Perth is so isolated, is it worth visiting?

I'm thinking of travelling to Australia. I've already seen Alice Springs, the Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne. I was thinking of visiting Perth, but it's so far away. Is it worth it? Perth is the capital of Western Australia, the country's largest state. It lies on the south-west coast, but its isolation from the eastern tourist hubs has meant a lot of visitors return home without seeing the city.

If you're looking for a relaxing holiday though, Perth is the place. Cottesloe Beach and Scarborough Beach are the most popular spots to soak up the sun or to try your hand at surfing. In the evenings you can sit on the sand and watch the sun melt into the Indian Ocean. If you want to see some of Australia's unique plants and wildlife, go for a walk or have a picnic in King's Park and the Botanical Gardens. Overlooking the Swan River and Darling Range, three quarters of the park is bushland and is home to Western Australia's famous wildflowers and more than 80 species of birds.

It you want to experience some of the city's history, visit the port of Fremantle. It has the most heritage-listed buildings in the state, many of them dating back to the 19th century. Admire the streetscape, taste some local food at one of Freo's many cafes, and visit the markets at South Terrace or Victoria Quay on the weekend to pick up an Aussie souvenir. From Fremantle, Hilary's Boat Harbour and Barrack Street Jetty you can catch a ferry over to Rottnest Island. 'Rotto' as the locals call it, has more than 63 secluded beaches and 20 bays to relax in or explore.

Take a scenic flight over the island, hire a bike or go on a guided tour of the island where you can see the native quokka, which resembles a miniature kangaroo. From Perth, Bunbury is two hours' drive south. Situated on a peninsula, it is almost entirely surrounded by water from the Indian Ocean, Koombana Bay and the Leschenault Inlet. As a result, there is everything from canoeing and kayaking, to waterskiing, sailing and snorkelling.

North of Perth you can visit the Coral Coast and Ningaloo Reef, or towards the top of the state is the town of Broome, often called the gateway to the Kimberley. Walk along the 22km Cable Beach at sunset, or visit a pearl farm to see how Broome's famous South Sea pearls are cultured. Emirates offers flights direct to Perth from Dubai, with prices starting from US$1,499 (Dh5,505). For more information, visit www.westernaustralia.com.

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