Let us help you explore the great state of WA, and it’s capital Perth with our Western Australia Travel Guide. Located on the Western Coast of Australia and has borders with South Australia and Queensland on its eastern side, it’s got endless beaches, national parks, UNESCO world heritage sites, native wildlife, regional towns and so much more.

You could spend years exploring and never leave the state! But if you are short on time, our guide will hopefully narrow down your own highlights of the state to include on your visit.

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Fun Facts About Western Australia (WA)

• WA has a population of 2.76 million people (in 2020)
• Perth – the capital of WA has a population of 2 million people in 2020
• The WA Coastline is 20,781km long (combining the mainland (12,889km) & Islands (7,892km))
• Some of WA’s most popular attractions include Margaret River, Cable Beach, The Pinnacles, Ningaloo Reef, Wave Rock, Lake Hillier (Pink Lake) and Kalbarri National Park.
• The WA border (with South Australia and Queensland) is 1,874km
• Western Australia is the largest state, covering a total of 2,529,875 km² – Which accounts for 33% of Australia’s total landmass)
• Famous Aussies from WA include actors Heath Ledger, Melissa George and Gemma Ward.

Getting To & Around WA

• Arriving via Air into WA:
  • Perth International Aiport; or
  • Broome Airport – A domestic airport offering flights to/from Perth & Darwin (with a couple of international flights in peak season).
  • Regional Domestic airports at Albany and Geraldton.
• Arriving into WA via Interstate Train or Interstate Bus:
  • You can ride the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth, or take a train from Melbourne to Perth – both journeys take over 2 days and will cost you significantly more than flying.
• In Perth: Walking, Trains, Ferries, Buses and Taxis/Uber.
• Around the State: Driving, Interstate flights and a few regional buses (but be aware, the journeys by road are long!)

Major Festivals, Events & Holidays in Western Australia

• New Years Day: 1 January 2021(Public Holiday)
• Australia Day: 26 January 2021 (Public Holiday)
• Fringe World Festival (Perth – 15 Jan – 14 Feb 2021)
• Nannup Music Festival (Nannup – 26 Feb – 1 March 2021)
• Labour Day: 1 March 2021 (Public Holiday)
• Easter: 2nd – 5th April (Good Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday)
• Anzac Day: 25th April 2021 (Public Holiday – observed 26 April in 2021)
• Mullewa Muster & Rodeo (Mullewa – 5 June 2021)
• Western Australia Day: 7 June 2021 (Public Holiday)
• Queen’s Birthday: 27 September 2021 (Public Holiday)
• Christmas & Boxing Day: 25th & 26th December 2021 (Public Holiday)

WA School Holiday Periods

We list these because as with any country, school holidays generally mean that prices increase, and crowds can be larger. They may be unavoidable depending on your own vacation or family situation, but it is good to keep them in mind when planning your trip and being aware of the effect it may have on your stay.

2021

• Summer: 18 December 2020 – 31 January 2021
• Autumn: 2 April – 18 April 2021
• Winter: 3 – 18 July 2021
• Spring: 25 September – 10 October 2021

Regions in Western Australia (with Highlights & Things to do in Each)

Perth

Australia’s sunniest capital is home to over 2/3 of the states entire population and is the starting off point for almost all WA adventures. Combining a cosmopolitan city with pristine beaches and raw natural beauty, it’s the laid back hippie haven that you should most definitely ‘wander out yonder‘ to.

Perth Highlights

• Rottnest Island (and be sure to keep an eye out for Quokkas!)
• Kings Park – one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, with epic skyline views.
• Take a short drive out to the Swan Valley for some wine tasting.
• Explore the Port City of Freemantle
• See the sun set over the ocean (it’s only possible on the West Coast!) – we recommend Cottlesloe Beach or Scarborough Beach

The Coral Coast

From the dolphins of Monkey Mia to the mars-eque landscape of the Pinnacles, the Whale Sharks of Ningaloo Reef to the gorges of the Kalbarri, there are UNESCO world heritage listed natural wonders everywhere you look.

Coral Coast Highlights

• Shark Bay
• Ningaloo Reef (you can even swim with Whale Sharks in season!)
• Wander through The Pinnacles
• Meet the Dolphins at Monkey Mia

Esperance and The Golden Outback

Between the squeaky white sands of Esperance to one of the whitest beaches in the world – Lucky Bay – and the turquoise waters that border them, the southern coast of Western Australia is really something special. And be sure to head inland to Kalgoorlie – the largest outback town in Oz, or to Kookynie to experience a living gold rush town.

WA’s Golden Outback Highlights

• Stand underneath the 1.5m Wave Rock – carved by nature over 2,700 million years!
• Climb Mount Augustus, a monolith that’s twice the size of Uluru!
• See the bright pink, Lake Hiller
• Gaze upon the 100 untouched islands of the Archipelago of Recherche.

North West WA

The North West of WA is home to some of the states most iconic sites. From the camel parade on the white sands of Cable Beach in Broome, to the lush wilderness of the Kimberley and the rocky Bungle Bungle Range, there are plenty of opportunities to camp and stargaze under the clearest skies in Australia.

North West WA Highlights

• Camel Parade on Cable Beach at Sunset.
• Take a helicopter ride above the Bungle Bungles or cruise past King George Falls – one of the highest waterfalls in Australia.
• 4×4 on the legendary Gibb River Road
• See the mind-bending Horizonal Falls
• Get lost in the wilderness of The Kimberley or see the natural phenomenon that is the Staircase to the Moon in Karratha 

South West WA

Where rolling vineyards meet breathtaking beaches and world-class surf breaks, with stunning tall timber forests in between the two, the South West of WA is a hotspot for gourmet food and wine and stunning natural beauty.

South West WA Highlights

• Go wine tasting and gourmet lunching in Margaret River
• Talk the long walk out to sea along Busselton Jetty – the longest timber pier in the southern hemisphere at 1,841m long.
• Watch humpback whales on their annual migration.
• Get that Insta-worthy snap of Greens Pool while in Denmark.

All Our Posts About Western Australia