Kangaroos Koalas Beaches Wine and a Few Very Opinionated Emus
I recently spent some time visiting family in Perth and I have to say Western Australia is a brilliant destination for a family holiday. It has incredible beaches wildlife everywhere amazing scenery and a relaxed lifestyle that makes you slow down and enjoy the moment. It also has kangaroos casually hopping around like they are just popping to the shops which never stops being exciting.
Before I get into the exploring I should probably mention the journey. We flew Business Class with Emirates which, when you are travelling all the way to Australia and your husband happens to be 6 foot 4, is quite frankly a wonderful idea if you can stretch to it. Being able to lie flat and arrive feeling vaguely human is worth it. That said there are plenty of other flight options and cabin choices available depending on your budget so there is always a way to make the journey work.
One of the most unique things we did was visit the Coogee Maritime Trail and the Omeo Shipwreck. This is a fantastic snorkelling experience and a great day out for families. The shipwreck lies just off the beach and forms part of an underwater trail with plaques explaining the marine life and maritime history.
You can explore it here
Coogee Maritime Trail
Top tip from me if you are travelling with children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer check the tide times before you go. Low tide is best because the fish are much closer to the surface which means you get to see far more.
Another must do in Perth is Kings Park. It sits high above the city with incredible views across the skyline and the Swan River. One of the highlights is the Lotterywest Federation Walkway, a 620 metre treetop walk through the botanical gardens which includes an elevated glass and steel bridge suspended above the canopy.
More details here
Kings Park
The views are absolutely stunning although if you are not a fan of heights you may find yourself walking very quickly while pretending you are completely fine.
We also spent time in Fremantle, although I quickly learned you should only call it Freo if you want to blend in with the locals. Say the full name and apparently they can spot you as a visitor instantly. Freo has such a great atmosphere with historic buildings markets brilliant food small bars and plenty of places to sit outside and watch the world go by.
More details here
Fremantle
One of my personal highlights was heading south to Margaret River. Anyone who knows me knows a good red wine is one of my favourite things so this region was always going to be a winner. We stayed in Busselton so we could explore the wineries and the coastline. My husband is teetotal which works perfectly as it means someone sensible is always driving.
The drive itself is beautiful through tall forests and depending on the season colourful wildflowers. The direct drive takes about three and a half hours but ours took most of the day because we kept stopping.
Margaret River town itself has a relaxed artistic feel with galleries cafés surf shops and some brilliant places to eat and drink. One of the best known spots is Settlers Tavern which has an incredible wine list of around six hundred bottles.
For dessert you cannot miss Margaret River Gelato Co which serves fantastic homemade gelato and was very popular with the family.
More details here:
Margaret River Gelato
Now if I was not staying with family in Perth my personal choice would absolutely be to stay in Scarborough. The city is amazing but it can get very hot and being by the coast means you get that lovely sea breeze which makes a big difference. I would also choose a villa or apartment so you have space and somewhere for the car because Western Australia is made for road trips and exploring.
Scarborough Beach itself is stunning with long stretches of white sand and clear blue water. There are lots of restaurants and places to sit and watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean which is pretty special.
One of my favourite little spots here is Little Wave, a lovely small café and wine bar overlooking the beach. It is perfect for a morning coffee or a relaxed drink while doing a bit of excellent people watching.
More details here:
Little Wave
Other great food spots around Scarborough include
The Sandbar Beach Café for relaxed beachfront dining
Sandbar Beach Café
El Grotto for tacos margaritas and a bit of a beach party vibe
El Grotto
Another fantastic place to visit along the coast is Hillarys Boat Harbour which is brilliant for families. There is a netted swimming beach which makes it very safe for children to play in the water and the whole area has a fun holiday atmosphere.
Hillarys Boat Harbour
You will also find skate parks outdoor rock climbing playgrounds and plenty of places to walk around the harbour. For me simply strolling along the waterfront and looking out at the ocean is a massive part of what makes a holiday feel special.
One thing worth mentioning when visiting Australia is the sun. Because of the ozone layer the temperature can sometimes feel cooler than it actually is and it is very easy to burn quickly without realising. Always make sure you have sunscreen on and if you are swimming in the ocean try to use a reef safe sunscreen to help protect the marine environment.
My personal favourite is Tropic Skincare. It smells lovely gives great protection and importantly it is reef safe. They also have an excellent reputation for sustainability which is something that is becoming more and more important when travelling.
Find out more about Tropic Skincare below:
Tropic Skincare
And of course we cannot talk about Australia without mentioning the wildlife. During our visit we were lucky enough to see kangaroos emus and koalas. Kangaroos are exactly as amazing as you imagine and spotting one always feels special. Emus on the other hand seem to have an impressive level of confidence and behave like they absolutely run the place. Koalas have clearly mastered the art of relaxation and spend most of the day sleeping in trees which honestly seems like a very sensible lifestyle choice.
Perth really is one of those destinations that has a bit of everything. Incredible beaches amazing nature fantastic food and wine and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. It is relaxed welcoming and perfect for families.
If Australia has been sitting on your travel wish list Perth is a brilliant place to start. Just remember one important thing if you visit Fremantle make sure you call it Freo otherwise the locals will know immediately that you are not from around there. Trust me on that one.
