Western Australia

Sun, adventure, an awesome natural environment and friendly people – it’s what you’ll find on a holiday to Western Australia whatever time of year you visit. Nowhere else in the world can you experience and interact with such unique natural attractions.

Dive with the world’s largest fish - the whale shark, snorkel with manta rays, swim with wild dolphins, walk amongst the tree tops of ancient trees, sleep under a canopy of stars in the desert, or explore the beehive-like formations of the Bungle Bungles with the help of an Aboriginal guide.

Western Australia truly is the authentic Australian experience. There is much to see and do in this part of the State, from swimming in crystal clear ocean waters to enjoying a sunny afternoon sipping a cold beer at an open-air pub.

A climate to suit all occasions

The big variety of landscapes and climates in Western Australia means there is always plenty of sunshine, making it a perfect year-round destination. It is a land blessed with spectacular diversity where the deep reds of ancient interior rock formations contrast with the sparkling blue of the Indian and Southern Oceans and the lush greenery of the stunning southern regions. Western Australia is famous for its long days of sunshine, spotless blue skies and brilliant beaches.

Western Australia’s many distinct regions

The capital of Perth is Australia’s western gateway and a great place to start your holiday. Perth offers an easy-going lifestyle – the beautiful Swan River and inner-city parks like Kings Park add to the relaxed, natural feel.

From the city, head to the South West for world class wineries, luxury accommodation and forests of tall trees. These taper off to a ribbon of coastal hinterlands of sheltered bays and rivers, often lined with massive granite boulders and stunning outlooks. Here, life is simple and genuine, offering a taste of rural Australian living along with relaxing country retreats and secluded chalets.

The Golden Outback's spectacular outback and goldfields are the place for historic townships, brilliant, starry night skies, and wide open spaces with spinifex and red earth as far as the eye can see. Here too, are the beaches of the Southern Ocean. These seas can be wild one day and brilliant blue calm the next – they’re also home to humpback whales and their calves.

Awesome marine life, endless white sand beaches and warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean characterise the state’s far north. Sunshine, cooling sea breezes and the outdoor activities of the Coral Coast make it a relaxing and friendly destination.

If it’s an Aussie frontier adventure you’re after head further north to the North West.

Here you’ll find rugged ancient landforms, remnant rainforest, deep red gorges, vast cattle stations and pioneering personalities, ancient Aboriginal culture and unique quality accommodation.

The sheer size of Western Australia beckons visitors back time and again to explore the huge number and range of holiday possibilities.

Australia's Coral Coast - beaches, exotic marine life, national reserves and the bluest ocean you’ll see anywhere in the world is what you will find in Australia's Coral Coast. Swim with whalesharks, meet the dolphins of Monkey Mia and take in the unique rock formations of the Pinnacles. The Coral Coast region is a treasure trove of beaches, exotic marine life, national reserves and the bluest ocean you’ll see anywhere in the world. Here you can swim with the world’s largest fish – the whaleshark, snorkel from the beach to the stunning Ningaloo Reef, meet the dolphins of Monkey Mia and take in the unique rock formations of the Pinnacles. Name a water sport and it’s here – from world class windsurfing at Geraldton to Ningaloo diving that rivals the Great Barrier Reef.

Must See Destinations

Perth
Perth is Western Australia’s capital city and the major gateway into the state. Fronting the widest stretch of the meandering Swan River, city and river make a stunning contrast, especially when the skies and river are a perfect Perth blue.

Fremantle
Fremantle is a vibrant port city rich in heritage buildings, unique attractions, maritime history and cosmopolitan culture. Just 20 minutes southwest of Perth, the streets of Fremantle are a buzz with shoppers and al fresco diners seven days a week.

Rottnest Island
Crystal clear bays and coral fringed beaches with sparkling white sands, ideal for swimming, snorkelling, surfing or sunbathing make Rottnest Island one of Western Australia’s favourite holiday destinations. It's the ideal place for a pristine marine experience.

Kings Park
Kings Park offers sweeping parklands, a Botanic Garden, spectacular wildflowers and a huge expanse of native bushland, all only a few minutes from the centre of Perth. Visitors can also enjoy amazing panoramic views of Perth city and the Swan River.

Australia's Coral Coast

Kalbarri
Nestled where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean, two hours' drive north from Geraldton. Kalbarri is one of Western Australia's most popular holiday resorts and is the premium place in the mid west for a total holiday experience.

Ningaloo Marine Park
Stretching 260 kilometres along pristine coastline, Ningaloo Reef is Western Australia’s largest and most accessible Coral Reef. With dazzling water, amazing marine life and untouched nature, Ningaloo Marine Park is an unforgettable holiday destination.

Shark Bay World Heritage Area

Shark Bay was Western Australia's first World Heritage listed area. Friendly bottle-nosed dolphins, clear turquoise water and some of the oldest and largest living fossils in the world make for a very unique holiday.

Australia's Golden Outback

Kalgoorlie
An hour's flight east from Perth, Kalgoorlie is the hub of the goldfields and one of Western Australia's largest cities. Still active as a mining town, Kalgoorlie's wide streets and grand old buildings are full of people living the prospecting dream.

Esperance
A picturesque town nestled on the shores of Esperance Bay, Esperance is the ideal destination for lovers of sun, spectacular beaches and awesome adventure. Located on the south coast of Western Australia, Esperance is about a 9 hour drive from Perth.

Wildflowers
Nature puts on an exquisite display of dazzling wildflowers in Australia’s Central Wildflower Country. Considered to be among the finest wildflowers in the world, here brilliant night skies glisten with a myriad of stars above spectacular natural scenery.

History and Heritage
Explore old mining towns, wander through settlements built by goldrush pioneers and listen to dreamtime stories told by local Aboriginals. Or just sit back and absorb the laid back atmosphere of rural life among grandiose heritage buildings and friendly pubs.

Australia's North West (Kimberley Region)

Broome
Broome simply oozes with colour and has a fascinating history. It's Western Australia's secret getaway - right on the Indian Ocean's doorstep and the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness - the Kimberley.

Kununurra
Located in the far north, is the eastern gateway to Western Australia's top end and home of outback adventure. With year round warm weather and plentiful water, Kununurra is lush and fertile, and produces much of the State's fruit and vegetables.

Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Range)
The orange and black stripes across the beehive-like mounds, encased in a skin of silica and algae, are clearly visible as you approach from the south. Sweeping over the range a hidden world of gorges and pools is revealed.

Karijini National Park
The second largest national park in Western Australia, Karijini is one of the most spectacular sights in the Pilbara. With breathtaking gorges, crystal clear rock pools, waterfalls, and stunning scenery, a visit to Karijini is a must.

Australia's South West

Margaret River
The Margaret River region is a superb blend of good living and stunning nature just three and a half hours' drive south of Perth. Visitors be prepared to indulge in the gastronomic delights of worldclass wineries and gourmet vineyard restaurants.

Southern Forests
Australia’s South West region has giant trees, more than 400 years old stretching up to 50 metres into the air. You can even climb to the top of some of these beautiful giants and look out over the towering timbers. What an amazing experience!

Wine and Food
You’ll find mouth-watering fresh produce and local arts and crafts at every turn in the Margaret River Wine Region. From full-bodied wine and flavoursome olive oil to premium cheeses and delicious hand-made chocolates, this is a gourmet food lovers’ paradise.

South-West Beaches
Visitors to Australia's South-West region will see why surfing is such a popular sport. The combination of warm weather, consistent swells, spectacular beaches and reliable breezes create the perfect conditions for surfing and other water sports.