Perth, the beaches of Australia to be known to integrate better. The beaches where you can surf, sunbathe or simply wait for the sunset after five in the afternoon, with a good beer and lots of friends.
There are a thousand reasons to decide to visit theAustralia, but the most fascinating aspect of the country is certainly the naturalistic one. The Australian landscape is wild and unspoiled, and its breathtaking views can truly enchant anyone.
With an annual average of 3.000 hours of sunshine, Perth locals enjoy a truly enviable climate as well as a variety of wonderful beaches, many of which are only a few minutes' drive from work. At 5 p.m., when the offices begin to empty, the inhabitants of Perth, still in suits, get into their car (with the inevitable surfboard on the roof) and flock to the beach to ride the last waves of the day that is ending.
Give up the idea of ​​a dirty and crowded urban beach. Who said you have to go out of town to find a pristine paradise on the seashore? Perth's immense beaches are spotless and uncrowded, guarded by surfboard-wielding beach watchers who travel the length and breadth of a jeep. And for those, like me, who are troubled by the white shark situation, the constant presence of a helicopter ready to signal any (unlikely) danger to swimmers is a great comfort.
What is most striking when you go over the dunes that you discover the ocean is the immensity of the expanse of sand. As far as the eye can see, everything is absolutely wonderful. No umbrellas, no sunbeds, no infrastructure to disfigure the landscape: it will be just you, the sand and the sea.
They are beaches of indescribable beauty, which will make it really difficult for you to choose the next destination for a trip to the sea! Here are the ones that, for one reason or another, have remained in my heart.
Scarborough
Although I'm not a surf lover (I've only ever seen the board from afar), Scarborough it is without doubt my favorite beach. Just 20 minutes north of Perth, it's a local surfer's paradise. The sea is always very rough, and the waves are so high that it is really hard to just stand in the water. But if, like me, you enjoy playing in the foam and waves, Scarborough is for you.
The beach is famous not only for surfing, but also for its infinite and unspoiled nature expanse of golden sand. I advise you to stay until sunset, perhaps sipping a cold drink by the sea in the company of friends. Seeing the sun disappear on the horizon while dozens of colored sails of the wind-surfers plow the sea will be an experience you won't easily forget.
Scarborough is a very "young" place, and at its entrance volleyball courts on the lawn, barbeque and numerous ocean view bars attract a lot of kids and backpackers during the whole year.
Cottesloe
Just 15 minutes from the center, Cottesloe is the beach that is in the imagination of tourists who come to Perth in search of sun, sand and relaxation. The beach is renowned for its calm and crystal clear water, for the terraced green meadows overlooking the sea, and the breathtaking sunsets over the Indian Ocean.
Cottesloe is the perfect place for lovers of kite surfing and the "tan", but also for those who enjoy exploring the seabed. In fact, just a few meters from the shoreline there is one expanse of rocks underwater where, armed with a mask and mouthpiece, you can easily admire a variety of animal species.
When lunchtime comes, Australians love to picnic on one of the green lawns overlooking the beach, perhaps cooling off in the shade of a tree. For those who prefer to eat a bite sitting at a table, the Marine Parade full of bars and restaurants to enjoy a good meal with friends and enjoy a cold drink.
Last but not least, one reason why the beach is so well known is the exhibition of sculptures - “Sculpture by the sea” - which since 2005 has attracted hundreds of people and art lovers for three weeks a year.
Coogee Beach
If my Australian friends learned that I also included Coogee Beach on the list of must-see beaches in Perth, I think they would laugh. In fact, this beach, relatively to the standards of the place, is obviously not among the most "beautiful": it is small and very crowded. You may wonder, then, why I decided to add it to the list.
The answer is very simple, indeed obvious: Coogee Beach is, at the moment, the only beach in Perth to have an anti-shark net. When worries and perplexities arise about sharks, Australians laugh out loud, indeed they find us really funny. On the other hand, their total neglect of the "shark" problem is justified by the fact that from an early age they have been accustomed to swimming happily in the ocean without thinking about everything that terrifies us Europeans.
Nevertheless, to me, and I believe to most Italians, the shark is really scary. So, if you are terrified of coming face to face with the terrible great white, as I was (at least in the first few weeks at the beach), maybe Coogee Beach is for you!
City Beach
City Beach is one of the favorite beaches of the locals, and perhaps for this reason one of the most crowded. It is not one of my favorites, but since Australians love it very much it seems fair to add it to the list.
The beach is located west of Perth, and whether you decide to reach it by car or bus, the view of theIndian Ocean that you can admire as you approach your destination will be truly breathtaking.
City Beach is much smaller than Scarborough and Cottesloe. What for us is perhaps a beach of "normal" size, in Australia it really appears in miniature even if it has little bars along the road from which to enjoy the sunset, a shaded area on the lawn, and of course golden sand and a beautiful sea .
Don't be prejudiced that the beaches in Perth are in an urban area; if you have a few weeks off and are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the sun and the sea, Perth is really for you!
