Perth and Freo

Today we got up to great excitement as the Easter Bunny had managed to find our caravan and leave some yummy chocolate! We took full advantage of the early start and set off for Perth.  We went for a tour of the Perth mint. This mint is now solely used to make coins from precious metals majority of which are then exported all over the world. We were able to watch a gold pour to make a solid gold bar. We got to try and lift one, completely secure in a vault surrounded by security cameras and guards!! We saw the world's biggest coin, a 1012kg gold coin valued at approx $50m and also lots of nuggets that have been found throughout the years.   

We then went to Kings park, along with pretty much everyone in Perth! It was very busy, but on such a glorious day we were not really surprised. From here there were some beautiful views of the city and rivers that run into Perth. We saw the Bell Tower, a new looking building that would have been more lovely but the grounds surrounding it are currently being renovated!

We then headed back to Freo for the Fremantle Prison tour.

This was quite interesting, as the prison was only closed in 1992, and as it was built in 1890's the facility was very basic with no plumbing in the cells and no form of heating or cooling. 

We got to look through all of the cells, the facilities including the kitchen and offices, and also saw solitary confinement, the whipping post, 

and the hanging chamber, where they hanged 60 odd people, the last being in 1952.

We then went back to the caravan, grabbed the bikes and rode into town with the purpose of heading to the markets. It turned out the Arts and Music festival was on and there was heaps to see and do, with streets cordoned off and people everywhere!! We started at the market where we bought Ronan his first boomerang. We drank and nibbled as we wandered along through the market and then out on to the streets where we stopped to watch the various happenings along the way.  We saw street performers including a magician, acrobatic jugglers and these amazing bird / dinosaur like creatures. 

We ate a snack at Monks brewery and tried their grolsch,

before ending the night with a few brews and tapas at the Little Creatures brewery while being entertained by a drumming ensemble that ventured in off the street and tried to raise the roof!! 

We then rode home in the dark!