Western Australia Guide
Commanding a third of the entire country, describing Western Australia as diverse would be an understatement. To give you some perspective, the state is larger than all of Western Europe!
With one of the most isolated capital cities in the world and a sparse population density, you'd better get to it because there's a lot of land to cover if you're keen on exploring it all.
At the southern corner of the western coast you will find capital city Perth, perched on the banks of the Swan River. Famous for its chilled-out coastal character, a holiday in Perth is often set in the great outdoors, with a visit to the sprawling Kings Park a must.
Pick your patch of Perth sand
If you've ever wished you could have all of the conveniences of the big city with the atmosphere of a country town and inner-city beaches to boot, Perth is just the place.
Nearly 20 sun-soaked beaches are within Perth's boundaries – the city is quite literally the sunniest capital in the world.
Notable surfing hot spots include Cottesloe and Scarborough, but if you don't have the skills to hang ten you can always laze around catching some Vitamin D or wait until the sun slinks away to enjoy the vibrant seaside nightlife.
To mingle with the locals, catch a West Coast Eagles home game in Subiaco, where the restaurants, bars and clubs fill up when it comes time to support their team.
After an evening of reveling, head to neighbouring Fremantle the next morning to join the arty crowd sipping cappuccinos on the strip and stocking up on organic produce at the weekend markets.
Sip wine, surf waves and whale watch
Only 18 kilometres offshore from Perth, Rottnest Island is the perfect place to slow things down. "Rotto", as it's known to locals, is chock-a-block with secluded bays, coral reef and shipwrecks perfect for snorkeling and diving.
Jump on a hire bicycle and enjoy the fresh sea breeze as you navigate the limits of the land, and keep your eyes peeled on the ferry ride there and back for dolphins.
Straying further away from Perth, but still not too far, Margaret River in the south west is the weekend playground for city dwellers and it's easy to see why.
Hire your own set of wheels and make the journey to this surfie town turned premier wine region for top-quality tastings with a side of big-wave boarding.
Tick a handful of experiences off your bucket list with whale watching in Albany, swimming with dolphins in Monkey Mia, and camelback beach treks against a roaring red sunset in Broome.
At the doorstep of the Kimberley region, Broome is a great launching pad for journeys deeper into the Outback to explore the chasms, gorges, monoliths and billabongs that make Western Australia unmissable.
