Nicolette Barbas

It’s the only capital city in Australia where you can watch the sunset over the ocean, but that’s not the only reason Perth is one of the coolest places to visit. Once solely known for its pristine beaches and perfect weather, Perth’s booming restaurant and culture scenes, and its trendy sister city Fremantle (located just half an hour from Perth) have put WA’s capital city on the international radar. If you're visiting, it's well worth the flight over (which is a little over four hours from Sydney or Melbourne), we promise. RECOMMENDED: These are the best restaurants in Perth right now.

With more than 150 stalls, the Fremantle Markets are a weekend must-visit for locals and tourists in Perth. Whether you’re a regular market-goer or a first timer, there is something to eat and marvel at for just about everyone. Wander the aisles filled with weird, wacky and wonderful products, then make your way to the yard where you’ll be seriously overwhelmed with the food options on offer. After you’ve eaten your body weight in fried chicken, banh mi, souvlaki and eggy brioche sambos, grab some fresh local produce and a Levi’s hot donut for the road.

This 445-square-metre party barge dropped anchor in the Swan River in 2020, five years after the idea was originally floated. Taking in views of Perth’s CBD, Elizabeth Quay and Kings Park, the sleek, spacious and fully bouyant boat can only be accessed via The Raft’s private tender vessel from the Barrack Street jetty. Once on board, you can enjoy an Aussie wine and taps list, with shared bites and sweet treats to keep you going late into the night.