rental cars, service apartments and golf courses, I took off on 4 Aug with 7 friends for winter golf in Perth, W Australia, glorious food and fine wines. When we arrived at our service apts, I looked out the window and saw our "national bird". Perth must be booming bec many new buildings are being put up.

The Saville Park Suites in Hay Street, our "home" for six days.

Accommodation for the budget-conscious in downtown Perth.

Newly erected apartments in downtown Perth. Property prices have shot up recently. 

Towards the Swan River from the city. 

Perth City skyline. Much like others but not many skyscapers tho. 

Opposite our service apartments is a hotel called "Comfort Hotel". Wonder if the owners are Singaporean? You will notice that the street is squeakily clean. Graciousness?

Adelaide Terrace seems pretty quiet on a Wed morning. 

At a place called Halo's, a star-studded restaurant off the Riverside Drive, with a nice view of the Swan River. Teh's meal is called Ocean Catch of the Day. I think this was the best place we dined at because of a good selection of fine wines, good food and excellent and professional service by the staff. The chefs there travelled extensively before coming here and their food had been positively influenced by it.

My main course was pheasant prepared three ways, topped up with a raviola.

We had mussels at a restaurant at Hilary Harbour. I guess they could have come fresher bec a few of them tasted bad.

These oysters at the same Hilary Harbour restaurant, north of Perth, cost some AUD 25 per dozen. It takes about 40 mins to get there by taxi and the fare is about AUD 65.

Black Tom's Oyster Bar in Perth. I gathered that the name came off a racing horse whose photo is found there. This is not the place for fine dining. They have cheap oysters on certain weekdays. 

Oysters galore with Oyster Bay white (Sauvignon Blanc) from Marlborough, New Zealand. Oysters were AUD 8 per dozen at Black Tom's but I guess they were specially selected to be loss leaders to attract people on Mons and Tues cos the main dishes were really pricey like AUD 40 for swordfish which didn't taste it.

The "Enchanted Valley" of Roleystone, where Araluen Golf Resort is located. From Perth, take the Albany and then Brookton Highways to get there. It is about a 40-45 mins drive. Off the blue tees, the course is 6,380 m long and is rated ACR 75 for a par-72 course.

These kangaroos are doing their own thing next to the 18th fairway. Perhaps more of them come out in winter bec their poo dotted many fairways. Enlarge the pic and you will spot some here too.

This is the 18th hole, a par four that dog-legs left. It is the Index 1 hole and is about 380 m long from the blue tees. When you come in other seasons, these trees will be blooming and very green. In winter, they look like that.

By any count, this, the par-three 16th, would be Araluen's signature hole. When the wind is down, you need a mid iron but when it's up, it may be a fairway wood from the Blue teebox. When the wind is blowing left to right, you may need to aim for the pond on the left. After teeing off, you need to snake your way about ten storeys down to the green below.

The 18th Hole towards the clubhouse.

Mandarin ducks having a good time at the 9th Hole pond.