Perth’s Best Hotel?
Day one finally arrived (29/03/26) for us to repack and stack the bags, get a lift to the bus station and head off on the journey from our hometown in Albany to Perth, WA.
First off, we had an awesome, big, home-cooked family lunch and talked through our itinerary with everyone. Then, like a couple of eager backpackers, we were laden down with front packs and backpacks, and too much nervous energy to soak up the moment. Photos by the bus and tearful hugs were in order, and as we stepped onto the bus, we were both thinking the same thing - “Hope this works out, we are 50 after all.”
Getting to this point took a lot of effort and work, but we were honestly excited to be making the step toward full-time travel. Emptying our lives of “things” was difficult. Letting go of our current life was hard, but saying goodbye to family and friends was even harder.
The bus tickets from Albany to Perth cost us $71.80 (AUD) for the two of us and came with a bonus little shower. The night before, there was some heavy rain that collected inside the roof of the bus, and we just happened to be under one of the air vents where it was coming out. After a while, the dripping stopped, and we could settle down for the 6hr trip.
Jo said she was watching the movie - perhaps not.
We arrived at the Perth bus terminal at 9:00 pm, a little weary to be up past bed prepping time and made our way into the city. The great thing about getting the bus with Transwa is that all public transport for the remainder of the journey is free on that day. We then caught the train into the city and then a bus out to what we think could be Perth’s Best Hotel! A hidden gem that very few are aware of.
Catching public transport in Perth is easy. We would recommend downloading the Transperth app or using the Transperth website journey planner. The best change for Transperth recently is an upgrade project underway, which removes the need for a plastic Smartrider card. Transperth now offers more flexible payment options, including Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards. You can also use your digital wallet.
The Best Hotel?
Now we know, saying any hotel is the BEST is a big call…. Don’t get us wrong, there are some great hotels in Perth. However, when it comes to value for money, location and service, this one is a real treat. This was never going to be the hotel that fits within our new full-time travel budget; however, we love staying here.
The Wonil Hotel Perth is part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. We really enjoy staying at this hotel, mainly due to its location in Perth. The hotel is located directly on the Swan River within Matilda Bay Reserve and is within walking distance of Kings Park, riverside cafes and the majestic Matilda Bay Reserve area. The word Wonil is a First Australian Noongar word meaning Peppermint Tree.
Although this is an Accor-managed property, the Hotel is owned by the University of Western Australia, which is located across the road from the hotel. All profits from the hotel are distributed to support scientific and medical research at five Universities located throughout Western Australia.
Budget-wise, this is a mid-level hotel, and it does help if you are an Accor Member. Our Accor status meant we got a great rate, free breakfast daily, including the à la carte menu and the continental buffet. The room had an amazing view over the Swan River.
The hotel also has a bottomless seafood brunch every Saturday for $99 p.p, which looks amazing.
Here is a link if you were interested in staying:
Saying Goodbye
April 2026, we just boarded the flight from Avalon to Denpasar, and sent one last photo to the kids
It’s not lost on us that this is a privilege that most people don’t get to experience. Right now, the world is filled with conflict and loss. Many people are having to say goodbye in more challenging ways than we two racing off on a long holiday. We can only reflect on how we feel in the moment.
Saying goodbye this time was a mix of emotions that we had not experienced in a long time. This was not a normal see you in four weeks moment; it was heavier. There was a version of us that was being left behind, and the ultimate freedom in that life had yet to sink in. We were also saying goodbye to our kids, who had always been part of our adventures. Leaving them meant they weren’t going to be part of the crazy stories we get to tell when we come home.
Next Steps
Stepping off the plane in Denpasar, Indonesia and getting to our hotel late that night meant this was all starting to come together in a really special way. The dreams, the planning, the ups and downs had meant that right then, we were moving towards this life on the road.
To join us on our travels, follow along on our channel, Bill and Jo.
