Western Australia takes up one-third of the Australian continent and 36% of its coastlines. With an area of more than 2.5 million square kilometres (965,255 square miles), it is the second largest subnational entity in the world and were it an independent nation, it would be the tenth largest in the world.
As the largest state in Australia, covering nearly one-third of the country, Western Australia is incredibly vast and diverse. From baffling rock formations and ancient First Nation’s sites, to sweeping green vineyards of world-class wineries and unbelievably clear ocean waters, Western Australia is undoubtedly the land of endless raw beauty, sunsets on the beach, excellent food and wine, as well as a great deal of empty, isolated space, that leaves you appreciating the wilderness and rugged beauty of Australia.
Heralded as Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth is effortlessly beautiful and a place where adventure and relaxation go hand in hand. The city offers:
Did we mention the countless sandy stretches and its 19 beaches, including Scarborough, Cottesloe and Mandurah, that offer excellent swimming, surfing and waterside dining indulgences?
While the CBD is a bustling metropolis, with excellent food and shopping options, we always recommend exploring a little further afield.
The suburbs-more than meets the eye
Fremantle is a funky cultural centre, just south of Perth’s city centre, with beautifully preserved heritage buildings, a vibrant bar scene, particularly the Little Creatures brewery, as well as fabulous boutique shopping, markets and restaurants. If you’re keen to sample some of the best Australian wine, but don’t have the time to head to Margaret River, the Swan Valley, also just a short drive away, is brimming with wineries and artisan food producers. If you’re chasing a more urban vibe, Perth villages, Leederville, Mt Lawley and Subiaco foster an eclectic mix of local restaurants, shops, live music and bars, where you’ll mingle with locals and be welcomed with open arms.
Further afield from the bustling capital city of Perth, Western Australia offers travellers an authentic insight into Australian culture and landscapes, as well as countless encounters with unique wildlife, such as quokkas and whale sharks.
With long, dry and hot summers and generally cooler, wet winters, Western Australia can be appreciated at any time of the year and Liv Australia are ready to show you some of our favourite places this state has to offer.
Rottnest
Famous for its smiling quokkas, turquoise waters and picture-perfect bays, Rottnest Island is a quaint piece of paradise, just a thirty minute ferry trip from Perth. In 1696, the Dutch navigator, Willem de Vlamingh landed on the island and pronounced it an ‘earthly paradise’. Mistaking the endemic marsupials, quokkas, for rats, he named the island ‘Rottnest’ (rats nest) and to this day, the adorable quokkas rule the roost.
However, there’s more to Rottnest than the quokkas, this car-free nature reserve has a plethora of sparkling bays, pristine white sand beaches, as well as bountiful coral reefs, offering excellent snorkelling and swimming opportunities. The Rottnest pub is one of the best places to enjoy a refreshing ale and Liv Australia highly recommends hiring a bike and enjoying the incredible scenery, rolling hills, the renowned pink lake and the stunning coastline.
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles Desert is another surreal Western Australian wonder that leaves you feeling as though you are quite literally, on another planet. In the middle of a desert, this geological mystery consists of almost 200 square kilometres of thousands of pointy limestone formations, made from ancient ground seashells. Scientists remain baffled as to how this vast expanse of pinnacles came to be, but one thing is certain, they are definitely something you will remember for the rest of your life.
Best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon, to experience the dramatic effects of the silhouettes. The Pinnacles are a desert oasis like no other.
Ningaloo Reef
Gateway to the amazing wonder that is the Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, a 15-hour drive from Perth (we told you Western Australia is huge) is a tiny town on the coral coast and is unsurprisingly, a nature lover’s paradise, with its coral reefs and colourful fish.
However, it is the world-famous crystal clear waters of the Ningaloo Reef, that stretches for over 300 kilometres, that is the main attraction (and the reason you drove for all that time!). Ningaloo Reef Marine Park, is not only the world’s largest fringing reef, but unlike the Great Barrier Reef, is also easily accessible from the shore. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ningaloo is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with whale sharks.
However, there is more to the 260 kilometre marine park than just the whale sharks. Ningaloo marine life includes more than 300 coral species, 500 species of fish and a vast array of manta rays, humpback whales, dugongs and turtles. Once you’ve had more than enough of the water, hit the rust-red terrain of Cape Range National Park, just a short drive south of Exmouth. Lace up your hiking boots and explore ancient cliffs and canyons, keeping an eye out for local wildlife like emus, red kangaroos and echidnas.
Magical Broome
Set on the Indian Ocean at the top of Western Australia, Broome, with its turquoise waters, palm trees, breezy afternoons and a stark, red dirt backdrop of towering cliffs, is a magical place where you feel as though you are on a tropical island. With Broome’s main beach stretching for 22 kilometres, you’ll always find a spot to yourself. Watching the red sunset over the water, sipping a cocktail, or riding a camel, is also an experience like no other. When you’ve had your fill of the beach, head to some of the excellent bars and restaurants that line the balmy streets of the small town, and brace yourself for some excellent food.
The KimberleyÂ
The Kimberley Region, home to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes and fewer people per-square-kilometre than almost any other place on Earth, will stir your soul and awaken your senses to nature and perhaps, even to yourself. The list of what to experience in the region is truly endless, but wherever you go, you can expect to see thundering waterfalls, spectacular gorges, pockets of rainforest and freshwater swimming holes.
Guided tours help visitors experience the vast and isolated region, more safely and easily, and Liv Australia can help you choose a tour perfectly suited to your needs..
We do know that whatever parts of it you choose to explore, it will be an unforgettable experience.
Bungle Bungle
Despite being over 350 million years old, one of Western Australia’s hidden gems, the remote and spectacular rock formations of Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park remained unknown to the outside world until 1983. Today, akin to so many other sites in Western Australia, the park graces both the National and UNESCO World Heritage lists.
The Bungle Bungle hills and surrounding area were home to First Nation’s tribes for thousands of years and unsurprisingly, the area holds remains of their culture, including ceremonial sites, rock paintings and a burial ground.
Over time, natural erosion and monsoonal weather have provided the park’s deep gorges and chasms and the bee-hived shaped rock domes of the Bungle Bungle are in fact, made of soft sandstone. Touted as one of the most unique and captivating natural landmarks in the world, the orange and black striped sandstone structures will take your breath away.
Western Australia will captivate you from your very first visit, and leave you wanting to return time and time again. We’re always discovering new beautiful places to explore ourselves. If Western Australia sounds like a ‘Must Do’ for your Australian travel list, Liv Australia will ensure you get the most out of this vast and undeniably beautiful state.
Western Australia is old. Really old. Nestled into parts of Shark Bay, the westernmost point of the Australian continent 800 km north of Perth, are stromatolites, some of the oldest ‘living fossils’ in the world. And as a destination, WA is also really BIG. Book a free consultation for help navigating your trip to Australia's largest state.Â
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