GUIDE TO THE WEST COAST
From top to bottom, Western Australia – Australia’s largest state – caters to people who want adventure and fun while keeping to a travel-friendly budget.
Much of Western Australia’s most stunning, eye-popping wilderness can be explored on a budget. From a vertigo-inducing cliff overhang platform to a huge outback moonscape, epic turtle-flecked snorkelling and a stunning infinity pool in the remote outback, there’s plenty to do without blowing your budget. Here are just a few great ideas.
SURREAL PINNACLES FORMATIONS
If ever you’ve wondered what it would be like to walk on the moon, a stroll through the dandelion yellow, limestone spires known as the Pinnacles is as close as you’ll get on Earth. The biggest columns are five metres (16 feet) tall, and about one metre (three feet) wide. About 200,000 years old, they’re hidden within Nambung National Park just outside the coastal town of Cervantes, a 2.5-hour drive north of Perth. There’s a driving route through the karst formations, plus a boardwalk. Visit the Pinnacles Dessert Discovery Centre to get an in-depth understanding of this extraordinary moonscape. National park entry fees apply and are charged per vehicle.
PINNACLES
WALK PERTH’S ART-SPLASHED ALLEYS
Perth’s laneway walls and nondescript buildings have been decorated by some of the world’s most respected street artists, and with the help of Perth’s interactive street art map you can see them. The art, by big names such as Belgium’s Roa, Milo Manara from Italy and American Maya Hayuk, has changed Perth in the eyes of both residents and visitors. And the best part? The cleverly curated urban gallery is free to see. There’s also a good map for the street art of Fremantle, 30 minutes south of Perth’s city centre, here. If you’re taking a road trip outside of Perth, follow the PUBLIC Silo Trail through beautiful regional towns to discover massive murals done on grain silos, transformer boxes and iconic infrastructure. STREET ART HERE
ROTTNEST ISLAND’S BEACHES BY BIKE
Rotto, as it’s dearly known to West Australians, is a car-free island only 19 kilometres (12 miles) over water from Perth. Discounted ferry rides can be found here. Once you arrive, hire a bike and get pedalling to those white sands. Explore historic buildings, where yellow-shirted volunteers give free walking tours – the island was once an army base and penal colony – and keep an eye out for furry, friendly marsupials called quokkas. Puff up hills to reach the west end boardwalk, which is made from 200,000 two litre milk bottles and 2.25 million plastic bags. ROTTO
NIGHT IN PRISON IN FREMANTLE
World Heritage-listed Fremantle Prison is also backpacker accommodation run by Youth Hostels Australia. You can stay in a cell, if you like, and dream about the convicts that stayed there from the 1850s onwards. The accommodation section is in the division that housed women as recently as 1991. Unlike the prisoners, you’ll have free Wi-Fi on hand. During your stay, do a tour of the main prison – there are nigh time torchlight tours, an underground tunnel tour or the regular day tour available, where you’ll learn about a significant escape by an Irish prisoner. This is one of Western Australia’s top overall experiences on TripAdvisor. FREO PRISON
UNDERWATER WITH MANTA RAYS
In the crystalline ocean off Coral Bay, harmless manta rays more than two metres (six feet) wide glide and flap like underwater birds, zooming in slow loop-the-loops as gracefully as ballet dancers. A full day boat cruise out past the colourful, fish-filled coral to swim with the mantas is a memorable experience that’s much cheaper than the popular ‘swimming with whale sharks’ tour, which is what attracts most visitors to Coral Bay. There’s also excellent backpacker accommodation available in the town. CORAL BAY
SIP YOUR WAY in MARGARET RIVER
Margaret River is one of the fastest growing microbrewery regions in Australia, and offers dedicated tours showing visitors the best of its beer and cider houses. Margaret River Brewery Tours and Margaret River Cider Tours share the same bus and set you up with beer tasting paddles or cider samples at every stop. They also take you behind the scenes, teaching you the importance of hops, malt, terroir and water purity, as well as apples and pears. A highlight is the converted dairy farm brewery, where you enter via the creamery and milking parlour. MARGARET RIVER
KIMBERLEY’S FAMOUS INFINITY POOL
You wouldn’t normally expect to find an infinity pool in a campground, particularly one in a remote part of the outback. But Lake Argyle Resort in the Kimberley is a camping ground with benefits, most notably the extraordinary elevated views. It overlooks Australia’s largest man-made lake, which is studded with islands that were once mountain peaks. The lake is so big it’s regarded as an inland sea, and it’s full of freshwater crocodiles. There are powered and unpowered camping sites as well as safari tents, cabins and villas, making this the perfect stop-off on your Kimberley adventure.
PEER OVER GIANT BOULDERS IN ALBANY
Like cliff jumping without the splash, a new see-through skywalk hanging over boulders in Albany’s Torndirrup National Park delivers a thrill. The steel platform extends 10 metres (33 feet) past the edge of the granite cliff at The Gap, and 40 metres (131 feet) above sea level. About 420 kilometres (260 miles) south-east of Perth, it lures visitors to this epic coastline of raging Southern Ocean, wildflower-dotted scrub and footprint-free beaches. After gazing at the frothing white water below your feet, look out to the horizon to search for migrating whales that pass by from June to October. National park entry costs apply. ALBANY NATIONAL PARK
GET VERTIGO UP IN THE TREE TOPS
Imagine being 40 metres (131 feet) above ground level, swaying in the canopy of some of the tallest trees in the world. That’s the sensation you get when you’re on the Tree Top Walk, a bouncy steel construction suspended between immense karri and tingle trees in Walpole-Nornalup National Park’s Valley of the Giants. It’s a five-hour south from Perth. The tingles are believed to live for about 400 years and measure up to 20 metres (66 feet) in circumference. The karri, meanwhile, grow up to 90 metres (295 feet) high, making the species one of the world’s tallest hardwoods. The 600-metre (656-yard) circuit is made with steel grating, so you can see through to the forest floor – not advised if you suffer from vertigo. SEE TREE TOPS HERE
CAMP, SURF, SNORKEL AT GNARALOO
The ocean opposite a remote, century-old working pastoral property called Gnaraloo provides some of the most adrenaline-pumping windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing in Western Australia. Camp here and you’ve found yourself one of the cheapest ways to access magical Ningaloo Reef. The snorkelling is excellent, and if you visit from late November to early March you may be able to spot the loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles that make an annual pilgrimage up these ivory beaches. GNARALOO STATION
Perth, Ningaloo Reef, the Pinnacles & more…
Travelling Western Australia will give you a taste of the ‘REAL’ Aussie Outback! The coastline between Perth and Exmouth is beautifully diverse, the South West is home to Surf, Rainforest & Wine, whilst the rugged Kimberleys is most definitely off the beaten track. Here’s where to go!
PERTH
Perth is booming. The once tiny city is now home to loads of funky bars, good shopping, good coffee and yummy food. Spend a day exploring the city and make sure you take a walk up to King’s Park for city views. A day exploring one of Perth’s beaches is also a must – be sure to take a bus to Scarborough or City Beach, alternatively, take a 15 minute train ride to Cottesloe Beach.
Fremantle is a beach side town just a short train ride south of Perth which is rich in history. It was once home to convicts, escaped prisoners from the city’s goal and hippie communities. Cottesloe Beach and Fremantle are on the same train ride so you can knock those two off in a day! We also recommend taking a ferry to Rottnest Island. Hire a bike, a snorkel and explore the island’s beaches and Quokkas – Aussie animals that exist, in the wild, solely on the island. PERTH
SOUTHWEST of P E R T H
The South West of Perth is home to stunning beaches, rainforests, surf & wine! Take a 3 Day or a 5 Day Tour south (5 days if you would like to visit the famous Esperance Beach – you may have seen photos of Kangaroos relaxing on the beach – this is the beach to see it)! Alternatively, hire a campervan!
As you head south make sure you pay a visit to the southern hemisphere’s longest jetty, Margaret River which is famous for Surf Beaches & Wineries, a Tree Top Walk in the Valley of the Giants, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the township of Albany, Boranup Forest & the quaint little town of Pemberton.
SOUTH WEST
PERTH to EXMOUTH
Allow yourself at least 5 – 7 Days to explore the coastline between Perth and Exmouth – 7 Days if you are returning to Perth. There are a number of tour companies that offer both one way and return tours from Perth. Alternatively if you are driving onwards through to Broome or Darwin, we would suggest hiring a Campervan. EXMOUTH
PINNACLES and LANCELIN
The landscape between Perth and Exmouth is diverse! As you head north pay a visit to Nambung National Park – home of the Pinnacles. These weird, limestone formations exist in the yellow sand of the desert. Further north a visit to Lancelin is a must – home of sand boarding! As you arrive into Lancelin you will be blown away by the white sand mounds… this place looks somewhat like the moon. LANCELIN
STROMATOLITES
Continue north to Shell Beach (no sand, just shells) & the Stromatolites (the oldest living organism in the world) in Shark Bay. Follow the coastline to Monkey Mia – this is a beautiful, relaxed beach side town that allows you to feed the dolphins. STROMATOLITES
KALBARRI – CORAL BAY
Soon you will reach the red sands of Kalbarri National Park – an adult’s adventure playground! There are loads of short or longer walks available as well as the option to Kayak, Canoe, Rock Climb or Abseil through the gorges and natural lakes. CORAL BAY
Coral Bay… the beach is stunning and it’s usually a good night out (for the West Coast). A little drive north of Coral Bay you will find yourself in Exmouth – the gateway to Ningaloo Reef! NINGALOO
NINGALOO REEF
Many visitors claim that Ningaloo Reef is better than the Great Barrier Reef! Ningaloo Reef is shallow – hence the light from the sun hits more fish and coral. The beaches are absolute paradise and like nothing you’ve ever seen before. NINAGALOO
From May to June each year Ningaloo Reef welcomes the Whale Shark! You have the opportunity to snorkel with these majestic creatures – an absolute unique Australian experience.
KARIJINI
Karijini is located a few hours inland from Exmouth. Some Perth to Exmouth Tours offer the option to stop by Karijini on the way back to Perth. This national park is unique and one of a kind – it is absolutely magical! You will find waterfalls, natural rock pools of different colours, crevices, chasms & hidden white sandy beaches within the high red walls of the park. KARAJINI
KIMBERLEYS
Broome is absolutely stunning and has fast become a popular getaway for Aussies… endless stretches of white sandy beach, good nightlife & camels. Heading through to Darwin you must pass through the Kimberleys! This is possibly the most rugged, remote and beautiful part of Australia! You will need roughly 9 days to get from Broome to Darwin due to the 4WD tracks. Visit Purnululu National Park, the Bungle Bungles, Echidna Chasm & Lake Argyle. KIMBERLEY
The West Coast is absolutely stunning, diverse & untouched – the REAL Australia.
