Feature by Max Brearley
Western Australia has many things in its favour when it comes to eating and drinking. World class wine regions, a developed craft beer community, and a burgeoning scene of distillers; produce from land and sea that chefs who travel here marvel at. Then there’s an element that can’t be bottled, distilled or shipped: the natural backdrop, and our west coast sunsets. Golden hour over the Indian Ocean.
1. Indigo Oscar, Cottesloe / Mudurup
Built in a classic pavilion style and beachside at Cottesloe, the image of Indigo Oscar’s home says Perth: the Indian Ocean, beach life, and blue skies. Locals have taken to this Latin-inspired bar-come-restaurant, with dishes like freshly shucked oysters, Swordfish ceviche, and wood-grilled lamb shoulder with salsa criolla. From an impressive line-up of tequila and mezcal, to a wine list erring to the coastal appropriate trend for lighter offerings, choosing a sundowner could take time. Cocktails are perfect sunset drops, and sipping on a Watermelon Collins using locally produced gin could be the answer.
Indigo Oscar, Cottesloe
2. Gage Roads Brew Co, Fremantle / Walyalup
Gage Roads, the state’s largest independent brewer, takes pride in its historic portside digs overlooking the channel of the same name between Fremantle and Rottnest Island. It’s no coincidence. A sunset view with a difference, container ships slip in and out of port, the backdrop as your pint is poured, and your food ordered. As the sun dips, long, hazy shadows cast across the old “A Shed,” which still bears the patina of decades of port use. You may not yet have a go-to Gage Roads beer, but you can’t go wrong with a signature Single Fin. The alcohol-free Yeah Buoy is also a crowd pleaser. As golden hues of the setting sun grace the sky, little ones run and giggle in the idyllic kids' playground, giving parents a moment of serenity to sip on their sundowner drinks in peace.
Gage Roads Brew Co, Fremantle
3. Odyssea, City Beach
Indian Ocean views vie for being the main drawcard at Odyssea. While the SSEA-DECK is a perfect lunch spot with cocktail hour at any time, it’s at sunset that Odyssea shines; a modern Australian menu, nodding to the wider world. It’s got coastal date night written all over it. On the plate, the likes of roasted cauliflower with gochujang and pickled daikon, and great Aussie seafood. Raise a glass to the day, with a Pavlova Blossom, using local Republic of Fremantle vodka.
4. Pinky's Rottnest Island, Rottnest Island / Wadjemup
Rottnest Island is as laidback as ever but with an increasing air of barefoot luxury. At Pinky’s you’ve got a beach club vibe with views over Pinky Beach and the famed Bathurst Lighthouse, with the Perth mainland visible in the distance. A choice of the bar-come-restaurant or the more casual sunset deck awaits. You may be fueling up on casual classics after a day of exploring bays and beaches or pushing the boat out with crayfish Catalan-style. Whatever your culinary route Pinky’s is the ideal spot for an appropriately chilled glass of something local.
Beach Club alfresco at Pinky's Rottnest Island, Rottnest Island
5. Shelter Brewing Co, Busselton / Undalup
Shelter has quickly made a name for itself, the brewery-come-kitchen celebrated for its architecture as well as its extensive roster of beers. Metres from the Indian Ocean and the iconic Busselton Jetty, as your beach day ends in the Margaret River Region make your way with sandy feet and a thirst to commandeer a spot on the west facing terrace. A pizza oven imported from Italy cranks, and it’s time to kick back with the Shelter’s core line up, specials or even the new Jetty Jump, a zero-alcohol offering.
6. Boughshed Restaurant, Monkey Mia / Gutharraguda
At the westernmost point of mainland Australia, Shark Bay draws nature lovers to the famed World Heritage Site. Looking out over Dolphin Beach and to the bay, the Boughshed Restaurant is the signature eatery of RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. Shark Bay blue swimmer crab and grilled local snapper showcase one of Western Australia’s strongest culinary drawcards: seafood. While for those that like something with a little more bite there’s always, well, crocodile popcorn with piquant chipotle mayonnaise. It’s also a prime location for watching the morning dolphin experience, coffee in hand, as park rangers deliver an educational wildlife encounter.
Boughshed Restaurant, Monkey Mia by Boughshed Restaurant on Facebook
7. Old Man & The Sea, Geraldton / Jambinu
Geraldton’s only rooftop bar, Old Man & The Sea is open Friday to Sunday from noon. Perched atop The Gerald Hotel, unrivalled views stretch from the Moresby Ranges and over the calm waters of Town Beach to the working port, the heart of Western Australia’s crayfish industry. Refashioned sea containers offer shelter at breezier times, and craypots, nets and ropes form the nautical theme. Feast on a seafood platter featuring crayfish medallions, Shark Bay scallops, and tiger prawns. To drink? In honour of the writer of the bar’s namesake, perhaps a Hemingway daiquiri.
8. Zanders, Broome / Rubibi
It’s unlikely that Cable Beach needs introduction, as arguably Western Australia’s most famous sunset spot. Remember that here you’re on what the local’s call “Broome time.” It’s permission, if you needed it, to take things a bit slower, live the tropical life, order up a bucket of Exmouth prawns and dive into Zanders broad gin offering. Local Moontide Distillery gin is integral to a Broome White Pearl G&T with added mango and basil. A challenger to Matso’s famed mango beer?
Published February 2023.