MY 10 TRAVEL BUTLER PICKS
1 FREMANTLE is a mix of old and new world charm, artisanal food, hand-crafted beers, great coffee, quirky boutiques and a lively music, arts and festival scene.
2 YAGAN Square in Perth has just opened and is a hub of activity both during the day and at night, with cafés, restaurants, pop-ups and shopping providing plenty of things to see and do.
3 KINGS Park, Perth, is rich in Aboriginal and European history and home to the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden, with fascinating Bushland walking trails.
4 BUSSELTON, south of Perth, for seaside cafés, kiosks and restaurants, along with bike paths, and a white sandy beach. Take the train ride to the end of Busselton Jetty.
5 MARGARET River Region, south of Perth, is not all about the wine (although it is great): the coastline is spectacular.
6 SWIMMING with whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef in Exmouth, (which is a two-hour flight from Perth) is an experience you will never forget – from April to September is when these gentle giants usually visit.
7 PINNACLES Desert, for its eerie limestone spires, scattered around the desert; visit at sunset or sunrise for amazing pictures of the shadows cast across the sand.
8 SUNSCREEN! Australian sun is strong, and while it is easy to get excited by sun and warmth, there is nothing worse than getting sunburnt and it affecting your holiday.
9 MAKE sure you sample Western Australia’s amazing local wines. Margaret River is a fabulous choice for wine enthusiasts.
10 WHEN in Perth, head up to Northbridge: once a destination for backpackers only, this part of the city has fabulous restaurants popping up consistently.