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State of Australia
Photo: Jon Hanson, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Western Australia is Australia's largest state by land area, making up the western third of the continent. It is geographically so large that it covers more land than Greenland or even countries like Mexico. Most of its 3 million citizens live in or around Perth, while the rest of the state comprises of widely-dispersed small settlements.
The state capital on the Swan River sandy coastal plain, the beaches to the west, the hills to the east.
A complex patchwork of agriculture and reserves in the interior and empty beaches on the coast
The Western coast has surfing beaches. The closer to Perth, the more temperate the weather and hospitable the landscape
The central coast offers a variety of features -the Ningaloo Reef is not as famous as the Great Barrier Reef, but equals or surpasses it. Shark Bay is a UNESCO world heritage site.
A hot mining region, sparsely populated, with various natural attractions.
In the far north. It is a large wilderness area, including the resort town of Broome on Cable Beach. Vast areas of spectacular scenery.
A barren and flat interior becomes greener toward the coast where chilly king waves sent from Antarctica pummel the rocky shore.
Known for its wineries, surfing, forests and caves
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Known as a world-class diving spot, still relatively unspoilt by mass tourism compared to the much better known Great Barrier Reef. Here you have a relatively good chance of seeing a whale shark when they are in season.
Not far off Perth's coast, it has many underwater caves that are worth exploring.
A hike on the nearly 1000 km trail from Perth to Albany, passing through many south west towns is arguably one of the best walks in WA. The signposted trail wanders through forest, wetland, coastal, and grassland environments to campsites equipped with a three-sided timber shelter, rainwater tank and toilets. Pocket sized map books can be bought from the Bibbulmun track Foundation. If taking on the entire length is too daunting, several sections make good 2-5 day jaunts.
Cape to Cape Track
The 135km trail between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park meanders around precipitous coastal scenery, forests and along beaches. Periodic established campsites offer a spot to pitch your tent, toilet and watertank. The northern trailhead is 15 km south of Dunsborough and ends 6km shy of Augusta, passing through four towns along the way.
Mountain or cyclocross style bike only track
If you prefer two wheels, the 1,000-km Munda Biddi Trail goes from Mundaring in the Perth hills to Albany in the South West. The trail varies in terrain but is not extraordinarily challenging, making it a pleasant ride for all ability levels. Campsites with shelters are spaced a day's ride apart, and towns along the way give you chance to return to civilization.
An easy, but interesting, trail in the Perth Hills that follows a 40 km loop along the route of the former Eastern Railway abandoned in the late 1950s. The most popular stretch is in John Forrest National Park from Swan View to Hovea passing through the spooky Swan View tunnel, over a decaying wood framed bridge to the magnificent Hovea Falls. The areas relatively unspoilt bushland is a major wildlife corridor so it's not uncommon to see groups of kangaroos at dusk among other native animals.
Mountain bike, walking & horse riding track
The well marked track follows the Northam - Mundaring Weir railway reserve and part of the water pipeline. It is a 90 km 1-2 day cycling trip or a 3-4 day walking trip. Food, water and accommodation is somewhat limited along the route. Campsites are non existent but there are refreshment and food options at Northam, Clackline, Bakers Hill, Chidlow, Mundaring.
One of Western Australia's most well known beaches, with warm water and sand swept clean by the tides every day. You can't swim there from October until May because of Box Jellyfish (as with any beach north of Exmouth). Irukandji are also a risk at other times of year, and the beach can also be closed if a crocodile cruises past.
As one of the largest man made lakes in Australia Lake Argyle is a good place for a dip with the friendly crocodiles. Kununurra also has a number of secluded waterholes around that make a refreshing place to float about with a beer during the humid wet season.
Located a 35 minute drive east of Mandurah, is an excellent place for a swim.
Some claim this is the best beach in Australia. Others say it is only Western Australia's best. Regardless, the white sand, clear water and rounded headland make an impression on all visitors.
was only established in the late 1960s but has since built a reputation as an eminent producer of premium wines, particularly Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties, making it the state's flagship wine region. Around 90 vineyards have their cellardoor open for tastings and sales, providing plenty of opportunities for serious libations.
in the outskirts of Perth was one of the first places in the old colony where grapes were grown for wine, however it really developed as a wine region in the 1920s when migrant Croatian and Italian families established many of the wineries that still exist today. The valley overflows with a myriad of wine related attractions along the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail and hosts no less than three festivals a year.
wine region around Albany is a relative newcomer on the block that has developed a reputation among connoisseurs for its fine Rieslings.
By car
Considering the huge distances, driving into Western Australia from anywhere else is an experience by itself.
By rail
There is one railway connecting Western Australia with the eastern states. The Indian Pacific train service runs between Sydney and Perth via Adelaide.
Quarantine
There are quarantine rules if you are coming from other states in Australia. You cannot bring fruits and vegetables (including seeds and cuttings) into Western Australia.
By plane
Given the distances involved, plane travel is a vital connection to many Western Australian communities.
By train
Train services are limited outside of the Perth metropolitan area.
By coach
Coach Services comprehensively cover the southern regions of the state, publicly operated by TransWA.
By other means
Bicycling, camel riding, horse riding, and walking have been part of the state's history - early explorations were done this way.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Regional · WUN
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The state capital of Western Australia and one of the most remote large cities in the world
the largest town on the south coast of the state
gateway to the Kimberley and a fashionable tourist destination among Australians
home of the Busselton Jetty and gateway to the Margaret River region
on the south coast with a fine coastline and beaches
a historic mining town in the east
final stop before you enter the Northern Territory
a rapidly growing city nestled between estuary and ocean is popular for fishing and crabbing
One of only two cities in WA that have international flights as well as the gateway to the Pilbara
explore vibrantly coloured gorges and cliffs sculpted by the Murchison River
Coral Bay is a small beach resort town in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia, with a population in 2016 of 207. The big attraction is Ningaloo Reef, a 300-km fringing reef with its crest about 1 km offshore in this area, enclosing the placid lagoon of Bill's Bay.
a major destination in the Pilbara, featuring huge canyons and gorges, and nice hikes through majestic scenery
a fine winery and surfing region about 250 km south of Perth, a weekend playground for Perth.
rivalling the better-known Uluru in the Northern Territory for size, it's often claimed to be the largest monolith on Earth
an eerie landscape of limestone pillars rising from the sand about 100 km north of Perth
a UNESCO World Heritage Site features the enigmatic Bungle Bungle dome formations
a on the westernmost point of Australia, the small town is known for stromatolites and the dolphins at Monkey Mia
with more than a million paintings, this park is home to some of the world's most dense collections of rock art.
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