perth visit w/ toddler - advice pls

[Mavis]

We are going for a 4 day holiday to Perth in November and wanted some advice:

things to do - what might a 2 year old enjoy doing in Perth? outdoors or indoors? I'm looking at the web sites but would like real people's input.

place to stay - any suggestions? we want a moderately priced hotel - hopefully self-catering type (one with small kitchen) which makes things easier with the little boy.  
Thanks for any ideas!

[Buffy]

Mavis
There is a great playground in Kings Park...but it's name escapes me at the moment "Stickybeaks"??? There is a cafe attached and I think it is near some tennis courts.
Other than that I would suggest mornings at the beach (afternoons get windy) and take an extra layer with you as it gets cool in the evening. Its not too hard to make a two year old happy, I think the plane trip is the hardest part (stickers, stickers,stickers reusable ones that is)...5 hours is just enough thank you!!
have a lovely trip.

[SS Oz]

I suggest a day trip to Rottnest island. The ferry ride itself will take 1.5 hours. Once you get there, there is plenty to do. Nice beaches to swim at (calm waters), go searching for Quokas (the little marsupial animals on the island), there is a nice playground there with shade cloth, walk around the town - it's quite flat. And hope that your little one falls asleep for the boat trip home!

You might want to hire a car. About $70 a day for a sizeable sedan. The sights of Perth (beaches, town, Fremantle, parks, aquarium, animal parks/zoo etc) are all widespread and it is hard to lug a toddler on and off public transport all day.

[Pommie]

We took our 3 year old to Perth in August this year (not the warmest time) and he was happy running around outside playing in the many parks (something you cant do in Singapore for very long).
Just being outside all the time was quite a novelty, again the beach and being able to play with the sea water was fun for him.
Then there are the numerous boat trips either to Fremantle, City, Rottnest etc.

A Car is advisable though.

[Mavis]

Thanks, all!  The island idea and that of just running around in  King's Park and running about near the ocean will probably do very well.  Good to know that a car is a good idea, too -- we were wondering about that!  We'll book one to pick up at the airport, I guess.  

We've got to look through our closet for some layers, too.  Might have to pick up some for the little man, as he has grown....  and yeah...stickers, stickers, stickers...plane rides.....!