Apart from all that lovely wine, the sea lapping this lower south-west tip of Western Australia is a big attraction. If you’ve never tried surfing, this is the place to learn. At Yallingup Surf School, they’ll kit you out in a wet suit, hand you a board and give you a dummy run on dry land before allowing you to make a fool of yourself in the Indian Ocean.

The crashing breakers look daunting, but most beginners who are fit, and competent swimmers, are likely to be riding a wave or two (for a few exciting seconds at least) by the end of a £20 two-hour group lesson.

More enjoyable for me was an early-morning run along the deserted sands, followed by a quick dip in the sea at idyllic Bunker Bay, just across the Cape Naturaliste promontory. On a drive along the coast you’ll discover any number of fabulous beaches.

Wherever you go in WA you’ll find the people relaxed and friendly in true Aussie fashion, but if you really want to chill out, jump on a ferry to Rottnest Island. Rotto, as the locals call it, is a quirky, time-warpish place just six miles long and three miles wide.

No private vehicles are allowed on Rottnest, so most visitors wander off on foot or by bike to swim, snorkel, dive or fish in crystal-clear waters from sandy coves.