Top 5 Travel Destinations in Western Australia

Apparently, Tourism Australia’s marketing campaign “There’s Nothing Like Australia” worked out pretty well. Over the past few decades, Australia has become a frequent destination and welcomes almost 9 million visitors yearly. This isolated continent attracts visitors from all over the world like a magnet, with the help of its unique wildlife, spectacular nature, rich history and laid-back lifestyle.

The East Coast is so well traveled by tourists at this point that people seeking adventures have started exploring further to the West.

Western Australia – Your Greatest Escape

Western Australia takes up one third of the Australia continent. To give you a good comparison, it is larger thanall the Western European countries combined.

Miraculous Perth beaches, astonishing landscapes of the Bungle Bungles, the mysterious Pinnacles, unique Pink Lake, Swan Valley premium wineries and rich Aboriginal history. These are only a few things to help you picture the state of Western Australia.

Here is a list of the top 5 travel destinations in Western Australia.

Perth

Perth, the sunniest capital city in Australia and a major gateway to Western Australia, will welcome you to the region. A vibrant city with a fascinating mixture of nature’s beauty and cosmopolitan perks, Perth has also been recognized as one of the friendliest cities in the world.

The architecture of the city is a combination of well-preserved colonial-era buildings and modern skyscrapers. The Perth city skyline is best observed from the Kings Park, one of the largest inner city parks in the world, that offers a panoramic view of the city and the Swan River. In spring, you get to watch the wildflowers blooming at the Kings Park. Other great trails to spot delicate and colorful wildflowers are Perth Hills and Rottnest Island.

Rottnest Island is a small paradise just a 30-minute drive from Perth and is definitely among the top Perth attractions. For a gourmet escape and wine tasting, head to the Swan Valley. Continue to the Pinnacles desert to see a lunar-like place, and make sure to save some energy to experience sand-boarding in Lancelin.

Margaret River

Margaret River region is a must-visit if you decide to travel around the South West region of Australia. The best way to get there from Perth is renting a car or using public transportation, so that you can stop by some amazing spots on your way.

Make sure to check out the Busselton Jetty for a beautiful view and amazing photo shots.

If you are traveling with kids, stopping by Mandurah or Rockingham is also a good idea. There you can encounter friendly dolphins and take a swim with them. Monkey Mia is an eco-friendly attraction, and the authorities are committed to a sustainable tourism. In Monkey Mia, visitors can easily interact with wild dolphins, as these marine animals are used to seeing people in the area and come to play with visitors to the shore voluntarily.

The Margaret River region is famous for its wineries and beaches for surfing. Some of the must-see attractions are Farmers’ Markets, Lake and Mammoth Caves, Jewel Cave, National and State forest trails, and the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Grab fish and chips and finish your day at the Prevelly beach, watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

Broome

Maybe this city would never exist without its pearl farms, but trust us, there is so much more to Broome than just this. The best way to get there from Perth would be taking a 2-hour flight, unless you’ve got some crazy campervan trip idea on your mind (which can be a lot of fun too).

Thinking of an iconic photo of Broome, the first thing that comes up to one’s mind is the Cable Beach sunset with the shadow of a camel caravan in the sand. Very touristy, but a beautiful thing to see. Broome welcomes you in the Kimberley region, which is an embodiment of a true outback experience in Australia.

Take a short drive to the Horizontal Waterfalls to embrace the majesty of the Mother Nature. To learn more about the history, take a tour and discover the dinosaur footprints that only an expert eye can see. Feeling like doing something special? Observe the Staircase to the Moon phenomena, or watch a movie at the Sun Pictures, one of the oldest cinemas in the world.

Bungle Bungles

An ideal destination for those who love adventures, hiking, camping, 4WD drives and discovering secrets of the nature, the Bungle Bungles is a part of the Purnululu National Park, which is listed in the World Heritage.

Bungle Bungles were exposed to the world only in 1983, when a filming crew accidentally found it and captured for the “Wonders of WA” documentary. But indeed, the history of the site dates back to the Aboriginal times, as long as 40,000 years ago.

Probably one of the most impressive things in your life, the Bungle Bungles site is a colossal maze of orange and black rock formations that look like giant beehives and a chaplet of ancient pyramids at the same time. Take a scenic flight to see this spiritual place at its best. Note that the site is only open from April until November due to the weather.

Exmouth

It is not just about Exmouth, it’s also about the things you get to see on your way from Perth to Exmouth. This ride along the Coral Coast is the best way to explore the region for those who love breathtaking beaches and aquatic fun.

The Shark Bay region should be on your list for a number of reasons. In Monkey Mia, you get to play with dolphins in their natural habitat and get up close to the marine wildlife. Shell Beach is unique because it has the layer of tiny shells instead of the sand. Meanwhile, Hamelin Pool will give you an idea how the Earth looked like million years ago.

When in Exmouth, it goes without saying that you should visit the Ningaloo Marine Park (A UNESCO listed site). Here you can swim, snorkel and dive with thousands of fish species. Some fascinating activities include swimming with whale sharks and manta rays, watching humpback whales during their migration, or observing baby turtles hatch. Other attractions are the Exmouth lighthouse and the marvelous canyons of Cape Range National Park.

Conclusion

You are the luckiest person in the world if you can allow a few weeks for taking all the above-mentioned trips. Knowing how busy people are these days, here is a travel tip. Decide whether you want to head north, south or along the coast, and explore that direction to the fullest. Once you get a taste of Western Australia, you will definitely long to return!