Perth Travel Forum

Hi Perthians,

I will be in Perth in mid-June, and also traveling up north through WA to Darwin. I am wondering about your recommendations about drinking tap water versus buying bottled water in the locations below. I have done some research already, looking at CSIRO, for example, but I didn't come to a consistent conclusion. I know that in many areas the water is bore/groundwater and can have some bacteria or pesticides, but on the other hand, treated city water is probably just fine? Or does it have too much salinity? I have been to many of the locations below already, except Perth and Exmouth, but I don't remember what I did with the drinking water situation, and some updated advice would be most appreciated. I'm not a fussy person, and usually drink tap water. Many thanks!

--Perth
--Fremantle
--Exmouth & Ningaloo Reef
--Broome
--The Kimberley
--Darwin (NT)

Hi Maryanne. Perth water is fine to drink. Don't know about the rest.

Hey, Ann, you're fast to answer and thanks. Yeah, I was trying to remember what I did in the Kimberley last time (lord, it might have been beer!). Cheers!

No doubt Marianne! Beer tastes better than water anyway haha :o)

Yep, and in the really hot weather you get there sometimes, a beer is great, although I'm more of a wine-drinker, and I don't like the idea of brushing teeth in beer! It was my "accomplices" there in the Kimberley who were guilty of making me drink beer, and I think I will be seeing them again there (uh-oh).

I have travelled through that complete area, as a tour bus driver, never had any problems.
If you can I would do the Gibb River road fromjust south of Derby,
It is a grat road trip, and could be a little rough, as in the roads, in places.

Thanks for the good advice, Frank (Hando). Your bike looks really cool! I've been in Derby before, but not on the Gibb River Road, I don't think, so great suggestion. I'm somewhat dependent upon what my hosts are setting up for me, as this is actually a business trip -- nice place to do business! (Somebody's got to do it).

Tap water is fine to drink in Perth, Freo & Darwin can't imagine Broome & The Kimberely being any different but seems you have the solution anyway LOL

In West Oz they have their own brand of water (with a few additives) and its called Swan Lager - suggest you drink very chilled and there are no pesticides or other nasties to worry about. Couple of other brands should also be available - Vic Bitter and when you get to Darwin they tend to come in slightly larger containers - LOL

Hi Debra, and thanks for your good info. No, I really don't have the solution (don't want beer to be the answer!), but I'm guessing that even in the outer areas of the Kimberley, probably tap water is fine. Just checking to see if anyone preferred bottled water in any of the outer areas -- I do occasionally in some more remote US areas, for example.

yes I agree I usaully take bottled water with me just in case. Just had a thought if you are driving or taking a bus you will need to take some drinks as the road houses charge like wounded bulls for drinks and nibbles. How are you travelling??

LOL, David. Swan Lager chilled is what I drank on a private chartered aircraft over the Kimberley a few years ago. The flight was great, dipping and diving through the gorges there, and the lower you got, the hotter the heat (IE, drink more beer), and then when the plane rose up, it got colder -- unpressurized cabin on this itsty-bitsy plane -- much fun! Vic Bitter is a better beer, although I prefer Aussie wines.

Debra, I have to wait for my business hosts to reply in a couple of weeks. It's most likely by air between these destinations, although I hope some road trips will be involved, as I adore them in Aus. The more adventurous, the better!

Well we could arrange a wine tour for you with Captain Cook when you get here to Perth Marianne ;o)

Water in Perth and the surrounding areas is scheme water form reservours and perfectly safe to drink. Some people drink bottled or filtered water because it tastes better.
Water in Broome is safe to drink.

In Exmpouth the water is from bores, perfectly safe, but tastes disgusting, most people use filters or buy bottled water for drinking.
Out in the Cape National Park(where the reef is), there is no piped water at any of the beaches or the visitors centre. There will be 'bush toilets' which work by using bacteria.
There many be bore water in some of the caravan parks, but it may not be fit to drink.
You need to take your own water for the small camp sites near the beaches. You can fill your water-tanks at the petrol stations in Exmouth.
Bottled water is expensive in Exmouth because of it's remoteness. Bring some with you if you can.
Coral bay has piped water, but again from bores.

I'm sure Darwin will have tap water that is safe to drink, don't know how good the taste is.
Don't know about the Kimberleys

Some small remote places(eg a farm house or petrol station on it's own a fair distance from any town may use untreated water from small dams, bores or rainwater tanks. Although the people living there might drink it all the time, it is possible that it may upset your stomach.
I would ask about the water in such places.

Everybody, thanks for your great helpfulness. Lesley, your detailed response pretty much covers my questions, many thanks, and I will follow all the good advice that everyone has provided.

without reading all the responses.....

ive drunk water from taps across the entire mass of western australia even the most remote areas i have drunk from their rusty rainwater tanks....ive never been sick and im still alive!

enough said!

Water and what?...Danielle ;o)