Despite being the second-largest country subdivision in the world, only ten percent of the country’s population call Western Australia home.
With rugged red gorges, pristine white-sand beaches, sophisticated shops and gourmet restaurants, ancient aboriginal sites, and bizarre rock formations, Western Australia offers visitors many possibilities and a one-of-a-kind experience.
Since a trip to the country would be incomplete without a jaunt to Western Australia, here’s a list of 5 travel destinations you can’t afford to miss out on.
#1. Perth
Perth, Australia’s fourth-largest city, has witnessed substantial development in the past few decades. From shiny skyscrapers, small bars, and curated street art to beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and a plethora of watersport activities, Perth offers visitors the best of both worlds.
Explore Kings Park and Botanic Garden to witness the raw beauty of one of the world’s largest inner parks. Visit popular museums Art Gallery of Western Australia and Scitech for a blast from the past. Experience Swan Valley’s vineyards to discover the local heritage while enjoying a rich fusion of award-winning wines. If you’re looking for some quality downtime, don’t forget to pay their stunning beaches a visit.
#2. Broome
Broome, a thriving town for tourists, is a gateway to the spectacular Kimberly region, the world’s great wilderness. Boasting a strong indigenous cultural influence, Broome offers visitors a vibe few places can live up to.
Visitors can enjoy an unplugged vacation by lazing around Cable Beach, one of the town’s main attractions. Enjoy unhurried camel rides and take in famous tangerine sunsets. The beautiful white sands and turquoise waters are truly a sight for sore eyes.
To explore its fascinating history, visit the Broome Historical Museum, spot the rare snubfin dolphins, or go on a morning or sunset cruise. Discover 120-million-year-old dinosaur footprints fossilized in rock formations, tour the local pearl farms to learn about Australia’s pearl capital, and take a souvenir home.
Enjoy the “Staircase to the Moon” phenomenon where for two or three days between March and November, the full moon reflects against exposed mudflats in Roebuck Bay and creates a wondrous illusion that resembles a staircase leading to the bright moon.
#3. Kimberley
Kimberley is where you can find majestic canyons, abundant wildlife, and freshwater swimming holes. It is also one of the world’s last wilderness frontiers so be sure to sneak a peek at this historic landmark when you visit legendary Western Australia.
Kimberly is a great hub for luxury food and accommodation. Don’t let the remoteness fool you.
Visitors can admire the spectacular horizontal falls from a jet boat in the rugged Kimberly region, fly over the Purnululu National Park to view the exemplary rock formations, and explore the history of the aboriginal tribes who call it home. Drive along the Gibb River Road to experience outback adventures, witness croc-filled rivers, red rock gorges, and spectacular mountain ranges.
#4. Margaret River
A 3.5-hour drive south of Perth lies Margaret River, a popular holiday resort that houses beautiful galleries, extraordinary landscapes, exceptional gourmet restaurants, and epic experiences.
Margaret River is also a fan-favourite of surfers who flock to the river to for its big-wave breaks. Pair the experience with tall timber forests and white sand beaches. Its jaw-dropping limestone caves with prehistoric fossils and glittering stalactites are nothing short of a world-class adventure.
Visit the vineyard and sip your way through the region’s best produce, go caving to explore otherworldly environments below the surface, and hike through the massive 135-kilometer Cape to Cape Track for an experience you’ll be hard-pressed to forget. If you’re lucky, you may even witness a handful of dolphins riding the waves!
#5. Ningaloo Reef
Spanning some 1,200 kilometers is Ningaloo Reef, the world’s largest fringing reef and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be easily accessed through the town of Exmouth and offers a wide selection of outdoor adventures.
Visitors can experience the magnificent diversity of marine life at the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park and have a chance to see humpback whales, turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks during their migration. Take it a step further and swim with harmless whale sharks as they effortlessly glide by the beautiful Turquoise Bay.
You can also explore the rugged limestone cliffs and dunes. Snorkel, fish, and swim, in Coral Bay. If getting wet isn’t your idea of outdoor fun, board a glass-bottom boat to catch a glimpse of the teeming marine life without getting wet.
Wrapping Up
Squeeze in time in your itinerary to visit the wondrous, rugged, and vast beauty of Western Australia. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at every turn and will come home with memories that’ll make you long to be there again.