Recharging at South Beach, WA

The streets of Fremantle.

Where?

A little area between Coogee and Fremantle in Western Australia. Next door to Fremantle with better beaches and quieter pace, but still easy access to all the cafes, drinking holes and shops.

The crowd?

A mix of snobby upper class through to happy hippies. The upper crust walks past with their little pooches while hippies play congas in the parkland and backpackers munch on picnic style tea in the back of their station wagons. Of course, I love it.

Why?

A relaxed vibe of coastal living. Close to Fremantle but far enough away to escape the crowds. Cafes, cove beaches, fitness scene, cycling, and a great walking path along the coast. Not to forget the people watching either. 

What am I doing here?

I am spending the first week of 2018 here. Swimming, relaxing, reading, eating and drinking. It is the perfect excuse for me to step away from work and enjoy a guilt-free recharge. For anyone that knows me, you know how hard this is for me. I didn't even bring my laptop. Big deal, for me. 

How am I going with it?

Surprisingly well. I have loved my time not 'needing' to do something. I've relaxed into reading and finished two magazines and started on two books. I've wandered on the beach and splashed in the water just because. I've sat and done nothing. We've laughed hard playing Cards of Humanity. And I've eaten and drank way too much. 

And I've had time to think. I can get lost, and scared when I have time inside my head. But I know it's important. I don't allow myself this time too often, but its something I have realised and is improving. Working out what I need, what I want and what I need to do. Important personally and in business. 

So what else to do here, apart from being involved with your thoughts? 

Cycle the coastal path.
We ride from South Beach down to Woodman Point passing derelict old buildings, new Coogee development, family-friendly man-made beach, scrub, country style beaches and many parks. 20 km return. And of course, the path also heads north. We also ride this, heading towards Perth along the river. It's a very scenic and entertaining way of burning off some excess calories. 

Coastal path south of South Beach.

Bathers Beach House
As the sun sets, this is the place to be. Sun loungers line the small cove, with drink service. One of the very few places in Australia that offer service on the beach. Pretty sure I read it's the only place to legally be served an alcoholic drink in Perth. Tourists and locals alike line the waterfront for sunset photos but tonights isn't very spectacular. We enjoy our cider while laughing with our French waiter and again, people watching.

Sunsets and cocktails at Bathers Beach House, Fremantle.

Linger on the beach
I meet, and see, all sorts on the beach. Friendly locals are walking their pooches, random lounge chairs complete with a lamp sit on the beach, kitesurfers scream along the waves and families laugh and splash about in the water. Clear turquoise water, soft sand and warm sun complete the picture. 

The random things you find on the beach at South Beach. I was told it had been there for two weeks. The next day it was gone. 

Fremantle arts centre
A great place to see a variety of different art but also live music. The New Years Day concert attracts a well-rounded mix of people from chilled hipsters to the 60 plus-year-olds that love to kick off their heels and boogie. Soukouss Internacionale is my fave with their afro rhythms and got me up dancing while the other bands had me chilled and relaxed. Every Sunday afternoon the centre has live music. 

Soukouss Internacionale at Fremantle Arts Centre. 

Restaurants and drinking holes
There are many options in the Fremantle area. I eat in The Raw Kitchen, Bread in Common, Lapa, and Moore and Moore. We have drinks at Bathers Beach House and Creatures NextDoor too. All great. 

Start the day right with Mexican Florentine at Moore and Moore.

Of course, there is much more to discover in Fremantle, but that would require too much time off my sun lounger. I am, after all, meant to be relaxing. Discovering new things is exciting and quite possibly, lead me to work. Can't have that now...

Way out west. A slice of WA.

Perth has been on my travel radar for a while now. Lots of people have come back raving how great it is. But to get there - it's an effort. The cost of flights, the travel time, and then, hate to admit it, the unknown of whether I would like it. After all, it is a city. And cities don't normally leave me 'wow, I love this city'. 

Ok, so I admit. I still don't know what Perth is like as a destination - unless you consider going to a Convention at the Crown complex with an outing to a bar one night, an experience. But I did stay in Fremantle. And there is so much to do there, that four days just wasn't enough. Talk about the conference revealed Fremantle was on the down slope - shops closing, not much happening, lacking atmosphere. So, driving down the main road on a Wednesday night, cafes buzzing, people wandering - I was lost. Is this the same Fremantle? 

For the following couple of days, I did a cafe tour. Ootong and Lincoln and The Raw Kitchen for healthy yet delicious treats. Little Creatures (downing about a schooner of beer tastings before realising it wouldn't be gluten free) for some culture and Saturday afternoon vibe. Ruocco's Italian for the best calamari I've eaten. Indian and some very yummy Lebanese. And let's not forget Third Wheel at South Beach Cycles in South Freo - a trendy little spot for coffee mid-morning while the pug gets watered after her short stroll. My taste buds are alive.

There are some honest people in Fremantle. On ordering my coconut milk short latte and offering to buy my cousins, I reach for my money in my pocket. No money to be felt. And I did put it in there. Damn. I must have dropped it along the way when I took my phone out. I ran back along the esplanade, not hopeful but having to give it a try, and found the colourful $20 note sitting near the footpath. People must have passed, as there were people everywhere - good karma was with me that day. Thank you, Fremantle peeps.

Freo would be a great place to live - casual vibe, artists, beach (and surf beach nearby), and of course, the choice of eateries. My place. Just need to find that in Adelaide. Hmm.