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Five highlights of Western Australia

Australia offers plenty to do and see, and when you have relatives living there, you get to know local haunts a little better and indulge in activities not quite as common for tourists as well.

Australia offers plenty to do and see, and when you have relatives living there, you get to know local haunts a little better and indulge in activities not quite as common for tourists as well.

But really, it’s all about thinking out of the box. From city hikes to abalone fishing and suburban nightspots, here are some to consider for the traveller who wants to venture off the beaten path.

Bird watching and hiking

Want to see a wetland within the city area? Lake Monger, in the Perth suburb of Wembley, is your answer. After an invigorating walk around the lake, relax with a picnic in picturesque surroundings. If you’re lucky, you will get to catch a glimpse of the red-beaked black swans that are unique to the region — they are also the mascot for Western Australia. You can feed them, but mind you, they can get a little too friendly when they are hungry.

West of Perth’s central business district is King’s Park, another good option for bird-watching and getting close to native flora and fauna, right in the heart of the city. Be sure to climb the DNA tower there for a great view of the park.

Recreational abalone fishing

My recreational activities in Perth have sometimes leaned towards the less conventional, courtesy of having relatives there. Abalone fishing is something I do with them. Note that you’ll need a licence for abalone fishing, and you need to abide by a list of stringent rules and size and catch limits.

A strong flat tip screwdriver, pail and measuring gauge are the necessary tools. Be prepared to get wet, since abalone are notoriously hard to pry off the rocks they cling to. The waves crashing at your shoulders are no help when you’re chiselling away at the stubborn molluscs but at the end of the day, it’s a rewarding experience.

Up close with penguins

Penguin Island is where you can rub shoulders with the inhabitants of the penguin kingdom. Look out for not just the world’s smallest penguins, but also other wildlife, including wild dolphins, sea lions, stingray and more than 50 species of sea birds. You can also participate in activities like swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and kiteboarding.

To get to Penguin Island, take a 10-minute ferry ride from Shoalwater Bay. Ferries depart hourly and the island is open to the public from Sept 2 to June 2.

Wine, chocolates and a stunning coastline

Margaret River is a major wine region in Western Australia. Besides excellent wine, it’s also known for great food, chocolate and beautiful beaches — all the traits of a great vacation spot. Foodies and wine aficionados can time their visits with annual events like the Margaret River Wine Festival or Margaret River Gourmet Escape for a taste of the region’s best wine and produce.

Other than wine, a quirky place to visit is the Margaret River Chocolate Company. With a mind-boggling array of chocolate, from the famous Giant Freckles to lovely truffles, it’s a must-go for those with a sweet tooth and the perfect stop for all your souvenir shopping.

Shopping and nightlife

A port city with views of both the Swan River and the Indian Ocean, Fremantle is the place to go for a unique shopping experience. Score designer clothing, vintage fashion and quirky knick knacks. There are also art galleries alongside casual burger joints and more upmarket restaurants for a fine-dining experience.

Northbridge, an inner suburb of Perth city, has an Asian vibe to it. It’s also where you can find a robust night scene, with pubs and clubs coming to life after 10pm.

Getting there

Scoot flies five times a week to Perth, while Singapore Airlines operates four daily flights to Perth.

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