Margaret River Beach, Perth, Australia

This is just one of our favorite spots in Australia. Located south of Perth on the West Coast of the continent, Margaret River receives fewer tourists than most other spots in the country. For all you wine lovers out there, the surrounding country is famous for its wine production, with vineyard tours being a nice break from the beach on a hot day.

There's no end to the things you can do around here. Only twenty minutes and six kilometers from the beach, the Town of Margaret River is a center for just about every kind of leisure activity imaginable, which means you'll never be bored. Rent a kayak or surfboard, or if you’ve got a bit of extra cash, take a helicopter ride and check out the scenery from a bit of a different angle. There are also opportunities for rock climbing all around.

We didn't have the time, but everyone has great things to say about the Cape to Cape Track, running from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste. It's a bit of a commitment at five days, however. The visitor centers in Margaret River sell detailed maps.

The Margaret River is great for fishing. Fish abound, including bream, herring, and yellow fin whiting. There are also a ton of little nooks along the coast that are popular with locals, so a bit of socializing at the local bait shop might be a good idea.

As for the wine tours, take your pick. There are tons of options, including half-day and full day tours. Margaret River is best known for its wonderful chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and cabernet. Buy a bottle to take back to the beach for sunset, and see where that takes you.

Cottesloe Beach, Perth, Australia

Most of our beaches lay on the East Coast of Australia, and that’s where most of the tourists go. The West Coast, with the city of Perth as its anchor, can offer you the perfect beach experience, with miles and miles of coast all to yourself. One of the best on this side of the continent is Cottesloe Beach. Cottesloe is Perth’s most popular beach, and the town it’s centered in is also one of the most affluent suburbs of the great city. At only a 15 minute drive from the city center, this beach is one of your best options while staying in Perth.

The beach itself is a marvelous stretch of white sand, with warm Indian Ocean water beating waves down the coast. You can see for miles in either direction, one of the best unspoiled views from any beach in Australia. Swimmer, surfers, and bodyboarders all enjoy Cottesloe, along with snorkelers perusing through nearby reefs. There are a bunch of shops that rent out both surfboards and snorkeling gear. There are also convenient facilities available such as toilets, showers, and picnic tables.

If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the Rottnest Channel Swim from Cottlesloe Beach out to Rottnest Island. At a distance of over 20 miles, this is one of the longest open water swims in the world. The youngest swimmer to complete this epic journey was only 13 years old. Rottnest Island is Australia’s Alcatraz, having once served as a prison.

End a day in Perth with a beautiful sunset over the Indian Ocean facing west. That’s only one of the many differences between the East and West Coasts of Australia. You won’t be disappointed taking time to experience everything that Perth and the west have to offer.