Lonely Planet Asia — April 2017

PERTH AT A GLANCE

Activities

PHOTOGRAPH: FLICKR /DUEN EE CHAN, FLICKR/DAVID EASTWELL, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Rottnest “Rotto”

Take a ferry to an island

that abounds with

things to both see and

do. With 20 pristine

bays and 63 beaches

• some of the finest
  beaches in Australia
  no doubt – Rottnest,
  or “Rotto” as it is
  known locally, is also
  a protected nature
  reserve home to the
  world’s friendlist
  animal – the quokka.
  There are also water
  sports, bike and segway
  tours, skydiving and more on
  this island off Perth’s coast.

FROM TOP Chimerical

sunset at Cottesloe

Beach; delectable

souvenirs from Swan

Valley; easily befriend

quokkas, which are

native to Rotto;

limestone formations

within Nambung

National Park

Swan Valley

Located 25 minutes from Perth’s CBD, it

is hard to completely process everything

that this destination has to offer. The

oldest wine region in Western Australia, it

has now been developed into a delectable

natural abode with over 150 attractions

for visitors to see and experience. Be

inspired by the artisan wares, sip the

coveted Chenin Blanc’s or Cabernet, and

join in the artistic culinary experience

through specialised masterclasses at

Australia’s first Humane Food Region for

the ethically conscious diners. The

sprawling natural landscape is also home

to artist studios and galleries, such as the

Battistessa Studio and Gomboc Gallery,

as well as the must-visit Margaret River

Chocolate Factory that offers free entry

and tasting, as well as viewing windows

to fulfill every chocolate lover’s Charlie

and The Chocolate Factory fantasy.

Cottesloe Beach

Halfway between the CBD and Fremantle,

this beach is essentially 1.5km of golden

sand, clear waters and consistent waves

that make it the ideal spot for the

swimmers and surfers. The beach is also

particularly famous for the incomparable

view of the sun setting over the Indian

Ocean, and has been the locals favourite

beach to visit for over a hundred years.

Pinnacles Desert

For those done surfing the

waves, a three-hour drive from

Perth invites you to surf the

sand dunes at Pinnacles,

located within the Nambung

National Park. Yet, the park

sits on the Indian Ocean.

Limestone pillars arise from

the land in the desert, and

date back to a time when the

sand was beneath the sea.

Learn more about the

Pinnacles at their interpretive

discovery centre, and enjoy

the biodiversity around this

marvellous spot.