For those fans lucky enough to be going to Australia for the Rugby World Cup, here is information on the Subiaco Oval. England will be playing their first two matches here before moving onto Melbourne and Brisbane..

Subiaco Oval - Perth Western Australia

Information: Subiaco Oval is located 5 kms west of the centre of Perth. Traveling by train or car between the centre of Perth and Subiaco Oval is only 5 minutes and 7-10 minutes by bus.  Public transport (train or bus) to and from any world cup match in Perth is free - as advised by Phil in Perth today 13/10/03.

The commercial centre of Subiaco is within 500m of the Oval. The centre of Subiaco provides a great deal of entertainment including, shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, movie theatres, boutiques, parklands and much more.

Location: Subiaco Road, Subiaco

Website: www.wafc.com.au

Rugby World Cup 2003 - England Matches at Subiaco Oval:

12/10/03 England v Georgia

18/10/03 South Africa v England

Perth has some bustling nightlife precincts and quality eateries. Since the 1940s, Western Australia’s predominantly Anglo-Irish population base has been enriched by successive waves of people from Italy, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. This cultural intermingling shows in our diet, which is fuelled by croissants, espresso coffee, octopus salads and stir-fry meals.

How to get to Subiaco Oval
The venue for all games is Subiaco Oval, Roberts Rd, Subiaco. The oval is located just west of the Perth CBD and is the home of Western Australian football.

For transport to Rugby World Cup 2003 matches, please note that buses and trains will operate on a normal timetable with additional match-day services. Subiaco Oval is located on the Fremantle Line and the closest train stations are West Leederville and Subiaco. It takes approximately 5 minutes from Perth and 15 minutes from Fremantle. Walking distance to the venue from these stations is approximately 5 minutes. Bus services stop right outside the venue. Public parking is available at Mueller Park (east of the venue). This location is just a few minutes walk to Subiaco Oval.

For further information on public transport ticketing and additional services for the Rugby World Cup visit the website at www.transperth.wa.gov.au

Public transport in Perth
Transperth is Perth’s metropolitan public transport system. Buses, trains and ferries display familiar Transperth colours, and passengers may transfer from any service to another on one ticket.

The Transperth fare structure is based on eight zones within the Perth metropolitan area. A single fare applies for travel within each zone. Each zone from the city centre represents a higher priced ticket.

Travel on any Transperth service is free at all times within the ‘Free Transit Zone’ in the Perth central business district.

Transperth Buses run daily between approximately 6am and 11.30pm with reduced services on weekends and public holidays.
The Central Area Transit (CAT) system is a free, high frequency bus service which operates around Perth and Fremantle.
Transperth trains run from Perth Train Station to Fremantle in the west, Armadale in the south, Midland in the east and Currambine in the north. Late night trains operate Friday and Saturday nights.

A regular ferry service operates from the City at Barrack Street Jetty across the Swan River to the Mends Street jetty in South Perth. From September to April the ferry service runs to the Coode Street jetty.

Event line up during Rugby World Cup 2003
Perth guarantees the world’s best rugby action and Australia’s biggest party as Rugby World Cup 2003 hits Perth from 11-19 October.

Spring in the Valley, 12-13 & 19-2 October: A showcase of food, wine, arts and music of the Swan Valley. This picturesque area of rolling green vineyards, wineries, boutique restaurants and art galleries is just 20 minutes from Perth.

Romeo and Juliette, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, 10-11 October: French composer Hector Berlioz’s 'dramatic symphony' is a richly perfumed lyrical poem, vividly evoking a handful of scenes from Shakespeare's play. Staged at the Perth Concert Hall.

Street Music in Subiaco, 16-18 October: Subiaco will come alive with live street music performances through the CBD.
Rugby WA Ball, 17 October: This black tie event is being staged at Burswood Resort Casino. Details from WA Rugby Union on + 61 89383 7714

Neo Classical Mix, 17-18 October: Based on music attributed to Mozart’s Italian contemporary Giovanni Pergolesi, Stravinsky’s enchanting suite from his ballet Pulcinella is one of his most elegant and appealing works. Staged at the Perth Concert Hall.

The Cauldron, 18 October: An English supporters pre-match function. Details at www.events.com.au
Fremantle Fishing Festival, 19 October: The traditional Blessing of the Fleet brings a party atmosphere to Fremantle. Adelaide Street from 2.00pm.

Taste of the Nation, 19 October: Fremantle will be bustling with a market day and footpath trading.
Swingin’ in Subi, 19 October. This music festival kicks off at midday and continues all afternoon on Rokeby Road and Hay Street in Subiaco.

Vivaldi Four Seasons, 31 October: The West Australian Symphony Orchestra will perform these four popular concertos at the WA Art Gallery The sonnets that were attached to the manuscript of the work will be read during this evening.

Blues at Bridgetown, 8-10 November: The Festival in the picturesque south west town of Bridgetown features the longest and largest Street Party in Western Australia.

Margaret River Wine Region Festival, 8-17 November: Ten days of festival fun featuring award winning Margaret River wines, local produce, mellow music, art exhibitions, street parties and events at more than 70 venues in the region.

Perth International Golf Tournament, 13-16 November: This inaugural event promises to bring some of the world’s best players to Perth. Details from

Accommodation
There are plenty of accommodation options to suit all needs and budgets. Choose from five star hotels, serviced apartments or bed and breakfasts; all within easy reach of Subiaco Oval. Hotels in the Perth city centre are a short five minute taxi ride from Subiaco, while Fremantle also has plenty of accommodation options.

For accommodation and travel information and bookings you can contact the:
Western Australian Visitor Centre on . Email: travel@tourism.wa.gov.au

Dining and entertainment
No one knows how to stage a party like Western Australia and come Rugby World Cup 2003, Perth will be alive with non stop festivities in all corners of the city. The rich diversity of restaurants, cafes, wineries and fresh produce, combined with an eclectic mix of indigenous and multicultural influences has seen the creation of a culinary style that is very West Australian. In Perth, eating out is all fresh food, alfresco dining on warm evenings, premium wines and friendly people.

Subiaco
This area buzzes on weeknights and weekends alike. Rokeby Road and Hay Street is where you’ll find the most action. While Subiaco is perhaps best known for its quality restaurants there is a wide range of eateries to suit all budgets and tastes, from fine dining to take away, Italian to Asian.

Northbridge
This is Perth’s nightlife central. The area bordered by William, James, Aberdeen and Parker Streets is where you’ll find restaurants offering every cuisine imaginable, as well as pubs, bars and clubs. Some of the more lively pubs in this area are the Brass Monkey, The Elephant and Wheelbarrow, Novaks, Rosie O'Gradys, there are plenty backpackers hostels in this area for the more "party" orientated of supporters! ...... and it's only a short hop to the main Perth station, which is only 2 stops from Subi station.

Fremantle
The city is well known for its big variety of Italian and fish restaurants, thanks mostly to its cultural heritage as a fishing port. Pasta, pizza and fish ‘n’ chips are the local fare, but you can also find quality seafood eateries at Fishing Boat Harbour and along South Terrace. Cafés and pubs are everywhere. Try some locally brewed beer, or grab a latté and spend time people-watching. The Fremantle Markets bustles on Fridays and weekends, with fresh produce, crafts, clothing and buskers providing street-side entertainment. Pubs in this area include the Sail and Anchor, Little Creatures (both also micro breweries) the East bank and the hotel where the Lions stayed when they were in Perth last time, the Esplanade (maybe England are staying there this time...??).

Mt Lawley
This stretch of Beaufort Street is fast gaining a reputation for fine dining with some of Perth’s best new restaurants establishing themselves here. There is also a good mix of noodle and pizza bars, as well as busy pubs serving bar food and live music.

Leederville
Oxford Street is always busy in the evenings. Many eateries here are café style, serving Mediterranean food, but you can also find Asian and fish restaurants, pizza parlours and kebab take aways. The Leederville Hotel is a happening place, or check at the newly refurbished Oxford Hotel, at the northern end of the street. Leederville is the Springbocks base, in fact, the Leederville hotel is unofficially renamed "Boktown" for the duration of the world cup. May be worth staying away from after we beat them on the 18th October :)

Perth
The west end of the central city area, along Hay, Murray and King Street offers the biggest range of options. There are several pubs offering casual dining, as well as theatres and bars. Just a few minutes’ drive from the city, Burswood International Resort Casino boasts a choice of nine restaurants, six bars and a two storey nightclub, the Ruby Room. The CBD also has some fine bars and restaurants, Carnegies, the Moon and Sixpence, Durty Nellies, the Belgian Beer cafe to name a few.

Attractions and activities in Perth
Beaches
There are nineteen beaches to choose from in Perth, each with their own atmosphere but all offering superb swimming and stunning sunsets over the Indian Ocean. Some of the most popular include Cottesloe, Scarborough, Trigg and Port Beaches. Most are accessible by public transport or are a fifteen minute drive from the city.

Attractions and activities

Rottnest Island
Rottnest, the island playground is a short ferry or plane ride off the coast. Its crystal clear bays and beaches are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing, skindiving, sunbathing, surfing, boating and fishing. During the cooler months the island’s fishing and surfing are at their best and the island experiences warmer temperatures than Perth. Bicycles are the popular mode of transport and can be hired on the island. Rottnest wouldn’t be Rottnest without the quokkas, the small marsupials which inhabit the island and were the inspiration for the island’s name. Ferry services leave daily from Perth, Fremantle and Hillarys Boat Harbour in Sorrento.

Swan Valley
A short ferry ride up the Swan River is the Swan Valley - one of Western Australia’s premium wine-growing regions. This is a picturesque area of rolling green vineyards, wineries, boutique restaurants and art galleries. Enjoy a lazy summer’s afternoon on the verandah of a gourmet café or visit one of the many wineries which are open for cellar door tastings. A visit to the local olive, cheese and chocolate factories are the perfect accompaniment to a bottle of the Valley’s best wine. If beer is more your taste, stop at one of the local micro breweries.

Information by: David Gough (England Fan) living in Perth. Thanks David

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