Perth

Perth is the most remote capital city in the world — closer to Singapore than to Sydney — yet that isolation is precisely what makes it special. Pristine Indian Ocean beaches, a thriving food and bar scene, and easy access to some of Western Australia's most extraordinary natural wonders make Perth a destination that rewards the travellers who make the journey.

Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) is Perth's headline attraction. A 25-minute ferry ride from Fremantle, this car-free island is famous for its quokkas — small, smiling marsupials found nowhere else on Earth. Rent a bike and cycle between 63 pristine beaches, snorkel crystal-clear bays, and take the obligatory quokka selfie. Rottnest is also home to significant Aboriginal cultural heritage and former colonial buildings now being reinterpreted through Noongar cultural tours.

Fremantle ("Freo") is Perth's port city and one of the best-preserved 19th-century streetscapes in the world. The Fremantle Markets (Friday–Sunday) are packed with local produce, handmade crafts, and street performers. Little Creatures Brewery, set in a converted boat shed on the harbour, is a West Coast institution. The Fremantle Prison — a convict-built World Heritage Site — offers excellent tours including a torchlight tunnel tour.

The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, about two hours north of Perth, is one of Australia's most otherworldly landscapes. Thousands of limestone pillars — some taller than a person — rise from golden sand dunes, creating a scene that looks more like Mars than Earth. Most day tours combine the Pinnacles with sandboarding at Lancelin and a lobster lunch in Cervantes.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden sits on the edge of the CBD and is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world — larger than New York's Central Park. The treetop walkway offers panoramic views over the Swan River and city skyline, and in spring (September–November) the park explodes with wildflower displays.

Perth is also the gateway to Western Australia's major adventure routes: Margaret River wine country (3 hours south), Ningaloo Reef and whale shark swims (12 hours north via Exmouth), and the Kimberley wilderness (via Broome). Dundee Adventure's West Coast tours cover the highlights with expert local guides.