Fremantle

Hovering gloriously between postcard-perfect tranquility and cheerfully brazen indulgence, watching sunset at Bathers Beach isn't just a pastime-it's a cultural rite of passage. Nestled in Fremantle's bohemian West End, Bathers Beach proudly hosts Australia's first licensed beach bar, a cheeky triumph of nation's love for sand, surf, and cold beverages. Sure, sunsets elsewhere are nice, but here, perched barefoot and slightly buzzed, you're following in the footstep-prints of cheeky 19th-century convicts and laid-back locals who perfected the art of beach lounging generations ago. For peak surrealism (and guaranteed envy-inducing Instagram shots), stake out your sandy real estate about an hour before dusk, when the sky morphs into a painting worthy of Van Gogh-though admittedly more Australian, less tortured. Reserve ahead on weekends, bring sunglasses, your appetite for seafood snacks, and $30-$50 AUD to casually toast the dying embers of daylight in boozy, beachside bliss. Even if the sunset fizzles, trust me-sitting toes-in-sand, cold beer in hand, bathed in the warm glow of history-meets-hedonism, you'll have earned a tale your friends back home can't quite top.

If you've ever dreamed of donning a mask, snorkel, and some questionably stylish flippers to channel your inner Jacques Cousteau-or perhaps your inner pirate-then the Omeo Shipwreck Snorkeling Trail in North Coogee is your aquatic playground. A century-old shipwreck lurking just offshore is now a thriving underwater metropolis bustling with flamboyantly colored fish, curious octopuses, and the occasional grumpy crab who missed his caffeine fix. This isn't your typical pristine coral reef-think rusty hulls draped in seaweed couture-but the charm is precisely in its rough-around-the-edges authenticity. Go in the morning-ideally early-to beat the crowds and maximize visibility, and don't forget sunscreen, as there's nothing stylish about lobster-red skin on the beach later. Best of all, it's absolutely free, though renting gear costs about 20 AUD and planning ahead a day or two for weather conditions is wise. Sure, snorkeling over a rusty old wreck, poked at by overly friendly fish might sound mildly absurd, but trust me-it's worth it purely for the bragging rights and the thrill of casually boasting at your next dinner party, "Oh, I was just exploring a century-old seabed relic the other day. Pass the wine?"

Forget white tablecloths and stuffy maitre d's-sampling seafood at Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour is like crashing a lively maritime picnic hosted by weathered fishermen and seafaring misfits who've never once uttered the word "artisanal." Set against a backdrop of creaking docks and swooping gulls eager for you to drop something delicious, this salty, scruffy haven has been the heart of Freo's fishing industry since the early 1900s-long before hipsters invaded with avocado toast and craft beer. Show up around lunchtime to snag the freshest catch (or brave the sunset rush if you crave a chaotic charm), but whatever you do, plot your seafood escapade a few days in advance-a prime ocean-front table at places like Cicerello's or Kailis' doesn't wait for indecisive diners. Budget around $30 to $50 AUD per belly-more if you're prone to oyster-induced extravagance-and pack wet wipes because decadent fish and chips dripping in lemon and vinegar were not designed for cutlery or dignity. Sure, you could get civilized seafood elsewhere, but dining amidst the clamor of boat crews unloading their catch from the Indian Ocean, swapping stories salted with exaggeration, is an experience worth savoring-if only to brag about it to your fancier friends later.

You may think you're civilised, sipping supermarket Shiraz on your IKEA sofa, but the Margaret River wine region invites you to politely discard that delusion. Just three hours south of Perth, this lush, coastal stretch isn't just picturesque-it's downright smug in how beautifully it produces award-winning wines, from bodacious Cabernets to citrus-bright Chardonnays. Plan your overnight jaunt at least a month ahead (the wine pilgrims descend quickly, especially during the harvest frenzy from February to April), and budget around $150-$300 per night to sleep off your indulgences in quaint vineyard cottages or quirky boutique hotels. Bring along sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and a sense of adventure; wine tasting is best tackled mid-morning when your palate (and tolerance) are still fresh. Historically notable as a surfer haunt turned gastronomic playground, Margaret River pairs refined tastings with a pleasingly rebellious coastal spirit; think of it as Bordeaux on a surfboard. So even if you don't come home an expert on oak barrels and tannin balance, the confidence to obnoxiously drop vineyard names like "Leeuwin Estate" or "Vasse Felix" at dinner parties makes it all worthwhile-plus, the inevitable hangover comes seasoned with salty sea breezes, satisfying gourmet picnics, and a story richer than your wine-snob acquaintances' cellar collections.