Adventures in Perth

A visit to Perth isn't complete without wading into crystal-clear waters and wiggling your toes in the sand.

Popular seaside destinations near the city centre include Cottesloe Beach and Scarborough Beach, where you can take in panoramic views while dining at the rows of restaurants. Or pop by Hillarys Boat Harbour to browse through quirky shops, visit the aquarium and stroll down the boardwalk as the sun sets.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden is your go-to for picnics and bird's-eye views of the CBD, and the port city of Fremantle offers a quaint weekend farmers' market and beachfront fish and chips joints.

#Quokkaselfies are all the rage this year (just google it). These furry marsupials look like the happiest creatures on Earth, and they're incredibly tame and friendly.

Mainly found on Rottnest Island, a short ferry ride from Fremantle or Hillarys Boat Harbour, the smiley critters freely roam the area, so don't be taken aback when you encounter one peering at you as it nibbles on a leaf. Besides snapping photos of them, you can also sign up for walking tours, biking trails, family-friendly games and water sports.

So you've conquered surfing on water and snow. Next stop: sand. The Lancelin Sand Dunes, a 3-hour drive from Perth, are a sight to behold, with meringue-like peaks of white sand that extend into infinity.

You grab a board from a nearby shop, trek up the slope, and make like a kid at a playground. Don't forget to pack your sunnies.

If the idea of swimming among shipwrecks and hanging out with sea creatures gets you pumped, pay a visit to the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Made up of limestone islands and sandy bays, the sanctuary is home to an array of marine life, such as corals, bottlenose dolphins and sea lions.

Another spot further afield, in Exmouth, is Turquoise Bay, a beach in Cape Range National Park that sits by Ningaloo Reef. It's an idyllic, picturesque snorkel site that's rich in biodiversity, from corals to schools of fish.

Hop on a quick ferry across Shoalwater Bay to frolic among Little Penguins (that's really the name of the species) on Penguin Island. These wild creatures – they're the smallest penguins in the world – are shy and tend to stay out of your path, so drop by the Discovery Centre to watch feeding sessions and learn more about them from the rangers.