last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Western Australia
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Location Map of Western Australia
Western Australia
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Western Australia has three sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
Ningaloo Reef (2011)
Less well-known than the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, this 260 km-long coral reef is no less exceptional and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It provides a refuge for a rich variety of marine life (sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, and diverse corals). You can dive, kayak, or enjoy the many beaches here.
Less well-known than the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, this 260 km-long coral reef is no less exceptional and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It provides a refuge for a rich variety of marine life (sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, and diverse corals). You can dive, kayak, or enjoy the many beaches here.
Purnululu National Park (2003)
This isolated and hard-to-reach park in the Kimberley region, in the northeast, is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes.
This isolated and hard-to-reach park in the Kimberley region, in the northeast, is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes.
Shark Bay (1991)
A vast bay with its parks and nature reserves located on the mid-west coast of Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll find large colonies of dugongs, dolphins, and various fish species, particularly around Monkey Mia.
A vast bay with its parks and nature reserves located on the mid-west coast of Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll find large colonies of dugongs, dolphins, and various fish species, particularly around Monkey Mia.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Albany
The major city in the south is also the oldest settlement (1826) in the western part of Australia. Some old buildings, more or less from the era, and beaches.
The major city in the south is also the oldest settlement (1826) in the western part of Australia. Some old buildings, more or less from the era, and beaches.
Broome
In the northwest of the state, this small town, known for its pearl farms, is a tourist destination. It is appreciated for its beautiful beaches and as a stopover on the way north.
In the northwest of the state, this small town, known for its pearl farms, is a tourist destination. It is appreciated for its beautiful beaches and as a stopover on the way north.
Cossack
One of Australia's many ghost towns. This former pearling town is located on the northern coast.
One of Australia's many ghost towns. This former pearling town is located on the northern coast.
Denmark
On the southern coast, not far from Albany, a small, somewhat "alternative" and artistic town in a very beautiful and pleasant natural setting. It attracts quite a few visitors in season.
On the southern coast, not far from Albany, a small, somewhat "alternative" and artistic town in a very beautiful and pleasant natural setting. It attracts quite a few visitors in season.
Esperance
A sizeable town on the southern coast, popular for its high-quality beaches, surfing, diving, and proximity to several natural parks (Cape Le Grand, Cape Arid, etc.).
A sizeable town on the southern coast, popular for its high-quality beaches, surfing, diving, and proximity to several natural parks (Cape Le Grand, Cape Arid, etc.).
Exmouth
This large village is the main base for exploring the Ningaloo Reef. It is also located at the gateway to Cape Range National Park.
This large village is the main base for exploring the Ningaloo Reef. It is also located at the gateway to Cape Range National Park.
Fremantle
This locality on the outskirts of Perth has retained a charming centre with its 19th-century-style buildings.
This locality on the outskirts of Perth has retained a charming centre with its 19th-century-style buildings.
Goldfields-Esperance
This vast, sparsely populated region in the southeast of the state experienced its gold rush in the late 19th century. From that era, dozens of ghost (or nearly ghost) mining towns remain, such as Gwalia, Menzies, and Kookynie...
This vast, sparsely populated region in the southeast of the state experienced its gold rush in the late 19th century. From that era, dozens of ghost (or nearly ghost) mining towns remain, such as Gwalia, Menzies, and Kookynie...
Mackerel Islands
A group of small islands extending from the Ningaloo Reef with beautiful beaches and great opportunities for fishing and diving.
A group of small islands extending from the Ningaloo Reef with beautiful beaches and great opportunities for fishing and diving.
Jurien Bay
Coastal town north of Perth with several quiet beaches, nearby parks for hiking, and especially the Pinnacles with their thousands of small rock formations.
Coastal town north of Perth with several quiet beaches, nearby parks for hiking, and especially the Pinnacles with their thousands of small rock formations.
Kununurra
This small town tucked away in the far north of the state often serves as a base for exploring the surrounding natural sites, including Lake Argyle and Lake Kununurra, Black Rock Falls, and Mirima National Park. Further afield, Purnululu is a highlight, with many visitors taking helicopter tours from the town.
This small town tucked away in the far north of the state often serves as a base for exploring the surrounding natural sites, including Lake Argyle and Lake Kununurra, Black Rock Falls, and Mirima National Park. Further afield, Purnululu is a highlight, with many visitors taking helicopter tours from the town.
Lancelin
Coastal village about a hundred kilometres north of Perth, popular with divers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, and sandboarders.
Coastal village about a hundred kilometres north of Perth, popular with divers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, and sandboarders.
Mandurah
It's the second-largest city in Western Australia. With its beaches, fishing, diving, and boat trips—especially to see dolphins and whales—it attracts its share of visitors.
It's the second-largest city in Western Australia. With its beaches, fishing, diving, and boat trips—especially to see dolphins and whales—it attracts its share of visitors.
Margaret River
South of Perth, the town is known for its vineyards. Beaches, surfing, and hiking in the surrounding area.
South of Perth, the town is known for its vineyards. Beaches, surfing, and hiking in the surrounding area.
New Norcia
This town, 150 km northeast of Perth, is the only one in the country with a monastery (in Spanish style). It also has a few other "historic" buildings.
This town, 150 km northeast of Perth, is the only one in the country with a monastery (in Spanish style). It also has a few other "historic" buildings.
Perth
Fairly isolated from the rest of the country, the vast capital of Western Australia is a quiet city where you can enjoy the many nearby beaches (or on Rottnest Island) and some parks for walking.
Fairly isolated from the rest of the country, the vast capital of Western Australia is a quiet city where you can enjoy the many nearby beaches (or on Rottnest Island) and some parks for walking.
Natural Heritage
The Pinnacles Desert
Located in Nambung National Park, this is an arid area dotted with thousands of small rock formations, many resembling "menhirs." In terms of wildlife, the site is home to numerous kangaroos, birds, reptiles, and whales off the coastal part of the park.
Located in Nambung National Park, this is an arid area dotted with thousands of small rock formations, many resembling "menhirs." In terms of wildlife, the site is home to numerous kangaroos, birds, reptiles, and whales off the coastal part of the park.
Great Victoria Desert
Spanning two states, this desert region is sparsely populated except for a few Aboriginal communities and features vast dune fields and salt lakes.
Spanning two states, this desert region is sparsely populated except for a few Aboriginal communities and features vast dune fields and salt lakes.
Mount Augustus
It is the world's largest monolith, twice the size of Ayers Rock, though far less well-known. The summit can be reached in a few hours' hike.
It is the world's largest monolith, twice the size of Ayers Rock, though far less well-known. The summit can be reached in a few hours' hike.
Ningaloo Reef
Less well-known than the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, this 260 km-long coral reef is no less exceptional and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It provides a refuge for a rich variety of marine life (sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, and diverse corals). You can dive, kayak, or enjoy the many beaches here.
Less well-known than the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, this 260 km-long coral reef is no less exceptional and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It provides a refuge for a rich variety of marine life (sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, and diverse corals). You can dive, kayak, or enjoy the many beaches here.
Cape Arid National Park
This long, arid park along the southern coast, difficult to access, offers kilometres of deserted beaches to explore by 4x4. A few remnants of the rare human settlements from the 19th century are still visible here and there.
This long, arid park along the southern coast, difficult to access, offers kilometres of deserted beaches to explore by 4x4. A few remnants of the rare human settlements from the 19th century are still visible here and there.
Cape Le Grand National Park
Stunning white-sand beaches in a beautiful setting, along with diving and hiking opportunities in this small park on the southern coast.
Stunning white-sand beaches in a beautiful setting, along with diving and hiking opportunities in this small park on the southern coast.
Cape Range National Park
Facing the Ningaloo Reef, the site offers stunning landscapes with gorges, caves, and beaches. Boat trips, diving, and hiking are popular activities here.
Facing the Ningaloo Reef, the site offers stunning landscapes with gorges, caves, and beaches. Boat trips, diving, and hiking are popular activities here.
Fitzgerald River National Park
The area is renowned for its exceptional flora. You can also hike and enjoy some water-based activities here.
The area is renowned for its exceptional flora. You can also hike and enjoy some water-based activities here.
Geikie Gorge National Park
These gorges on the Fitzroy River offer beautiful boat tour opportunities. Not far away, still in the Kimberley region, Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek are also worth visiting.
These gorges on the Fitzroy River offer beautiful boat tour opportunities. Not far away, still in the Kimberley region, Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek are also worth visiting.
Kalbarri National Park
The main attraction of this arid park north of Geraldton is the 80 km-long Murchison River gorges. You can also go horseback riding, hiking, boat trips, canoeing, and rafting, as well as enjoy the beaches of the coastal resort of Kalbarri.
The main attraction of this arid park north of Geraldton is the 80 km-long Murchison River gorges. You can also go horseback riding, hiking, boat trips, canoeing, and rafting, as well as enjoy the beaches of the coastal resort of Kalbarri.
Karijini National Park
A stunning landscape featuring impressive gorges, waterfalls, and chasms, offering numerous trekking and climbing opportunities.
A stunning landscape featuring impressive gorges, waterfalls, and chasms, offering numerous trekking and climbing opportunities.
Purnululu National Park
This isolated and hard-to-reach park in the Kimberley region, in the northeast, is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes.
This isolated and hard-to-reach park in the Kimberley region, in the northeast, is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes.
Tunnel Creek National Park
Between Geikie Gorge and Windjana Gorge, the site offers a beautiful setting with many caves, some adorned with Aboriginal paintings.
Between Geikie Gorge and Windjana Gorge, the site offers a beautiful setting with many caves, some adorned with Aboriginal paintings.
Windjana Gorge National Park
Not far from Geikie Gorge and Tunnel Creek in the Kimberley region, these gorges offer stunning landscapes.
Not far from Geikie Gorge and Tunnel Creek in the Kimberley region, these gorges offer stunning landscapes.
Dampier Peninsula
This vast peninsula, ending at Cape Leveque, is located north of Broome. Wild and untamed, it offers stunning landscapes, deserted beaches, diving opportunities, and the chance to meet various Aboriginal communities.
This vast peninsula, ending at Cape Leveque, is located north of Broome. Wild and untamed, it offers stunning landscapes, deserted beaches, diving opportunities, and the chance to meet various Aboriginal communities.
Shark Bay
A vast bay with its parks and nature reserves located on the mid-west coast of Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll find large colonies of dugongs, dolphins, and various fish species, particularly around Monkey Mia.
A vast bay with its parks and nature reserves located on the mid-west coast of Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll find large colonies of dugongs, dolphins, and various fish species, particularly around Monkey Mia.
Must-see & highly recommended
Ningaloo Reef
★★★★ Less well-known than the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, this 260 km-long coral reef is no less exceptional and is a UNESCO World…
Recommended
Cape Le Grand National Park
★★★ Stunning white-sand beaches in a beautiful setting, along with diving and hiking opportunities in this small park on the southern coast.
Cape Range National Park
★★★ Facing the Ningaloo Reef, the site offers stunning landscapes with gorges, caves, and beaches. Boat trips, diving, and hiking are popular…
Worth a look / Other
The Pinnacles Desert
★★ Located in Nambung National Park, this is an arid area dotted with thousands of small rock formations, many resembling "menhirs." In terms…
Esperance
★★ A sizeable town on the southern coast, popular for its high-quality beaches, surfing, diving, and proximity to several natural parks (Cape…
Fremantle
★★ This locality on the outskirts of Perth has retained a charming centre with its 19th-century-style buildings.
Goldfields-Esperance
★★ This vast, sparsely populated region in the southeast of the state experienced its gold rush in the late 19th century. From that era…
Mackerel Islands
★★ A group of small islands extending from the Ningaloo Reef with beautiful beaches and great opportunities for fishing and diving.
Jurien Bay
★★ Coastal town north of Perth with several quiet beaches, nearby parks for hiking, and especially the Pinnacles with their thousands of small…
Kununurra
★★ This small town tucked away in the far north of the state often serves as a base for exploring the surrounding natural sites, including…
Geikie Gorge National Park
★★ These gorges on the Fitzroy River offer beautiful boat tour opportunities. Not far away, still in the Kimberley region, Windjana Gorge and…
Kalbarri National Park
★★ The main attraction of this arid park north of Geraldton is the 80 km-long Murchison River gorges. You can also go horseback riding…
Karijini National Park
★★ A stunning landscape featuring impressive gorges, waterfalls, and chasms, offering numerous trekking and climbing opportunities.
Windjana Gorge National Park
★★ Not far from Geikie Gorge and Tunnel Creek in the Kimberley region, these gorges offer stunning landscapes.
Cape Arid National Park
★★ This long, arid park along the southern coast, difficult to access, offers kilometres of deserted beaches to explore by 4x4. A few remnants…
Purnululu National Park
★★ This isolated and hard-to-reach park in the Kimberley region, in the northeast, is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its landscapes.
Dampier Peninsula
★★ This vast peninsula, ending at Cape Leveque, is located north of Broome. Wild and untamed, it offers stunning landscapes, deserted beaches…
Shark Bay (Australia)
★★ A vast bay with its parks and nature reserves located on the mid-west coast of Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll…
Albany (Australia)
★ The major city in the south is also the oldest settlement (1826) in the western part of Australia. Some old buildings, more or less from…
Broome
★ In the northwest of the state, this small town, known for its pearl farms, is a tourist destination. It is appreciated for its beautiful…
Bunbury
★ On the coast, south of Perth, the city attracts beach, surf, and dolphin lovers.
Coral Bay
★ A small village from which you can enjoy the Ningaloo Reef. Scuba diving is popular here.
Cossack
★ One of Australia's many ghost towns. This former pearling town is located on the northern coast.
Denmark
★ On the southern coast, not far from Albany, a small, somewhat "alternative" and artistic town in a very beautiful and pleasant natural…
Exmouth (Australia)
★ This large village is the main base for exploring the Ningaloo Reef. It is also located at the gateway to Cape Range National Park.
Geraldton
★ A fishing town also known for surfing and windsurfing. You can also go wreck diving here.
Great Victoria Desert (Australia)
★ Spanning two states, this desert region is sparsely populated except for a few Aboriginal communities and features vast dune fields and…
Kalgoorlie
★ A Gold Rush town with some period testimonies in its architecture.
Lancelin
★ Coastal village about a hundred kilometres north of Perth, popular with divers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, and sandboarders.
Mandurah
★ It's the second-largest city in Western Australia. With its beaches, fishing, diving, and boat trips—especially to see dolphins and…
Margaret River
★ South of Perth, the town is known for its vineyards. Beaches, surfing, and hiking in the surrounding area.
Mount Augustus
★ It is the world's largest monolith, twice the size of Ayers Rock, though far less well-known. The summit can be reached in a few hours'…
New Norcia
★ This town, 150 km northeast of Perth, is the only one in the country with a monastery (in Spanish style). It also has a few other…
Fitzgerald River National Park
★ The area is renowned for its exceptional flora. You can also hike and enjoy some water-based activities here.
Tunnel Creek National Park
★ Between Geikie Gorge and Windjana Gorge, the site offers a beautiful setting with many caves, some adorned with Aboriginal paintings.
Perth
★ Fairly isolated from the rest of the country, the vast capital of Western Australia is a quiet city where you can enjoy the many nearby…
Toodyay
★ "Old" village near Perth with several historic buildings.
Wave Rock
★ In the town of Hyden, this unusual rock formation resembles a giant wave.
York (Australia)
★ One of the oldest towns in the region, with several historic buildings still standing.
- Broome
- Bunbury
- Coral Bay
- Cossack
- Denmark
- Esperance
- Fremantle
- Geraldton
- Goldfields-Esperance
- Jurien Bay
- Kalgoorlie
- Kununurra
- Lancelin
- Mackerel Islands
- Mandurah
- Margaret River
- New Norcia
- Perth
- Toodyay
- Cape Arid National Park
- Cape Le Grand National Park
- Cape Range National Park
- The Pinnacles Desert
- Fitzgerald River National Park
- Geikie Gorge National Park
- Kalbarri National Park
- Karijini National Park
- Mount Augustus
- Ningaloo Reef
- Dampier Peninsula
- Purnululu National Park
- Tunnel Creek National Park
- Wave Rock
- Windjana Gorge National Park
- Albany (Australia)
- Exmouth (Australia)
- York (Australia)
- Shark Bay (Australia)
- Great Victoria Desert (Australia)