One Week in Western Australia

"Santa Monica-Style Stay in Perth Situated across the road from Perth's most famous stretch of sand, the Cottesloe Hotel inherited a classic Aussie address. The downstairs pub is more than a century old, but the patio has been reinvented as the Beach Club, a sprawling beer garden that wouldn't look out of place in Santa Monica. There's an open kitchen cooking surprisingly good shared plates (try the spicy lamb meatballs or one of the Neapolitan-style pizzas) and multiple bars dispensing quality wines and Western Australian craft beers."

"Bush Walking and Canoe Touring in the Margaret River Learn about the indigenous Wardandi people on guide Josh Whiteland’s Koomal Dreaming bush walk. It ends with a didgeridoo performance inside Ngilgi Cave. Bushtucker Tours leads canoe trips that focus on native foods (shown), fauna, and medicinal plants. This appeared in the May 2013 issue."

"Brews with Views The Little Creatures microbrewery, housed in a converted shed overlooking the waters of Fishing Boat Harbour, was founded in 2000. After a morning spent exploring historic Fremantle, repair to the brewery’s convivial outdoor terrace and order one of four house-brewed beers. I find the original Pale Ale hard to surpass, particularly on a hot summer’s afternoon."

"Western Australian Beach Pad Pick one of 10 villas at Injidup Spa Retreat to be your Aussie beach pad. Each features a jarrah-wood deck and private pool as well as a kitchen stocked with organic Busselton eggs and a bottle of Lamont’s Quartet white wine. Draw back the foldaway doors come sunset. From $697. 61/(0) 8-9750-1300. This appeared in the May 2013 issue."

"Visit the longest Jetty in the Southern Hemisphere The Busselton Jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and it reaches out over the protected waters of Geographe Bay to the tune of 1.8 kilometres. Heritage-listed and well loved by residents and visitors alike, it's more than a jetty. The structure itself also houses a train, interpretive center, shops and the underwater observatory which is a stunning feat of engineering that allows visitors to get closer to the ocean's inhabitants than I've ever seen anywhere else without actually being in a submersible or diving. On a gloriously sunny day, the ocean around Busselton Jetty seems clearer than drinking water and schools of fish can be seen in an around all the timber pilons weaving in and out of the grasses which grow on parts of the sandy bottom. Whether swimming from shore or from any one of the access staircases that line the jetty, it's difficult to actually avoid getting one's feet or whole body wet. Busselton is a lovely seaside town but the jetty is a surprising draw. On first glance, it's like any in the world but take a closer look and you'll quickly understand why area residents are so proud of it!"

"Bikes, Bikinis, Beer and Bathing There's not too much to do on Rottnest Island, just off the coast of Perth in Western Australia, unless you want there to be! Since there aren't cars on the island, excepting the off maintenance vehicle and one bus, visitors use their two feet or a bike to get around. You can bring your own, or rent one. Since the island isn't large, you can't really get lost. Since there's very little infrastructure, there isn't much in the way of distraction from the pristine ocean water, white-sand beaches and incredible snorkeling that exists all over the islands surrounding reefs and limestone shelves. My recommendation: take the ferry from Perth or Fremantle and plan to stay one night at minimum. The first day, bike the entire circumference of the island just to get your bearings. Do so without stopping very much, as long as you gear up with extra water, then tucker yourself out and get a good night's sleep. (Campsites and small cottages are both available to rent.) The next day, walk or ride the bus to the spots which you note to have the best snorkeling or the least-crowded stretches of sand. Do nothing at those places except sunbathe, bathe in the water or snorkel. Simply, relax. It's incredible how so close to a major city it can feel like you are truly in the middle of nowhere and about as far from civilization as one can get without it being too far away to be useful in an emergency... One last tip: don't miss out on enjoying a scoop or two at Simmo's Ice Cream."

"One of Australia 's most famous beaches, Cottesloe is a popular place for locals to go jogging, play beach cricket and bask beside the Indian Ocean. The landmark Cottesloe Beach Hotel across the street features the Beach Club, Cott & Co. Fish Bar and the Verandah Bar, all designed for alfresco drinks, bites and good times overlooking the sea."