It is time to wave goodbye to mining, as Western Australia enters a new era of culture, art, food and community. From traditional Aboriginal art to the recent opening of Perth’s latest development, Yagan Square, Western Australia has paved a pathway to be the most diverse and beautiful state in Australia.
Time and time again we hear, “Flights are far too expensive” and “Even New Zealand is closer!” I challenge you to come to Western Australia and not be swallowed by the magnificent natural beauty that is on offer. Let’s talk about size; we are big, like very big! In fact, WA accounts for ⅓ of Australia, and if considered an independent country would be in the top 10 largest in the world.
As you will soon discover through the power of reading, WA boasts over 12,800km of coastline. And unlike many East Coast or European beaches you will not struggle to find space for your towel amongst the pristine white sand.
1: Perth City
Before you go exploring the wild, wild west, first take some time to discover the recent developments on offer in the CBD. Perth has seen a transformation that goes well beyond her trendy pop-up bars, fresh-faced smoothie shops and influx of international comedy shows.
A short ferry into the city from South Perth jetty will impress both those new to Perth and our more local guests. Take a stroll from the recently expanded Elizabeth Quay, taking time to sit with a hot chocolate at one of the many new cafés before continuing through to Perth’s latest development, Yagan Square where you can pick up your fresh autumn produce from the market hall plaza.
2: WA’s Wine Region: Margaret River &the Swan Valley
For those looking to enjoy more drinking and less walking, do not look past Perth’s globally acclaimed wine regions.
Margaret River is a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike, producing 20% of Australia’s premium wines. Meandering from cellar door to cellar door is simple and showcases the spectacular wine country in autumn and breathtaking coastal sweeps. In a significantly shorter drive from the city, 25 minutes north-east of Perth’s CBD to be exact, sits WA’s oldest wine region, the Swan Valley, home to favourites such as Jarrah Ridge winery, Mandoon Estate winery and brewery, Lamont’s Winery and Perth’s only organic winery, Harris Organic Wines.
Jumping between the ever-growing lists of restaurants, cafes, artisan bars and of course wineries and breweries, it is not uncommon to lose track of the time until twilight sweeps over the vineyard country.
3: Fremantle
Home to the hipsters, food lovers and culturalists of our great state. It is difficult to find a close contender to the fish of Fremantle’s fish and chip shops.
Absorb yourself in Fremantle’s freaky history with a tour of Fremantle Prison, built as a convict in 19th century the limestone jail was in operation until 1991. Home to some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, the building has seen hangings, floggings and numerous escape stories. For the braver at heart, take a torchlight tour and be entertained with sordid and ghastly stories.
Spend the afternoon discovering the local produce and trinkets on offer at Fremantle markets before meandering through the historical streets of Perth’s first settlement, cooled by the natural air conditioning of the “Fremantle Doctor” harbour breeze.
4: Rottnest Island
Make the trip to Rottnest island you will soon discover that quokkas (and quokka selfies!) are everywhere. If you are an A-lister you have not experienced WA unless you can show all your Instagram followers that you met a smiling (giant rodent) Quokka! A short 30-minute ferry from Fremantle, this island is home to 63 secluded beaches, 50 kilometres of bike trails and over 6,500 years of history.
Stay for a couple of days or for a week in one of the coastal cabins overlooking the turquoise ocean or choose to go for a day trip from Perth. Rottnest caters for all holiday goers, whether you prefer a lazy day relaxing on the sand of the hidden beach coves or an adventure seeker, exploring the island by bike, we’ve got you covered.
5: Busselton
For generations WA families have been holidaying in Busselton, there will be few locals who wouldn’t be able to tell you a memory about the pristine beaches, festivals or embarrassing family barbeques.
The coastal town is also home to the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. If you decide to explore this quaint city in early March, you will see thousands of swimmers challenge themselves to swim to the end of the 1.8km of jetty…and back again.
Most of your time in Busselton should be spent exploring the foreshore, from the landscaped gardens, newly developed playgrounds, wide bike paths and the magnificently calm and crystal-clear waters.
6: Cervantes & The Pinnacles
Have you ever wanted to walk on the moon? Well although we cannot grant you that wish, Western Australia can make you feel like you’ve made it pretty close. A day trip from Perth, the Pinnacles is an otherworldly landscape part of the Nambung National Park.
If you are looking for adventure, look no further than sand boarding, think boogie boarding meets the Sahara. The kids will love it – just make sure they have a brush off before jumping back in the car. If the sandy desert has left you craving the Ocean, head to Thirsty Point or Hangover Bay for the afternoon for a panorama coastal photo opportunity unlike any other.
On your way back to Perth, be sure to make a stop for some fresh local seafood. The Cervantes Lobster Shack is a favourite amongst locals, just 17km from the Pinnacles this shabby but chic shack serves fish, lobster, and squid caught that morning. The best time to travel north is between July and October, where you can see WA’s spring wildflowers in full bloom.
7: Shark Bay & Monkey Mia
Famous for the encounters people have with wild dolphins, Monkey Mia is hemmed by thick shrubs, rusty red sand dunes, white sandy beaches and an abundance of wildlife on-land and in the depths of the blue. For many, what draws front of mind when considering Shark Bay is the sea-life, choose to take an ocean tour and make friends with the dugongs, rays, fish, turtles and even sharks!
For those with less than strong sea-legs, step away to explore the natural and cultural history along the 1.5km WulyibidiYanunyina looped trail walk. We would recommend taking the walk early morning or during sunset, when the sky is painted magnificent pinks and oranges and the local birds and wildlife are most active.
8: Karijini and The Pilbara
With over two billion years of earth’s history hidden within the sacred and ancient area of the Pilbara, the essence of peace and spirit within the area is incomparable to any other.
Many tourists flock to the Kimberley region between March and October to witness the staircase to the moon, a natural phenomenon occurring from March to November on nights of the full moon. It is here, that the full moon is reflected on exposed mudflats at extreme low tide creating an optical illusion of a staircase leading up to the moon.
For those time-travellers amongst us, head back 10,0000 years as you enter the Burrup Peninsula an ancient red-dirt, outdoor gallery of Indigenous rock art.
9: Broome
The coastal sleeping city of Broome also lies within the Pilbara region, and one of the most popular tourist towns in Northern Western Australia.
Broome locals claim the sunset on Cable Beach is the best in the world, and very few would dispute that the orange sun rays, clear turquoise water and white sandy beaches are anything less than extraordinary.
The kids will be entertained with an evening Camel ride along the sand, or maybe a 4-Wheel-Driving rock adventure before resting in the north twilight heat as the sun disappears into the ocean.
There is no shortage of entertainment for kids. Way before drive-in cinemas the outdoor al fresco movie scene became cool throughout the world, Broome locals were enjoying outdoor movies at the Sun Pictures Movie Theatre. Frist built in 1903, the cinema has been firmly cemented in the Guinness book of World Records as the world’s oldest open-air cinema.
The daily show of movies includes all the recent releases and popular pictures throughout history, let mum and dad have a wine under the outback stars while the kids marvel over the big screen.
10: Kalgoorlie Boulder
The adventure continues heading deep into the gold fields east of Perth, to the water-barren town in WA’s Wheatbelt. The kids will appreciate the high-speed Prospector train, completing the 653km journey in less than seven hours.
First founded in 1893, the town boasts a history of mining, gold prospecting, interesting brothel stories and beautiful Victorian buildings. Kick-start your stay with a tour of the Boulder Town Hall and learn about the history of the late 19th century Coolgardie gold rush and goldfields water supply scheme.
Why not try your luck at gold panning at Hammond Park, where prospecting locals and tourists alike have been known to find kilos of gold? When your pockets are heavy with gold, take a wonder around the park and spot the local wildlife of native Australian animals like emus, koalas, native birds and kangaroos.
Spend the afternoon at one of the many old pubs the town has on offer, take a seat on the large wrap-around verandah and enjoy the slow-paced country life and hospitality of the local people.
A must-do in Kalgoorlie is the Super Pit, the biggest open pit gold mine in Australia boasting 600 metres of depth. The 57 years old operating pit sources 800,000 ounces of gold per year and conducts numerous open-air and underground tours daily for families.
Whether it be surfing the dunes of the Pinnacles, camel riding along Broome’s coast or wine sampling in the Vines be sure to keep Western Australia at the top of your family adventure bucket list.
Looking for affordable family friendly accommodation in Perth? Budget Apartments, affordable, centrally-located serviced apartments in Como, WA, are the perfect place to stay during your family holiday.
