Western Australia

Welcome to Perth & Surrounds

As the capital of Western Australia, Perth is known for being sunny year round, with sprawling white beaches and a vibrant city centre right by the Swan River.

Take in the city views from Kings Park and Botanical Gardens or ride around the Swan River, stopping to climb the Bell Tower or at a South Perth café to have an ice cream and admire the city skyline. Head to Northbridge or Leederville – cool city suburbs with a vibrant small bar scene and plenty of great restaurants.

Catch a ferry to Rottnest Island; hire a bike and snorkel equipment to explore the many coves and bays. Be sure to get a photo with a friendly quokka before you leave.

You’ll have your choice of beaches in Perth; the historic and calm Cottesloe, cool and surfie Scarborough or the rocky coves of Trigg. Join the locals on a Sunday afternoon at any of the seaside bars.

Make sure you head to the Swan Valley to sample some wines. Only thirty minutes’ drive from the city or a short cruise up the Swan River, it’s easy to find your new favourite drop.

Head down to the port city of Fremantle, rich in history and bustling with people at any time of the year. Visit the weekend Fremantle Markets to pick up some unique souvenirs and dine at one of the many cafés or restaurants.

Weather

Perth enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is fine and sunny for most of the year. Even during the short winter, the sun is often shining. With such  a favourable climate, many activities revolve around the outdoors, making this the perfect destination for sight-seeing, sporting activities  and simply relaxing on warm, sandy beaches.

Springtime begins in September when the weather quickly warms to fine and sunny conditions before leading into summer – starting in December with an average daily temperature of 31 degrees Celsius.

Autumn is very much like an extension of summer, with warm sunny days and cooler nights and winters are generally very mild. With more hours of sunshine than any other Australian capital city, why not spend your next holiday in Perth?

The South West

A leisurely drive from Perth, the South West is a highlight for nature lovers and foodies.

Follow the coast to Bunbury, where you can wade into the bay with dolphins and try fresh produce from surrounding farming towns including Harvey and Donnybrook. Further south is Busselton, a popular seaside town for families with a bay perfect for swimming. The town is known for its 1.8km long jetty; the longest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and open to the public.

Be sure to set aside several days to explore the wineries, breweries, galleries and boutique food producers in the South West. Margaret River is certainly the most famous wine region, but the cool yet sunny climate has ensured that food and wine has become a staple throughout all of the South West. Be sure to book a day tour to make the most of wine tastings.

Keep outdoors with long stretches of beach and some of the best surf breaks in the world. Head to Walpole to explore the towering Valley of the Giants. Walk high along the Tree Top Walk or if you feel brave, climb the Bicentennial or Gloucester Trees in Pemberton – a dizzying 75 and 61 metres tall respectively.

The Great Southern boasts some of the clearest, most pristine beaches. From Denmark to Albany and all the way to Bremer Bay, there are plenty of hidden bays which you can make your private beach for the day. Albany is central to Australia’s ANZAC history, being the port that troops departed from in WWI. Be sure to allow a few hours at the new National ANZAC Centre which documents and honours those involved.

With a wide range accommodation options, from self-contained apartments for families to luxury retreats for couples, there are options for all travellers. Be sure to plan your trip around the South West’s huge event calendar!

Weather

Australia’s South West enjoys a temperate climate and observes four definite seasons. The summer sunshine provides perfect beach weather with a maximum temperature of around 32 degrees, and winters are pleasantly cool and mild with an average of 14 degrees. The warm sun and temperate climate has earned Australia’s South West its reputation as a world-renowned food and wine region with a great outdoor lifestyle.

The Coral Coast

The Coral Coast region starts just under two hours north of Perth and runs for 1,100kms north to Exmouth. Some of Australia’s best known holiday experiences are found on the Coral Coast, including the Pinnacles, Geraldton’s Abrolhos Islands, the Kalbarri National Park, the Shark Bay World Heritage Area (includes the dolphins of Monkey Mia and Dirk Hartog Island), the fresh produce of Carnarvon and the incredible Ningaloo Reef, where you can swim with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark.

Watch the turtles come ashore and lay their eggs during the summer, swim with the mighty Whale Sharks during March to July in the Ningaloo Marine Park, snorkel with the incredible Manta Rays in Coral Bay, get up close with the dolphins of Monkey Mia, marvel at the colourful wildflowers carpeting Kalbarri National Park and discover the mystical landscape of the Pinnacles along the Indian Ocean Drive.

Be sure to visit the magnificent Coral Coast, a fantastic natural  playground home to many hidden treasures dotted along a fantastic stretch of coastline just waiting for you to explore.

The Pilbara

The Pilbara is home to the Hamersley Ranges that unfold over 400kms of this wild and spectacular region that is famous for its dramatic rock contours. At the northern tip of the Pilbara is the town of Port Hedland where you will enjoy an interesting blend of lifestyles.

It combines a unique history of Indigenous, pastoral and mining influences. Further south is the towns of Karratha and Dampier – home to the famous “Red Dog” and the ancient Burrup Peninsula. Here you can also visit the North West Shelf Visitor Centre.

Further to the East is the towns of Newman and Tom Price. Karijini National Park is one of the largest and most spectacular parks in Western Australia, famous for its sheer gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes. The park is home to a variety of birds, red kangaroos and euros, rock  Wallabies, echidnas and many other fascinating species.

Broome & The Kimberley

Once the pearling capital of the world, Broome is a unique town with a romantic history. Surrounded by the sparkling turquoise waters of Cable Beach with red cliffs and endless white sand, Broome’s stunning natural beauty and relaxed tropical feel will captivate you from the moment you arrive. Established as a pearling port in the 1880’s, Broome today boasts a multicultural population made up of the many nationalities who flocked to the shores of Roebuck Bay in the hope of making their fortune from the pearling industry. Broome is also the gateway to the Kimberley, so whilst in Broome, allow some time for exploration of the wider Kimberley region.

Weather

Broome enjoys dry, sunny days during the peak months of May to October and has an average daily temperature of 31 degrees. Evenings can be cooler at this time of the year with an average minimum of 16 degrees. November to April is known as the wet season and normally has humid days and balmy nights. Rain is normally short however access to places outside of Broome can be limited due to reduced road access.

The Dampier Peninsula

The Dampier Peninsula north of Broome is made up of a string of beautiful beaches bound by crystal clear waters. The unspoilt coastline is the perfect place to swim, snorkel and enjoy some great fishing. Home to a number of Aboriginal communities who have embraced tourism, visitors to the Dampier Peninsula can share in the lifestyle of the Aboriginal people and learn about their traditional fishing and hunting techniques.

Gibb River Road

A journey along the Gibb River Road four wheel drive route is one of the last true outback adventures. Originally constructed in the 1960s to  transport stock from surrounding cattle stations, it stretches some 700km from King Sound in Derby to Kununurra.  The Gibb River Road takes you through spectacular scenery, passing any gorges, waterfalls and rivers. So take time to explore, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and taking a refreshing swim in pools beneath plunging waterfalls. It is only suitable for four wheel drive vehicles and not recommended for towing caravans, trailers or boats. The best way to see the Gibb River Road is on an organised tour or an accommodated self-drive itinerary.