Western Australia

If you’re searching for a destination that’s unspoilt, unpretentious and full of adventure, Western Australia is waiting to welcome you. There are natural wonders to discover, friendly people to meet and a relaxed lifestyle to enjoy.

Western Australia is Australia’s largest State. At 2,525,500 sq. km, it’s around the same size as Western Europe and has single cattle stations (ranches) the size of England.

Whatever time of year you visit Western Australia, you are almost certain to find warm sunshine and blue skies. The incredible variety of landscapes and climates and the sheer vastness of the State makes it a perfect destination.

From tropical Broome in the far north of the State, to the stylish city of Perth overlooking the Indian Ocean, there are a multitude of reasons to visit Western Australia. The coastal town of Fremantle, a near neighbour of Perth, was once home to the famed America’s Cup and today is the base for a thriving and eclectic creative community of artisans and craftsmen.

So go west. Those people who do never regret it.

The tall-timber town of Pemberton in the south of WA offers the Great Forest Trees Drive. This 48km run is simply magnificent, taking in the stunning old-growth Karri Forest, Marri and Jarrah forests, heath and granite outcrops. The route starts north of South Western Highway and is peppered with picnic spots along the way.

No trip to Western Australia is complete without a pit stop at Margaret River. Originally a chilled out surfie town, Margaret River has evolved into the ultimate smorgasbord of good food, fine wine and spectacular scenery – just a three-and-a-half hour drive from Perth.

There’s a fine supply of world-class wineries, boutique breweries, and restaurants overlooking sweeping vineyards and surf breaks. The drops are definitely top notch – the region produces less than one per cent of Aussie wine, but wait for it – over 15 per cent of the country’s premium wine

Untamed, adventurous, authentic Kununurra is the gateway to some of Western Australia’s remarkable natural attractions. Spend a week or two in Kununurra and get a taste for life in the outback and the thunderous power of nature. The mighty Gibb River Road begins here.  This red dirt track journeys through a landscape of gorges, waterfalls and cattle stations the size of small European countries. It’s easy to think you’re the first person to visit the area - that is until you stumble across ancient Aboriginal rock art.

Fremantle is home to an eclectic and creative community. The weekend markets are filled with colourful characters, the freshest fruit and vegetables, local arts and crafts. Here, you can tap your toes to the music of talented buskers and discover treasures such as handcrafted didgeridoos, indigenous art works, intricate hand-made jewellery and vibrant mosaics. Visit the Fremantle Arts Centre to peruse world-class exhibitions. Be sure to stop past its celebrated craft shop where you’ll find handcrafted ceramics, glassware, wood and textiles.

Take a dive with hundreds of tropical fish and colourful coral at unspoilt Ningaloo Reef.  Best of all, the reef is just a few metres from the shore. No overcrowded pontoons here – it’s just you, a mask and fins, and the most amazing marine life you’re ever likely to see.  Nothing can compare to the thrill of swimming beside the biggest fish in the world, the whale shark. You’ll feel like a minnow, but luckily these creatures, which can grow up to 14 metres long, eat only plankton.  Swim with graceful manta rays – these beautiful creatures can grow up to 5 metres wide and weigh several hundred kilograms.

Shark Bay is one of only a handful of places on Earth that meets all four criteria for World Heritage listing. Sharks Bay’s natural beauty, number of threatened species, amazing wildlife and geology draw people from all over the planet.  Check out the Hamelin Pool stromatolites - the oldest and largest living fossils in the world, as well as Shell Beach - made up of millions of tiny white shells.   Monkey Mia’s local population of friendly dolphins visit the shore almost daily to be hand fed. You’re also likely to see whales, manta rays, turtles, sharks and rare marsupials. The contrast of red earth, white sand and blue sea is like nothing you’ve seen before.