Perth, Western Australia: Dr Russell's Imaginarium, Fremantle markets, Cos Baby Café, Bathers beach, South Cottesloe beach - Day 12

Doctor Who Police Box at
Dr Russell's Imaginarium.
This one wasn't bigger
on the inside.

The second last day of our Perth trip was a Saturday, and turned out to be another day my partner, Enigma, and I could spend doing our own thing.

Dr Russell's Imaginarium Museum

Since it wasn't too far away we headed out to Guildford in the morning to visit Dr Russell's Imaginarium Museum and Toy Museum that had been closed when we attempted to visit with my family a few days earlier. 

We were a little surprised to discover there was actually $2 entry fee, for which you get two penny coins to use in the old style Peep show machine (mostly vintage photos of topless ladies), and moviola machine, which is a giant flip book type affair using photos to create a movie scene. I think it had a story but I wasn't able to follow it very well. Also, if you make a purchase your entry fee is deducted from the price.

Entrance to Dr Russell's Imaginarium. You can see the Police Box just
inside the door on the left.

The rest of the museum was a very mixed bag of collectibles, toys, and other knickknacks. Some vintage, some contemporary vintage (e.g. ET movie figures from the 1980's that you can't get anymore). 

Also had a nice collection of Batman toys but none that I would buy for the price. I quite liked a double pack of Batman and Robin Figures based upon the 90's animated series but at $75 not something I needed right now.

Sadly the Imaginarium physical store closed at the start of 2024 with an online store expected to open later in the year. Follow the links above for more information.

Fremantle Markets

From Guildford we decided to head down to Fremantle to browse the Fremantle markets, which are only open on the weekend (and possibly Fridays).

When we got there, Fremantle was typically busy with the weekend crowds. However we were able to find parking at 1 Mews street (Fisherman's Wharf I think it was called) a short walk further down from the car park we used last time near the skate park

On the Fremantle Esplanade there was a whole other large, very busy, temporary market of tents going on with almost as many stalls as Fremantle markets themselves. We browsed around this. Mostly typical market type stuff with a few artist stalls as well.

Tent, weekend market on Fremantle Esplanade.

We then made our way up to Fremantle Markets, which are entirely undercover, where we wandered around checking out all the stalls. It was extremely busy. I've never known this market not to be busy. You literally have to weave in and out of people moving between stalls.

When we came out a very funny street performer was doing magic tricks interspersed with a lot of comedy and audience interaction. He was extremely good at working the crowd. Easily showing that he had been doing this for 25 plus years (I don't quite remember how many years but it was a lot and he made sure we knew it was his entire living when the show finished).

Outside the Fremantle Markets entrance. This place is definitely much bigger on
the inside than it looks from the outside. This is also where we saw the street performer.

Late Lunch Cos Baby Café 

It was after 2pm by then so we looked around for a place to eat, finding ourselves in a small café, called Cos Baby, just opposite the former Edge Skate park building (which is now apartments I think) that my brother, sister, and our friends used to frequent back in the early 90's. 

I ordered a chicken baguette and a white tea., Enigma had a sausage roll, and table water. I think the café was actually winding down service when we arrived but they seemed fine with us staying a while (reading the website they close at 3pm on a Saturday).

Cos Baby Café. The red brick building across the street is the former
Edge Skatepark that was converted into apartments (I think) long before
I moved to South Australia.

Bathers Beach

Enigma, wading in the lesser used section of Bathers
Beach because it's a little further away from the cafés
and doesn't have public deck chairs. 

We decided to head back to Bathers beach to see if the weather was forgiving enough to finally allow Enigma to wade in the water on a beach for the first time since having her knee replaced in May. Fortunately it was and she did - though I think the water was cold based on her initial gasp as it hit her feet.

Bathers Beach is a pretty small beach in front of the Round House, Galleries, and Cafés between the main jetties. The water is pretty calm and it's largely a beach to relax with family. Particularly kids because the beach itself is not very wide so you're never too far away from anyone in the water.

Café Strip and park area next to Bathers Beach.

We then stopped at Twin Fin (same place we had lunch last visit) and Enigma shouted us to ice-cream cones. I had cookies and cream ice-cream.

South Cottesloe Beach

After this we made our way back to the car with a plan to check out the beach front in North Fremantle. However I think I missed the only turn that lets you cross the railway line and gives you access to the beach front. 

By the time I came across another railway crossing point we were in Cottesloe. We ended up walking along South Cottesloe beach watching the kite surfers and hydrofoil sail boarders. It was pretty windy and I think both Enigma and I still got a little burnt despite the cool wind.

Stairs leading down to South Cottesloe Beach. If Cottesloe Beach itself is too crowded
(generally it can be as it's very popular) this beach is a great alternative.

At this point we were all beached out so headed for home. 

Enigma bought us an Uber meal from the local char grill to finish out our day.