AAA

With a geographic reach roughly half the size of Europe, plus the longest coastline and largest expanse of outback on the continent, it's no surprise that Western Australia is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Make a stop at a place as fun to say as it is to explore: Bungle Bungle, a mountainous, 350-million-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kimberley, hidden from all but the land's indigenous people until 1983. For even more insight into fascinating Aboriginal cultures, 30,000 years of their history can be explored alongside the Shark Bay World Heritage Drive, near its famous marine park and distinctive wilderness areas that shelter hundreds of animals and hide a beach formed entirely from tiny white shells. Ravishing beach beauty is a trademark of the state's capital city of Perth as well. Nineteen beaches fall within the boundaries of one of the world's top ten "most livable cities," letting you bask in every minute of its average 3,000 hours of sunshine—the most of any Australian state capital. Cottesloe Beach, with its trendy boulevard, is perhaps the most iconic, but Cable Beach has been counted among the most stunning. Sixty-three other beaches on car-free Rottnest Island provide even more places to laze a day away. For a change of pace, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens takes the lead as the top destination in the state. Even larger than New York's Central Park, its 400 hectares are perched on Mount Eliza and filled with playgrounds, cafés, a complimentary CAT bus, outdoor concert spots, and restaurants that open up to panoramas of Perth's skyline, Darling Range, and Swan River. In the valleys of the latter two, Western Australia's oldest wine region continues to thrive, run by descendants of the European settlers who established it. Outdoor pursuits, from golf to horseback riding to cycling, run the gamut just outside colonial Guildford, the area's main town. Art and antiques are prime for the picking here—or, head back to the city to shop on upmarket King Street, at the popular The Murray and Hay Street Malls, and in the Fremantle Markets, which dates back to 1897. But of all the gifts you'll take home, the experience of Western Australia will be the best one. WESTERN AUSTRALIA The Golden State I N D I A N O C E A N S w a n R i v e r 0 3 miles 0 3 km Victoria Park Malaga Bayswater Bassendean Cannington Booragoon Brentwood Canning Vale Thornlie Maddington Huntingdale Kenwick Queens Park Apple- cross O'Connor Banjup Bibra Lake Forrest- dale Martin Harrisdale Kelmscott East Fremantle Spearwood Beacons- field Cottesloe Leighton Beach Coogee Beeliar Port Beach City Beach Stirling Yokine Noranda Osborne Park Subiaco Nedlands Karrinyup Mount Lawley Perth Kalamunda National Park Korung National Park John Forrest National Park Bold Park Perth Int'l Airport Jandakot Airport 41 41 51 51 52 30 30 30 40 31 14 14 13 13 12 31 76 56 60 75 3 4 4 4 5 5 2 3 3 3 8 8 204 95 1 1 1 2 94 Perth Zoo Adventure World PERTH HYATT REGENCY PERTH OOOOO Located by the beautiful Swan River, Hyatt Regency Perth's 367 rooms and suites provide guests with a superior level of comfort and convenience. The Regency Club on Level 8 offers a quiet haven for relaxing and enjoying a continental breakfast, all-day refreshments, and evening drinks and canapés. The hotel's leisure facilities include the refreshed rooftop area surrounding the heated outdoor pool; floodlit tennis court; and fitness center. 1 FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON PERTH OOOO Enjoy the simple pleasures in one of 278 spacious guestrooms. Start the day with breakfast at The Eatery. Then, kick back at The Best Brew Bar & Kitchen after shopping or sightseeing. Have your favorite drink or try a selection from the tasty menu featuring the best of Western Australian produce. Have some fun in the sun and enjoy the local tradition of a "sundowner" with refreshing cocktails and a selection of craft beers on an alfresco deck overlooking Wellington Street. 2 Western Australia | 29 1 2

• Cover