Travel

Discover Western Australia

red soils and pearly white sands. Swim, in brillians turquoise waters. With a history and culture as colourful as its landscape, Western Australia is a wonderous place. Add mouth-watering produce, premium wines, an abundance of sunshine and a thriving capital city and you have all the essential ingredients for an extraordinary holiday.

Perth Nature and urban life exist in harmony in Perth, where locals soak up more sunny days than in any other Australian capital city. Walk in leafy Kings Park, one of the world’s largest city parks, take a dip in one of the stunning beaches lining Perth’s long coastline, and experience the Swan Valley’s vineyards, food, Aboriginal art and history.

Rottnest Island Kick back on powderwhite beaches, see abundant marine life and meet the happiest animal on Earth (the cute quokka), all on Rottnest Island. During the summer months, families make the weekend pilgrimage to Rotto – as it’s affectionately known – to escape the city and swim in the island’s clear, calm waters. Rotto is a car-free zone, and the best way to get around is by bicycle, which can be hired through the ferry companies or once you’re on the island.

Esperance Remote and utterly remarkable, the southcoast town of Esperance has a coastline that will leave you spellbound. Fine quartz sands edged by tumbles of rounded boulders and endless islands. Esperance is also the closest town to the sandy white beach of Lucky Bay, regularly visited by kangaroos. Lake Hillier, on Middle Island, is a must-see; the pink lake neighbours the dark blue waters of the Indian Ocean to create a surreal sight.

Exmouth and the Coral Coast Stretching for 1100km from Cervantes, two hours north of Perth, to the Ningaloo Reef tourism hub of Exmouth, Western Australia’s Coral Coast is home to some of the state’s best-known and loved attractions. Linked by the spectacular Coral Coast Highway, highlights include the Pinnacles, Kalbarri National Park, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and idyllic Ningaloo, the only place in Australia you can swim with whale sharks.

The Kimberley and Broome Three times larger than England and with a population of less than 40,000, the Kimberley region – spread over Australia’s entire north-western corner – is one of the world’s last wilderness frontiers. idyllic freshwater swimming holes, authentic outback stations and the tropical pearling town of Broome.

Margaret River and the South West Margaret River is the only premium wine region in Australia where you can easily hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to the stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves that pepper the stunning South West.

See & do

Drive the Gibb River Road One of Australia’s great road trips, this 660km journey follows red dirt roads through the heart of the Kimberley. Following an old cattle droving trail, the trip from Derby to Kununurra gives you access to some of the most remarkable scenery, including red rock gorges, dramatic waterfalls, Aboriginal culture and ancient forests. Along the way, sleep in style at lodges such as El Questro Homestead and Balanggarra Home Valley’s Riverside Suites.

Discover one of the largest outback art galleries on Earth Australia is fast becoming known for its remote outdoor art galleries, with one of the best found on the dry in Western Australia’s Golden Outback. The surreal landscape forms the backdrop for 51 eye-catching sculptures by internationally renowned sculptor Antony Gormley. Spread across an area of 10sq are particularly striking in the dawn light.

Witness nature at its best in Broome A tropical oasis of striking contrasts in both colour and culture, Broome is home to white beaches, turquoise water, rust red cliffs, rich Aboriginal heritage and a melting pot of along the extraordinary 22km Cable Beach, and discover ancient dinosaur footprints and Australia’s only horizontal waterfall. Broome also recently boutique craft distillery – Moontide Distillery – which offers guided tastings of the distinctive infused into its gins and other spirits. Artisan cheese boards are also available.

Experience regional WA with a side of art An outdoor regional art gallery, the PUBLIC Silo Trail lays the foundations for one of the state’s most iconic tourist drives. Painted on grain silos, seven murals have been created as part of the project, each one surprising, distinctive and unique. Brightening silos in Northam, Merredin, Katanning, Pingrup, Newdegate, Ravensthorpe and Albany, the murals were created by the likes of international street art stars HENSE and Phelgm, as well as local Fremantle artist Amok.