WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The 'undiscovered state' of Western Australia, is even too far flung for most east coast Aussies to go to and virtually undiscovered by many tourist who visit Australia. But despite the tyranny of distance more people are making their way to the Far West of the continent and going home gushing about the places they've seen and the things they've done. So, now it's your turn to snorkel around desert islands, swim with the whale sharks and dolphins, and to tour the wineries, historic towns and national parks bursting with wildflowers in Western Australia.

What to See

The Kimberley - One of the last frontiers; a huge sparsely inhabited area made up of soaring red-rock plateau's, endless bush, crocodile-infested wetlands, spectacularly wild coastline and huge cattle stations. One of Australia's prime bird watching sites, a centre for wilderness cruising and four-wheel-drive safaris, it's a unique experience!

Perth - With its modern skyscrapers and fantastic ocean beaches, is both relaxed and energetic, with an uninhibited lifestyle envied by all those places lacking surf, sea, sand and a youthful exuberance.

The South West - Just below Perth are massive stands of karri and jarrah trees almost as tall as the sky, world-class surf, crashing ocean scenery, and the premium wine vineyards and cellar doors of the beautiful Margaret River. So what are you waiting for?

Activities & Adventures

Wilderness Cruises - Fancy a cruise? Then jump aboard a boat and cruise along the spectacular Kimberley coastline, a tropical fjordland of massive red cliffs, remote waterfalls, huge tides and abundant wildlife.

Four Wheel Drive Adventures - If you really want to experience the Outback try this on for size. The unpaved Gibb River Road is a four-wheel-drive adventure in a land of stark red ranges, boab trees, fern-fringed swimming holes and flooded rivers.

Food and Wine - Visit glorious restaurants and taste premium wines produced from the 45 wineries at Margaret River, or go in pursuit of the grape and gourmet food in the Swan Valley.

Spring Wildflowers - With the spring rains much of Western Australia breaks out into a fabulous scene of native flowers. It's a best kept secret, you should plan to be blown away by.

Rottnest Island - Ever heard of a Quokka? Well there's some 10,000 of these knee-high marsupials roaming this car-free, bicycle-friendly wildlife reserve just off Perth. The superb snorkelling around the reefs which protect many of the island's sheltered beaches is just an added bonus.

Unique Experience

Fly over or walk through the amazing Bungle Bungles, an area of enormous, orange-and-grey striped beehive domes in there thousands.
Dive with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef and come face to face with dolphins, dugongs (manatees), turtles and sharks at Monkey Mia.
Watch the giant mining operations at Kalgoorlie on the edge of the Nullarbor Plain.

Time To Go

Up north in the tropics it's best to travel between May to October, the dry season. Temperatures around here stay a fairly consistent 30°C or 86°F. In the south the winters are mild and the summers warm to hot. Perth has an average temperature of 30°C or 86°F in summer and 18°C or 65°F in winter.
Wildflowers come out in profusion in the Spring, they bloom in the northern Pilbara Region right down to the Great Southern Region progressively from July through to November of each year.