Australia: Go West For A Perth-ect Holiday

Remote Perth has long been overlooked as a hot destination. Holidaymakers and backpackers both have traditionally flocked to the East Coast and ignored this western sunspot in favour of iconic Sydney and trendy Melbourne.

But, six hours closer than its East Coast counterparts, at last Perth is garnering the attention it deserves. And here’s why:

Beach Babes
Pack your suntan lotion because Perth has no less than 19 stunning beaches! With Western Australian beaches adding up to almost 21,000 kilometres of white sand, there’s plenty of room for everyone to pitch their umbrellas. Perth’s beaches tend to be less built up on than East Coast hotspots like Bondi, but local favourites like Cottlesloe Beach, City Beach and Swanbourne all have vibrant cafes and restaurants as enticing as the surf.

And for culture vultures, between 6 – 23 March, Sculpture by the Sea will be back at Cottlesloe Beach. Over 70 local, interstate and international artists will transform the sand into a sculpture park and it’s free to visit. With the sun setting on the Indian Ocean in the background, this is Perth at its best.

Our favourite beach cafes are:
Il Lido at Cottlesloe – controversially this gem doesn’t face the tide but more than makes up with it with its classic Ozzie brunches and to-die-for Italian food later in the day. Our advice is to fill up on food here and then nip across the road to The Indiana Tea House for a cocktail and an ocean view.

The Naked Fig at Swanbourne – part of the small but perfectly formed Fig chain, this is a great place for food all day long. Smoothies are particularly good here.

Clancy’s Fish Bar at City Beach – often featuring live jazz or local bands, they’ve even been known to offer impromptu belly dancing!

Eating and drinking
In recent years, all the major chains including Jamie’s Italian and Nandos have flocked to Perth for those needing a touch of home.

For those more interested in going local, we’d suggest heading to Mount Lawley; a haven for foodies. Our top picks would be the Beaufort Street Merchant, if you’re looking for good Australian food and a buzzy atmosphere, or for something fancier, try Must winebar.

And to wash it down, head to the city centre, where rooftop drinking is the name of the game. You can’t beat star-gazing at The Greenhouse, or people watching at The Print Hall.

Edgy Cool
Long viewed as Perth’s edgier younger sister, visitors to Perth should head to neighbouring city (15 minutes on the train or by car).

Far prettier than Perth, architecturally Fremantle offers as close as Australia can get to history with its pretty facades and colonial style buildings. Built to house convicts (Fremantle prison is well worth a visit), Fremantle has a grungier vibe and some great watering holes.

We love The Monk brewery, which offers beer brewed onsite and also serves decent pizza. A little more touristy, Little Creatures may be worth a look (and has kangaroo on its menu) for beer aficionados.

Those looking for a more authentic experience should avoid it, knowing they can sup Little Creatures’ excellent beverages in most of the more popular bars across the city.

Tick The Tourist Box
To meet the real natives, head to Caversham Wildlife Park where kangaroos of all colours, shapes and sizes (including orphaned albinos) roam the park freely and visitors are allowed to pet and hand feed them.

If you want to get even more up close and personal, at Cohunu Koala Park it’s actually possible to cuddle a koala, as long as you’ve donned a flak jacket first. They might look cute, but their claws can be pretty sharp!

Winning Wines
Lovers of Australian wine will rejoice to hear that two of Western Australia’s best producing areas are within easy reach of Perth. Swan Valley can easily be done in a day trip (there are plenty of organized tours or you can drive yourself – if you remember to spit rather than swallow) and is accessed either by bus or boat. Brit favourite Houghton’s can be found up here as can Sandalford.

For those who want more of an in depth experience, Margaret River is just three hours away from Perth by car. Here, head for Caves Road, which is studded with family run wineries, which are more than happy for you to turn up at their cellar door and sample a drop or two.

Our favourites are Cape Naturaliste (which won the best wine in the world in 2012 but remains refreshingly down to earth!), Lenton Brae and Vasse Felix – which is a great place to stop for lunch. Those wanting to make a weekend of it should stay at Bunker Bay Resort, a gorgeous local hotel, complete with private beach and pool.

Shop ‘Til You Drop
If, like us, you feel it’s not a holiday without blowing some cash on a shopping spree in a different currency, you’ll find all the usual international designers like Tiffany’s, Gucci, Prada, and recent addition Chanel (oh how the locals rejoiced) on King Street in the Central Business District.

Those on a more realistic budget should try shopping in the Claremont Quarter, where you should find some decent bargains at Aussie stalwarts Witchery, Country Road or Cue. For more unique pieces, with a slightly higher price tag, head straight for Zimmerman, a label favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge on her Australian tour.

Bargain hunters be warned: Don’t leave your shopping till the last minute, and think you can pick it up at the airport. Perth airport is notoriously small town, with little to offer but traditional Australian souvenirs such as didgeridoos and sacs made out of kangaroo, well, sacs.

Where To Stay
Until recently, Perth was running short on decent hotels, but that’s all changing as the gold rush of the mining boom has seen the city glitz itself up.

We’d recommend old celebrity favourite The Richardson, where celebs like Beyonce and Jay Z, Rihanna and Pink, lay their heads when they’re in Perth. The spa and restaurant there are both to die for, but book early.

If you’re looking for something more central, with views of the Swan River and easy access to the CBD, try Hyatt Regency Perth or The Terrace. The Hyatt has more of a corporate feel to it, while the Terrace has old world charm. Both are well appointed for access to the after work bar and restaurant scene.

Boasting beaches on every corner, booze you’ll want to remember (and bring home) even if you’re drunk enough to forget, and wildlife you won’t see anywhere else in the world, there’s only question left: When can I book my flight?

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[Britain's Top 10 Beaches]