Luxury escapes in Perth's backyard ideal for a whirlwind weekend away

The eclectic history and culture that make up the port city of Fremantle are reflected in the nautically inspired Hougoumont Fremantle. With rooms constructed from shipping containers and stacked four storeys high, this minimalist hotel pays homage to the city’s seafaring history and is just right for exploring Freo.

Hardly utilitarian, you’ll find your personal shipping container transformed into the definition of luxe chic. Sink into plump bedding amid calming furnishings and dark wood panelling. Kick-start each morning with a coffee from your Nespresso machine, or a brew a fragrant cuppa from local West Australian brand Rubra. You’ll find body care products from Appelles Apothecary in your marble bathroom, so you’ll always have an excuse to pamper your pores.

You’ll experience the community atmosphere here first-hand when you waltz into the lounge for free wine and hors d’oeuvres every evening. This social (and scrumptious!) hour is a friendly and laidback way of mingling with your fellow guests and meeting people from all walks of life. Ask your fellow guests or the helpful concierge for tips on arranging tours, trips and show tickets to fill the next day’s itinerary.

Conveniently located just off South Terrace, you’ll be close to many of Fremantle’s main attractions. Take a stroll down the streets and admire the Victorian architecture and remnants of the port city’s past, interlaced with trendy independent shops and intimate eateries and bars. Sample tasty bites at the famous Fremantle Markets, then pay a visit to Fremantle Prison, Western Australia’s only World Heritage-listed building, a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Experience the city you love through a brand new perspective at COMO The Treasury, where you’ll see that the most surprising getaways are sometimes right under your nose. Step past the formal Victorian facade of these former state offices and into sleek, contemporary interiors alive with an airy aesthetic. Local architect Kerry Hill drew from modern European design when stripping the rooms here back to basics, creating clean, bright spaces that highlight large windows and high ceilings. Drop your bags on a leather chaise longue and immediately pour yourself a luxurious bubble bath to start the weekend off right.

On the top floor, you’ll find Wildflower, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. Take in epic views of the Swan River while indulging in a fine-dining experience inspired by the indigenous Noongar calendar. Dishes change with the seasons and are prepared with locally sourced, sustainable ingredients in a celebration of Western Australian cuisine. Make sure to set aside time for the five-course tasting menu with wines to match!

And then, of course, there’s the spa. Open every day, COMO Shambhala Urban Escape combines Western and Eastern wellness treatments to cleanse both body and mind. Refresh with a massage or exfoliating scrub, then attend a yoga or personal training class to focus your mental energies. You’ll also find a state-of-the-art gym and heated indoor pool if you want a sweat session or a casual splash.

Set off to Seashells Mandurah to juggle urban beats (it’s the second-largest city in Western Australia) with white-sand beaches and abundant marine life. At an easy 45-minute drive from Perth, you’ll arrive at your luxurious beachside getaway ready to chill out in your self-contained accommodation by the ocean.

With options for intimate escapes and group getaways, you can choose from apartments tucked between the Indian Ocean and the Mandurah Ocean Marina. Spaces are awash with warm, wooden-accented furniture and calming shades of blue to evoke the feeling of the sea lapping just beyond your floor-to-ceiling windows. The kitchen in your apartment is handy for preparing a quick cheeseboard or whipping up an epic feast if you’re so inclined, which you can eat as you watch the world go by from your private deck or balcony.

For some pampering, book a treatment at on-site Eco Spa Mandurah, the city’s only organic day spa—indulge in a cocoon body wrap to draw every ounce of stress from your body and leave you in a state of bliss. If you’re up for some action, walk a few steps to Comet Bay beachfront to spot dolphins or try your hand at paddleboarding on the calm water. Or stick close to home with a splash in the hotel’s outdoor infinity pool and separate spa pool. You’ll find sun loungers dotted around the adjoining terrace, ideal for when you want to lie back with a good book and soak up that West Coast sunshine.

For your evening meal, fire up the terrace barbecue and grill up fresh seafood as the sun sinks into the horizon. If you’d prefer to eat out, stroll four minutes to Catch22 Tapas and Cocktail Lounge and fill up on plates of pork belly, lamb sliders and Thai green dumplings—plus a few decadent cocktails.

Nestled between the calm shores of Geographe Bay and acres of woodland and garden, Aqua Resort is a collection of self-contained luxury beach houses designed with couples and groups in mind. Bring the whole gang to the Bay 5-Bedroom House—complete with two gourmet kitchens—or retreat for some romance in the soaking tub and outdoor shower of the Grove 1-Bedroom House. You can pick the setup that fits your personal style, whether that’s cosying up next to a fireplace with an ocean view, or starting your morning with a splash in a garden-set private plunge pool.

You’ll have your choice of ways to get your heart pumping, or just slow right down. Dive into the 25-metre infinity pool for laps with a view, or soak up the beach vistas from the outdoor spa before a session in the sauna. You can work up a sweat in the on-site gym or under the sun on the tennis court, or just take a meditative breath in a yoga class (available during school holidays). Of course, you can always simply wander down the boardwalk through quiet, landscaped gardens to the soft white sands of Geographe Bay. After a saltwater swim, head back to your room for an indulgent in-house massage.

If self-catering’s not your thing, there are several restaurants within walking distance. A 15-minute stroll will have you sampling dishes like salt-and-pepper squid, grilled halloumi or gooey pizza at Stilts. For some extra moments of private time, order your meals takeaway and dine outdoors at your beach house while the sun turns the ocean surface into a pastel painting.

Hidden in the Margaret River region’s pristine bushland, the secluded Hidden Valley Forest Retreat will help you escape the daily grind. Share your self-contained cabin with a group of friends for a fun getaway in nature, or steal away to this forest sanctuary for some special time with a loved one.

Regardless of what style of accommodation you choose, you’ll be spellbound by the high-end furnishings, contemporary architectural stylings and luxurious atmosphere. Timber, stone and soaring windows blend with the forest to create a uniquely Australian aesthetic. Chill out on contemporary furniture that wouldn’t look out of place in a state-of-the-art city apartment, then snuggle up under plush throws and a mountain of cushions.

Watch dusk fall over the forest from your very own outdoor spa in the Wilderness Cabin, or count the stars as you drench yourself in the Deepwater Retreat’s glass-encased shower room. Make sure to come prepared with Margaret River produce and cook up a feast in your modern kitchen, then dine overlooking the lake or forest. For a truly unforgettable touch, a personal chef will bring fine dining right to your table with a delicious, locally inspired three-course meal of dishes like slow-cooked lamb and lemon-and-basil pannacotta.

If you’ve come in pursuit of peace and quiet, the retreat offers a range of services that you can enjoy without ever leaving your little hideaway. The serene surroundings make an excellent spot for a bit of indulgent pampering—book a massage or a body scrub and a magic-handed therapist will treat you in the luxury of your own space.

Lovers of road trips will relish the three-hour drive from Perth to Pullman Bunker Bay Resort in the Margaret River region. Best known for its surrounding wineries and surf breaks along vast stretches of coastline, it’s a top spot for seekers of fine wines, innovative dining and a touch of adventure. You’ll find The Quarries (a sheltered reef break) just a two-minute drive away, or you can ask at reception for a fascinating tour of the Margaret River Caves.

When you check into your self-contained bungalow, you’ll be treated to undisturbed peace just a stone’s throw from one of the region’s most beautiful beaches. Be lulled into relaxation as you sit on your outdoor patio or balcony and immerse yourself in nature with a glass of Margaret River’s finest in-hand. For an intimate stay, book a lake-view room, where you can cuddle up on your terrace after a sumptuous soak in the tub. Groups can book a spacious two- or three-bedroom villa and cook up an inspired feast with local produce beneath a soaring cathedral ceiling with a view of the garden.

Should you prefer to be catered to, there are restaurants and bars on-site to meet your needs from day to night. As the sun rises, sample the resort’s famous breakfast buffet while gazing at the waters of Bunker Bay. Then at sunset, try crispy duck spring rolls or pork belly at the Other Side of the Moon Restaurant. For snacks in between, share a charcuterie board and other small plates from the hotel’s own tapas restaurant, or simply dial room service and let the food come to you.