Top 10 Beautiful Places to Visit in Western Australia

Top 10 Places to Visit in Western Australia

Western Australia is home to some of the most beautiful destinations in all of Australia. From world class beaches to ancient gorges and unique wildlife, this incredible region of Australia offers something for every traveller. Whether you’re seeking a remote coastline or a family day out, here are 10 incredible places to visit in Western Australia.

Table of Contents

Map of Australia

Western Australia weather

Western Australia’s weather varies widely due to its vast size, offering something for everyone year-round. The northern region experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet (November to April) and dry (May to October) seasons. Expect hot, humid summers and warm, sunny winters.

The southern region, including Perth, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (December to February) and mild, wet winters (June to August.) Coastal areas often have cooling sea breezes, while inland regions can be hotter and drier.

Western Australia Temperature (average lows/highs)

DESTINATION	SUMMER	WINTER
BROOME	26°C – 34°C	14°C – 31°C
EXMOUTH	21°C – 38°C	11°C – 27°C
PERTH	17°C – 31°C	10°C – 19°C
ESPERANCE	16°C – 26°C	8°C – 18°C

Top 10 Places to Visit in Western Australia

1. Exmouth

Starting off strong with one of our favourite destinations in all of Australia, Exmouth. Exmouth is a wonderful little town with quirky cafes and transient travellers but what really makes it shine is its proximity to Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef. In our option, Ningaloo Reef is superior to Great Barrier Reef due to its accessibility from the beach and the lack of crowds.

Stretching along the Exmouth and Cape Range N.P coastline is some of the most spectacular beaches within Australia, with Turquoise Bay being a highlight. We would also highly recommend Osprey Bay, a popular snorkel location due to its frequent visits from larger marine species, like sea turtles and rays.

Crowds flock to Exmouth during winter to escape the cold down south and for another exciting reason, Whale Sharks. The Ningaloo Reef’s peak Whale Shark season starts in March and runs through to the end of July, where they are spotted almost on a daily basis. You could also get lucky spotting one during the shoulder seasons but due to the lack of Whale Sharks and the heat, summer is not a recommend time to visit Exmouth.

2. Rottnest Island

When a Dutch sea captain first landed on the island he called it ‘t Eylandt ‘t Rottenest’ which translates to “Rats Nest Island.” He mistakingly thought the local marsupial population were large rats (rude) when in fact they were Quokkas!

There are approximately 10,000 quokkas on Rottnest Island living their best life. In recent years they have become a media sensation due to their smiling faces, which look absolutely adorable in photos.

Alongside the Quokkas, Rottnest Island is an incredible place to visit due to the beautiful beaches and all round holiday vibes. Located only 90 minutes by ferry from Perth (30 minutes from Fremantle) the island is a popular weekend escape and school holiday destination. Note that you are not able to transport your car to the island, but there is a bus service. However, most choose to hire a bicycle to explore the island. We hired electric bikes and we saw the majority of the island in one day, it was great!

If you’d like more than a day trip, there are some accommodation options on the island, with most located near the small town centre. There are also some dining options and plenty of facilities.

Highlights of Rottnest Island include; Pinky Beach, The Basin, Bathurst Lighthouse and Parakeet Bay.

3. Bluff Knoll

Bluff Knoll is the highest peak in Western Australia’s South West region and a bucket list hike for many. If you reach the summit on a clear day you are rewarded with the most spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

The best time to hike Bluff Knoll is either during spring or autumn, summer is too hot and winter is too challenging with unpredictable weather conditions. There is hardly any shade during the majority of the hike so we would really recommend avoiding warmer weather and to begin your hike early in the morning, summiting before lunch.

The trail itself is STEEP. To put it into perspective, the hike is 6.8km return but it can take anywhere between 3 – 4 hours depending on individual fitness levels. Nevertheless, the trail is easy to follow and offers beautiful views for a picnic stop on the way up to the summit.

Bluff Knoll is located 400 kilometres from Perth, approximately 4.5 hours drive. Personally, we would recommend visiting Bluff Knoll as part of a combined trip to Albany, located just 1 hours drive away.

4. Albany & Denmark

Due to their close proximity, I’ve combined Albany and Denmark. Both towns are worth a visit and are home to some incredible landmarks and natural beauty.

Starting with Albany, a fairly big town with plenty of accommodation and eatery options. It’s the oldest settlement in Western Australia too so it has plenty of history to explore. Some highlights for Albany include Misery Beach, which previously held the tile of Australia’s best beach. As well as Torndirrup National Park and The Gap. Both breathtaking locations for natural beauty. We would also recommend a sunset visit to Albany wind farm for a spectacular view and Little Peoples Bay Nature Reserve.

Denmark, located 1 hours drive from Albany, is known for its charming vibe and stunning beaches. A really unique beach you must visit is Elephant Rock, named after the elephant shaped rocks dominating the beach. Nearby is also Greens Pool, a popular beach for locals to swim and snorkel.

Thrill-seekers may also enjoy the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk, located 40 minutes west of Denmark by car.

5. Esperance

No list of the best places to visit in Western Australia would be complete without Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park. This area may truly be home to some of the best beaches in all of Australia.

The best time to visit Esperance is during the summer season, though the accommodation and camping options are limited so it’s best to book in advance.

Esperance town itself doesn’t have much to offer outside of accommodation and eateries but its coastline…is simply incredible! The best beach close to town is arguably Twilight Beach. It has a large rock formation about 100m from the shoreline which makes it really unique and the water there is incredibly blue and clear.

Otherwise, the rest of the gems are located in Cape Le Grand National Park. The National Park is situated about 45 minutes drive outside of Esperance.

A number of National Parks in Western Australia have an entrance fee. A standard vehicle entry costs $17. You can also buy Park Passes to enter numerous parks on one trip. You can find the different passes by clicking the link below.

Park Passes

Within Cape Le Grand National Park you have one of the most iconic beaches in Australia, Lucky Bay. Known for its natural beauty and local kangaroo population, who are frequently spotted on the beach! Due to an increase in tourism numbers, the kangaroos are seen less frequently than previous years. Your best bet is to visit during dawn or dusk.

Other worthwhile mentions within the park are Wharton Beach, one of the more popular 4WD beaches in the area. In addition to Hellfire Bay and Little Wharton Beach. If you’d like to challenge yourself with a hike, visit Frenchman Peak, a steep 3km return trail offering magnificent views at the summit.

6. Kalbarri National Park

If you wanting to visit one of the best places in Western Australia for unique landscapes and hikes, then Kalbarri National Park is calling. Located 573km north of Perth in the Mid West WA region, Kalbarri is one of the most spectacular parks in the state. Offering 23 trails, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to hiking.

One of the easiest and most popular walks is to Nature’s Window, a perfectly carved out rock formation that offers a ‘window’ which overlooks the Murchison River Gorge below. If you’d like to challenge yourself, continue past Nature’s Window on to the Loop Trail, a 9km return walk. Another highlight is the Z Bend River Trail, a 2.6km trail with a ladder descent.

However, there is also a spectacular man-made wonder in the park, the Kalbarri Skywalk. The Skywalk comprises of two cantilevered walkways, hanging 100m above the ground below. It’s an absolutely incredible addition to the park and open 24 hours day, so you can enjoy the view at both sunrise or sunset.

Interestingly, Kalbarri National Park is made up of two sections, the inland gorges and the coastal cliffs. The cliff section is closest to Kalbarri town. The coastal walks are really lovely and a great place to spot unique rock formations and local wildlife. Highlights of the coastal section include Eagle Gorge and Natural Bridge.

The best time to visit Kalbarri is during May to September for milder weather. It is open year round but I would advise against visiting during summer. The gorges can see an increase in temperature of 10 degrees celsius compared to Kalbarri town.

7. Hutt Lagoon

Ever heard of a pink lake!? Surprisingly, Australia is home to a fair few of them! One of the most popular in Western Australia is Hutt Lagoon, located a 6 hours drive north of Perth.

Hutt Lagoon gets its pink hue due to the presence of carotenoid-producing algae, Dunaliella salina, which is a source of beta-caroten, a food-colouring agent and a source of Vitamin A.

The shade of the lake goes through a spectrum of colours, from red to purple, depending on the time of the day and season. The best time to see the pink hue is during the middle of the day when the sun is at is highest, between 10am – 2pm. A clear sky also helps but clouds also make for a wonderful reflection.

Most opt to take photos of the lake from above, or to stand next to the lake. However, you can swim in the lake if you’d like, though it’s not the most comfortable. The sharp crystals from the lake make it hard to walk through so I would recommend wearing waterproof shoes.

8. Margaret River Region

The Margaret River region is a wonderful destination for a road trip or a mini getaway. It takes around 3 hours to reach the town of Margaret River from Perth so it’s perfect for a weekend trip. There is much to see in the region, from beautiful coastal towns to jaw-dropping caves.

If you’re travelling from Perth, one of the first highlights is Busselton, home to an iconic 150 year old jetty and nearby Sugarloaf Rock. Further down the coast is Yallingup, where you can visit the tidal pool, Injidup Natural Spa. As the name suggests, the waves crash over the rocks creating a bubbling pool of water, similar to that of a spa pool.

Boranup Forest is also a highlight of the region, with its towering karri trees. Plus, you must visit Hamelin Bay, home to the famous local sting rays that are frequently spotted along the shoreline but please, don’t touch the wildlife!

If you’re looking for a real adventure, you can take your pick from a number of caves to explore in the Margaret River region. The area is littered with a network of underground caves. Six of which have been turned into show caves and are open to the public. You can visit these caves through various tours. Some of the most popular caves include Lake Cave, home to a permanent lake which reflects the cave formations. As well as Jewel Cave, Mammoth Cave and Ngilgi Cave.

9. Shark Bay

Shark Bay is a stunning region along Western Australia’s Coral Coast. Shark Bay is a World Heritage zone and is located about 750km north of Perth. A good base during your stay in Shark Bay is Denham, it is on the doorstep of Francis Peron National Park and 30 minutes from Monkey Mia. Peak season to visit is between April and October, when the weather is manageable.

Monkey Mia is a highlight of the region, being one of the best dolphin interaction locations in Australia. The local bottlenose dolphin population are well known to the local guides who supervise the interactions. You can also partake in wildlife and sunset cruises too.

Another highlight is Eagle Bluff Lookout and Boardwalk. It’s a great place to see the turquoise water of Shark Bay and to spot wildlife. Additionally, there’s the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites, the mounds aren’t much to look at but they are amongst the earliest living things on our planet, making them very special.

Then there is Shell Beach, which as the name suggests, is an entire beach made up of shells. The billions of small, white, cockle shells make for a beautiful sight. Though they aren’t too comfortable to relax on, they are worth a visit and make for a great photo opportunity.

If you’re travelling with a 4WD then you can add Francis Peron National Park to your itinerary. A beautiful area where vibrant red cliffs meet the turquoise waters of Shark Bay. If you don’t own a 4WD, you can explore the area with a local tour company.

10. Broome

Last but not least on our list of the most beautiful places to visit in Western Australia is the town of Broome. Located in Northern WA, Broome is best visited during the winter season. It is mostly known due to its striking landscape, with the contrast of the red rocks to the turquoise water. One of the best places to see Broome’s incredible landscape is Roebuck Bay.

A favourite thing to do in Broome is a trip to Cable Beach at sunset. The 14 mile beach sees tourists and locals alike enjoy the setting sun with a drink in hand. However, it’s not just the sunset that the crowds have gathered to see but the camels being walked up the beach, which truly makes for a unique sight.

If you like history take a visit to Gantheaume Point, where you can spot dinosaur footprints during low tide. There are around 20 different kinds of tracks and many are over 130 million years old. Gantheaume Point also has some incredible hidden rock pools, perfect for refreshing dip under the Broome sun. If you enjoy rock pools you should also add Coconut Wells to your list. At low tide, the receding water reveals hundreds of small rock pools on the beach and during high tide, they fill with water.

P.S if you time it right you may be in luck to see the Staircase to the Moon. An incredible optical illusion of a staircase leading up to a full moon. It’s incredible to witness and a breathtaking experience. Make sure you have your camera ready!

The Staircase to the Moon occurs 2-3 days a month between March and October.

Thank You

Hi adventurers, thanks for reading our top 10 places to visit in Western Australia!

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