Day 9 of 9 nights, 10 days

Day 69 of 102

I didn’t quite know what I was expecting when I discovered that the Perth Mint, which I have hankered after visiting for some years, was just around the corner from my hotel.  Outside, my silly watch adjusted quite correctly to Western Australia time at the push of a button.  It’s very warm today, and I am contemplating taking a local bus up to Kings Park, again, visited previously.  

I arrived at the Perth Mint around 15 minutes before an official tour was due to commence.  This took the form of a brief (15 minute) account of the gold rush in the 1890s, leading to the establishment of Royal Mints not only in Perth but also in Melbourne and Sydney as well as elsewhere in the Commonwealth where gold coins would be minted from local gold.  The latter two in Melbourne and Sydney remain as buildings but are repurposed.  Perth Mint ceased the production of circulating currency in 1983 (I never knew that!) but continues the creation of legal tender commemorative coins and special and medals.  The minting of circulating currency continues at the Canberra Mint, which I visited in 2018.   I have a couple of Perth Mint double sized sovereigns (pied-forts).  Whereas the Perth Mint produced 106 million full sovereigns in its history, and just under a million half-sovereigns in its history, my sovereign is one of just 350.   The tour, which included a gold pour, was informative and interesting.  I was in the market for something to mark my visit, but the sales staff appeared too distracted, and I thus felt this was probably a sign to not add further to my luggage. 

I was fortunate that the Mint was open today, but the overwhelming heat slowed down my plans to return to King’s Park.    I stopped at a small café for chicken and curry. For reasons hard to define, I had misgivings about the chicken, so I left most of what was probably absolutely fine and had some banana cake instead, with an Earl Grey tea.

Despite the heat, I made it to the 935 bus stop, four away from the hotel, and within minutes, a 935 would would whisk me, free of charge (legitimately, that is) to near the Botanical Gardens of Perth’s Kings Park.  A refreshing breeze brought much welcome relief to an otherwise very hot day.  At first, I would see the familiar sight of an elevated view of the city, which I remember clearly from 2018 and 2019.  But now, in 2023, I would explore further, but still not see anything like everything.  The day was thus not squandered.  The wildlife was not as prolific as at Cleland, but while walking along a narrow but well-used path, a young mother with her daughter pointed out a kookaburra relaxing on the end of a branch.  I wonder how many other such sights I missed. However, I did cover much more than on previous visits.

At the end of my further exploration of Kings Park, a 935 bus had just arrived to whisk me back to the city. I tried a second chicken curry at a restaurant directly opposite the Duxton Hotel. This was very much better!

I probably could have seen and done more today. But, I enjoyed the hot weather nonetheless. Tonight is my last in Australia. This time tomorrow, I shall still be here, but on board Queen Mary 2 as she sets sail for Mauritius shortly after 10 pm.

Many thanks for reading, David, 10.06 hrs over breakfast the following morning.