
	About Western Australia

		The North Perth The South The East


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About Perth + Western Australia Regions

Discover the extensive range of experiences that await you on a holiday in Western Australia. There’s plenty to see and do, from the rugged landscapes and outback in the north, to the charm and casual sophistication of metropolitan Perth, from the forests and countryside of the south, to the historic and colourful goldfields in the east.

Western Australia’s coastline is fringed by the sparkling Indian and Southern Oceans, providing many superb beaches and opportunities for fishing and diving. Much of the wildlife is unique and from July to November each year up to 12,000 different species of wildflowers bloom throughout most of the State.

The following are just some of the attractions to be found in WA. For more detailed information please refer to the Holiday Planners produced on each region. You’ll find them at country tourist bureaux and information centres throughout the State or telephone the Western Australian Tourist Centre in Perth on 1300 361 351 for a copy or check out their website on http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/

THE NORTH

In the far north, the Kimberley region is regarded as one of the world's last frontiers with ruggedly beautiful scenery. Attractions include:

The Bungle Bungle massif. 700 square kms in area in the Purnululu National Park, is an awesome spectacle with orange and black striped beehive-shaped domes rising 200 metres above the surrounding plateau.
Kununurra is Western Australia's northern gateway, catering for many adventure holiday needs including barramundi fishing, flights over the Bungle Bungle, boat cruises and tours of Lake Argyle, Lake Kununurra and the Argyle Diamond Mine.
Once the pearling capital of the world, Broome is still the centre of Australia's cultured pearling industry. Its most famous attraction is Cable Beach, a pristine 24 km stretch of pure white sand, gently washed by the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
There are many spectacular gorges in the region including Windjana, Bell Creek, Manning and Geikie Gorges.

The Pilbara is one of the oldest geological areas in the world with rugged, yet beautiful, inland gorges and some of the largest deposits of iron ore and natural gas in the world. It features:

Karijini National Park - best known for its spectacular gorges, mountain ranges and water courses. Pull on the hiking boots and explore Hancock, Kalamina, Joffre, Dales, Weano, Red and Hamersley Gorges.
Millstream Chichester National Park, with its majestic ranges, exotic palms and eternal springs, is a tropical oasis in the very heart of the Pilbara.
Newman is a picturesque inland town adjacent to the world's largest open cut iron ore mine. Tours are available.

The Gascoyne region offers holiday makers adventure, a stunning array of natural attractions, thousands of kilometres of white, sandy beaches and a dry, sub-tropical climate. Its attractions include:

Shark Bay World Heritage Property, home to many natural wonders such as: a 100km beach made entirely of shells; an abundance of flora and fauna species; the world’s finest examples of stromatolites at Hamelin Pool, representatives of the earth’s earliest life forms, and the largest and most diverse seagrass meadows in the world which provide habitat for a diversity of marine flora.
Francios Peron National Park is home to many rare and endangered fauna species. From the cliffs of Cape Peron visitors may see wedgetailed eagles soaring, bottlenose dolphins playing, dugongs feeding, and green and loggerhead turtles surfacing for air.
The friendly dolphins of Monkey Mia show how wild animals can be attracted to human activity in the marine environment. Monkey Mia Nature Reserve provides a Ranger-supervised dolphin interaction area which enables the dolphins to approach and interact with people in knee-deep water.
Mt Augustus National Park, inland from Carnarvon, is the world’s largest monocline, a rock strata which dips in one direction, and is 2.5 times the size of Uluru. It rises out of an extensive sandplain of arid shrubland dominated by wattles, cassias and eremophilias.
Ningaloo Reef begins just north of Carnarvon and hugs the coast for 260 kms to the tip of the North West Cape and Exmouth. It protects a lagoon rich in marine life. Whale Sharks may be viewed from charter boats from March to June.
Exmouth has excellent game fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling. Nearby Cape Range National Park has rugged limestone ranges, deep canyons and 50 kms of pristine beaches.
Kennedy Range National Park is situated about 160km from the coast. The Kennedy Range is a plateau which has eroded on the southern eastern sides to form spectacular cliffs and a maze of steep sided canyons which have running streams after rain. The road to the eastern side escarpment is suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles.

The Midwest region is an area of sharp contrasts, from its coastal strip offering water activities and unspoilt beaches to the outback with sheep stations and spectacular wildflowers. The main attractions include:

Inside Natures Window - Kalbarri

Geraldton, just over 400 km north of Perth, boasts a year-round sunny climate, pristine beaches, excellent fishing, sailboarding and scuba diving and is well known for its crayfish.
Kalbarri National Park, north of Geraldton, features a series of spectacular river gorges and coastal cliffs that are easily accessible by vehicle. The town of Kalbarri is a popular seaside holiday destination renowned for its wildflowers, beaches, coastal cliffs, and fishing.
Just two hours drive inland from the coast, visitors have the opportunity to experience life on several working sheep stations.

For more information about Western Australia Visit Nature Base (CALM)

PERTH

Perth is a modern and beautiful city located on the picturesque Swan River some 20 kms from the Indian Ocean. It has a population of 1.2 million and boasts such attractions as:

Perth taken from Kings Park

Kings Park, within walking distance of the city, is 400 hectares of magnificent parkland and natural bushland and offers a range of facilities for visitors. It has excellent views of the city skyline and Swan River.
Excellent beaches can be found along the coastline, some of the most popular being Cottesloe, City Beach and Scarborough.
Northbridge is one of the more colourful areas of central Perth with pavement cafes, an extensive range of restaurants and cuisines, bars, nightclubs and food halls.
Fremantle is a port city with a colourful history, only 25 minutes from Perth. It is a favourite spot for locals and visitors with al fresco cafes, harbourside restaurants, historic buildings, museums, arts and craft galleries and markets.
Rottnest Island is a popular holiday retreat just one hour by ferry from Perth and half an hour from Fremantle. Activities include swimming, scuba diving and bike riding. Check out there web site: www.rottnest.wa.gov.au/
The Swan Valley, just 45 minutes drive from Perth, is home to 30 or so wineries, most of which offer tastings and cellar sales. Some provide meals in delightful surroundings.

THE SOUTH

The Peel region offers a country lifestyle and with natural features including an attractive and accessible coastline, waterways, forestry areas and the Murray River Valley.

Mandurah, just an hour’s drive from Perth, has calm, protected waterways, safe beaches, superb fishing and crabbing, a sunny climate and a relaxed atmosphere.
The Serpentine/Jarrahdale area has many forests, parks and rivers, heritage buildings and museum collections, as well as arts and crafts.
Dwellingup is a busy timber town. One of its most scenic attractions is Lane-Poole Reserve, popular for canoeing, marroning and fishing. The Bibbulmun Walk Trail is nearby, as is the Forest Heritage Centre, which tells the story of forest resources and conservation.

The South West region is a popular holiday destination with inland waterways, dense karri and jarrah forests, caves, superb beaches, vineyards and breathtaking coastal and inland scenery. Some of its attractions are:

The City of Bunbury, located on the Indian Ocean and Koombana Bay, is the South West's largest service centre. Dolphins make regular visits to the beach in Koombana Bay.
The Blackwood River Valley features rolling farmlands with fruit, craft shops, museums and historical buildings. The Blackwood River is ideal for canoeing while the scenic drive between Balingup and Nannup is a must see.
Busselton and Dunsborough are popular coastal towns situated on the protected clear waters of Geographe Bay. Nearby, Yallingup is noted for its magnificent cave, breathtaking coastal scenery and spectacular surf.
The Margaret River area is renowned for its excellent wineries, caves and world-class surf.
Pemberton, in the heart of karri and jarrah country, has many scenic drives and fine woodcraft. Gloucester Tree, with its 60m high viewing platform, is the highest fire lookout tree in the world and may be climbed. The area is also gaining a reputation for quality wines.

The Great Southern region is a land of lush green forests, tranquil inland waters, mountain ranges, gently rolling valleys and a ruggedly spectacular coastline. Attractions include:

Stirling Ranges

Albany, established in 1826, is the oldest settlement in Western Australia and overlooks picturesque Princess Royal Harbour. The old whaling station is now an impressive museum.
The Torndirrup National Park, on the coast south of Albany, features some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Australia, including The Gap and The Natural Bridge.
The Stirling Range National Park, has many tracks and picnic facilities. It offers some magnificent climbs of which Bluff Knoll is the most popular. Nearby Porongurup National Park has some of the oldest rocks in the world. Easy walking tracks lead to most of the peaks giving spectacular views.
Great Southern wineries, located near Albany, Mount Barker, Frankland, Denmark and the Porongurups, have produced many award-winning wines. Most are open for tasting and sales.
Denmark is a tranquil and beautiful holiday spot offering a variety of water related activities and attractions, including nearby William Bay National Park with its superb coastal scenery.
The Walpole and Nornalup areas are very picturesque with quiet, tranquil waterways and magnificent forests of karri and tingle trees. A scenic drive through the Valley of the Giants is a must for visitors and features the Tree Top Walk.

THE EAST

The Heartlands has an agricultural flavour and presents the face of rural life in Western Australia. It is rich in history and scenic beauty. Attractions include:

The Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, near the coastal township of Cervantes, covers an area of approximately 404 hectares. Thousands of limestone pillars, up to 4m tall, rise out of a stark landscape of yellow sand.
New Norcia is the home of a community of Benedictine monks who own and operate the town. New Norcia is registered on the National Estate and features a museum and impressive art gallery.
In the picturesque Avon Valley, an hour’s drive from Perth, the towns of Toodyay, Northam, York and Beverley offer a range of holiday activities from historic sightseeing to hot-air ballooning.
Wave Rock, 15 metres high and over 2,700 million years old, is located near Hyden, some 350 km east of Perth.

The Goldfields region is rich in history, architecture, attractions and adventure including:

Kalgoorlie

The twin towns of Kalgoorlie-Boulder were born in 1893 when Paddy Hannan discovered gold near Mt Charlotte. Today the Bush Two-Up School and Museum of the Goldfields are popular. Tours of an underground mine and gold pour demonstrations are also available.
Coolgardie, once the centre of Australia's greatest gold rush, is now the nation's best preserved gold mining town. The story of the goldrush days unfolds at the Goldfields Exhibition.

The Esperance region is blessed with some of the best coastal scenery in Australia. Attractions include:

Esperance, 402 kms south of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, lies amid brilliant blue waters, perfect white sandy beaches, massive headlands of dark, pre-Cambrian granite and scores of islands. The area is a mecca for surfing, sailboarding and other water activities.
There are six national parks offering a variety of experiences and scenery. Two of the more popular are Cape Le Grand and Cape Arid National Parks.