Amanda PhillipsNo trip to Australia would be complete without snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, or visiting the iconic Sydney Harbour, which is why visitors often flock to the country’s East Coast. This can leave Western Australia overlooked, and we are here to tell you why it is definitely worth a trip.
Being Australia’s largest state there is plenty to see and do. Get off the beaten track on an epic road trip to discover some of Australia’s best kept secrets, and stumble upon the idyllic white beaches. Of course there are so many places to visit that we couldn’t possibly cover them all, but here are some great destinations to get you started.
Perth
Enjoy the best of both worlds in Perth, a vibrant city with an equal amount of natural beauty. Explore the compact but cosmopolitan city on foot, with a stroll along the Swan River before relaxing in Kings Park. Just thirty minutes outside of Perth, you will find the trendy port town of Freemantle. Enjoy a coffee in one of the many bustling cafes and take a tour of the historical area.
There are very few places in Australia where you can watch the sun set over the Indian Ocean and Perth is one of them. We recommend making the twenty minute journey out of the city to Cottesloe Beach for one of the best sunsets in Perth and watch the sky change some unforgettable colours.
Rottnest Island
We recommend catching a ferry to Rottnest Island for a unique day trip. The island itself is only 11km long and with no transport on the island you can hire a bike to get around. It is the perfect place for snorkelling in the crystal clear water & spotting wildlife in their natural habitat and is hugely popular with families. Here you will find the native animal, the quokka, which is part of the kangaroo and wallaby family. Known for being super friendly and posing in selfies, the Quokka was recently named “the world’s happiest animal”!
Margaret River
Located three hours south of Perth, the Margaret River area is one of best food and premium wine regions in Western Australia. Home to boutique breweries, world renowned wineries and gourmet restaurants, it is a must visit for any culinary enthusiast. Some of Australia’s finest Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon is produced here, so be sure to visit a local vineyard and indulge in some samples. The town hosts impressive markets, selling local produce and a variety of arts and crafts. Not just for foodies, Margaret River has stunning beaches and offers some amazing surf spots.
Shark Bay World Heritage Site
Heading further up the West Coast you will reach the Shark Bay World Heritage area, which spans an incredible 10,000km and is best known for Shark Bay itself and Monkey Mia. Home to the largest marine embayment in Australia, it is a wildlife lover’s paradise. This spot is famed for its daily dolphin visits and is the place to go for a chance to feed and interact with dolphins in their daily habitat.
Broome
Even further north you will find Broome, the gateway to the sparse and vastly diverse Kimberley Region. Broome is home to the pristine Cable Beach which is ranked amongst the world’s best beaches and is one of Western Australia’s most popular holiday destinations. Take a camel ride across the white sands of Cable Beach, or enjoy watching the incredible sunsets from one of the luxury resorts.