As one of the largest and sunniest states in the world, Western Australia is never short of intriguing and extraordinary holiday experiences. Here is a list of our must-see and do’s
Rottnest Island
Perth’s unique island, Rottnest is just a short ferry ride from the mainland yet a world away from the city hustle and bustle. This Class A reserve packs a lot of pleasure into a day.
Getting to Rottnest Island is a breeze. 19 kilometres off the coast, ferries depart from Fremantle, Perth’s Barrack Street Jetty and Hillary’s Boat Harbor on a regular basis. You can opt to arrive by helicopter or air taxi and reach in absolute style.
Rottnest consists of 63 stunning beaches, 20 beautiful bays and many amazing coral reefs. It invites you to enjoy some of Australia’s finest swimming spots, snorkelling destinations, and surf breaks. On the island itself, you’ll meet the one and only, the world-famous, only found in Perth, the quokka.
With no cars on the roads, riding is the most enjoyable way to get around, with bicycle hire available at the ferry terminals and on the island. If that’s too much effort, you can jump on the Bayseeker Bus which regularly runs around the island, dropping you off at some of the more secluded beaches and secretive surf breaks.
With a family? Family fun options with golf, tennis, shopping and guided tours can be found in Thomson Bay, as well as a selection of cafes, restaurants, and takeaway.
Tours on land and sea offer enlightening experiences, from wildlife encounters with quokkas, seals, and whales.
Many of the buildings commissioned by Perth’s Governor in the nineteenth century are still a favourite among holidaymakers today for accommodation, including the restored Hotel Rottnest and beautiful beachside villas. Alternatively, the old barracks are a value for money option for camping and backpacking.
Cottesloe Beach
Perth’s Cottesloe Beach is your iconic movie scene beach. It’s one of the city’s most popular spots for swimming, snorkelling, surfing. The perfect environment for drinking while watching ocean sunsets over a glass of wine, a refreshing beer, or a relaxed dinner.
Cottesloe Beach can be reached by car, bus, or train from Perth. Take the 15-minute drive from the city, hop on the Transperth buses, or jump on the Fremantle train line and enjoy a breezy 600-meter walk to the beach from Cottesloe train station.
What makes it a community choice among Perth’s 19 sensational white sandy beaches, is its multiple attractions. Grand Norfolk Pines for shade, smooth luscious lawns for picnics and pristine white sand for sunbathing offer the perfect setting for a family fun day.
A buzzing array of restaurants, cafes and bars for a chilled Sunday or enjoying a beachside breakfast, lunch, or dinner with the amazing sunset in the background.
Crystal clear waters make it a regular hangout for swimmers, bodyboarders and surfers, while the reefs entice snorkelers to hit the water too.
In March, you’ll also see Sculpture by the Sea transform the foreshore into the most incredible outdoor art gallery unlike any other.
Swan Valley
Swan Valley, world-class wineries, breweries, distilleries, countless gourmet artisan goods, handcrafted wares, bustling markets, vibrant studios, top-notch eateries and endless experiences, the list goes on. just 25 minutes from Perth.
There’s a reason why the finest artisans in the land call the Swan Valley home.
World-class chefs from around the world travel thousands of miles across the globe to relocate here. Brewers, chocolatiers, honey producers and ice cream and nougat makers have set up shop in swan valley making it a connoisseur’s dream. Leading vineyards choose to plant their vines here with their nutritious soil. This is a place where the earth is rich, and fruit and vegetables are groomed to perfection under a warm sun. Where grape varietals flourish. Where cows and poultry are raised with open space and kindness, creating succulent local meats. This is a place that takes its fresh produce very seriously.
It’s a place steeped in Indigenous and Mediterranean migration history, rooted with the oldest vines in WA, with time tested recipes and generations of tradition and passion engraved into the land. It’s an artist’s mecca too, with leading sculptors and the finest artists setting up impressive studios and galleries across swan valley.
The Swan Valley is bathed in stunning sunshine for most of the year, making it the ideal region to visit during every season.
Roadside stalls packed with seasonal produce picked straight from the backyard. Top-notch restaurants and cafes in abundance, offering everything from exquisite fine dining to salt-of-the-earth pub grub to traditional high tea. Add to that an ever-growing list of gourmet artisan products, from extra virgin olive oils, tapenades, marinated olives to handmade chocolate, fudge, truffles, ice cream and nougat. With over 20 varieties of crisp, juicy table grapes and rich, specialty cheeses to be hand selected and sampled to compliment your wine.
Fine wine gets better with age. But go back a little further, and that quality begins with generations-old grapes that have spent many a decade dependably fruiting with the passing seasons. The oldest vineyards in Western Australia belong to the Swan Valley region with over 180 years of winemaking harvests. Let’s not forget the hops and cider. Home to some exquisite breweries and cideries, the Swan Valley’s exclusive range will tempt the tastebuds of beer or cider connoisseurs from around the world.
