A Glimpse of Western Australia
When travelers think of an Australian vacation, the first cities that likely come to mind are Sydney with its famous harbor and Melbourne with its hidden laneways and trendy cafes. We associate Australia with icons such as the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru, the red monolith in the heart of the desert Outback. Maybe, we think about the Blue Mountains, the Great Ocean Road, or the Queensland rainforests.
Although these icons are enough to make the long trip worthwhile, considering the size of Australia alone, it’s easy to recognize we would only be scratching the surface. The geography, landscape and coastline are so richly diverse along with native wildlife found only here. Australia is home to one of the oldest continuous indigenous cultures in the world. Beyond Sydney and Melbourne lie more vibrant cities and fascinating towns. Australia is also home to world class wine regions along with a burgeoning culinary scene.
Quokka, Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Bottom line, whether you are a nature enthusiast, a foodie, an adventure seeker or looking for some relaxation, there are plenty of experiences in Australia that should be on your radar.
Kangaroos and koalas are amongst Australia’s most famous residents, but have you heard of quokkas? And, what about Australia’s other UNESCO World Heritage Reef? Where can you find pink lakes, beehive shaped mountains and horizontal waterfalls?
Among the wide array of experiences across the country, for good reason, some of the highlights in the state of Western Australia have been garnering an increasing amount of attention.
Here is a snapshot of some of Western Australia’s highlights.
Perth, Australia
Perth
Perth is the sunny capital of Western Australia, where urban meets nature. The Mediterranean climate is perfect for relaxing on one of the many sandy beaches in the area or for strolling at Kings Park, one of the largest city parks in the world, while enjoying the river views and cityscape that surround it. Blend that with a thriving urban scene which includes a modern waterfront area, plenty of restaurants, bars and boutiques to discover in the city and in its villages, and the opportunity to see Aboriginal art at the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
Nearby, find Rottnest Island, home to the native quokka, the smiley little marsupial found here. You will also find secluded bays, beaches, and opportunities to snorkel or dive to see colorful fish and coral. Visit the 19th century port town of Fremantle, the nearby Swan River wine region or go spotting for whales, dolphins, seals, and other wildlife.
A swimmer with a whale shark, Ningaloo Reef
The Coral Coast and Ningaloo Reef
The Coral Coast, north of Perth brings you miles of white sandy beaches, picturesque national parks with gorges and rock formations, seasonal landscapes carpeted with wildflowers. There’s even the possibility of viewing one of the “pink” lakes of Australia.
The Ningaloo Coast is UNESCO World Heritage listed. Ningaloo Reef is one of the largest fringing reefs in the world that can be accessed right from the beach. Here you will find a rich bio-diverse environment with 800 or so species of marine life, including a bright array of tropical fish, coral, sea turtles and manta rays. This is also one of the few places in the world where you can swim with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, which can grow up to 59 feet long. Humpback whales also visit the area annually from Antarctica.
South West and The Margaret River
The Margaret River region is one of the most prestigious wine regions in Australia. In addition to the 100 or so cellar doors that will introduce you to their premium wines, including their renowned chardonnays and cabernet sauvignons, enjoy boutique crafted beer and cider in this area. Gourmands will delight in the culinary offerings and local products including chocolates, cherries, and one of the region’s most famous delicacies, the perigold truffles of Manjimup. In the south, the Great Southern wine region also awaits.
Beyond the food and wine in this area, enjoy more of Australia’s stunning beaches, see ancient crystal encrusted caves and tall timbered forests. For those who want some activity, trek along the clifftops, beaches and forests or perhaps enjoy mountain biking, kayaking, or surfing. Rugged coastlines, tree top walks, granite sheltered beaches and more wildlife are all found in this area as well.
The Kimberley and North West
For those who want to experience one natural wonder after another, if it hasn’t already found its way onto your life list, an expedition to this region is an absolute must add. Here you can find a remote part of the world, full of spectacles that are the results of billions of years of natural history.
This “last frontier” boasts deep gorges and canyons, sandstone cliffs, mangrove channels, majestic waterfalls, and scenic coastline. Among the natural phenomenon in this region are the unique Horizontal Falls, created by tidal water rushing through craggy red rock formations. There are also the iconic King George Falls with twin falls of cascading water. Find ancient Aboriginal art painted into rock formations and caves. And, fly over the beehive shaped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range in the World Heritage Purnululu National Park or the plunging tiers of Mitchell Falls. A photographer’s delight, this area offers an endless amount of natural beauty just waiting to be explored.
The Bungle Bungle Mountain Range, Purnululu National Park
I haven’t yet mentioned kangaroos on the beach, the golden outback or the famous sunsets - I have just given you a little glimpse of Western Australia. Western Australia is about six times the size of California, comprising about 1/3 of the continent but with only about 2 million inhabitants. If it were a country, it would actually be the 10th largest in the world. It’s probably unfair to group all of these experiences together as it would take weeks, maybe months to fully cover this region alone. And, beyond Western Australia, each corner of Australia has so much more to offer. You likely won’t be able to cover even a fraction on a single two week visit but I am sure once you get even a small taste, it will leave you ready to come back for more.
Note: COVID-19 is impacting travel globally at the time of this article. While travel may be restricted at the moment, we hope to keep inspiring you for your future travels.
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