Surf's up in Perth

The image of the surf life saver epitomises Australian beach culture and dates back to 1906 when the world's first life saving club was formed at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Between 17 and 22 March this year, around 5000 bronzed bodies will don tiny speedos and coloured caps in competition for the 2009 'Aussies' - the national surf life saving championships - held in Scarborough in Western Australia.

Over five days of competitions, teams from all over Australia will swim, paddle and generally flex their muscles while demonstrating the rescue and resuscitation skills that save lives every year.

Spectators can enjoy all this for free, with picnic sites, a kids' playground, loos and showers all available on Scarborough beach with a range of cafes and restaurants nearby.

Tailor-made specialist Freedom Australia recommends staying in Perth during the championships - just 20 minutes' drive down the coast - where the Waterside Apartments provide views over the Swan River and self-catering freedom from £77 per night (sleeps two).

And from Perth, the whole of Western Australia - the country's largest and most diverse state - begs to be explored, from the wildflowers of the Pilbara and the wineries of Margaret River to the beaches of the Coral Coast and the extraordinary rock formations of the Bungle Bungles.

The real-life location of the film 'Australia' is also in Western Australia: the Kimberley is in the far north-east of the state.

A self-drive tour from Perth, taking in the Margaret River area, Monkey Mia and the Pinnacles and the former whaling port of Albany before returning to Perth starts at £1569 per person in March. This is based on two people sharing and includes return flights from the UK, 18 nights' room only hotel accommodation and car hire.

For more information, log on to Freedomaustralia.co.uk.