BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia is the largest Australian state that covers nearly one-third of the country. Some people say it’s also the most beautiful one. Is that true? Well… it’s hard to say no. This region is incredibly fascinating and diverse. The tropical north, arid outback, and Mediterranean south. Western Australia is the land of endless exploration. I had lived here for over a year, travelled as much as possible, and covered almost 15 000 kilometres across the state. Find out more about the best places to visit in Western Australia.

BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Western Australia is really huge! If independent that would be the tenth largest country in the world. Surprised, right? We all know it’s big, but tend to underestimate its size. Plan your road trip wisely, check the distances, and make sure to visit the right place in a right time. Travelling up north is not the best idea in Australia’s summer, as well as going down south in winter. Especially if you love spending time on the beach. I tagged the best places to visit in Western Australia on the below map. Let’s get straight into it!

KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK

Karijini National Park is truly a paradise. I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t be impressed by its beauty. What can you expect here? Spectacular cliffs, dramatic gorges, thundering waterfalls and rock pools. Sounds good, right? I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. It’s also the northernmost point of Western Australia that I managed to visit. The Kimberley region, well-know for its remarkable landscapes, is still on my bucket list. Hope to visit very soon. Learn more about Karijini National Park in a separate blog post.

CAPE RANGE NATIONAL PARK

Cape Range National is a mixture of rugged arid canyons and white sparkling beaches. I’ve got some epic memories from this place. Spent the night at a campground situated in a beautiful scenery close to the beach, and also learnt that taking too little water on a hike is a risky business in Australia. Summer days can be extremely hot here! If you want to learn from my mistakes rather than yours, make sure to read a comprehensive blog post about Cape Range National Park. It’s all you need to know about this place.

SNORKELLING ON NINGALOO REEF

Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s largest fringing coral reef, and one of the most accessible coral reefs in the world, positioned not further than 100 metres from the shore. With no doubts, it’s also one of the best places to visit in Western Australia. What can you do here? Jump into the water to observe the abundance of marine life or book a tour to swim with manta rays, whales, and even sharks. Just be mindful that some of those attractions are seasonal. Find out more about snorkelling on Ningaloo Reef in a separate blog post.

KENNEDY RANGE NATIONAL PARK

Kennedy Range National Park is not a very popular travel destination in Western Australia. Are you curious why? First of all, you have to do some extra kilometres to get here. Second of all, the place is rugged and isolated. If you wish to experience the outback Australia at its purest, Kennedy Range National Park will be perfect for you. Just be sure to prepare well for this adventure. It’s a number one priority while exploring an area far away from civilisation. Read more about Kennedy Range National Park in a separate blog post.

FRANCOIS PERON NATIONAL PARK

Francois Peron National Park is my favourite bit of Shark Bay in Western Australia. It’s also a place where I had my first 4×4 driving experience. The national park is not accessible for 2WD cars, so I didn’t have any other choice. I rented a 4WD car just for one day, had an express lesson on 4×4 driving, and jumped behind the wheel. What happened next? Of course, I got bogged, and had to ask some strangers to help me out. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Find out more about Francois Peron National Park in a separate blog post.

SHARK BAY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Shark Bay in Western Australia is inhabited by at least 29 types of shark. I’m not kidding! I know it sounds scary, but the place is safe, and remains one of the most popular holiday destination among West Aussies. Make sure to visit Francois Peron National Park to soak up the views of striking red cliffs, and turquoise water. Check out Shell Beach made up solely of tiny shells, and at the end of the day, watch the sunset at Eagle Bluff. All this, and more is included in a separate blog post about Shark Bay in Western Australia.

KALBARRI NATIONAL PARK

Kalbarri National Park has it all. The inland river gorges with numerous walking tracks, and the majestic coastline with dramatic cliffs. No surprise that it’s a very popular travel destination in Western Australia. In fact, also easily accessible. Kalbarri National Park is located no further than 600 km from Perth. Be ready for some picturesque walks, as well as sandy beaches with crystal clear water. Bigurda Trail is definitely my favourite hike here. Simply beautiful! Find out more about Kalbarri National Park in a separate blog post.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN JURIEN BAY

Is Jurien Bay one of the best places to visit in Western Australia? Definitely yes! What can you do here? First of all, swim with sea lions that inhabit Essex Rocks, an island located a 15 minute boat ride from the shore. Second of all, make sure to visit Lesueur National Park. This location is not popular at all, but at the same time, extremely beautiful. Last, but not least. Go to Sandy Cape if you are looking for some good time on the beach. Find out more about those places in a separate blog post with top things to do in Jurien Bay.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN CERVANTES

Next stop is Cervantes. A small coastal town located 200 kilometres north of Perth. My number one place here is the magical Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park with thousands of limestone pillars contrasting with yellow sand. If you are looking for a place to eat, go and check Lobster Shack. An iconic family-owned restaurant serving delicious lobsters. After lunch, visit Lancelin, and have some fun on the sand dunes. Find out more about those places in a separate blog post with top things to do in Cervantes.

ROTTNEST ISLAND

Rottnest Island is the first place I visited after moving to Perth. I remember myself being super excited. After spending 5 months in constant lockdown in Melbourne, I couldn’t wait any longer to jump into the ocean and relax on the beach. So this is how I ended up spending a summer weekend on an immensely beautiful island inhabited by adorable quokkas. Looking for some travel tips? Check out the ultimate travel guide to Rottnest Island, and a separate blog post with a ready-to-use, two-day Rottnest Island itinerary.

MARGARET RIVER IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Welcome to Australia’s South West! A picturesque region with a nice, Mediterranean climate, most famous for boutique-size wineries, pristine beaches, spectacular rock formations, and beautiful caves. The best way to explore Margaret River in Western Australia is to walk across Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. If you enjoy multi-day hikes, consider doing the Cape to Cape Track. It’s Australia’s longest coastal trail that has 135 km in total, and gives you an opportunity to see the best places in Margaret River region up close.

PEMBERTON’S CLIMBING TREES

Looking for some crazy tourist attractions in Western Australia? Check out Pemberton’s climbing trees. These giants have over 50 m, were formerly used as fire lookouts, and today remain open for tourists to climb. Sounds cool, right? Have I mentioned that there’s hardly no support provided? Just pegs hammered into the tree trunk that form a ladder. Is climbing the Gloucester Tree and Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree safe then? I’m answering this question in a separate blog post about Pemberton’s climbing trees.

D’ENTRECASTEAUX NATIONAL PARK

Interestingly enough, D’Entrecasteaux National Park is not a popular travel destination, but I do think it’s a very special place with many secrets to discover. No doubts that the national park is best to explore in a 4WD vehicle. Many areas are not accessible for 2WD cars at all. If you don’t have a 4WD car, take the sealed road to Windy Harbour straight away. There are several coastal walks and some pristine beaches too. Amazing views guaranteed! Find out more about D’Entrecasteaux National Park in a separate blog post.

WALPOLE – NORNALUP NATIONAL PARK

There is one thing that comes to my mind when I think about Walpole – Nornalup National Park. Red tingle tree, also known as Eucalyptus Jacksonii, one of the most spectacular trees in Western Australia that can reach as high as 80 m. Distribution of these trees is limited as they are specific to the Australia’s South West region. What’s worth doing here? Make sure to visit the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, and Giant Tingle Tree. Find out more about those places in a separate blog post about Walpole – Nornalup National Park.

WILLIAM BAY NATIONAL PARK

William Bay National Park is an epic location not too far from Denmark in Western Australia. What’s so special about it? There are two absolutely amazing places that you literally can’t miss when travelling in Australia’s South West. These are Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. Both absolutely stunning! Just imagine turquoise green waters, white sandy beaches, and beautiful rock formations emerging from the ocean. It’s a great spot to chill out. Find out more about William Bay National Park in a separate blog post. Enjoy!

TORNDIRRUP NATIONAL PARK

Torndirrup National Park is an incredibly beautiful place offering some amazing hikes. Bald Head Trail is my favourite one here. I’m even tempted to say that this is the most picturesque walking track in Western Australia. Seriously! The views along the way left me speechless. Don’t skip the Gap and Natural Bridge either. These are another cool places worth a visit. What’s more, the national park is full of pristine beaches. It can’t be better than this, right? Find out more about Torndirrup National Park in a separate blog post.

PORONGURUP NATIONAL PARK

Next stop is Porongurup National Park. No doubts that the most popular attraction here is the Granite Skywalk, a suspended walkway around a spectacular granite outcrop with two lookouts. The views from the top are absolutely amazing! Especially at dawn. It’s well worth getting up early in the morning to climb up the rock and watch the sunrise. The national park also offers a couple of great walks such as Hayward Peak, Nancy Peak and Devils Slide. Find out more about Porongurup National Park in a separate blog post.

STIRLING RANGE NATIONAL PARK

Stirling Range National Park is my favourite place in Western Australia. I’m literally in love with these mountains. If you love hiking as much as I do, make sure to add this one to your itinerary. There are 6 well-marked walking tracks that lead to peaks rising from 700 metres to 1100 metres above sea level. If you are an experienced hiker looking for a bit of a challenge, check out Ellen Peak in the Stirling Range and The Stirling Range Ridge Walk. Find out more about Stirling Range National Park in a separate blog post.

FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK

Fitzgerald River National Park is another must-see place in Western Australia. It has immensely beautiful beaches, rugged sea cliffs, diverse flora, extensive plains and sheer river valleys ending in inlets. Check it out if you feel like spending a couple of days surrounded by nothing else than nature. There are also some epic walking tracks. My favourite one is the trail that goes to East Mount Barren. If you enjoy long-distance treks, try the Mamang Trail. Find out more about Fitzgerald River National Park in a separate blog post.

WAVE ROCK IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Wave Rock in Western Australia is a granite cliff that looks like a giant surf wave. Interestingly enough, lots of people skip this place while travelling in Western Australia. Are you wondering why? Well… it’s in the middle of nowhere, and most travellers need to do some extra kilometres to get there, especially if heading from Australia’s South West towards South Australia. Is Wave Rock worth the trip? I’m answering this question in a separate blog post about Wave Rock in Western Australia. Make sure to check it out!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN ESPERANCE

Are you looking for some beautiful and easily accessible beaches? You will find them in Esperance, a town located almost 700 km south-east of Perth in Western Australia. My favourite spot here is Twilight Beach with gently rounded granite cliffs emerging from the ocean. Not to mention Lucky Bay, but this one is located a bit further, 50 km east of Esperance, in Cape Le Grand National Park. You have to get there too! Just make sure to read a separate blog post with the best things to do in Esperance before you go. Enjoy!

CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK

Cape Le Grand National Park is truly loved by Australians, as well as by visitors. Wild coastal scenery, immensely beautiful beaches, squeaky-clean white sand, and crystal clear blue waters. Sounds good, right? It’s going to be even better. It features the very famous Lucky Bay, Australia’s whitest sand beach with friendly kangaroos jumping around. Hikers are not going to get disappointed either as this place has a couple of cool walking tracks too. Read more about Cape Le Grand National Park in a separate blog post.

CAPE ARID NATIONAL PARK

They say you didn’t experience real Australia, if you have’t gone to the outback. Personally, I can’t agree more! Cape Arid National Park is a beautiful, wild and remote place. Located over 800 km southeast of Perth, and almost 125 km east of Esperance in Western Australia. Is it worth driving that far? The answer is yes! Especially if you enjoy travelling off the beaten track. Just be mindful that the majority of the national park is accessible by 4WD vehicles only. Read more about Cape Arid National Park in a separate blog post.

These are the best places to visit in Western Australia. Which one do you like the most? Let me know by leaving a comment below!

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Hey, it’s Karolina, the author of this blog. If you find my content valuable and helpful, I would be more than grateful, if you could support my work, and buy me a coffee. I do love writing my blog, and creating content for you guys. Thank you!