Horizons December/January 2022 by The Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc.)

December/January 2022

Your RAC member magazine

Near south OVERNIGHT ESCAPES TO THE PEEL REGION

Member benefits + Your feedback + Ten of the best

Should you update your old car?

Knowing when it’s time to move on

How future homes will protect themselves Some unforeseen events may soon become predictable

Things you should know about speed limits Can you be fined for driving too slow?

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Your RAC member magazine

HORIZONS® Published by RAC WA MANAGING EDITOR Vanessa Pogorelic DEPUTY EDITOR Tatum Stafford GRAPHIC DESIGNER Renee Smith ADVERTISING Gail Raj (WA only) T: 08 9388 7844 E: gail@mediatonic.com.au Lauren Casalini T: 03 8520 6444 E: laurencasalini@hardiegrant.com CONTACT US facebook.com/RACWA twitter.com/RACWA instagram.com/RACWA editor@rac.com.au rac.com.au 13 11 11 Roadside Assistance, Battery Services 13 17 03 Membership, Motoring Advice, Insurance, Finance, Travel, Touring, Security Services 1300 797 078 Vehicle Condition Appraisals 1300 135 667 RAC Auto Services 1300 651 042 RAC Tyres 9436 4111 Corporate Enquiries For deaf, hearing or speech impaired members: Emergency Roadside Assistance SMS number 0434 182 877 All queries relayservice.gov.au See page 81 for more contact details

ON THE COVER Thrombolites, Lake Clifton PHOTOGRAPH BY Jaxon Foale instagram.com/jaxonfoale

CAB AUDITED AS AT MARCH 2021 IS 651,746 HOUSEHOLDS OUR PLASTIC WRAPPER IS BIODEGRADABLE AUSTRALIA POST ISSN NO 0810 8285 The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. Advertisements in Horizons are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RAC accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.

Membership +Benefits 63 Member benefits

81 Contact us

Inside this issue DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022

Our State, People+Future

Home +Life

Travel +Touring

Car +Motoring

President's message

What's on

WA travel brief

Keeping an eye on you Cars that look after their humans

Your feedback

High tech homes Predicting ‘unforeseen’ events in your home

Easy overnight escapes Uncover the Peel region’s many wonders

12 Snapshot

51 Future moves

Member lounge

Those other WA beaches New places to explore down south

82 Ten best

20 Know your limits Things to know about speeding and speed limits

25 Time to trade up When should you update your car?

52 Test drive

57 Car doctor

A safer WA is a better WA Helping Western Australians get there safely is a key part of RAC’s vision for a better WA. We provide road safety education to over 50,000 school children each year. We only finance and insure cars built from 2012 onwards, with an ANCAP safety rating of four stars or more.

And the RAC Rescue helicopters help save lives every hour of every day. With the power of your membership, we’re all in for a safer WA. Join us.

Find out more at rac.com.au/betterWA The RAC Rescue helicopters are sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Our State, People+Future

President's message SAFE TRAVELS AS WE LOOK TO 2022 As 2021 starts to fill the rear-view mirror, many of us will be planning to spend time with family, friends, and travelling within our beautiful State. As part of taking a well-earned holiday it is crucial that our planning also includes preparations for a safe journey. Tragically, Western Australia continues to hold one of the worst road safety records in the nation and the past year has been particularly devastating, especially in regional WA where road fatalities have increased significantly. While many people have been venturing far and wide to explore our incredible State and support local businesses, it also means more motorists driving longer distances in unfamiliar areas on some of the country’s most dangerous roads.

RAC PRESIDENT Jacqueline Ronchi

Speeding, fatigue, and distraction are leading causes of life-changing crashes. We are urging anyone taking a trip over the holiday period to be patient, stick to the speed limit, take regular breaks and keep phones out of reach.

RAC COUNCIL

With many travellers also towing a caravan for the first time, we are also seeing a big spike in caravan collisions. Caravanning is a rewarding way to travel but can be dangerous for the inexperienced. This is why we launched Safe Travels, offering free vehicle inspections and caravan training in communities throughout Perth and regional WA. To date, the program has provided hundreds of vehicle safety checks and thousands of people have attended caravan training sessions. Building momentum on the importance of road safety will once again be RAC’s strong focus in 2022. This includes delivering a number of initiatives such as our school education programs, RAC bstreetsmart, RAC Project Road Smart, and also our continued call for the Regional Road Safety Program and the Metropolitan Intersections Program to be fully funded. Together with our 1.2 million members we have an important role to play in making road safety a social and economic priority in WA. By working together, we can save lives and stop serious injuries on our roads. On behalf of the RAC Council I would like to take this opportunity to thank RAC members for your support during the year. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our RAC people who work every day to support our members and are committed to RAC’s 2030 vision for a safer, sustainable, and more connected future for Western Australians. Whether you’re on the road or staying at home, I wish you, your families, and your friends a wonderful festive season, and a terrific 2022.

Jacqueline Ronchi RAC President 7

Club Patron His Excellency the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia Incoming President Jacqueline Ronchi Incoming Senior Vice President Professor Ross Dowling MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Leanne Bishop Allan Blagaich Freda Crucitti Stephen Fox Dalton Gooding Brian Hanson Emmerson Richardson Jim Walker RAC’s Vice President details and the full Council list will be published in the February/March 2022 edition of Horizons.

Our State, People+Future

Your feedback

WINNING FEEDBACK

Crushing congestion

CARAVANNERS CALLED OUT Over the years we have travelled all across Australia in our van. Whilst our experiences were overwhelmingly positive, we have witnessed some shocking near or actual accidents on the road. Recently, we’ve seen large caravans being towed by small and or unsuitable vehicles. The back of the tow vehicle is depressed and the front of the vehicle well elevated. An accident waiting to happen. David

What a great time to have a conversation about congestion. (‘How Perth can ease the congestion crush,’ August/September Horizons). The United Nations recently published a report on global warming and what a dire situation we find ourselves in. Now is the time to talk about how to encourage more car travellers onto public transport, not add more lanes and new roads which will only increase the number of vehicles on our roads. Let’s act now, make some tough decisions and leave the roads less congested for those who do need their cars for work. Barbara

SURPRISE LANDING During the floods in Carnarvon earlier in the year, we received a surprise visit late one afternoon from an RAC Rescue helicopter when the crew chose to land in our horse paddock, much to the delight of grandson, Christopher. Our place was high and dry and the nearest they could get to their patient who arrived 10 minutes later in a 4WD. I believe there was a happy result and it was a magnificent sight when the aircraft left as the sun was almost gone. Job well done. Rosemary

SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK AND WIN Send us your opinions and feedback and you could win a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance.

BRINGING BACK MEMORIES Glancing through the October/November edition of Horizons, I was delighted to come across long gone tourist attractions in Perth. El Caballo Blanco and Atlantis Marine Park were ‘must see’ attractions whenever we had overseas or interstate visitors. And as teenagers, we spent most weekends in summer at Scarborough Beach, and of course, a visit to Luna Park was always on the agenda. Such fantastic memories of days gone by. I might even take a trip to Yanchep and see what is left of the great King Neptune. Irene 

@RACWA @RACWA @RACWA editor@rac.com.au Terms and conditions on page 81. Published letters may be edited for style and length. While we try to respond to all letters we receive, a response cannot be guaranteed.

Home+Life

Events around the State

Kaifu Deng

What's on DECEMBER/JANUARY The Sleeping Beauty 18 November - 12 December His Majesty’s Theatre In their final performance of the year, WA Ballet will present the timeless tale of The Sleeping Beauty. It features an enchanting score by Tchaikovsky, lavish costumes and sets, and the familiar story of Princess Aurora, a few powerful fairies and an adventurous Prince. waballet.com.au

Mandurah Canals Christmas Lights 1 December - 8 January Mandurah Take a cruise along the canals of Mandurah to see the spectacular Christmas lights shimmering on the water. Each year more than 200 houses along the canals turn on a stunning light show with cruises taking spectators to view the festive lights. visitmandurah.com

George Street Festival 5 December East Fremantle This annual community celebration is filled with artisan food stalls, live music and roving entertainment, plus an animal zoo, face painting and a bouncy castle to keep the kids busy. There’s also local art, clothing, homewares and jewellery on sale if you’re in need of a few Christmas gifts. eastfremantle.wa.gov.au

NOTE All events confirmed at time of publication. In the event of COVID-19 disruptions, please refer to health advice and check for restrictions/cancellations.

Miles Noel Photography

28 November University of Western Australia This annual Christmas event features more than 200 of Perth’s most talented local artists, designers, craftspeople and foodies at the University’s Winthrop Hall. There’s something for everyone, including a gourmet food section, a special area for first-time retailers, and live music. perthupmarket.com.au

Keef Hickey

Perth Christmas Upmarket

Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival 11 December Manjimup It’s a celebration of the cherry in the heart of cherry growing country in WA’s South West.The festival will feature a long table lunch, an art exhibition, a fashion parade and lots of chances to taste the region’s sweetest cherries. cherryfestival.com.au

Santa’s Christmas Carnival 12 December Claremont Showgrounds Filled with loads of exciting rides, activities and live entertainment, this massive carnival offers a festive summer’s day out. Don’t miss Perth’s biggest pop-up water playground, the animal farm, motocross stunt shows and Santa’s arrival to the arena at 11am. santaschristmascarnival.com.au 9

AFLW 2022 season 6 January - 3 April Various venues Season Six of the NAB AFLW competition is set to kick off in January. This year, 14 teams will battle it out over a 10-round season that includes at least one RAC Derby match. Stay tuned for fixtures and special member offers. womens.afl

Fringe World Festival 14 January - 13 February Various venues WA’s biggest annual arts event returns for 2022 with another bumper season of performances. Choose from hundreds of shows offering everything from comedy to cabaret and circus, at venues across Perth and in regional centres. fringeworld.com.au  ABOVE IMAGES: Fringe World Festival.

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News in brief from RAC and beyond

Snapshot TOP: The RAC Intellibus® trial is Australia’s longest-running public trial of driverless vehicle technology; BOTTOM: The R/evolve sculpture on the South Perth foreshore marks five years of the RAC Intellibus® trial.

Five years of moving towards the future On 31 August 2016, the RAC Intellibus® trial was first launched on the South Perth foreshore as a world-leading driverless vehicle initiative. After five years, and with support from the State Government and the City of South Perth, it is now Australia’s longest-running public trial of driverless vehicle technology. To coincide with the fiveyear anniversary, a sculpture has been created on the South Perth foreshore to symbolise the forward movement, progress and changing nature of transport in our growing city. Standing three metres tall, the R/evolve sculpture was jointly commissioned by RAC and the City of South Perth and created by Tony Jones Art Projects. If you haven’t yet experienced a ride on the RAC Intellibus®, visit rac.com.au/intellibus to find out more and to make a booking. The free 3.5-kilometre journey begins at the Intellibus® Hub at the eastern end of South Perth Esplanade and heads west along the South Perth foreshore to the Old Mill.

Our State, People+Future

OVERTAKING CYCLISTS

60km/h

1.5m

When passing a cyclist, remember you must keep a 1 metre minimum distance as you pass, on roads where the speed limit is 60km/h or less. On roads where the limit is more than 60km/h, that minimum passing distance increases to 1.5m.

If you need to pass two cyclists riding side by side, use the same minimum distance rules but apply them to the cyclist on the right. Also remember that two cyclists riding side by side can ride with a gap of up to 1.5 metres between them. To help you overtake cyclists, the law allows drivers to cross centre line markings, including single and double continuous white lines and painted islands, to keep the correct distance, but only when it’s safe to do so, and your view of oncoming traffic is clear.

Charging up electric car ownership In 2021, electric vehicles (EV) made up 1.5 per cent of all light vehicle sales in Australia. But by 2040, it’s forecast that EVs could reach 70 per cent of new vehicle sales here and 30 per cent of the total vehicle fleet. This is an ambitious shift that will require action to get more people on the EV journey. Right now, the range of EVs available in WA and Australia is narrow and not cost-competitive. A more diverse and competitive EV market is critical to improve choice and drive down high purchase prices.

An RAC member survey found nearly half of all respondents would consider purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle as their next car, with incentives for purchasing low or zero emissions vehicles identified as the top priority for government action. RAC welcomed the WA Government’s Electric Vehicle Strategy released in November 2020, which included investment in charging infrastructure and minimum EV targets for the WA Government’s own fleet. However, targeted tax cuts and similar incentives will also be crucial in getting more WA drivers into EVs.

Demand for hybrids and electric cars is growing

44% would

consider an electric or hybrid vehicle for their next vehicle purchase.

21% would consider a petrol vehicle.

20% ‘don’t know’ what vehicle they’ll buy next.

16% would consider a diesel vehicle.

RAC member survey, 2020

Our State, People+Future ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock.com

26 MILLION PEOPLE AND 20 MILLION VEHICLES In 2021, the number of vehicles registered in Australia passed 20 million for the first time.

REGO FEES UP Analysis by RAC has revealed vehicle registration fees have increased by more than 80 per cent in the past 10 years – almost five times the rate of inflation.

RAC welcomed the decision by the WA Government to freeze motor vehicle-related fees in 2020/21 but is concerned by a return to the previous excessive increases.

Following a four per cent rise in motor vehicle licence charge fees on 1 July, RAC analysis has revealed a one car household would have saved $971 over the past decade if registration fees had only increased at the rate of inflation.

The Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) latest Transport Affordability Index shows the average Perth household spent a record $377.25 per week on transport in the first quarter of 2021 – an increase of almost 14 per cent on the previous quarter.

The new financial year had brought with it an overall three per cent increase to a range of fees including vehicle registration, licence renewal, and motor injury insurance.

According to the AAA, WA households are now spending almost 15 per cent of their income on transport costs, which equates to almost $20,000 a year.

Defending our State Amanda Gater has been a career firefighter since 2020. In that time, she’s experienced a wide range of fire emergencies. Amanda’s first major fire was shortly after she graduated. “When the Wooroloo fires started in February 2021, I was eight weeks out of Trainee Firefighter School. It was a valuable experience working with senior firefighters that week, watching and learning as crews actively defended homes and properties.”

Toyota remained the most popular car brand in Australia with 3 million registered vehicles, followed by Holden (1.49 million) and Mazda (1.36 million). AUSTRALIA’S 10 MOST POPULAR CAR BRANDS

1. Toyota 2. Holden 3. Mazda 4. Hyundai 5. Ford 6. Mitsubishi 7. Nissan 8. Honda 9. Subaru 10. Volkswagen Motor Vehicle Census 2021, Australian Bureau of Statistics

The Wooroloo fires, which began during a COVID-19 lockdown in Perth, burnt through 10,000 hectares and destroyed 86 homes, impacting communities across the City of Swan and Shire of Mundaring. With bushfire season already here, Amanda is urging anyone living in a bushfire prone area to have a plan in place. “Ultimately, it’s about having a plan and sticking to it. Weigh up your resources and make a decision before the fire comes through.” Make sure you have a bushfire plan no matter where you are. Download the My Bushfire Plan app or visit mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au

To find out more about a career in firefighting and the recruitment process, visit dfes.wa.gov.au/careers

Car+Motoring

Getting to know you HOW CARS CAN LOOK OUT FOR THEIR HUMANS By Byron Mathioudakis

New technology is enabling our cars to get to know us better, to keep an eye on us while we drive, and to make us more comfortable for the ride. Our cars are getting smarter and safer with each passing year. Sensors such as those used for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) can detect an obstacle ahead of the car and trigger warnings for the driver. If the driver still doesn’t respond, the brakes can be automatically applied to avoid hitting the object. In 2021, even the cheapest Kia Picanto has it. Smart, right? But now, some of this sensing technology is moving inside the car, keeping an electronic eye not just on the road ahead, but also on the person behind the wheel. This is where advanced sensing technology and facial recognition can play an even bigger role, assessing the driver and their responses as the car is in motion to ensure a safer and a more comfortable driving experience.

Scanning the driver’s face and eyes This tech isn’t coming soon. It’s already here. Known as a driver monitoring system (DMS), or more generally as driveralert or driver-fatigue alert, this involves a driver-facing camera mounted somewhere in front of the driver, usually within the upper dashboard or the interior rear-vision mirror housing. Using infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs), it constantly scans the driver’s face at all times day or night, (even those who wear glasses), to ensure their eyes are always looking forward to the road ahead and not down at a phone, at passengers or out the side window. Likewise, it can ascertain drowsiness associated with fatigue – a common cause of crashes. 

Car+Motoring

USING INFRARED LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES (LEDS), IT CONSTANTLY SCANS THE DRIVER’S FACE AT ALL TIMES DAY OR NIGHT.

Car+Motoring

DRIVER MONITORING SYSTEMS ARE CONSTANTLY EVOLVING, TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CAN NOW ALSO RECOGNISE EACH PRE-ASSIGNED DRIVER.

It builds on the existing lane-keeping assistance technology that’s been around since the late-2000s, where sensors such as radar and cameras monitor lane markings on the road and the car’s position within them (or not).

period (signifying reduced vision due to excessive sunlight, for example), don’t blink as often (which suggests distraction or absent mindedness) or close, even for a moment longer than usual, the DMS alerts go off.

The DMS constantly assesses the driver’s face and reacts almost instantly when it detects an issue by sounding an audible alarm, flashing up an alert warning within the instrumentation, vibrating the seat and/or even spraying a harmless mist into the driver’s face, in some regions where legal.

The DMS also knows if the driver’s head starts to tilt at an odd angle suggesting drowsiness or sleep. The alarm is designed to wake them up or alert fellow occupants to wake the driver up.

All driver warnings can be adjusted for severity, and some – like the last two – can be switched off.

Subaru’s EyeSight system is probably the most well-known proprietary DMS in Australia, but most carmakers are now offering similar DMS technology in some of their models, or soon will.

It isn’t just obvious head-turning distraction either. If the driver’s eyes stray, squint or narrow for a prolonged

This is life-saving technology that will be made mandatory in vehicles sold in the European Union from 2024.

Detecting a medical emergency In situations where a driver is suddenly incapacitated, such as an event like a heart attack or stroke, some advanced DMS systems can sense this and automatically activate other semi-autonomous safety systems. Here’s a typical scenario. At 110km/h, the driver loses consciousness. The DMS senses this immediately and starts slowing the car down gradually, switching an indicator on to merge left, alerting surrounding traffic. The lane-keeping system then steers the car, when safe, to the left as the adaptive cruise control slowly reduces the car’s speed, and brings it to a stop.

Car+Motoring

Next, the DMS will automatically send a message to emergency services to attend the incident, while also sending out GPS co-ordinates. As we move closer to self-driving cars, such systems are essential for higher-level autonomous driving situations, where the technology requires the driver to retake control after a period of the car doing all the driving. DMS needs to be fully functioning, ready and waiting, should the driver need to suddenly take control.

Personalised experiences for each driver Driver monitoring systems are constantly evolving, to the point where they can now also recognise each pre-assigned driver and alert the car’s systems to adjust to each individual’s driving preferences.

For example, where a vehicle is driven regularly by more than one person, one of them may have the seat, steering wheel position, instrumentation, climate control and audio system set to suit them. When they get behind the wheel, the system will detect who they are and adjust everything to suit. The presence of another driver will trigger a different set of in-car adjustments according to their preferences. Furthermore, if there are younger drivers involved, the DMS can be set to pre-determined speed limits and audio volume to help reduce driver distraction, and even bar phone messages until the car is parked. Similar tech has been around for more than a decade now in models such as those equipped with Ford’s Smart Key, but now with DMS,

no special key fob is required. However, some of these functions can be overridden. While to some, the notion of a car monitoring your eyes and predicting your behaviour may feel like crossing a line, the lifesaving advantages of driver and other in-car monitoring systems are undeniable. With DMS becoming mandatory in the EU from 2024, our cars will continue to include technology capable of correcting our lapses of concentration in increasingly sophisticated ways. And sometime in near the future it will all seem as commonplace as AEB in a 2021 Kia Picanto. 

Eight things you may have wrong about

speeding and speed limits

Car+Motoring

Can you be fined for travelling lower than the speed limit?

Can I speed to get out of the way of an emergency vehicle?

Driving slower means it will take longer to reach my destination.

In a freeway speed zone, you must not drive at a speed greater than 20 km/h below the speed limit in that zone. The exceptions are if traffic congestion prevents you from driving within 21 km/h of the limit, or if it’s unsafe to drive within 21 km/h of the speed limit. On other roads, you must not unreasonably obstruct the path of another driver, cyclist or pedestrian. That doesn’t include being stopped in traffic or simply driving at a lower speed than other vehicles, unless the speed is ‘abnormally’ slow in the circumstances and there is no need for the low speed.

Even if exceeding the speed limit will get you out of the way faster, you must not break any road rules to get out of the path of an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance. It’s also not legal to run a red light in this situation.

You’ve probably experienced it many times - an impatient driver overtakes you to get ahead, only to have you pull up alongside them at the next set of lights. It’s been well established that drivers overestimate the time they may save from travelling at higher speeds. Determining a driver’s travel time is actually quite complex and there are many factors apart from speed and speed limits that affect it, such as whether you’re in an urban built-up area or on a rural road, the amount of traffic present, intersections and their controls (e.g. traffic lights) and other road features. In short, sometimes it will take longer, and sometimes it won’t.

When you see or hear lights and sirens you must give way to the vehicle and make every effort to give them a clear and uninterrupted path. Always indicate first to alert the driver of the emergency vehicle and other drivers around you of your intention. If you’re on a multi-lane road, indicate and move to the left side of the road as soon as you safely can. Drivers already in the left lane should make room for other vehicles trying to move left. If clearly directed by emergency services personnel, always comply, but be aware of the movement of traffic around you.

4 If there’s a temporary sign showing a reduced limit due to roadworks but there are no workers on site, can I drive at the usual speed limit? No. The speed limit on a roadwork sign is enforceable, even if there are no workers present. While it might seem like the surrounding environment is safe and clear and you’re not placing any workers at risk, a modified road layout, unsealed, or uneven road surfaces can be dangerous. Sometimes the risks associated with the work may not be clearly visible to a road user. 

Car+Motoring

5 Where speed limits change from a higher to a lower speed, can you start to slow down after you pass the sign with a lower limit?

Is it okay to exceed the speed limit by a few kilometres? Even a few kilometres is still breaking the law. A few kilometres may not seem like much, but for every few kilometres your speed increases, so too does your risk of seriously injuring yourself or someone else. Your reaction time is reduced, and your braking distance is increased. Even small reductions in average speed can significantly reduce casualty crashes. Research has shown that increasing your average speed from 60km/h to 65km/h would double your chances of being involved in a crash in which someone is injured. Speed limits indicate the maximum speed you are allowed to travel at, not the speed you must always travel at. In situations such as wet weather or in areas of reduced visibility, make sure you drive to the conditions.

Stewart Allen

At the point where your car passes a speed limit sign you must already be travelling at that posted limit. Beginning to slow down as you pass the sign will mean you’re breaking the law for as long as it takes your car to slow down to the correct speed. So, keep an eye out for changing limits on the road ahead.

Are the electronic speed limit signs over Perth’s Smart Freeway just recommended speeds?

When I pass an incident response vehicle I just need to slow down, I don’t need to slow to a specific speed.

The illuminated signs over Perth’s Smart Freeway on the Kwinana Freeway northbound, show the legal limit at which you may travel. Because the limit on that section of the freeway will vary, your speed needs to be adjusted accordingly. In the event that the overhead electronic signs are not operating, you should comply with the speed limit on the ‘when all signs blank’ signs, which should be displayed on or near the carriageway.

The emergency response and roadside workers that attend crashes and incidents are regularly faced with the risks that come with working by the side of a road. When approaching an incident response vehicle which is stationary and displaying flashing lights, the Slow Down, Move Over (SLOMO) law requires drivers to slow down to a speed at which the driver could, if necessary, stop safely before passing the incident response vehicle, and must not pass at a speed which is more than 40 km/h. If it’s safe to do so and there are multiple lanes in the same direction, drivers must move over to another lane to give incident responders more room. 

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My hearing aids gave us back our lives

I’d read stories in the paper about choosing the audiologist before settling on any particular hearing aids which, for me, is the only way to go. I’d experienced what seems to be a common story with my former hearing aids sitting in the proverbial top drawer for a couple of years. I continued to put up with difficult communication. Those aids were unwearable, just too uncomfortable and feeling like I had a brick in my ear, and they failed to help me hear well anyway. Then I met Brad and it was a very different story. Both my wife Jean and I felt these aids had given us back our lives. My history wasn’t much different from a lot of people with industrial hearing loss. I’d worked as an engineer in a noisy factory, and was a drummer in a band in my youth. At the time we understood nothing about protecting our ears from the inevitable outcome of noise damaging our hearing. I’d enjoyed my work and loved my music, and I didn’t realize this could impact so much on my later life. Since I’ve been retired, I have needed to hear well, to

enable me to do lots of meaningful volunteer work. I am a guide with the Rottnest Volunteer Guide Association and it’s really important for me to be able to respond to questions and join in on the conversation while conducting a tour. Jean and I have been studying the Sanskrit language where it’s vital to be able to hear and accurately pronounce minute sound variations. I also belong to a meditation group, and I was very surprised when I heard for the first time the sounds of running water from a fountain in the establishment’s courtyard. Best of all for me, way back when and just two days after being fitted with my new hearing aids, I attended a West Australian Symphony Orchestra concert. I was so impressed with my new ability to hear the full and rich sounds of the music, I turned my aids on and off a few times just to hear the difference. It was amazing. I consider myself very fortunate to have met Brad and his staff so that I have been hearing well for sometime now. I can’t recommend this hearing centre too highly to anyone wanting a fresh start with their hearing. Peter Wyder

Register for a FREE hearing aid trial Let us show you how effortless hearing should be - even in background noise - with a 2-week home hearing aid trial. No cost and no obligation when trialling hearing aids. Excludes free hearing aids available to eligible clients under the HSP*

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*Eligible pensioners and veterans may be entitled to free or subsidised digital hearing aids and free hearing services. Conditions apply to clients under the HSP. To find out if you’re eligible, visit hearingservices.gov.au.

Car+Motoring

When’s the right time to retire your current car? Sometimes you just know when it’s time to part company with your old car. But what should you consider in order to make the right decision at the right time? By Byron Mathioudakis

How long should you keep your car for? In past generations, if you were handy with a set of tools, it was expected you would hold on to a simple old car like a Holden Kingswood for as long as possible, provided it wasn’t crashed too badly and rust was kept at bay. Components were basic and easily replaceable. That old cliché ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’ certainly rings true today and, yet, for that we ought to be grateful. New vehicles are infinitely safer, less harsh on the environment, more reliable and easier to drive thanks to incredible technological progress. Like updating your computer or smartphone every few years, keeping your car up to date is a cost some people are willing to bear in exchange for all the benefits of a new machine. 

Car+Motoring

Our carpark There are 20.1 million vehicles registered nationally, with WA accounting for just over 2.3 million of these. In descending order Toyota, Holden, Mazda, Hyundai and Ford are the most represented brands.

2.3 million cars

are registered on WA roads.

10.6 years is the

average age of a car in Australia.

50% of fatalities on

WA roads last year were in vehicles older than 10 years.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), as of 1 February 2021, the average age of a car in Australia has increased by 0.5 years to 10.6 years. The USA’s is 12 years, the European Union average is 11.5 years, with only Germany (9.6 years) and Ireland (8.4 years) having younger fleets than ours. Given new cars are palpably safer and have lower emissions than old cars, the age of Australia’s national fleet is a concern, with experts agreeing that the number needs to be halved if we’re going to die less on our roads. Figures from both the ABS and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) show that nearly 80 per cent of fatalities are among drivers aged under 21, while more than 50 per cent of all drivers killed on WA roads last year were in vehicles older than 10 years. If these figures aren’t compelling reasons enough to consider updating, here are some more.

Buying new – pros The warranty The average new-car warranty in Australia is now five years with unlimited kilometres, up from the old standard of three years that Audi, BMW and other luxury brands still persist with. Mitsubishi goes one better with a 10year conditional warranty (it must be serviced by its dealer network), while Kia pioneered a seven-year period years ago that’s since been followed by SsangYong, Haval and MG. A warranty is a promise made by the manufacturer that they will rectify any faults while the car is in reasonable use, and when maintained under a set of prescribed conditions such as servicing it on time. The manufacturer’s warranty won’t apply to wear items like tyres and brakes. Though if there’s a manufacturing fault with a tyre, a warranty claim with the tyre maker might be worth pursuing.

Car+Motoring

Some manufacturers can contest warranty claims more than others, but consumers should be aware that ultimately, they also have the backing of Australian Consumer Law, which can more forcefully nudge car makers towards rectifying failures where their claims are reasonable. Nevertheless, cars with a portion of their warranty in place can be more attractive as a second-hand purchase compared with those not under warranty.

NEW VEHICLES ARE INFINITELY SAFER, LESS HARSH ON THE ENVIRONMENT, MORE RELIABLE AND EASIER TO DRIVE THANKS TO INCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS.

Reliability and minimal maintenance Broadly speaking, the newer the car you buy, the longer you have until it needs major work, such as repairing or replacing big-ticket mechanical items like the transmission, air conditioning compressor and even the engine. Plus, smaller replacement items like tyres, brakes, the battery and certain engine fluids all add up over time. Vehicle safety The development and availability of vehicle safety technology over the past 20 years has been tremendous. According to Monash University, drivers of vehicles built before 2000 are generally much more likely to be killed or seriously injured than those in newer vehicles in a crash. ANCAP and its vehicle safety testing counterparts worldwide continue to regularly revise the requirements needed for vehicles to score a 5-star safety rating. That means a 5-star rated car tested in 2021 will be safer than one with a 5-star rating tested four years earlier. Depreciation in a seller’s market In pre-COVID times, buying a new car instead of a good used car was anything but a good investment if you were expecting to make your money back. Generally speaking, the moment you drove away from the dealership, a regular $30,000 car like a Hyundai i30 Elite might shed 5-10 per cent of its value, to be worth approximately $27,000. After 12 months, you’d expect it to lose 15 per cent travelling about 15,000km annually ($23,000), and then up to 10 per cent annually for another four years. After five years, it would be worth about $14,000, or just over 45 per cent of its new-car price. 

Car+Motoring

However, for most popular models, that’s all been thrown out the window as a result of COVID-19 and its impact on production hold-ups and the computer chip shortage. Delays of up to 12 months have been quoted by some, putting further upward price pressures on popular second-hand cars. The takeaway from all of this is, if you buy a popular new car and these conditions continue, it will depreciate far more slowly than usual. If you’re not fussy about colour or trim, there’s bound to be a cancelled order somewhere in Australia, so you might not have to wait too long for it either. Cheaper finance Car finance is cheap at the moment. Considering how buoyant the used-car market is, it might be the perfect time to sell your clean second-hand vehicle at an inflated price, pay off the old loan and take advantage of cheap finance for a new one.

Buying new – cons It really is a seller’s market Here’s the flipside to selling your used car for more than you paid for it: if you want a particular version of a popular model in this type of market, you’ll likely get very little off the new-car price right now and even pay a premium if it’s in high demand. When there are plenty of buyers in the market, it’s also much harder to haggle on the price. The waiting game Picky about colour? Really want a hybrid instead of a normal petrol-only version? You may have to wait nine months or longer for that particular hue or specification, especially if it wears a Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Kia or Hyundai badge.

TOP: In pre-COVID times, buying a new car instead of a good used car was anything but a good investment as a car like a Hyundai i30 Elite might shed 5-10 per cent of its value the moment you drove away from the dealership; BOTTOM: As a result of COVID-19, you may have to wait nine months or longer for a new car, and if it’s the latest Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series you’re thinking of trading up to, get ready to settle in for a long wait.

And, beware: a fast sale of your used car and a long wait for a new one might leave you without wheels for months, so ensure you don’t get caught short. If it’s the latest Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series you’re thinking of trading up to, get ready to settle in for a long wait. Depreciation Not every model is in demand or incredibly popular, which means the old rule of depreciation still applies to some models. Be prepared to cop the usual depreciation hit if you’re looking for a more unusual or lower demand vehicle.

In summary At the beginning, the question was posed: How long should you keep your car for? If it’s still running well, you enjoy driving it, and it doesn’t cost too much to service and run, then maybe consider waiting for pandemic pressures to settle, to avoid paying too much for a replacement or getting caught out with long wait times. Things will return to normal eventually, regular market forces will return, and you won’t have to jump on the crazy merry-go-round that is buying and selling a car during extraordinary times. That said, if you see a new model you like and it’s affordable and available, sell your old car at a higher-than-usual price, check the safety rating of the new car you’re considering, and enjoy all the reliability, comfort and convenience that your new pride-and-joy brings. 

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OFF REGULAR PRICES * Or 5% off any discount, special offer or promotion†

snooze.com.au It ’s amazing what a little snooze can do *15% saving applicable to the regular retail prices of all products for RAC members and †5% may be applied to already discounted items, special offer or promotion when you show your current RAC card at the point of purchase. New orders only. Discount is not applicable to delivery, assembly or mattress removal services. © Snooze 2021.

Home+Life

How future homes will protect themselves By Ruth Callaghan

IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE, SENSORS AROUND YOUR HOME WILL HELP PREDICT ‘UNFORESEEN EVENTS’ SO YOU CAN MAKE SURE THEY DON’T HAPPEN. When you discover a burst dishwasher hose has flooded your kitchen and living area, it’s a bit too late to wonder what you could have done to prevent it.

looking at how the technology known as the Internet of Things can be used to reduce risk, by curbing the number of incidents that lead to insurance claims.

What if you’d received a notification at work that something disastrous was unfolding at home?

Connected devices to touch every part of life

What if you’d been able to shut off the water as soon as the hose burst? Or what if you’d been alerted before the hose even burst that a catastrophe was on its way? With internet-enabled sensors embedded into devices around your home, all of these options become possible, which could make insuring your home from unforeseen events less about patching up any damage afterwards and more about preventing it from happening in the first place. It’s a step that’s not too far into the future, according to RAC Manager of Business Model Innovation, Brad Chalder, with insurers worldwide

The Internet of Things or IoT is the term that describes how seemingly inanimate objects, from appliances to door handles to room lights, can communicate with each other and with us. IoT allows you to tell the Google assistant in your phone to dim the lights, and for your doorbell to send you a video message when someone rings your bell while you’re not home. Provided the lights or doorbells — or dozens of other potentially ‘smart’ items in your home — are equipped with sensors and can connect, they can act almost independently of human instruction. But while most of this home revolution has been focused on the convenience offered by smart appliances, it is also

Home+Life

triggering disruption in what is being called the connected insurance sector. Combining IoT technology with industryspecific insurance technology makes it possible to identify potential problems in the home and intercede before they develop into disasters. “In the area of insurtech there are three stages that we refer to - monitor, prevent, rectify,” Chalder says. “How can we help our members monitor the risks they have? Home security systems are one obvious way but preventing water damage from burst pipes in a home is another, or even having garage door detectors that show whether the door is closed or has been inadvertently left open.

The Internet of Things or IoT is the term that describes how seemingly inanimate objects, from appliances to door handles to room lights, can communicate with each other and with us. “A lot of smart devices can help people monitor risk and the insurance industry is focused on how they can help prevent losses from occurring.” Once IoT monitoring is in place — and provided the sensors can communicate properly — insurers can help prevent issues before they become more complex. In the case of the dishwasher hose, for example, the estimated average claim size in Australia for a burst water pipe is $8957, according to Insurance Statistics Australia. Given that cost, spending a small amount to install an early-warning water leak detector seems like a sensible investment. 

Home+Life

The simplest leak detectors issue a piercing siren similar to a smoke alarm in the presence of water, but the more advanced can run regular pressure tests on your pipes to pick up anomalies or even shut down mains supply in the case of a problem.

When it comes to prevention, in the future, sensors may detect not just what has gone wrong, but where any issues might be. “As soon as a fault is detected such as a fire or catastrophic loss of water from a burst pipe, the insurer can prevent the loss occurring rather than trying to rectify a huge issue later,” Chalder says. “That’s the potential of this technology. It can let you act early rather than later,

where a home owner might need to be moved out of the house while you rectify the damage with all the associated inconvenience.”

Detecting and preventing problems before they begin As well as reducing the risk of claims, the early identification of problems means any claims made tend to be less severe, since there’s an opportunity to respond to incidents faster. When it comes to prevention, in the future, sensors may detect not just what has gone wrong, but where any issues might be. While this predictive capability may not currently be widely available, Chalder says he expects the technology to be an increasing part of the insurance discussion with consumers. “I think at this stage, for some people, having a Google speaker in their home that they can talk to might seem a bit of a novelty so the value proposition of this tech may not be quite clear yet.

“But the IoT industry is now trying to demonstrate the value of risk mitigation, and over time we will be able to see that if you install sensors in your home, you might be able to reduce your overall risk.”

Understanding an individual’s risk rating A second change on the horizon will be a greater understanding of risk, as more information becomes known about how an individual lives, works and travels. Insurance risk assessment involves analysing many data points to provide an assessment of a person’s risk profile, such as risk rating drivers based on age, or car theft based on whether the vehicle is left overnight on the street. It won’t just be insurance companies that make a risk judgement based on this kind of risk-related data – you are probably already drawing your own conclusions perhaps without being aware of it. If you baulk at hopping into a rideshare vehicle where the driver has been marked down by previous

Home+Life

passengers for speeding, you are making a judgement that you’re not willing to share the increased risk.

“Many people are perfectly comfortable to share their information with different apps or platforms,” Chalder says.

The driver may also be making a risk call: are you the kind of passenger who’s been called out before for poor behaviour?

“But sharing data can also be uncomfortable for some people so it will be important they understand what they are sharing and for what reason.”

Based on your rating, you might be too risky to take on as a passenger. The sharing economy is making the constant use of data more mainstream, thanks to the way ratings are used to moderate and incentivise behaviour. Now connected insurance is taking a page from the same book, including US life insurers who will reduce annual costs for customers who use wearable technology such as fitness trackers and smart watches. Eventually consumers will need to make a choice about how much data they want to share with insurers, recognising that being able to demonstrate their lifestyle and behaviour poses a lowerthan-average risk can pay off in lower premiums or other benefits.

Automating claims and repairs The third big change insurtech offers is the speed at which things can be done. Brad Chalder says the use of automation technology, as well as data matching, information tracking and other advances are cutting down the time it takes to process an insurance claim. Machine learning is used to assist this process and bring data forward so that a better decision can be made. With advanced digital platforms and remote monitoring, it can also cut down the time claimants need to spend alerting insurers to a problem, demonstrating the extent of the damage and providing evidence to support their claim.

“Insurtech is going to be transformational. There are currently many ideas and changes that are being investigated to try to improve speed and convenience for customers,” Chalder says.

The use of automation technology, as well as data matching, information tracking and other advances are cutting down the time it takes to process an insurance claim. “As consumers’ needs and lifestyles change, insurance also needs to change to better reflect that. Our role is to be here to protect our members, their assets and their futures and this is going to be part of that conversation.” 

TASMANIAN TAILORED TOURING HOLIDAYS

Photo: Sunrise at Wineglass Bay - Daniel Tran

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 National Parks Pass - unlimited access into parks

 Josef Chromy Wines - Let’s Do Lunch Experience

RAC MEMBER BONUS

 Gordon River Cruises - Premier Upper Deck seating including lunch and drinks

 $100 tour and attractions credit^

 National Parks Pass - unlimited access into parks

RAC MEMBER BONUS  $100 tour and attractions credit^

FROM

$3,361*

Per family of four~ Valid for travel 01.05.22 – 31.08.22

Prices for travel outside advertised dates available on application

FROM

$2,846*

Per person, twin share Valid for travel 01.05.22 – 31.08.22

Prices for travel outside advertised dates available on application

CONTACT YOUR RAC TRAVEL SPECIALIST TO TAILOR A TASMANIAN HOLIDAY TO SUIT YOU

Terms and conditions apply. Prices are correct as at 15 October 2021 and are subject to availability. Premium Tasmania prices are per person, twin share. ~Family Cabin Stay prices are based on 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years. Prices include GST. Prices are subject to fluctuation due to changes in surcharges, fees and taxes. Surcharges may apply to selected dates within the advertised travel period; Blackout dates may also apply. Offers apply to new bookings only and are valid during the advertised travel dates, unless sold out prior and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Itineraries are subject to alteration and cancellation without notice. Accommodation is based on lead-in room types unless otherwise specified. +Car hire with Drive Car Rental is fully inclusive of zero insurance excess (standard vehicles) and all the fees and charges excluding fuel and any additional counter products or fees. #Car hire with Budget Rent a Car is fully inclusive of excess reduction coverage and all fees and charges excluding fuel and any additional counter products or fees. ^Bonus credit is limited to one per package and can only be used for additional tours and attractions in the TasVacations program, cannot be exchanged for cash, credit or to discount the package price and is valid for new bookings only. For further information and terms and conditions, please contact RAC Travel.

2022 THE YEAR YOU ta ke yo u r tas te b u d s a c ro s s A u s tra l i a

6 DAYS

IN D I AN PACIFIC

THE G HAN

SYDNEY SENSATIONS

DISCOVER DARWIN

P E R TH TO SYD NE Y

DARW IN TO AD EL AID E

F O R TR AV E L I N 2 0 2 2

F O R TR AV E L I N FE B , MA R A N D N OV 2 0 2 2

5 NIGHTS

from

$2,940 *

6 DAYS

5 NIGHTS

PACK AG E I N CLU SI O N S

PACK AG E I N C LU SI O N S

• 4 days / 3 nights aboard the Indian Pacific, Perth to Sydney in a Gold Service Twin Cabin

• 3 days / 2 nights aboard The Ghan, Darwin to Adelaide in a Gold Service Twin Cabin

• All-inclusive meals, fine wines, beverages and Off Train Experiences

from

$3,075*

• 2 nights accommodation at the Vibe Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour, including breakfast daily • Premium Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise

Kalgoorlie

INDIAN PACIFIC

Cook Broken Hill

Rawlinna

PERTH

NO. OF NIGHTS STAY OFF TRAIN EXPERIENCE

Adelaide

Blue Mountains

SYDNEY

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THE GHAN

Manguri

• 3 nights accommodation at the Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront, including breakfast daily • ‘Charles Darwin’ Sunset Dinner Cruise

DARWIN

Katherine

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Advertised prices are per person, based on Everyday Motor Org Holiday fare, in a Gold Twin Cabin on the Indian Pacific, Perth to Sydney in July 2022 or The Ghan, Darwin to Adelaide in February 2022. Offer valid for new bookings from 01 December 2021 to 31 January 2022. Travel validity is between 01 February to 31 March and 01 November to 30 November 2022 for The Ghan and 01 January to 31 December 2022 for the Indian Pacific. Dates are subject to availability and blackout dates apply. All member discounts and savings have been applied to the price. If advertised hotel is not available, a similar property of Journey Beyond’s choosing will be booked. Deposit payment of 25% of the total fare is due at the time of booking. Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure. Booking and credit card fees may apply. Loss of deposit when cancelling more than 45 days prior to departure. 100% cancellation fees apply 45 days and under prior to departure. Third Party Provider conditions may vary and will be passed on to the guest if applicable. Should suspension of services occur due to government-imposed restrictions, 100% of the monies paid will be placed in a future travel credit. For full terms & conditions visit www.journeybeyondrail.com.au. Prices correct as at 29 September 2021. E&OE. | 00554JBR

News and info for WA travellers

WA travel brief Esperance park reopening After some significant upgrades based on feedback from guests, the RAC Esperance Holiday Park is set to reopen this December. New villas have been added, including some that offer the chance to enjoy a barbeque on your private veranda overlooking Esperance Bay. A new state-of-the-art camp kitchen has also been installed, along with a games room, pool, kids’ playground and even an on-site dog washing station. Our guests’ safety remains front of mind, so we’ve worked with the Shire of Esperance to implement upgrades along Goldfields Road to ensure safe pedestrian and cyclist access to and from our park. During the park’s development stage, we also asked our members to help name the streets in the park by voting for their favourite natural attractions in and around Esperance. With the votes now in, you’ll soon be able to walk down Lucky Bay Avenue, Pink Lake Loop and Little Hellfire Bay Road. RAC members save up to 20%* on stays. Book at parksandresorts.rac.com.au/esperance *Terms and conditions apply. Member rate varies according to season.

Abby Murray Photography

TOUR PUBLIC ARTWORKS IN BROOME A series of new public artworks has popped up in Broome’s Chinatown, as part of the precinct’s multimillion-dollar revitalisation project. To get the backstory behind each of the works, join local tour operator, Salty Plum Social, for the Big Art Walking Tour.

Abby Murray Photography

Lead by Chris Maher, Chair of the Kimberley Arts Network, this 1.5-hour tour takes visitors through Chinatown and provides an insight into the history of this fascinating area through the artworks on site. The morning tour concludes with breakfast and coffee. While you’re visiting Chinatown, stop by other recently completed areas within the precinct, including the Roebuck Bay Lookout, which now features artwork created by Yawuru Traditional Owners in collaboration with students from Broome Senior High School.

Travel+Touring

DRIVE TRAILS THROUGH MARRADONG COUNTRY Sitting right on Perth’s doorstep just a 90min drive from the CBD, the Marradong Country micro-region encompasses the towns of Williams, Wandering, Boddington and Quindanning, as well as the picturesque Dryandra Woodlands. One of the best ways to explore its natural wonders is on a selfdrive trail. Perfect for nature enthusiasts, the 4-day Great Outdoors drive trail features a hike through the Darling Range, a nocturnal tour of the Barna Mia Animal Sanctuary and a night amongst the jarrahs at a Lane Poole Reserve campsite. For families, the 3-day Country Kids trail is the perfect transition from city life to fresh country air. Weaving through Boddington, Quindanning and Williams, the trail includes stop-offs at a pet paddock, a freshwater pool and plenty of playgrounds. To view more self-drive itineraries, visit marradongtrails.com/tours

GET HANDS-ON WITH GLASS ART Cindy Poole has been creating stunning glass artworks at her Esperance gallery for more than 25 years. For those who’d like to get a behind-the-scenes look at the craft, Cindy recently launched a new workshop where visitors can try their hand at making glass art. During the two-hour Discover and Create tour, visitors will be shown around the workshop and have the chance to put the studio’s tools to work to create a unique piece of recycled glass art themselves. Bookings are essential. Tour pricing starts at $180.  37

Travel+Touring

Overnight escapes to the Peel region By Julie Hosking

So close to Perth it’s often overlooked as a getaway, the Peel region is a natural wonderland you really should take the time to explore. It’s pitch-black in bushland south of Mandurah as a small tour group, with headlamps lighting the path ahead, makes its way along a trail, hoping to spot some of the region’s nocturnal critters. Before long, the trail starts to come to life. Six endangered ringtail possums make an appearance, along with five brushtail possums. There are even glow-in-thedark mushrooms to marvel at, along with the odd carnivorous plant. It’s an inspiring way to discover the wonders of a region that has a lot to offer, all within a short distance of Perth.

“We want to help people realise just how special what they’re seeing really is,” says Sebastian, who also runs stargazing tours at the thrombolites. These Insta-worthy creations are just one of the ways in which Peel, Western Australia’s smallest geographic region, punches above its weight. For starters, most of its attractions can be visited within a day trip from Perth, though you’d be selling yourself short if you didn’t stay longer. Jarrahdale and Serpentine

Sebastian Jones and partner Jamie Van Jones started Salt and Bush Eco Tours after coming back to Australia when COVID hit. Their work as nature guides has taken them around the world, from Patagonia to Greenland, but they insist the Peel region is every bit as majestic.

The forest trails and historic settlements of Jarrahdale/Serpentine are an hour’s drive away from Perth. Jarrahdale was Western Australia’s first timber town, and many of its former workers’ cottages have been restored. Pop into the tea gardens and browse the antique stores and artist studios.

Standing on the boardwalk overlooking the spectacular Lake Clifton thrombolite reef, just 30 minutes south of Mandurah in Yalgorup National Park, it’s hard to disagree.

Stay the night in one of Jarrahdale’s holiday railway carriages so you can spend the next day exploring the area’s abundant woodlands, parks, waterfalls and rivers.

The dome-shaped rocks stretching for more than 6km are, in fact, communities of microbes that enabled life as we know it. At about 2000 years old, the Lake Clifton thrombolites are relative babies but are among the few remaining formations of their kind in the world.

Jarrahdale’s Millbrook Winery is as celebrated for its food as its award-winning wine. Executive chef Guy Jeffreys oversees a no-waste, sustainable operation, growing all the kitchen’s fruit and vegetables in a 90-year-old heirloom garden. 

Travel+Touring

Marc Russo

ABOVE: The Lake Clifton thrombolites are among the few remaining formations of their kind in the world.

Travel+Touring

Russell Ord Photography

Lisa Watson Photography

As well as all the water activities you could wish for, you can strap yourself in for a zipline rush through the treetops.

Serpentine National Park is a popular spot for picnics, as is Serpentine Dam, and there are bush walks everywhere you turn, along with many scenic mountain bike trails for those wanting to explore on two wheels. Oldbury and Boddington

If you haven’t packed a picnic, head up the road to Oldbury, where the familyfriendly King Road Old Brewing Co does a fair trade in woodfired pizzas, as well as a fine selection of handcrafted beer and cider (be sure to nominate a skipper). Boddington, about 80km south-east of Jarrahdale, makes the most of its setting on the banks of the Hotham River. You can 40

Russell Ord Photography

fish, go canoeing, swim at Ranford Pool, or wander the old railway reserves in search of native birds and other wildlife. Go West Tours also runs tours of Newmount Boddington Gold, one of Australia’s biggest gold mines. You can visit the pit to watch the gold being ground, separated and then melted in a 1100C furnace, before trying your hand at panning for gold. Bookings are essential. Dwellingup

Dwellingup, just 90 minutes from Perth, is a gold mine for nature lovers and thrill seekers. The town is tiny but the surrounding landscape is a hive of activity for young and old. Take the picturesque

Travel+Touring

SIX THINGS TO DO IN THE PEEL REGION 1. Bush walk through Serpentine National Park and visit Serpentine Falls. 2. I ndulge in a pizza and handcrafted beer at King Road Brewing Co. 3. C aptain your own houseboat and explore the beautiful Murray River. 4. M ountain bike through one of the many trails in Dwellingup. 5. P addle along the Murray River at Lane Poole Reserve. 6. B ook a zipline rush through the treetops with Trees Adventure.

18km King Jarrah Walk Trail along the Murray River or board the Hotham Valley Tourist Railway (weekends, November to April) for a trip through forest and farmland. Head to Lane Poole Reserve for the real thrills. As well as all the water activities you could wish for, you can strap yourself in for a zipline rush through the treetops with Trees Adventure (open Tuesday to Sunday, daily in school holidays) or hit one of the Murray Valley Mountain Bike Trails, which cater for all skill levels. You’ll definitely earn one of Wine Tree Cidery’s thirst-quenching ciders made, of course, with Dwellingup apples.

To get to the heart of this special corner of the state, join Maitland Hill on a Kaarak Dreaming tour. The Aboriginal guide and artist will talk about the Noongar history of the region, teach you the six Noongar seasons and the traditional way to make a fire, as well as share Dreamtime stories.

Mandurah

“If there’s one thing I want people to take away from a tour it’s a connection to country they will feel anytime they return,” he says. “It’s about walking from two worlds – white and Noongar – into one where we all have the same connection. Dwellingup is the place you can do that.”

The food at Flics Kitchen is as delicious as it is innovative but be sure to book — it’s one of many popular places along bustling Mandurah Terrace. Samudera does a fine breakfast, too.

Mandurah is a far cry from the rich forests of Dwellingup but WA’s largest regional city has plenty to offer beyond its popular marina. The appropriately named Dolphin Quay is, however, a good place to put down anchor.

A cruise is almost mandatory in Mandurah. The waterways are calm and the wildlife abundant as the crew



Travel+Touring aboard Mandurah Cruises steer in and around the waterside mansions, which are no match for the beautiful family of dolphins swimming by the bow. The boat slows down at various points to pull up some crayfish and crab pots, so guests on board can get a close-up look at the region’s famous crayfish and blue manna crabs. Mandurah Cruises’ Wild Seafood Experience, a 3.5hr adventure on a crayfishing vessel, will take you out on the ocean to pull up crayfish pots before you tuck into a barbeque buffet of fresh seafood: barramundi, prawns, crabs, salmon, octopus and, of course, crayfish. Just about any water sport you can think of is on offer here – jet skiing, surfing, scuba diving, water skiing, or simply swimming at one of the many beaches. WhatSUP Board Hire & Adventures runs stand up paddle boarding in Mandurah from 1 October to 30 April (depending on the weather). The first lessons happen on land, as co-owner Steve Overton explains where to stand on the board, and how to

move the paddle so that you’re not going around in circles. Once you’ve learnt the mechanics, it’s time to put them to the test out on the water, and there’s a good chance a dolphin or two will come by to keep you company. Water is the lifeblood of this region and, at twice the size of Sydney Harbour, the Mandurah Estuary and Peel Inlet have more than 130sqkm to explore, and one of the most interesting ways to do it is on a houseboat. Mandurah Houseboats offers a range of “homes away from home” for hire that you can take around the estuary, inlet and up the beautiful Murray River. There are ample mooring sites to pull up for the night, stop for some birdwatching, or grab a bite to eat at the local tavern. You can even amble up the river to spend the day at the Peel Zoo. Best of all, you don’t need a skipper’s ticket. All boats are equipped with GPS, so you can’t get lost, though you’ll feel blissfully away from it all.

Just 10 minutes’ drive from the marina, the Creery Wetland Nature Reserve feels like another planet. Part of the internationally recognised Peel Yalgorup Wetlands, the once 178ha reserve, now just 29ha, was saved thanks to a local environmental group. Zoologist turned nature guide Sarah Way, who runs Ways to Nature tours, realised more people would see its value if they learned why it matters. As she leads you along the boardwalk, flanked by a carpet of green, pink and red samphire — now regularly seen on top chefs’ menus — and through the woodlands, Sarah explains its importance. It’s not just the resident waterbirds that depend on the nutrient-dense wetlands, but the migratory birds that make incredible journeys from the Northern Hemisphere every October to April. “Some of them are quite small, like the red-necked stint that we have here in huge numbers – they’re only about as big as a Tim Tam,” Sarah says. “And depending on where they’re coming from, they’re travelling between nine and 13,000 kilometres.” Surely, they deserve to enjoy the delights of the Peel region just as much as we should. 

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Water is the lifeblood of this region and, at twice the size of Sydney Harbour, the Mandurah Estuary and Peel Inlet have more than 130sqkm to explore.

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Travel+Touring

ABOVE: Preston Beach, Waroona.

Travel+Touring

Those beaches in between By Fleur Bainger

Ever driven down south, past turn-offs to other beaches, and wondered what was down the track? We’ve checked out some of those under-the-radar beaches between Perth and Margaret River to find out if these less-crowded spots deserve a look.

Preston Beach Distance from Perth CBD: 126km or 80min drive If you’ve never driven to Preston Beach, you’ll be struck by the unexpectedly beautiful lakes and wetlands that lead the way in. The road winds though Yalgorup National Park, which holds wetlands of international importance edged with peppermint and tuart woodlands.

Russell Ord Photography

Marked nature trails snake through the scrub, leading to waterbird habitats and wildlife havens. If you take the Old Coast Road from Mandurah (rather than the Forrest Highway), you’ll also pass by Lake Clifton and its boardwalk to the early life forms known as the thrombolites – this is the largest living thrombolite reef in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the only places on the planet where you can see them. But onwards to the sand. The small coastal town’s characterfully weathered General Store marks the way to the beach, which served as a place of refuge for residents in 2016, when the Waroona bushfire ravaged nearby areas. These days, the sandy stretch is a place for fun in the sun, adorned with

a delightfully unexpected children’s toy library filled with plastic buckets, spades and Duplo. There’s also a small, colourful playground, three free-to-use barbeques and five covered bench seat picnic tables. The beach itself is wide, with flat, caramel-hued sand with a slow rolling shore break. It’s backed by dunes smothered with fragrant coastal plants and grasses. Public toilets edge the large beachfront carpark, where four-wheel drive vehicles pause to reduce their tyre pressure, ready for the joys of beach driving, teamed with plenty of recreational fishing (camping is prohibited). Where to eat en route:

The Midway Farmstall sells pastries from Pinjarra Bakery and has child-friendly animals such as donkeys, chooks and a pig, as well as a fenced playground. They also serve puppychinos for pooches. Where to stay:

Footprints Preston Beach has smart, modern shacks and townhouses, a chic café-bar, pool and tennis court. What else is there to do?

A challenging 9-hole golf course replete with wild kangaroos will keep you busy.



Travel+Touring

ABOVE: Peppermint Grove Beach; BELOW: Myalup Beach.

Myalup Beach Distance from Perth CBD: 141km or 1.5hrs drive Only 25min on from Preston Beach is Myalup Beach, a place for people to truly get away from it all. Beach driving is a big attraction here: the 53.5km of sand between Myalup and Cape Bouvard make up the longest beach in the South West, so there’s plenty of terrain to roll deflated tyres over. As you’d expect, beach fishing is a beloved pastime in these parts (bait up for bream, tailor and yellow fin whiting), along with sandcastle building and paddling in the clear ocean. The small community numbers only 353 residents, with the Myalup Beach General Store the sole place to find a feed. The cursive neon sign in its window advertises the essentials inside: beer, burgers, bait and bacon. That’s all you need, right? Where to eat en route:

The Crooked Carrot Café is close to the Myalup turn-off. They do great pies and kids love the massive outdoor playground with trams, farm machinery, a rope wall and more. Where to stay:

The Myalup Beach Caravan Park and Indian Ocean Retreat have basic campsites as well as beachfront chalets; Stayz and AirBnB provide other options. Marc Russo

What else is there to do?

Head up the dunes to look for dolphins frolicking in the ocean.

Travel+Touring

BELOW: Binningup General Store; BOTTOM: Binningup coastline.

Distance from Perth CBD: 145km or 93min drive Driving into Binningup, you get the distinct sense there’s a warm and welcoming community where local residents outnumber holiday houses. Past a beautiful fish sculpture at the town’s entrance, there’s a large public grassed area with a skate park where kids zoom down ramps. Modest beach shacks give way to the foreshore, where a hefty playground pirate ship - the SS Playworld - faces the ocean, as well as free barbeques and shaded picnic tables. A boat ramp leads from the carpark onto the sand. Locals say there’s good snorkelling just out front, about 20m off the beach, and that March and April is when the coast is at its best, as warmer easterly breezes tickle the air.

Where to eat en route:

Miami Bakehouse is a 5min drive from Binningup, loved for its pies, coffee and treats (tip: the raw raspberry and chocolate slice won the 2021 Champion Pastry Exhibit at the WA Royal Show Food Awards). Dozens of painted kangaroo sculptures decorate the alfresco area. Where to stay:

The Binningup Beach Caravan Park has clean, well equipped bungalows, as well as grassy campsites, with a bouncy pillow and pool in the grounds. What else is there to do?

The Binningup Fishing Club’s Thursday and Friday night dinners are a hot local social event. 

Harvey Visitor Centre

From here, walk northwards and follow the marked walk trails to a wooden lookout, edged with native bushes and grass tufts; look back and marvel at the stately oceanfront homes. While it’s littleknown, there are surfable waves in these parts, rising up to 5m at a spot locals call Weed Beds surf break. It’s found north of where the caravan park sits; get there via a four-wheel drive cruise up the beach.

Bianca Turri

Binningup Beach

BELOW: Basalt rock formations at Wyalup Rocky Point, Bunbury.

Travel+Touring

Bunbury Back Beach

Where to stay:

Distance from Perth CBD: 170km or 113min drive

What else is there to do?

Bunbury Back Beach is a seemingly never-ending stretch of pale, soft sand facing the clear, blue water of Geographe Bay, yet it’s still relatively unknown. Moderate waves are perfect for beginner surfers and bodyboarders, while beach fishing and swimming also lure locals to this spacious spot. Ocean Drive runs parallel, delivering sweeping ocean views as you drive along; plenty of little carparks lead to the beach below. A walking/cycling path also clutches the coastline and picnic facilities and free barbeques are available along it. If you head north, you’ll reach WyalupRocky Point, where the sand meets basalt rock formations that are estimated to be 130 million years old. Where to eat en route:

Treendale Farm Hotel, Australind. It’s a 10,000sqm, busy, family-friendly pub set on land selected for farming more than a century ago. Kids flock to the outdoor windmill and boat playground, backed by a giant bird mural. The venue opened late 2020.

Bunbury Seaview Apartments are modern, ocean-facing and have a pool. The drive along Cathedral Avenue towards Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park reveals arches of paperbarks and peppermint trees, a jetty walk departing from the Discovery Centre, wetland trails and abundant birdlife.

Peppermint Grove Beach Distance from Perth CBD: 202km or 132min drive You know you’re nearing Margaret River when the sand turns sugary white. West of Capel and part of Geographe Bay, peaceful “Peppy Beach” is lined with two-storey and steel-stilted holiday houses that glint in the sunlight as they drink in the views. Getting to the beach is half the fun; it’s a beautiful drive between scrub, dotted with thousands of white lilies and farmland, where horses contentedly graze. On the coast-clutching hamlet’s southern side, there’s a beachfront playground with barbeques and a

sheltered picnic table, along with toilets and an outdoor shower. As the houses grow in stature, little walking lanes poke between, leading to the beach. As well as tranquil ocean swimming, leisure fishing and beach driving, there’s kayaking on the Capel River to the north of town. Where to eat en route:

Only a 5min drive from Peppy Beach, Capel Vale Winery makes for a bucolic lunch stop. Order one of the matched mains, such as malbec with pan fried duck breast and gaze over the vineyard as you eat. Where to stay:

For a spot that’s an easy walk to the beach, check online for private holiday rentals at Peppermint Grove Beach. Alternatively, head a little further south to the RAC Busselton Holiday Park, with motel style rooms, self-contained cabins, powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites. RAC members also save up to 20 per cent on accommodation. What else is there to do?

Drive through the nearby Ludlow Tuart Forest, believed to be the last remaining natural tuart forest in the world. 

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Our State, People+Future

Future moves NEW CARS MADE FROM OLD CARS Cars that contain plastic parts made from recycled materials like drink bottles, or other parts made from recycled tyres, are not new, but the technologies we have at hand to do this on a larger scale are growing. Audi has announced its intent to recycle plastic waste from cars to produce high-quality pyrolysis oil, which can be used instead of petroleum as a raw material to produce plastic parts for its new cars. Many plastic parts of cars are required to have specific qualities so they meet critical safety, durability and wear requirements, such as plastics used in making fuel tanks and airbags. Previously, these items had only been able to be made from virgin raw materials.

FREQUENT DRIVER POINTS BMW has introduced a quasi-frequent flyer points system for its plug-in hybrid vehicles, where drivers can earn points for driving their vehicles purely on electricity. The system is in place in the United Kingdom and Europe, and drivers can earn two points for each mile driven electrically, and four points for each mile driven electrically in a designated eDrive zone. Drivers get a 20-point bonus when they charge for a minimum of 15 minutes, and 500 points if they charge 20 times in a month. When drivers reach 3200 points, they qualify for an EV charging credit.

REAL TIME ROAD SAFETY Data from autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and other vehicle systems is being used to alert road authorities of dangerous conditions in certain traffic areas. AEB and other driver assistance systems can intervene in dangerous traffic situations and can reduce the severity of possible collisions or even avoid them altogether. Where there has been an accumulation of these interventions, this information can be provided to road planning authorities, helping them make decisions about how those conditions may be improved to make those roads safer. This approach has been explored in a trial run in London in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz. The car maker said this technology even has the potential to identify high risk locations prior to an incident taking place. 

Car+Motoring

Test drive

SMALL HYBRID SUVS GO BACK-TO-BACK We compare the Subaru XV Hybrid with the Mazda MX-30 Hybrid By Alex Forrest

TOP: The Mazda MX-30 has sharper driving dynamics, a well-integrated hybrid system and up-to-date styling; LEFT: The Subaru XV is better on slippery, unsealed roads thanks to its all-wheel drive capability; ABOVE: The Mazda MX-30’s driver assist features include an auto braking system that can detect other vehicles turning out in front of it, such as out of a side street.

Car+Motoring Car manufacturers keen to remain relevant and profitable are increasingly bringing electrification to their car model line-ups. Hybrid technology is a good way of doing that, but even among petrol/electric non-plug-in hybrids, there’s plenty of variation in how they work and how much fuel they save. In some hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, electricity makes up a significant proportion of the energy used to drive their wheels, whereas mild hybrids send less electric assistance to their wheels but still provide some fuel saving benefits. The Mazda MX-30 Hybrid is a mild hybrid. Its petrol engine receives some slight electric assistance from its integrated starter/generator, but the Mazda’s system primarily enables the engine stop/start system to stop for longer, and then helps make the re-start smoother by assisting to spin the engine’s crankshaft. The Subaru XV Hybrid is a more conventional hybrid, and carries a larger battery under the boot floor, which can power the wheels directly for very short periods. Let’s see how these two compare. Value for money

Pricing for the entry level versions of these two hybrids is close, with the Mazda MX-30 G20 E Evolve at $38,158 drive away and the Subaru XV Hybrid L starting at $39,987. Both offer reasonable value, but that value comes in widely varying ways. For example, the Subaru comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the Mazda is front-wheel drive only but has a more cohesive and design-focused cabin. The XV is also available as a non-hybrid, so you could save $3600 by choosing the non-hybrid option, though this will use slightly more fuel. Mazda’s non-hybrid SUV of a similar size is the CX-30, which will be about $1900 cheaper than the MX-30 and use only 0.1L/100km more fuel.

ABOVE: The current model XV Hybrid has the advanced driver assist features that would help its chances of receiving an ANCAP 5-star rating, including Subaru’s excellent Eyesight driver assist safety system.

Mazda MX-30 Evolve Hybrid

On the road

In both the Subaru XV Hybrid and the Mazda MX-30, the additional shove from the electric assistance is very subtle – especially in the Mazda, which is certainly the milder of these two mild hybrids. Under brisk acceleration, both can suffer from buzzy engine noise getting into the cabin, but once underway they’re refined enough for a small SUV. The XV is better on slippery, unsealed roads thanks to its all-wheel drive capability. Ironically, although this may encourage XV drivers to venture into the rough stuff, it doesn’t have a spare tyre. So if the going gets tough enough to badly damage a tyre, you may have to get going home on a flatbed truck. The Mazda, on the other hand, gets a space saver spare tyre. Safety and practicality

Both the Subaru XV and the Mazda MX-30 have 5-star ANCAP safety ratings, though the Subaru was tested in 2017 and the Mazda was tested in 2020. Testing protocols were stricter in 2020, however the current model XV Hybrid does have the advanced driver assist features that would help its chances of receiving a 5-star rating today. This includes Subaru’s excellent Eyesight driver assist safety system. The Mazda MX-30’s driver assist features are well integrated and include an auto braking system that can detect other vehicles turning out in front of it, such as out of a side street. The Subaru has an audible alert for pedestrians when it’s operating in electric mode, though both have pedestrian detection with their AEB systems. Verdict

Both the Subaru XV Hybrid and the Mazda MX-30 are relative newcomers to the hybrid scene, and it’s good to see more choice for consumers looking to dip their toes in these rising hybrid waters. Of these two, provided all our driving was going to be on sealed roads, the Mazda MX-30’s sharper driving dynamics, well-integrated hybrid system and its up-to-date styling, including those funky rearward-opening doors, would all have us looking long and hard in its direction.  53

ENGINE 2.0-litre petrol POWER 114kW @ 6000rpm TORQUE 200Nm @ 4000rpm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 6.4L/100km PRICE $38,160 drive away ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

*Hybrid system outputs not provided

Subaru XV Hybrid L

ENGINE 2.0-litre petrol POWER 110kW @ 6000rpm TORQUE 196Nm @ 4000rpm ELECTRIC MOTOR POWER 12.3Kw ELECTRIC MOTOR TORQUE 66Nm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 6.5L/100km PRICE $39,990 drive away ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

Car+Motoring

TOYOTA KLUGER The arrival of a petrol/electric hybrid option in the new Toyota Kluger has finally addressed one of the vehicle’s most glaring pitfalls – its thirst. Until June this year, the two-tonne Kluger had been powered only by a large, 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine which in the official test needed 9.1L/100km for the combined cycle and 12.4L/100km for urban driving in the all-wheel drive model. In real-world urban driving, that could go up to 14L/100km or more. Now, the new hybrid Kluger uses only 6.0L/100km in the urban driving component of the ADR laboratory test, and we found it didn’t need much more than that in real world urban driving, at 6.5L/100km. Though it does need premium 95 RON fuel. The hybrid system in the Kluger uses two electric motors for the front wheels and one electric motor in the rear, which are powered by an NiMh battery. A 2.5-litre petrol engine helps keep that battery topped up and helps with directly sending drive to the wheels as well. The hybrid system is the most important news about the Kluger, but it isn’t the only news.

ENGINE 2.5-litre petrol / electric hybrid ELECTRIC MOTORS Permanent magnet synchronous COMBINED HYBRID SYSTEM OUTPUT 184kW FUEL CONSUMPTION (AWD) 5.6L/100km (combined) PRICE From $58,630 drive away* ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

The V6 Kluger is still available, and Toyota says they’ve made it a bit more fuel efficient by adding an engine top/start system and some friction reduction measures inside the engine. Outputs of 218kW and 350Nm are the same as the previous V6. The interior is well designed and straightforward to use. The bodywork has been restyled too, but there’s still no doubt it’s a Kluger. A 5-star ANCAP safety rating for the Kluger was announced in June. With Toyota’s proven hybrid tech on board, this is now the most compelling Kluger yet.

*GX Hybrid

Car+Motoring

TESLA MODEL 3 LONG RANGE The arrival of the Tesla Model 3 – a medium-sized all-electric four-door sedan – in Australia in 2019 was the point at which Teslas made the leap from dream cars to those that are somewhat more within reach – at least for some people. The cheapest Tesla Model 3 is still $66,400 drive away, but that’s also well under half the cost of the next cheapest Tesla, the Model S, which starts at $174,250 drive away. The Model 3 also arrived in Australia at the same time as some direct electric vehicle competitors – at least on price. In the same pricing ballpark as the Model 3 are the Nissan Leaf e+ ($64,990), the Hyundai Kona Electric ($68,500), the Kia Niro S ($67,490) and the Mazda MX-30 ($72,540). Of its rivals, the Tesla Model 3 (in Standard Range specification) doesn’t have the biggest battery (54kWh), it doesn’t have the longest range (448km) and it isn’t the cheapest. But the Model 3 is built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform, it can be had with all-wheel drive and it does have an impressive full glass roof. Even in Standard Range trim, the Model 3 has very strong performance, and the almost total lack of mechanical noise makes it doubly important to be regularly checking the speedo. Tesla was among the pioneers of the large central touchscreen on the dashboard, which controls almost everything from the wipers to the radio band and Tesla’s Emissions Testing Mode – we’ll leave that to you to look up. The big 15-inch screen is great for designers aiming for a clean, button-free design, but it can pull the driver’s eyes away from the road unnecessarily. Still, the Model 3 is Tesla’s mass-market success story. It does most things better than the competition, for now, and it should be commended for that.



ENGINE Permanent magnet synchronous POWER 188kW (rear motor) 147kW (front motor) TORQUE 510Nm (combined) BATTERY CAPACITY 79.5kWh CLAIMED ENERGY CONSUMPTION 137Wh/km CLAIMED BATTERY RANGE 580km PRICE From $83,869 drive away ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

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Car+Motoring

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Car doctor

RAC members can take advantage of our Motoring Advice Line. If you have a motoring question, call 6150 6199 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm to speak to one of our experts.

Q I have a 2018 Subaru

Outback with 14,000km travelled. It is now due for another service at 24 months/50,000km. We wonder if the service interval of six months during which we have travelled only 3500km warrants the full service with replacement of fluids. I also wonder what impact doing less service work has on the warranty. Les, Carlisle

A Despite its low kilometres,

your car does need to be serviced within a given time frame. To retain your car’s factory warranty, you will need to have it serviced within the specified time and distance guidelines but remember you don’t have to have it serviced at the dealer to maintain the warranty. For optimal safety, fuel economy and reliability, sticking to the service schedule would be the best bet.

Q The owner’s manual

Q The Jeep Grand Cherokee

for our 2021 Isuzu MU-X does not mention the grade of diesel fuel to use. We have been using premium diesel when it is available. Is it worth the extra cost? Joy, South Perth

has a mode selection switch where you can select mud, sand, rock or snow. Can you tell me what happens when you select either of these please? I assume the wheel drive changes somehow. What happens if you choose the wrong one? John, Bunbury

A The term ‘premium’,

when applied to diesel fuels, has a different meaning from ‘premium’ when applied to petrol. Where premium petrols have important differences from regular 91 RON unleaded (primarily octane rating and sulfur content), premium diesel is fundamentally no different from non-premium diesel with the exception that the brands selling premium diesel claim it has a cleaning effect when used over long periods. We are yet to see any independent evidence of the cleaning properties of premium diesel fuels. Either diesel will be fine for your MU-X.

A According to Jeep,

when you select one of these drive modes, your Grand Cherokee’s torque delivery to each of the wheels, as well as its suspension ride height if it has air suspension, changes to best suit the terrain mode you have selected. For example, select Mud mode and Jeep says the vehicle will raise its suspension (if so equipped) for better ground clearance. Torque will also be sent to the axle with the most grip. Explanations of changes across all terrain modes are in your owners’ manual. 

WIN FREE FUEL Send us your question for the Car Doctor and if it’s published, you’ll receive a $50 fuel voucher to use at any Puma location Australia-wide, thanks to RAC Member Benefits. Send your questions to editor@rac.com.au or post to The Car Doctor, Horizons, GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839 Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number with your question. If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for delivery. See page 81 for terms and conditions of entry.

People, places, prizes and RAC news

Member lounge Keep your holiday show on the road Prepare your car for the summer heat, so it doesn’t let you down while you’re on holiday. Regularly checking your coolant level over summer is important as it helps to stop your car from overheating, in addition to preventing engine corrosion. With the engine cold, lift the bonnet and find the plastic overflow bottle connected to your radiator. The marks on the side will show high and low coolant level. If it’s low, top it up with more coolant, which you can pick up from an automotive store. Check your car’s manual for the recommended coolant type and don’t mix different coolants. Look on the ground under your car for recently leaked fluid. If you see any, take it to a workshop to be inspected. Before a long trip, check the tread depth of your tyres. In Australia, 1.5mm is the legal minimum but we recommend going no lower than 3mm. Also check for other signs of wear and damage such as cracks and bulges along the tyre sidewalls. These faults could cause a tyre blowout while you’re driving, which could be a critical failure at high speeds.

Keeping tyres at their recommended pressures is also important for maintaining optimal fuel efficiency, good grip, and even wear on the tyres. Check your level of RAC Roadside Assistance to make sure it covers you for the kind of driving you’ll be doing this summer. Visit rac.com.au/coverselector

Tourism Western Australia

Cracking on the side of the tyre is also a sign of age. Rubber hardens with age, reducing grip on the road, which is a safety hazard.

SAVE ON CAR AND TRUCK RENTAL RAC members enjoy exclusive savings on car and truck rental throughout Australia and New Zealand. Get 15% off the best rate of the day by quoting your RAC membership number by calling 1300 655 179 or book online at rac.com.au/carhire

Home+Life

CARPARK CRASHES SPIKE ON CHRISTMAS EVE As activity in shopping precincts increases in the leadup to Christmas, so too does the risk of the Christmas rush turning into a Christmas crash.

“Most claims we get are from cars reversing into one another and into other objects, such as trolleys, carpark barriers and railings.”

RAC Insurance claims data shows a sharp increase in crashes within carparks immediately prior to Christmas Day.

Overall, December sees a spike in the number of claims for crashes involving all parked vehicles, both in carparks and other parking zones.

For the past three years, 24 December has been the worst day for carpark crashes, and in 2020 the second-worst day was 23 December. Across those two consecutive days in 2020, there were more than 200 carpark crashes for which claims were lodged. RAC Insurance claims manager Glen Walker urges motorists to be extra vigilant when driving through a busy carpark. “It’s a very distracting environment – you’re looking for parking while also needing to be mindful of shoppers crossing all around you and other cars moving in and out of bays.

“It’s a busy time everywhere and it only takes a split-second lapse to ruin your Christmas. “Remember to slow down and follow the posted speed limits in carparks. When reversing, check all mirrors and also turn to see that the way is clear, and return your trolley to the trolley bay so it doesn’t become a hazard to others.” Stay well covered for the unexpected with RAC Comprehensive Car Insurance. Get a quote online at rac.com.au Be sure to check the PDS and TMD at rac.com.au to see if this policy is right for you.

Travel insurance and COVID-19 cover As interstate and international travel resumes, reliable travel insurance cover will become more important than ever before. RAC Travel Insurance now offers limited COVID-19 cover# on both the international and domestic comprehensive travel insurance products.

There is also a cancellation benefit of $3500 per insured adult if:

The cover includes an $unlimited** dollar value benefit of overseas hospital and emergency expenses if:

 You need to cut your trip short due to your diagnosis of COVID-19.

 You’re diagnosed with COVID-19 during your trip and need to quarantine and/or are hospitalised.  Your travelling companion is diagnosed with COVID-19 during your trip and your travel is disrupted.

 You need to cancel your trip before you leave because you’re diagnosed with COVID-19.

We also offer limited cover# for additional expenses, pets, special events and travel delay, as well as some additional benefits# that apply to Australia and New Zealand only. To find out more, call 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travelinsurance

 You need to cancel your trip before you leave because your relative is hospitalised with COVID-19.  Your employer cancels your trip to attend a COVID-19 emergency and you are a healthcare worker.

**$unlimited means generally there is no cap on the maximum dollar amount which may be paid out of this benefit, subject to specific terms and conditions, sub-limits and exclusions that apply to this benefit. #Limits, sub-limits and exclusions apply. Terms and conditions apply, check the PDS for details. Review the TMD to consider if this product best suits your personal circumstances. Issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246548)

Home+Life

A new look for Geraldton Our latest Reconnect WA project is a transformation of Chapman Road in Geraldton’s CBD. The project involved the creation of a series of vibrant artworks by local artists, including colourful planter boxes, window panels and interactive ‘selfie’ walls. There was also a reconfiguration of the road itself to create a pedestrianfriendly streetscape and additional space for people, with bench seating and a welcoming parklet.

HOW SECURITY CAMERAS SEE IN THE DARK CCTV cameras need light to capture footage, so sunlight is perfect to capture a good quality image. But for quality night-time vision, security cameras switch to infrared (IR) technology. Most IR cameras have a series of IR LEDs that transmit infrared light at night, or whenever the camera switches to night mode. One way to check how well a CCTV camera can see in the dark is by checking its lux figure. This indicates the amount of light needed to provide a good quality image. The lower the lux figure, the lower the amount of light the camera requires.

True night-vision infrared cameras can see in total darkness, which means you’ll often see a lux figure of 0.0 quoted for an infrared security camera. In addition to checking the lux figure, also check how many LEDs the camera has built in. The more LEDs, the further the camera can see. But remember you may not necessarily need long range surveillance, particularly if you’re monitoring an area close to your house, such as a porch or garage. Choosing a quality, high resolution camera will give you crisp, clear images both day and night. I f you’re looking for a security camera system call RAC Security on 1300 132 735 or visit rac.com.au/security

Security rebate Western Australians with a Seniors Card can now claim up to $400 per household to buy eligible home security equipment like home alarms and security camera systems. To find out more about the Safety and Security Rebate, visit seniorscard.wa.gov.au

Make the most of the great everyday savings you get as an RAC member. Whether it’s discounts on travel, fuel, gas for your home, pharmacy, groceries, entertainment, dining or RAC products and services – RAC members save every day.

SAVE AN ADDITIONAL 5% IN-STORE OR ONLINE AT WIZARD PHARMACY

Show your RAC member card and start saving today

Plus, RAC members save 10% off Complete Home Filtration Systems. See page 63 for details. 61

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Partner offers

Plenty of savings to spend on your cravings As an RAC member you get discounts on travel, fuel, entertainment and more.

That’s the power of membership rac.com.au/memberbenefits Member Benefit Terms & Conditions and exclusions apply. Refer to rac.com.au for individual offers..

Membership+Benefits

R18213

Save at these partners everyday visit rac.com.au/mb for more

RAC members save an additional 5%^ at Wizard Pharmacy That’s the power of membership

rac.com.au/wizard

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*Visit www.rac.com.au/wizard for full terms and conditions.

Members save 10%* off Complete Home Filtration Systems That’s the power of membership

rac.com.au/filtration *Visit rac.com.au/filtration for full terms and conditions.

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Partner offers

With savings on fuel you can afford to take the scenic route That’s the power of membership RAC members save 4 cents per litre off fuel at participating Puma Energy and Better Choice stations.

rac.com.au/fuel *Terms and conditions apply. RAC members will receive 4 cents per litre off the pump price of fuel, diesel and LPG, maximum 120 litres per transaction. Only available for RAC WA members at participating Puma Energy (excluding unmanned sites) and Better Choice stations. Offer not valid in conjunction with a shopper docket or any other fuel discount unless specified including Pumacard, Motorpass, Motorcharge or any other fuel card (WEX, Country Age Pension Fuel Card).

Membership+Benefits

Save at these partners everyday visit rac.com.au/mb for more

Starts Wednesday 1 December

Grand Prize JUKE Ti From $40,458# Driveaway

with Retravision’s 24 Days of Christmas Giveaways Total prize pool worth over $80,000

This Christmas, WA’s own Retravision is giving you the chance to win the all new Nissan JUKE Ti – drawn on Christmas Eve!

Members save

Plus, from December 1 through to December 24, you could win one of 24 daily prizes. To enter, subscribe to our eNewsletter. Or you can up your chances to win by shopping online or in-store – the more you shop, the more entries you get! For more information, visit retravision.com.au

The power of membership

@RetravisionAU Shop online 24/7 at retravision.com.au # The major prize for the Retravision 24 days of Christmas promotion is a Nissan JUKE Ti with standard features in Fuji Sunset Red exterior paint and black leather interior trim and covered by a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty, more particularly described at nissan.com.au/juke. The Vehicle is valued at $40,458 drive away when delivered in Western Australia as at October 2021. *Available to all valid RAC Members when a valid RAC membership card is displayed in-store or used online. Discount not applicable to the following brands which are excluded from the RAC member offering including but not limited to: Apple (iPhone only), Asko, AEG, Falcon, Falmec, Gaggenau, La Germania, Miele, Speed Queen and Neff. Retravision acts as an agent for these brands and isn't permitted to offer a discount or bonus. Discount applies to products only and does not apply to installation services. WH86854

Partner offers

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU’RE SHARING YOUR HOUSE WITH? EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF ALL PESTS - ONE CALL TAKES CARE OF IT ALL!

Members save

165

and 15% off all other services

190

$ EXCLUSIVE OFFER RAC MEMBERS

Normally $355. Offer only available once per household.

The CSIRO strongly recommends Annual Termite Inspections.

INCLUDES Termite & Borer Inspection 12 Month Service Warranty Free Spider Treatment Termite Management Plan

RAC MEMBERS

SAVE A FURTHER 15%

Termite damage is estimated to cost Australian homeowners $780 million per year. Termico can eliminate invading termite colonies using the latest termite management systems.

OFF ALL OTHER TERMICO SERVICES*

SINCE

1996

Trusted West Australian owned & operated company PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES

WA O W N E D

OBLIGATION FREE QUOTES - ALL AREAS * Discount only applies to the Termico Pest Management services listed. Offer available in Perth metro area and selected country areas (Bunbury & Busselton). Spider treatment not available with pre-purchase inspections. Discount does not apply to warranty renewal contracts, Termico special offers or to other products / services of the Termico Group. Available to all valid RAC Members when a valid RAC membership card is quoted over the phone or presented at time of purchase. Valid until 31/01/2022.

9443 9470 termicopestmanagement.com.au

Membership+Benefits

Save at these partners everyday visit rac.com.au/mb for more

Roller Shutters

SUMMER SALE NOW ON!

Members save

10%

The power of membership

Beat the Heat! Stay safe & secure by installing premium quality Nu-Style Roller Shutters Custom made in WA and backed with a 10 year warranty. • Increase security • Stay cool • Increase privacy

• Blockout light & the heat • Save on energy bills • Professional installation

Members save 10%. Plus claim the $400 Safety and Security State Government rebate^ FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE CALL nustyleshutters.com.au

1300 798 776

179 Beringarra Ave, Malaga

TODAY!

Stand #89, Homebase Subiaco

* ^T&Cs apply. Offer ends 31 January 2022. Visit our website for more information. Security Agents License no. 20818

Partner offers

Is your place Summer Ready?

Members save

10%

The power of membership

Purchase your next wash online with our e-gift cards

Members save

10%

off paints, stains & accessories

MAGIC WASH FROM $49 SUPERIOR WASH FROM $79 EXPRESS DETAIL FROM $99

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Shop online or instore. *Exclusions apply – see in store for full details at all Wattyl Paint Centres. Offer valid from 1/12/21 – 31/1/22. Promo code for online is: RACDJ21.

living.wattyl.com.au

magichcw.com.au

Offer expires 31/01/22. Discount only applies instore.

Members save

15%

The power of membership

The weather is heating up! Whether you’re staying on land, or heading out into the ocean St John WA has deals on First Aid Kits to keep your family safe this summer.

Caravan & Camping Kit

Boating Kit

Bites & Stings Kit

Visit stjohnwa.com.au/RAC or call 9334 1233 to redeem your exclusive member offer. *Terms and Conditions Apply. Sale items and only available while stocks last. Offer ends 1 January 2022.

Membership+Benefits

Save at these partners everyday visit rac.com.au/mb for more

Outdoor Blinds

SUMMER SALE NOW ON!

Members save

10%

The power of membership

Maximise your outdoor living this Summer by installing premium quality Nu-Style outdoor blinds They not only look stylish but will blockout the heat and strong winds. With our Summer Sale now on, there has never been a better time to save! FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE CALL nustyleshutters.com.au

1300 798 776

179 Beringarra Ave, Malaga

TODAY!

Stand #89, Homebase Subiaco

*T&Cs apply. Offer ends 31 January 2022. Visit our website for more information. Security Agents License no. 20818

Partner offers

Members save

The power of membership

FOR HIM | FOR HER | FOR KIDS Shop in-store or online at

wizardpharmacy.com.au

*Available RACmembers members when a valid RAC membership card is presented or online. members needRewards to be amember WizardtoRewards member to receive the 5% discount. *Availabletoto all all current current RAC when a valid RAC membership card is presented in-store orin-store online. RAC membersRAC don’t need to bedon’t a Wizard Discountnotnotavailable available on PBS prescriptions, clearance lines or RAC postage. RAC membership can only with be associated onecard. Wizard Rewards card. receive the 5% discount. Discount on PBS prescriptions, clearance lines or postage. membership can only be associated one Wizard with Rewards

Membership+Benefits

Save at these partners everyday visit rac.com.au/mb for more

There has never been a better time to install Nu-Style Roller Shutters, Security Screens and Doors

Members save

10%

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stainless steel mesh

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Feel safe, secure & comfortable in your home Increase your security & privacy by installing Nu-Style Roller Shutters, Security Screens & Doors

Nu-Style Shutters Summer Sale is now on, with prices reduced on Nu-Style electric roller shutters, security doors and grilles plus with the recent State Government Safety and Security Rebate^ for WA Seniors Card members, there has never been a better time to buy and save!

security for your home

Members save 10%. Plus claim the $400 Safety and Security State Government rebate^ FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE CALL nustyleshutters.com.au

1300 798 776

179 Beringarra Ave, Malaga

TODAY!

Stand #89, Homebase Subiaco

* ^T&Cs apply. Offer ends 31 January 2022. Visit our website for more information. Security Agents License no. 20818

Membership+Benefits

Other offers

Napoleon TravelQ RRP $549 RAC Price $479 Napoleon’s TravelQ all-black finish with chrome details will go with your outdoor decor. The cast aluminum, high-topped lid design of this portable bbq lets you take portable grilling to the gourmet level. Using the dual stainless steel burners, you have precise control over the temperature, just like on Napoleon’s full sized grills. BBQ Only - Travel Q Cart $130 RRP.

Masport Classic Four

Beefeater 1200 Series 5 Burner

GMG Daniel Boone Prime Plus Smoker

RRP $799 RAC Price $699

RRP $1299 RAC $1099

with 2 free bags of pellets valued at $80

The Masport Classic four is a Great looking compact 4 burner barbecue. It is Finished in a stylish gloss piano black with an attractive stainless steel trim.

Designed to reduce the time taken to assemble the BBQ, you can start cooking outdoors quicker. The powerful 15MJ/HR cast iron burners give you the flavours you’re looking for.

The Prime 12V direct power design has it all. Better temp control, greater fuel economy and faster start-ups. Maintain more consistent grill temps and monitor multiple food temps.

Neo Kitchen

Hark Texas Pro Pit

RRP $6999 RAC Price $6229

RRP $1499 RAC Price $1349

The Big Green EGG Bundle Package

The Neo Kitchen is stylish in design and will compliment any backyard. Being 2.9m in length makes this Barbecue kitchen a perfect size that will fit into most alfresco areas. Fridge included but in a stainless steel finish only.

The hark Texas Pro is the most popular smoker on the market. It has the same build quality of smokers twice the price which makes this smoker one of the best on the market for value for money.

RRP $1899 RAC Price $1749

RAC Price $100 Off of Retail Price Grill, Roast, Smoke. The Big Green Egg stands alone as the most versatile barbecue and outdoor cooking product on the market, delivering better results and more flavour than all other conventional cookers combined.

CANNINGTON 1399 Albany Hwy Ph: 9458 5724 Valid until 31/01/22

WA OWNED OPEN MON-FRI 9AM-5PM SAT 9AM-4PM SUN 11AM-3PM Members receive special up to 30% off 72

www.bbqbazaar.com.au

Membership+Benefits

Show your RAC member card and 230 startMorrison saving Road, todayMidvale, WA 6056

08 9274 6161 www.solarmyworld.com.au

OFF-GRID / ON-GRID

Solar myWorld’s SUNSYNK hybrid inverter is the most

Single Phase - 3.6kW, 5kW, 8kW

advanced inverter on the market and can do ALL of the

Solar myWorld’s SUNSYNK hybrid following SIMULTANEOUSLY: inverter is the most advanced inverter • Use solar energy for power consumption. on the market can do ALL of the • Use wind energyand for power consumption. • Send excess solar/wind generation to battery to be stored. following SIMULTANEOUSLY: • • • •

•

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Work inPhase parallel 3.6kW - 100kW Three - 8kW, 10kW, 12kW Work in parallel 3.6kW - 100kW

Pull power from batteries for power consumption if insufficient

Use solar energy for power consumption. wind/solar. Use wind energy for power consumption. • Pull power from diesel generator to supplement renewable energy. Send excess solar/wind generation to battery to be stored. • Restore battery reserves when excess power generated. Pull power from batteries for power consumption if • Use –wind/solar. Inverter & batteries for mobile Electric Vehicle charging 24kW insufficient output • Pull power from diesel generator to supplement renewable energy. • Restore battery reserves when excess power generated. • Use – Inverter & batteries for mobile Electric Vehicle charging 24kW output.

IP 65 rated

“Plug N’ Play” There’s nothing like this on the market. LifeLynk All-In-One Hybrid Inverter-batteries There’s nothing like this on the market.

Valid until 31/01/22

230 Morrison Road, Midvale, WA 6056 08 9274 6161 www.solarmyworld.com.au

Sunsynk Rackmount Inverter + batteries

Members save 5%

Get your Windscreen and Car Glass replaced FAST by Perth’s favourite car glass replacement team D & C Auto Glass • D & C Auto Glass has partnered with RAC to provide members with an awesome deal on car glass replacements. • RAC members can request a claim number, call us and claim a 10% discount from us for your car glass replacements. • If you only have RAC Roadside Assistance, don’t worry we’re not leaving you out, you are also eligible for our 10% discount on all car glass. • MOBILE to you in Perth metro and within 24 hours. Call us on 1300 322 886 and quote RAC10 to redeem your offer, or visit our website at www.dcautoglass.com.au. valid until 31/01/22

Members receive 10% off car glass replacements

Membership+Benefits

Other offers

SAVE UP TO

20%

UP TO 20% OFF NEW MOTORISED MOBILITY EQUIPMENT Mobility Scooters • Adjustable Beds • Lift & Recline Chairs • Electric Wheelchairs + More

Pop into one of our showrooms and test out the products for yourself 311 Selby Street North, Osborne Park and 2/17 Gordon Road, Mandurah Service, Repairs and In-Home Demos • www.motobility.com.au • 9242 7333 Valid until 31/01/22 *Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Members save up to 20% on Adjustable Beds, Lift & Recline Chairs, Scooters & Electric Wheelchairs, Stairlifts & Platform Lifts 74

Membership+Benefits

Show your RAC member card and start saving today

SCENIC HELICOPTER ADVENTURES SHOWCASING ESPERANCE’S PRISTINE COASTLINE AND THE FAMED PINK LAKE OF MIDDLE ISLAND’S LAKE HILLIER

MEMBERS SAVE 10% OFF

Offer is valid from 1 October 2021, until 30 April 2022. The RAC members discount can be applied to any scenic helicopter flight offered by HeliSpirit Esperance. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

0428 721 776 | helispirit.com.au Members save 10%

Drip Coffee Bags If you like café-quality coffee at home, hotel or campsite, look no further than MavensBrew.com.au drip coffee bags. Containing 12g of speciality-grade coffee, all you need to do is add water to brew delicious coffee wherever you are. Biodegradable bags available for camping on email request. Check out MavensBrew.com.au for more information and to follow their blog.

BREWING DIRECTIONS

Carefully tear open the top of the filter bag. Slip the paper handles over the edge of your cup.

Slowly pour 180 to 200ml of hot water into the filter bag. Ideal water temperature is 90˚C.

Code ‘RAC’ for 20% off

Attention Short term rental/AirBnb hosts Contact Tom@mavensbrew.com.au for wholesale prices and personalised value adding coffee solution.

Wait for the coffee to drip through the filter, then remove the bag and enjoy your brew!

*Finally; Coffee shop owners $25/kg Speciality grade beans.

mavensbrew.com.au

Members receive 20% off

Membership+Benefits

Other offers

Skylights and Roof Windows for any interior space!

31/01/22

Members receive 5% off Solatube Brighten Up Series Skylights, Solatube Whole House Fans & Velux Roof Windows with SkylightsWA

Hidden

WATER BORES 18 METRE BORE

RAC members pay $4,220

$3,750

plus get a free tap and pressure release valve (worth $240)*

More RAC bore packages & depths available – Ask us today!

Save

$1000’s on ongoing water bills

• Submersible bore drilled to 18 metres (ideal in most lower-lying Perth suburbs) • Tier one multi-stage stainless steel submersible pump with an industry beating P. M. Technology Italian 1hp motor • Standard single phase electrical connection to house power • Plumbed to existing reticulation • Your stainless steel pump will be invisible, deep beneath the ground.

Call for a quote on 9246 0111

Troy 0408 454 130 David 0499 248 562 | PERTH METRO Check us out online virginbores.com.au *Subject to obligation-free site visit. Other depths & pump configurations recommended/available as required depending on your location & depth to water. Assumes electrical & reticulation connection nearby & accessible, up to 10m cable and pipe run. Cannot be claimed in conjunction with any other special offer. Applies to package deals only. Valid until 31/01/22.. Must be claimed at time of quotation. EC14442

Members save $710

Membership+Benefits

Show your RAC member card and start saving today

Members receive $161 off with the code nomadiQRAC 77

Membership+Benefits

Other offers

Having Diﬃculty on the Stairs? 31/01/22 Valid to 30/09/20 30/11/20

Maintain your independence, let Acorn Stairlifts keep you safe to enjoy your freedom!

GARAGE DOOR NEEDING ATTENTION?

• The only company to supply and install our own stairlifts • For straight or curved staircases • Indoor and outdoor lifts • Free home assessment • Fast installation • Safe and reliable

  New Doors   Replacements   Services   Spare Parts We install, repair, and service all makes and models of doors & motors

9303 9334

105 Excellence Drive, Wangara WA 6065

1800 239 169

edenrocgaragedoors.com.au *must show or quote your RAC member number at time of booking. Discount applies to garage door spare parts and servicing only. Offer expires 31/01/22. 30/0 /20.

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE & QUOTATION Members receive $100 off any new stairlift purchase

Members save 10% off door spare parts and servicing*

10% OFF TO RAC MEMBER S *Con ditions apply

· Gutters and downpipes · Roof restoration

Cut your po pool water evaporation by nearly 100%

· Ridgecap re-pointing · Roof ventilation · All general roof repairs

We will beat any quote!

· All work guaranteed · Free quotes

with Elite Triple Cell Solar Pool Blanket

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Visit Elite @ poolcovers.com.au Visit our factory showroom at 10 Cressall Road, Balcatta

300mm $185 ZINC $195 COLORBOND Fully installed *Conditions apply /09/20 valid until 331/01/22

www.roofrenewals.com.au

*Offer available until 31/01/22. Factory direct sales only. Not valid with any other offer or if Elite has to measure pool.

Members receive 10% off*

Members get a free whirly bird on a full house gutter replacement* 78

Membership+Benefits

Show your RAC member card and start saving today

6.6kW

Thisequatesto

$250

solarsystemonaPerth homewillgenerate onaverage

ofFREE electricity everymonth*

29.04kWh perday

*BasedonCleanEnergyCouncilfigures

WHY WAIT? Start saving TODAY! $0 UP FRONT Interest Free Terms.** CHOOSE YOUR SOLAR COMPANY BEFORE YOU CHOOSE YOUR SOLAR SYSTEM! Since 2017 more than 700 solar companies have gone out of business leaving consumers with a worthless warranty.

Don’t take the risk!

SINCE

1996 WA O W N E D

Quality GoodWe 5Kw Inverter

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*Actual savings on electricty bills will be determined by how much of the power generated by the solar system is used, amounts will vary. **Terms and conditions apply, visit termicosolar.com.au for details. Price subject to product availability. Offer valid until 31/01/2022.

termicosolar.com.au

Members receive a $500.00 discount on all solar systems 79

We find the best, so you don’t have to. RAC Home Repair & Maintenance We know their workmanship and you know our customer service » » » »

No call out fee 12-months guarantee* on all repairs Access a wide range of home repair services through our on-line booking system A dedicated customer support team available 24 hours, seven days a week

Members save

10% off labour*

The power of membership

Book online at rac.com.au/homerepair or call 1300 655 057 *Terms and conditions apply

Terms+conditions

The Royal Automobile Club of WA (INC) 832 Wellington Street, West Perth GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839 T: 13 17 03 W: rac.com.au

CAR DOCTOR, PAGE 57 Entrants may submit more than one entry. Up to three entrants (winners) will be awarded only one prize as follows: one $50 fuel voucher to use in one transaction at any Puma Energy location Australiawide. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, telephone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in December/January 2021 Horizons must claim their prize by 21 December 2021. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy and security statement and group privacy policy.

WINNING MEMBER COMMENT, PAGE 8 Entrants may submit more than one entry. One entrant (winner) will be awarded only one prize as follows: a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance valued at $186. If the winner already has Roadside Assistance, the Classic Roadside Assistance will be applied as credit to their account until their cover runs out. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, phone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in December/January Horizons must claim their prize by 21 December 2021. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy and security statement and group privacy policy.

Member Service Centres – Metropolitan CAROUSEL Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Highway DIANELLA Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade MANDURAH Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way WEST PERTH (Head Office) 832 Wellington Street Member Service Centres – Regional ALBANY 110 Albany Highway BUNBURY Primewest Centrepoint SC, 60 Blair Street GERALDTON Shop 8, Stirlings Central SC, 54 Sanford Street KALGOORLIE 51-53 Hannan Street Travel Centres APPLECROSS Shop 2, 14-16 Riseley Street T: 6150 6459 CAROUSEL Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Highway T: 6150 6454 DIANELLA Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade T: 6150 6455 JOONDALUP Shop T31, Lakeside Joondalup SC, 420 Joondalup Drive T: 6150 6477 MANDURAH Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way T: 6150 6456 WEST PERTH (Head Office) 832 Wellington Street T: 9436 4830

Full terms and conditions for competitions available at rac.com.au/competitions

@RACWA

editor@rac.com.au

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holiday fun in Busselton » Surrounded by 8ha of natural bushland » Only 300 metres from the beach » Large grassed caravan sites » Self contained cabins » Two swimming pools » Kids activities

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Ten best Go fruit picking There are plenty of orchards within the Perth Hills and Perth’s northern suburbs that open their gates for visitors to pick fresh fruit. The Carmel Cherry Farm, S&R Orchard in Walliston, and The Orchard Perth in the Chittering Valley are popular spots for families. It’s best to call ahead or check their Facebook pages for opening hours before arriving.

Thrill-seeking kids will love swinging from the trees at Treetops Adventure in Yanchep National Park. After a short safety briefing, the tree ropes course weaves through tuart trees and features seven levels of difficulty that span wooden bridges, tight ropes, cargo nets and ziplines. Kids’ pricing starts at $28, bookings essential.

See dolphins and penguins From Rockingham foreshore, hop on a tour to swim with wild dolphins in Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, or catch the ferry to Penguin Island. Inside the island’s Discovery Centre, you can watch daily feeding sessions with rescued and rehabilitated penguins. Tickets start at $20 per child aged 3 to 12 and $25 per adult.

Experiment at Scitech No matter what day you visit, there’s always something to keep the kids busy at Scitech. The centre in West

Perth features exhibitions, puppet shows, live science experiments and stargazing sessions in its Planetarium. Tickets start at $12 for kids aged 4 to 17.

Go snorkelling There are plenty of local beaches and bays prime for beginner snorkellers. Mettams Pool in Trigg is popular with families for its protected natural rock pool thanks to the surrounding reef. There are similar shallow rock pools at Point Peron in Rockingham, which is home to diverse marine life including sea sponges and spider crabs.

Tourism Western Australia

Tackle a high ropes course

Tourism Western Australia

THINGS TO DO IN PERTH WITH KIDS

TOP: Feed and play with animals at Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm; BOTTOM: Hop on a dolphin tour in Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.

Go on a camel ride The Calamunnda Camel Farm sits in Paulls Valley, Kalamunda, and offers daily camel rides through the surrounding bushland. Intro rides start at $35 per person, and longer rides into the hills start at $50. Both are led by professional guides who share fun facts about the camels along the way.

Feed and play with farm animals Head to the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm to play with and feed ponies, alpacas, bunnies, piglets and even a miniature mule. A typical visit to the farm also includes a tractor train ride, a jump on the bouncy castle and a turn on the merry-go-round. Children’s entry starts at $15.

Explore AQWA’s underwater wonderland

Cool off at a water playground

See the colourful marine life in the aquarium area, hop on the escalator belt in the underwater tunnel, head outdoors to the interactive touch pool, and spend time in the playgrounds. Alongside these permanent exhibits, AQWA also hosts guided talks, tours and animal feeding sessions. Kids’ tickets start at $18.

Make hot summer days more bearable with a trip to a free outdoor water playground. The Hyde Park Water Playground in North Perth has a spongey splash pad and spray guns, the Rainbow Waters Playground in Ellenbrook has obstacles and water tunnels, and the BHP 82

Water Park in Elizabeth Quay has water jets and colourful lights at night-time.

Break out of an escape room Varying in difficulty and themes, many escape rooms have popped up around Perth in the past few years. Some of the best rooms for kids include the Disney-themed rooms at Escape Hunt in Fremantle and the pirate and wizard-themed rooms at Escape This in Northbridge. Some rooms have a minimum age limit, so check the T&Cs before booking online.  DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR THE TEN BEST? Send your suggestions to editor@rac.com.au

Everything here comes from here. Thanks to our pristine environment and shorter distance from paddock to plate, WA produce is the superior choice. Look for the Buy West Eat Best logo. @buywesteatbest #buywesteatbest

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

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