As you may or may not have guessed, I’m a huge fan of Western Australia!
Like .. HUGE!
Sorry Eastern states, but this big boy just knocks you out the water and here’s 25 spots to prove it .. and hopefully convince you to book a ticket here at the same time too!
Related Posts
- Perth to Broome on a Budget : Perfect 14 Day Road Trip Itinerary
- The Ultimate West Coast Australia Road Trip
- Why I’ve Fallen in Love with Western Australia
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#1 Gantheaume Point, Broome
Everybody loves Broome and as soon as you get here, it’s easy to see!
The Cable Beach sunsets are sensational of course, but my favourite spot had to Gantheaume Point – honestly it took my breath away!
Check out my list of the best Broome caravan parks for recommendations about some great budget accommodation options in this area and my post about the best free things to do in Broome for more ideas.
#2 80 Mile Beach
The colours of the coast at 80 Mile Beach, just south of Broome, are truly unbelievable and the brilliant Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park sits right among them with some epic views!
#3 The Spider Walk, Karijini National Park
20 billion years in the making, this ancient landscape is definitely a WA destination that will have you booking a ticket today!
The Spider Walk is the most epic attraction for the intrepid explorers among you, as you squeeze between rock walls to access hidden lagoons and incredible gorges.
Learn more in my ultimate guide to Karijini National Park.
#4 Bells Gorge, Gibb River Road
You can’t understand how happy we were on, yet another 40 degree day, to find the incredible swimming hole at Bells Gorge.
Situated along the Gibb River road – one of Australia’s most infamous 4wd tracks – this place was a hidden gem that’s too good not to share!
#5 Nature’s Window, Kalbarri National Park
From stunning gorges to sensational lookouts, Kalbarri is undoubtedly one of Australia’s best national parks.
And top of the highlight list has to be Nature’s window … just don’t forget your camera!
#6 Cappuccino Strip, Fremantle
The place we made our home in Western Australia, Fremantle will always gold a soft spot in my heart as I fell head over heels in love with is historic buildings, progressive atmosphere and damn good coffee!
You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to getting your caffeine fix in this gorgeous seaside city, but the so-called Cappuccino Strip is definitely a good place to start!
#7 Caves Road, Margaret River
This, my friends, is cellar-door 7th heaven!
Yes with the beach on one side and vineyards on the other, you can have your cake (glass of vino) and eat it (drink it) in this gorgeous country location.
Check out my budget guide to Margaret River if you’re thinking of heading here soon.
#8 The Gap, Albany
You’d be hard pushed not to be blown away by the beauty of The Gap in Torndirrup National Park, just outside the town of Albany in Southern WA.
With the great ocean crashing its powerful waves against this ancient cliff face, your ability to stand right over the action really is spell-binding.
Check out my perfect budget itinerary for road tripping Australia’s South West here.
#9 Geraldton’s West End
Yes, we loved the cute little town of Geraldton, whose amazing West End has undergone some fabulous regeneration recently, turning it into a street art, café heaven!
From Café Fleur to The Quiet Life, The Jaffle Shack to Piper Lane, there’s a heap of awesome spots in which to get your caffeine fix before enjoy a stroll along the nearby oceanfront Foreshore.
If you do come to Geraldton, you have to stay at the Ocean West Apartments … we didn’t want to leave! Read my full review here.
#10 Python Pool, Karratha
We turned up at Python pool on our way to the Pilbara town of Karratha without knowing anything about it!
What we found was a swimming hole of the most amazing colours you could ever believe!
#11 Sunset, Lake Kununurra
Camped at Discovery Parks – Lake Kununurra, we actually had our tents facing exactly the right direction for this evening light show … and what a show!
Seriously one of the best places we stayed in Western Australia, check out my full review of the campsite here, as well as my list of the 10 free things to do in Kununurra here.
#12 Emma Gorge, El Questro
It’s a bit of hike to Emma Gorge, way up in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, but boy is it worth it!
5 ESSENTIAL PACKING ITEMS FOR AUSTRALIA
#1 Good Camera – You will be pretty much snapping non-stop in Australia and will need a good camera to do this gorgeous country justice. I highly recommend the Sony A6000, which I use for all my travels and love, not least because it’s light, compact and robust!
#2 Good Walking Shoes – There will be a lot of walking in Australia – from cities to national parks! Make sure your feet are comfortable therefore with a pair of New Balance Trainers. Perfect for stylish strolling, I love mine.
#3 Good Guidebook – I’m still a massive fan of the Lonely Planet Guidebooks and do think their Australia edition is well put together.
#4 Good Water Bottle – Travelling in hot old Australia can be thirsty work, so make sure you have a metal water bottle that you can refill as you go, because tap water is drinkable… and free!
#5 Good Sun Hat – And there’s no denying you’ll need a good sun hat for protection in Australia too. In my opinion, you can’t go past this Hello Sunshine one, which is both gorgeous and ideal for keeping the rays off your face.
#13 Wave Rock, Hyden
Trust the land of the waves to also have a stone one!
And for it to be HUGE!
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#14 Whale Shark Diving, Ningaloo Reef
You really can’t come to this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site and not get out on the water to explore it.
Be it diving, snorkelling or just a boat trip, soaking up the best of Ningaloo Reef and its incredible wildlife is a must all year round, but especially during whale shark season.
If you’re looking to stay somewhere on a budget, then let me recommend PotShot Hotel Resort in Exmouth. You can read my full review here.
#15 Turquoise Bay, Cape Range National Park
Situated right along the Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range National Park is a Western Australia winner.
This stunning reserve protects both the reef and an inland area, where emus, echidnas and kangaroos roam freely.
Yardie Creek has a great walking trail, but my top pick has to be Turquoise Bay – the colours of which are out of this world!
#16 Hutt Lagoon, Port Gregory
Hutt Lagoon at Port Gregory, otherwise known as the Pink Lake, really has to be seen to be believed!
This bubblegum coloured body of water is quite amazing and is sure to make for a truly unique Instagram pic your friends won’t believe!
#17 Eagle Bluff, Shark Bay
Shark Bay really is where the outback meets the ocean in Western Australia, so be prepared for some gorgeous views of red dirt hitting white sand and the turquoise Indian Ocean beyond.
Nowhere does this better in my opinion than Eagle Bluff, where you can also spot rays, sharks and dugongs!
#18 Blowholes, Carnarvon
Carnarvon’s blowholes are a little of town, but so worth making the journey to see!
We didn’t expect to be that impressed, but ended up spending hours watching, photographing and marvelling at them. Definitely one of the best free things to do in Carnarvon.
Be sure to stay at the Wintersun Tourist & Caravan Park in Carnarvon. We loved it there … check out my review here.
#19 The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
The Pinnacles, otherwise known as Nambung National Park, are situated just above Perth are definitely one of the best day trips from the city.
These crazy looking desert towers do make for an awesome picture and are best captured at sunset, when the colours of the golden sand and ocean beyond really spring to life.
Check out more amazing places to visit on Western Australia’s Turquoise Coast here.
#20 Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park
It was soooo hot when we arrived at the Bungle Bungles in mid-October and the drive into Purnululu National Park was so horrendous, we almost didn’t make it!
But we did in the end … and heck were we glad!
There literally isn’t another place like this on earth and standing beneath the towering beehive-like domes here puts it all in perspective!
#21 Quokka Land, Rottnest Island
Known as the world’s happiest creatures, Quokkas are definitely some of the planet’s cutest creatures and snapping a selfie with one of these guys in their gorgeous homeland, Rottnest Island is a must.
The island itself is also stunning, with no cars, cycling from bay to bay really is the way to explore it best!
#22 Waterfall Reef, Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm
Coming in as one of the best highlights of our road trip around Australia, Waterfall Reef in the remote Dampier Peninsula above Broome was incredible!
We took a tour, care of the great guys at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm and even the amazing journey on the RIB to see this incredible natural phenomenon was breathtaking … and had me hanging on for dear life!
Read my review of this amazing place here.
#23 The Jetty, Busselton
I could have spent hours photographing Busselton’s Old Jetty, where the turquoise Indian Ocean provided the perfect backdrop!
#24 Karri Forest, Pemberton
A drive through the ancient Karri Forests near Pemberton in Southwest Australia is a drive like no other!
Wind down the window, breath in that magical smell and soak up the forest atmosphere.
#25 Lucky Bay, Esperance
The name says it all!
Absolutely one of the best places to visit in Western Australia. Full stop!
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Have I convinced you to book a ticket to Western Australia yet?
I hope so!
Just incredible and you have done it again You have shown some places that tourists aren’t not aware of They only travel the East coast but to the commercial areas eg Whitsundays ,Bayron Bay One Canadian wrote a blog “8 reasons why backpacking Australia is so overrated and the 10000 beaches of Australia look exactly the same She has only been to the East coast and definately hasn’t been to the west The beaches are different in Western Australia You have proven that there are places in Australia that are not overrated and that is Western Australia Keep up the great blogs
Thanks Louisa! Yes it’s such a shame that few visitors make it over to WA, it really is an amazing state with so much to offer and some delightfully off the beaten track spots. The beaches are undoubtedly some of the country’s best, as are the national parks. As you can tell, I’m a huge fan!