City break: While Perth is still in possession of some of Australia's most beautiful beaches, there's more to this capital city than surf breaks and sundowners. Summer is an especially great time to visit: check out the quirky Fringe World in January, while the Perth International Arts Festival keeps the party going in February and March. A distinctly urban vibe is also evident, with seriously great food and slick wine bars popping up everywhere. Mrs Brown’s in North Fremantle is arguable one of the best: great drinks, great tunes, great services, great vibes, and Flipside Burgers just next door. Country mile: Western Australia is famous for its wildflowers, best seen right now until December. Check them out on a self-driving tour through the country’s golden outback. You can choose from a day’s meander to a five-day coastal tour, depending on your enthusiasm. Make sure you add the Margaret River Region to your itinerary too: while there’s no need to introduce its wines, the area’s rich Aboriginal history gives insight to the fascinating culture of its original inhabitants.
Off-road: Between Lancelin and Cervantes, about 150km north of Perth, is an off-roader’s nature-reserve dream. Showcasing some of Australia's best wildlife, the Nambung National Park in particular is a great place to put your 4WD through its paces, plus the coastline location means good fishing and surfing can be had, too. Just past the Nambung National Park is the famous Pinnacles Desert - a real must-see.
Image credit Tourism Western Australia