Western Australia

Western Australia is Australia’s biggest state and its capital, Perth is further away from the ‘eastern states’ than it is from Singapore. Perth, the country’s fourth biggest city, has a population of 1.3M, 16.9% (third highest ) of whom migrated from non-English speaking countries. But in spite of this ethnic cafes are not an important part of the cafe mix, except for Fremantle’s Italians.

The Mediterranean climate – long hot dry summers and cool wet winters – encourage outside (footpath) dining except in the winter when the city hibernates.

Perth ranks fourth as a tourist destination, 11%, and because of its geographic position has 12% of Australia’s international tourism.

The vast majority of West Australians live in the south-east corner of the state – Perth, and the wine growing areas from Margaret River to Albany. Then there is Broome a small enclave in the tropical north with a romantic history centered around pearling, and a rich multi-racial mix.

*Smoking in enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, is banned in WA with the exception of bars.

See also Andrew Corrigan on West Australian wine regions.