Western Australia - WA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA - WA

Western Australia is about one third of the size of the country, making it Australia’s largest state. Even though the state is so big covering 2.5 million square kilometres, it only has one-twelfth of the nations population, which is 1, 900,000. It is a very quite place with very few tourists. One third of the states income comes from the mining which is very popular in WA.

The capital of Western Australia is Perth, it is said to be the most beautiful capital in the country.
More about Perth

WA is a very peaceful, relaxing, and slow paced place to go visit. It has some of Australia’s nicest beaches and most beautiful scenery.

The largest fish in the world are in WA, the whale shark has been found in the northern waters and up to 13meters long! Also some of the best and largest surfing waves in the world can be found near Margaret River. The climate in Western Australia is fairly different from that of the other states. When it is warm and dry in the northern state, it is wet and cool in the south. The summer season ranges from 17-29°C (63-84°F), and the winter seasons temperature ranges from 8-17°C (46-63°F).

Other places in Western Australia


Albany

Albany is the oldest European settlement in Western Australia. It is blessed with pristine beaches, a rugged coastline and the mecca for diver: the legendary "King George Sound". There are some good opportunities to observe the whales, especially between July-October. Accommodation with A$ 17-20 per night and dorm offers the "Blue Water Accommodation", the "Bayview YHA" (free breakfast) and the "Albany Backpackers". The beachfront pub "Legends Bar & Bistro" has some good eating opportunities and a beautiful view to the sea.

Augusta

This coastal town is 5 km north of Cape Leeuwin, the most south-westerly point in Australia. On this spot met the Southern and the Indian Ocean. Between May and September there are very well opportunities to observe whales and dolphins. The lighthouse on Cape Leeuwin offers spectacular views on the rugged surrounding coastline. Interesting whales and shipwrecks are exhibit in the "Augusta Historical Museum". With A$ 20 per night and dorm is the "Baywatch Manor Resort" the most inexpensive accommodation for staying overnight.

Broome

Broome is the largest city in the north of Western Australia. It is an isolated oasis with wide, sandy beaches and a relaxed cosmopolitan atmosphere. It lies in the Kimberley region, which has great deserts and an amazing wilderness and wildlife. In early 20th century Broome was the pearling centre with 80 % on the market. It was called "the world's mother of pearls". Nowadays there a just a few pearl farms still operating. If you go 4 km in the west you can find the amazing Cable Beach, which is one of the most beautiful beaches of Australia. It has azure water and white sand so far you can see. Worth seeing is also the "Broome Crocodile Park" and the "Gantheaume Point" where the cliffs have been eroded into curious shapes. Broome has the biggest celebration of the pretty cool monthly spectacle, the “staircase to the moon” in the second night after full moon. Named for the red-and-gold stairway effect caused when the reflections of the moon hit the rippling mud flats. The "Broome's Last Resort", the "Cable Beach Backpackers" and the "Kimberly Klub" offer an overnight accommodation in a dorm for A$ 17-20.

Bunbury

Bunbury is situated two hours by car south of Perth. It has not the best beaches in the state, with a busy port and base for heavy industry. But there is the "Dolphin Discovery Centre" and with only A$ 2 entry you can observe the dolphins and play with them. You can also surfing along in front of a boat on the Dolphin Eco-Cruise for A$ 27 or swim with them for A$ 99. The "Prince of Wales" is a good opportunity for the night with Indie Live Music. "Wander Inn" is a good choice for overnight with A$ 20 per night and dorm. They offer also sunset cruises for A$ 30-35, which include dolphin spotting and fishing.

Busselton

Busselton is a family-friendly resort on the coast south of Perth. Calm water and white sand beaches that stretch for many kilometres are typical for this region. Busselton offers the "Underwater Observatory" in which you will be able to descend 8 m below the water's surface to view the colourful coral and rich marine life.

Carnarvon

Carnarvon is a sleepy small resort far away in the north of Perth and far away in south of Broome. It is a useful stopover on the coast and offers some fruit picking jobs in season. The "Carnarvon Backpackers" offers a dorm room for A$ 20 per night.

Collie

Collie is a city in the mining industry and three hours by car south of Perth. There is not much apart fro, the mining industry and that's why it's rather recommended as a stopover.

Coral Bay

 The Coral Bay is on the southern end of the “Ningaloo Marine Park”, the coastal area in the north of Western Australia. Coral reefs lie just of the town beach, one of the stunning beaches there. You will be happy to snorkel, sunbake or swim and it’s a good base for outer reef and wildlife-spotting trips. Coral Bay’s beauty and good position has attracted the developers in the last few years, it’s not a secret place anymore. There is a recent proposal to build a colossal marine, resort and residential complex there. WA Premier Dr. Geoff Gallop rejected this proposal, but he released a “land use and tourism plan” for the whole area.

Esperance

Esperance is in the south of Western Australia and it is in the middle of some of Australia’s most magnificent coastline. There are about 100 small islands in this area, home to colonies of seals, penguins and a variety of sea birds. The idyllic picture includes clear aquamarine waters and squeaky white beaches. There is a pleasant temperature in the summer, but it’s going to be very cold, rainy and windy during the winter months. Particularly worth seeing is the “Great Ocean Drive”, 36 km west of town, with stunning lookouts and beaches. “Blue Haven” and “Twilight Bay” are popular swimming beaches on this road. There is a good diving around the islands and for experienced divers are the wrecks of “Sanko Harvest” and “Lapwing” worth exploring. Accommodation between A$ 17-20 per night and dorm offers the “Esperance Guesthouse”, the “Esperance Backpackers” and the “Blue Waters Lodge YHA”, which has lovely bay views from the balcony.

Geraldton

Geraldton is the most important town in mid-west. It is popular for cray-fishing and has also a few good beaches. The largest regional museum, the “Western Australia Museum” is situated in Geraldton. There are also four special events during the year: the “Geraldton Windsurfing Classic” in January, the “Sea-Jazz-Festival” in March, the “Batavia Celebrations” in June and the “Sunshine Festival” in October. If you like guitar music you shouldn’t miss the “Breakers Tavern”, it has bands on Friday and Saturday and attracts the under 30s. The “Freemason’s Hotel” is equally popular, has also bands on weekends and has generally an older crowd.  With A$ 16-18 per night and dorm offers the “Foreshore Backpackers YHA” and the “Batavia Backpackers” a cheap accommodation.

Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie is a prosperous, humming town in the middle of nowhere. It is still a mining town with a taste for tatts, gambling, brothels and alcohol. The summer temperatures are oppressively high, the winter months are a better time for visit this town. Who is interested in the history of gold shouldn’t miss the “Museum of the Goldfields”. The entry is almost free, it’s admission by donation. The “Royal Flying Doctor Service” offers guided tours for admission by donation. With A$ 17-20 per night and dorm are the “Goldfields Backpackers YHA” and the “Golddust Backpackers” recommended.

Kununurra

Kununurra is situated in the north of the “Kimberly Region”, north of Western Australia. It’s a modern town flanked by the “Lily Greek Lagoon” and the small “Mirima National Park”. There isn’t much to do in the town itself, but worth seeing are a drive on the “Gibb River Road” and a trip to “Lake Argyle” or to the “Purnulula National Park”. There are also good views from “Kelly’s Knob”, a favourite sunset or thunderstorm viewpoint. With A$ 17-18 per night and dorm offers the “Kununurra Backpackers” and the “Desert Inn International Backpackers”, with pool and nice outdoor areas, good opportunities to stay overnight.

Mandurah

Mandurah is just 74 km south of Perth and a fisherman’s paradise. It is also a popular getaway for Perth weekenders. It’s a very nice city with palm trees, waterfront mansions and a lot of big boats, but that’s it.

Margaret River

Margaret River is 250 km south of Perth, offers the best surfing in Australia and some of its most delicious wines. It’s the mecca for surfers and world surf champ Mark Richards described it as “one of the world finest” surf spots. There is also wild coastal scenery and a string of fascinating limestone caves. Nice and cheap accommodation offers the “Margaret River Lodge & Backpackers” with pool and garden, the “Inne Town Backpackers” in the city and the “Surf Point Lodge” on the Gnarabup Beach. The costs per night and dorm are between A$ 19-23.

Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is a pleasant beach resort 800 km north of Perth. It is world-famous for the bottlenose dolphins that turn up a lot of times every day. It’s so popular that there are always visitors watching the feeding session, there you will get a good look at this beauties. There is also a swimming area next to the interaction zone, where the dolphins swim around you. You should stay still, if a dolphin joins you. Never chase or approach a dolphin, as it may cause it distress, particularly it’s accompanied by a calf. There is also a wildlife tour through the shallow, crystal-clear water and it’s even more amazing than the interaction experience. The costs for this are between A$ 35-55. Who really likes to work with dolphins and who really like to enjoy them, there are always voluntary workers wanted to help with the daily duties.

Ningaloo Marine Park

The Ningaloo Marine Park is a protected area of the more than 250 km long Ningaloo Reef, in the north of Western Australia. The reef is unbelievably well accessible and it’s lying only 100m offshore from some parts of the beaches. More than 220 different kinds of corals were already sighted there. A special event each year is the synchronised mass spawning of coral in March. This takes place for eight or nine nights after the full moon in March. Ningaloo is the only place in the world where is appearing the largest fish of the world, the whale shark, each year. There are also sharks, enormous Manta rays, humpback whales, turtles and more than 500 species of other fish types. Therefore is this place the mecca for marine biologists and visitors alike.

Norseman

The quiet and beautiful place Norseman is for the most travellers a stop and recharge. From here the most people are going up north to Kalgoorlie or into the south to Esperance. The "Beacon Hill Lookout" offers a nice view of the surrounding salt lakes and of the town. With A$17 per night and dorm is the “Lodge 101” a good decision for staying overnight.

Northam

Northam is the most important city of Avon Valley. There is the starting point for the Avon Descent race on the Avon River with boats and canoes. This event is each year on the first weekend in August.

Port Headland

The quiet town Port Headland has always enjoyed a position of regional importance, because it’s attached to a massive industrial dock. It has a big celebration of the pretty cool monthly spectacle, the “staircase to the moon” in the second night after full moon. Named for the red-and-gold stairway effect caused when the reflections of the moon hit the rippling mud flats. With A$ 17-20 per night and dorm you can stay overnight in the "Harbour Lodge of Backpackers" and in the "Dingo's Oasis of Backpackers".

Yallingup

The tiny settlement Yallingup is particularly a place for surfers. It is well-known for its waves and surrounded by spectacular coastline and beautiful beaches. If you like something different, you should take a camel ride to the bush or beach.
This kind of tour offers "Yallingup Camel Safaris" between August and May.