Page 20 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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BEACHES FORGET MIAMI?

THE BUILD-UP Miami Beach, with its vast
stretch of white sand, dotted with colorful
lifeguard towers and scattered with bronzed
bodies, is deemed one of the wealthiest beach
resorts in America. The streets that border the
Cottesloe Deco Historic District, its chic boutiques,
beach include the famous and fabulous Art
restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs filled with
the beautiful, rich, and famous.
Beach, Perth expensive. Hotel prices have skyrocketed in
THE LETDOWN The place is fast-paced and

recent years, as have the high-rises that loom
vs Miami Beach, Florida over the beach. If you want to venture far
from your base you will need to rent a car.
And, because it’s such a popular beach, there
are crowds wherever you go; there’s no point
They are both popular and beautiful, but Australia’s Cottesloe Beach has a winning searching for a secluded spot of sand here.
combination of loveliness and charm without the backdrop of a bustling high-rise city GOING ANYWAY? Start at “SoBe” (South
Beach) for a swim and, while in that area,
take a look inside Art Deco hotels such as
NEED TO KNOW Families crowd the beach as the kids, in Cottesloe’s The Delano – the lobbies are simply stunning.
surf-lifesaving colors of black, yellow and white, Head to Lincoln Road for dinner and people-
LOCATION Cottesloe Beach watching in the evening.
*/%0/&4*" train in watersports and surf-lifesaving techniques.
is a suburb of Perth in the state
of Western Australia Cottesloe’s surf is one of its key attractions for
*OEJBO %BSXJO
CITY POPULATION 0DFBO many. A never-ending succession of waves roll across
Around 1.6 million the Indian Ocean to rush up onto the long sweep of
DAYTIME "6453"-*" fine golden sand and entice surfers, who vie for the
TEMPERATURES
Jan: 88°F (31°C); 1&35) best position on each break. Quieter waters around
Apr: 77°F (25°C); "EFMBJEF 4ZEOFZ the stone-built breakwater are great for snorkeling.
Jul: 63°F (17°C); 4PVUIFSO $BOCFSSB
Oct: 72°F (22°C) 0DFBO By mid-afternoon the beach and its trendy bars
are being colonized by the party crowd, a mixture
of locals and tourists, enjoying a cold beer and
Both Miami and Cottesloe beaches experienced a light snacks at the end of another hot, sunny day.
renaissance in the 1980s after years of fading from Later, the gourmet restaurants that fringe the beach
fashion. Miami’s popularity grew from being the begin to fill with appreciative diners savoring the ABOVE Miami Beach, lined with high-rises and barely visible
setting of the hit TV show Miami Vice; Cottesloe’s fresh local produce and the spectacular views as for the crowds of vacationers on its sands
from Australia playing host to the America’s Cup the setting sun makes the world glow orange.
international yacht race. However, their respective Once again, numbers on west-facing Cottesloe
redevelopments took quite different paths and Beach begin to swell, as everyone gathers to watch
while Miami Beach is overshadowed by a high-rise the sunset silhouette the surfers, the late swimmers,
city, Cottesloe has never lost its low-rise charm. and lovely Rottnest Island in the distance – a visual
In the 1920s Miami Beach became a magnet treat that the beachgoers of eastward-facing
for millions of Americans heading south for winter. Miami can only dream about.
The building boom that resulted has left a legacy
in the now-restored Art Deco District. Then, as PRACTICAL INFORMATION
now, the beautiful and fashionable set flocked to
its pastel palaces. With its British Raj-style Indiana Getting There and Around Where to Stay
Perth International Airport is Rooms at the Ocean Beach Hotel
Tea House, pine-fringed Cottesloe also has its share
7 miles (12 km) northeast of the (www.obh.com.au) range from
of celebrity fans (it was Heath Ledger’s favorite city and linked by bus or taxi. ocean-view suites to budget dorms.
beach and, sadly, the scene of his wake), but it Cottesloe Beach is 7 miles (12 km)
When to Go
retains a low-key, family feel. And while its popularity southwest of Perth, 20 mins by In March, the beach becomes an
train from Perth Station.
is clear from the crowds that flock here to soak up outdoor gallery for the international
the sun, it is also quietly relaxed and exudes that Where to Eat art show Sculpture by the Sea.
With so many open-air cafés,
laid-back atmosphere for which Australia is known. Budget per Day for Two
bars with spectacular views, and
Professional lifeguards patrol both beaches but restaurant-lined Marine Parade, US$260 to include
Cottesloe has the iconic and much-photographed it is easy to see why so many accommodations in a 4-star
hotel, lunch at the beach, and a
volunteer Surf Life Savers, founded in 1919, to keep people head to ‘“Cott” to dine. gourmet dinner.
an eye on things, too. Their newest members can Try the Blue Duck Café (www.
blueduck.com.au) for stunning Websites
be found on the beach on Sunday mornings, when
views and great seafood. www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au
local children participate in the “Nippers’ program.”

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