Western Australia can be explored through a wide variety of experiences: beehive-shaped sandstone formations, distinctive seascapes and long-distance trails sit alongside cultural attractions and regional cuisine. Consider what interests you most: geological formations, walking and cycling trails, wildlife or history. These examples show how varied experiences can be across the state.
Landscapes between sandstone and sea
Purnululu National Park is in the Kimberley region and covers almost 240,000 hectares of remote area managed as wilderness. The Bungle Bungle Range is defined by beehive-shaped karst sandstone formations that rise 250 metres above the surrounding semi-arid savannah. These formations offer a particularly striking way to appreciate the contrast between rock and open landscape.
Shark Bay tells a different natural story. It is home to seagrass meadows covering 4,800 square kilometres, considered the largest and most species-rich in the world. Hamelin Pool is known for its stromatolites, which form from microbial mats and are considered some of the oldest life forms on Earth. The combination of seagrass landscapes and stromatolites makes Shark Bay a destination for anyone interested in coastal ecology and early life forms.
Off Western Australia’s remote coast, Ningaloo Coast features a significant nearshore reef system alongside a limestone karst system. The Cape Range karst includes hundreds of caves, sinkholes and underground waterways. An estimated 300 to 500 whale sharks gather at Ningaloo Coast each year. Rottnest Island is also home to the quokka, which is unique to Western Australia. Different places across the region offer very different wildlife-watching experiences.
Explore on foot and by bike
Purnululu National Park has 14 walking trails spread across the northern and southern sections of the range. Access to the park is restricted to four-wheel-drive vehicles with high ground clearance, as well as single-axle caravans and camper trailers with high ground clearance. As weather and road conditions can affect access, check the latest advice and seasonal conditions before setting out.
Karijini National Park is the second-largest national park in Western Australia. The Gorge Rim Walk is 2.4 kilometres long and runs along the edge of Dales Gorge between Circular Pool Lookout and Fortescue Falls Lookout. If you plan to take this trail, check the latest park notices before your walk. On Rottnest Island, Wadjemup Bidi offers a different kind of experience: more than 45 kilometres of connected trails and boardwalks cross the island. A guided cultural experience, the Wadjemup Aboriginal Walking Tour begins with a traditional ceremony in the sand led by a Noongar guide. Check the tour’s availability before your trip.
For longer cycling tours, the Munda Biddi is a 1,072-kilometre off-road cycling trail through the scenic Darling Range and southern forests of Western Australia. Twelve purpose-built shelters are located in the forest between country towns that are 40 to 60 kilometres apart. Several vehicle-accessible entry points are suitable for day rides or short overnight trips; check the latest access conditions in advance. If you would rather walk, consider the Bibbulmun Track: this 1,000-kilometre long-distance trail passes through the South West region, from the Perth Hills to Albany (Kinjarling). The two trails differ in mode of travel and length—a useful guide when choosing between a cycling trip and a long-distance hike.
Culture and regional cuisine
Cultural attractions also offer their own points of interest. Fremantle Prison is the only building in Western Australia listed as a World Heritage Site. WA Museum Boola Bardip presents the state’s cultural and natural heritage through three major exhibition themes: “Being Western Australian,” “Discovering Western Australia” and “Exploring the World.” The museum is accessible by train and bus. The themes range from a focus on Western Australia to placing it in a broader context.
Wine and food take centre stage in Margaret River. The main grape varieties grown there include Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Chardonnay. The wine region has 100 cellar doors and offers gourmet dining experiences. If you’re interested in regional produce, the grape varieties and food scene provide specific starting points for exploring the region.
Road trips and travel planning
Western Australia has more than 30 road-trip routes across five regions. As the availability of route offerings may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before planning. A self-guided five-day heritage tour includes Busselton Jetty among its stops. It combines the idea of a longer road trip with a specific destination, without making it a fixed route for every stay. Choose experiences based on your interests and check the relevant conditions before committing to individual trails, tours or routes.
Discover more destinations: Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Shire of Esperance, Shire of Denmark, Walpole, Shire of Gnowangerup, Perth, Pemberton, Kalbarri, Margaret River, Mandurah, Yallingup, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Monkey Mia, Port Hedland, Kununurra, Karratha, Hillarys, Pinjarra, Parryville, Manjimup, Karijini, Halls Creek, Wonnerup, South Yunderup, Kordabup, Torbay, Metricup, Jurien Bay, Warmun, Carbunup River, Dongara, Port Denison, Denham, Eastbrook, Green Head, Forest Grove, Laverton, Lancelin, Prevelly, Cervantes, York, Preston Beach, Rosa Glen, Gingin, Balingup, Toodyay, Carnamah, Beermullah, Collie, Kingston, Newman, Yanmah, Porongurup, Norseman, Greenough, Kendenup, Tom Price, Bibra Lake, West Perth, North Fremantle, Kings Park, Roleystone, Binningup, Burswood, Stratham, Neerabup, Bullsbrook, Jandakot, Port Kennedy, Halls Head, Marangaroo, Meadow Springs, Pelican Point, Wembley, Karridale, Treeton, Schroeder, Frankland River, Carabooda, Bickley, Glen Forrest, Clackline, Baskerville, Nannup, Boyup Brook, Bindoon, Donnybrook, Gracetown, Herron, Stirling Estate, Mount Helena, Kalamunda, Denbarker, Lower Chittering, Chittering, Herne Hill, Darlington, Chapman Hill, Wanneroo City, Dardanup, Osborne Park, Middle Swan, Harvey, Shadforth, Collins, Yeagarup, Marybrook, Kalgan, Scotsdale, Muchea, Rocky Gully, South Guildford, Bramley, Siesta Park, Woodvale, Karnup, Northcliffe, Mount Barker, Swanbourne, Narrikup, Cuballing, Gelorup, Capel, Broomehill Village, Wandering, King River, Eagle Bay, Ringbark, Redmond, Cable Beach, Woodbridge, Oombulgurri, Derby, Lowlands, Spalding, Northam, Drummond Cove, Nedlands, Yanchep, Waggrakine, Mindarie, Kelmscott, Quinninup, Broadwater, Kronkup, Wellard, North Yunderup, Nornalup, Wyndham, Trigg, North Beach, Mullaloo, Cockburn Central, Forrestfield, Thornlie, Wilson, Bellevue, Stirling City, Inglewood, Murdoch, Woodanilling, Point Samson, Meekatharra, Harrisdale, Northampton, Brigadoon, Hazelmere, Cannington, Wellington Mill, Wickepin, Pickering Brook, Mumballup, Leeman, Kinross, Bow Bridge, North Boyanup, Yallingup Siding, Dampier, Benger, Bremer Bay, Kukerin, Rosa Brook, Kojonup, Bayswater, City of Belmont, Shire of Exmouth, Chidlow, Middle Island, City of Busselton, City of Wanneroo, Shire of Broome, City of Stirling, City of Joondalup, Town of Mosman Park, Shire of Toodyay, City of Albany, Shire of Gingin, Shire of Northampton, Shire of Katanning, Shire of Dardanup, Shire of Ashburton, City of Mandurah, Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, Shire of Williams, City of Melville, Leeming, Shire of Carnarvon, Shire of Harvey, City of Bunbury, City of Greater Geraldton, Shire of Northam, City of Rockingham, Shire of Roebourne, Shire of Boddington, Town of East Fremantle, City of Wanneroo, Shire of Murray, Shire of Dalwallinu and Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.
For the broader travel overview: Australia.
