It’s almost a given that when you mention Australia to anyone, the first words out of their mouth will be, “Oh, I loooove Sydney!” And sure, the East Coast body-beautiful mecca should be a destination on any must-visit list. But point your holiday compass Westwards – and when it comes to Oz, you’ll be rewarded with a holiday that’s so laid back, you could put a carpet on it. With the Indian Ocean lapping at its miles of golden beaches and a visitor-friendly city that, although the fourth largest in Australia, is still comfortably cosy, Perth is perfectly placed as the starting point for travellers eager to check out the heritage sites in beyond-pretty Fremantle (“Freo” to the natives) or drive for a few hours more to Margaret River – Western Australia’s lush, green wine country.

The scenery’s the star here, and is the main reason why life in WA is lived outdoors as much as possible – with surfers hitting Scarborough Beach, while families set up camp at Cottesloe and stay until the city’s famous sunsets turn the sky hues of pink and orange.

The town centre itself, well-serviced by free buses within the central zone, is home to a mix of fab Aussie high-street brands such as Sportsgirl, Witchery and Supre – which any UAE-based fan of Forever 21 and Topshop will adore – and pavement cafe culture rules, with those in-the-know heading to Northbridge for cheap’n’cheerful eats.

Buzzing nightlife seekers should de-camp to Northbridge, while foodies will revel in the fact that Perth has the highest number of restaurants per head of population in the world. Spoilt for choice? Definitely. But hey the January detox is over, right…?

While you’re there…

Hop across To Rottnest Island
Far more appealing than its name, Rottnest Island – meaning ‘Rat’s Nest’ in Dutch – is accessible by ferry from the mainland. Just 11km in length – with cars banned on the island and bikes the way to go – Rottnest takes a leisurely approach to life. With over 60 beaches to stretch out on, the island is a must for snorkelling and diving fans, thanks to the fabulous array of marine life and fascinating shipwrecks lurking under the crystal clear waters. Head

Down To The River
A doable four or five hour drive from Perth will land you slap-bang in the middle of wine country, Margaret River. Tiny in size – the delightful main street literally is the town – Margaret River is the destination for wine buffs looking to sample the best of WA vino. Bagsy yourself not designated driver and spend a weekend wine tasting and lunching at your leisure, with Xanadu vineyard one of our faves.