Perth's average of 3,000 annual hours of sunshine are well and truly soaked up in Scarborough, whether it's on the beautifully clean and uncrowded beach, surfing the top breaks, browsing the outdoor weekend markets or breakfasting on a cafe veranda.

Located on the west coast, an easy 15-minute drive from the Perth central business district or catch a bus from the city station. Scarborough is a place where swimmers and surfboards are the fashion essentials.

The centre of activity takes place on the beautiful foreshore. The ocean-facing amphitheatre hosts a wide array of events, from volleyball tournaments to music festivals to comedy shows.

Brand new to the Scarborough landscape is the Scarborough Beach Pool, a geo-thermally heated open-air public pool and world-class recreation facility. It’s your go-to fitness centre and your new local eatery - making Scarborough the perfect place to visit all year round.

Nearby, various shops sell everything from sturdy backpacker wear to high-end fashion, and restaurants range from a la carte dining to casual cafes - the majority of which capitalise on the epic ocean views.

After taking in the stunning ocean sunset, you can grab a drink at the bars, pubs and clubs that make Scarborough's nightlife so popular.

By day, the parks and reserves are abuzz too. Abbett Park offers a variety of sporting opportunities throughout the year, including football, squash, lawn bowls, tennis and cricket.

Whether or not you touch the waves, this surfing hotspot and favourite backpacker hangout is not to be missed. With the highest concentration of accommodation options outside Perth's central business district, you'll be spoilt for choice when you opt to make Scarborough your base. Select from hostels and bed and breakfasts to luxury self-contained apartments and sweeping vistas from the 17-storey beachfront hotel.