WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WONDROUS, OTHERWORLDLY AND DREAM LIKE

Whether your destination is the turquoise sea or the Golden Outback, a weekend or week-long trip offers ample rewards. From baffling rock formations and ancient Aboriginal sites to sweeping green vineyards of world class wineries and unbelievably clear ocean waters, Western Australia is the land of endless exploration.

Venture up to Australia’s north west, renowned for its spectacular Outback wilderness – with breathtaking gorges, cascading waterfalls, pristine beaches, remote islands and tropical Broome.

The Coral Coast is a marine playground full of wildlife encounters such as inquisitive sea lions, playful dolphins and giant whale sharks. Explore the Shark Bay World-heritage Area or get close to nature at the Ningaloo Marine Park.

Australia’s Golden Outback is epic road trip country, with everything from Australia’s biggest rock (Mt Augustus) to Australia’s whitest beaches along the southern coast. Detour off the coast to the spectacular beauty of the Gascoyne Murchison region or discover charming country towns in the Wheatbelt with its rich farmland and rock formations. Immerse yourself in gold rush history in Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields or head down to experience the turquoise waters and white beaches of Esperance, including Lucky Bay, crowned ‘World’s Best Beach 2023’. Each year from July to October in Australia’s Golden Outback, witness the biggest wildflower display on earth with over 12,000 different varieties – most of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world.

Perth is Western Australia’s capital, renowned for its warm, sunny coastal climate and relaxed lifestyle. Nestled on the banks of the Swan River and flanked by the stunning Kings Park botanical gardens, Perth is a city in harmony with nature.

To the south of Perth, you’ll find rolling hills, majestic forests, the award-winning wine regions of Margaret River, spectacular beaches and breathtaking scenery. Go hiking, surfing, diving and caving or just tantalise your taste buds with fine wines and outstanding cuisine.

Be inspired with these unmissable experiences and create your dream holiday.

TOWN BY TOWN

Narrogin is home to one of WA’s newest national parks, Dryandra Woodland National Park. The park is home to the largest remnant of native vegetation in the western Wheatbelt – a valuable and diverse conservation area with great walking trails.

Ensure you make time for a visit to Esperance, home of Lucky Bay, crowned ‘World’s Best Beach 2023’.

Esperance is a picturesque coastal town with Australia’s whitest sands, striking turquoise waters and wild landscapes making it one of the most visually captivating places in the country.

The Recherche Archipelago is made up of a necklace of more than 110 islands and islets, adorning the coast of this beautiful region. There are many spectacular attractions and tours including:

National Parks. There are six in the area with Australia’s whitest beaches, flora and fauna and camping facilities. Drive yourself or take a 4WD tour
Wildlife cruise of the bay. Observe sea lions, sea eagles, dolphins, whales (June–October) and many species of birds such as the rare Western Cape Barren geese
Woody Island, ultimate overnight and day trip adventures
The Great Ocean Drive. Discover the Wireless Hill Lookout, Twilight Cove, historic Observatory Point and wind farms
Fitzgerald River National Park. Over 1600 species of wildflowers.

Museum Village, Dempster Street

Phone: (08) 9083 1555

Email: info@visitesperance.com

visitesperance.com

Norseman is a historic gold mining town and Western Australia’s gateway to the Nullarbor. Legend has it that a prospector named Laurie Sinclair tethered his horse ‘Hardy Norseman’ to a tree overnight in the 1890s. By morning, the horse had unearthed a piece of gold-bearing quartz by pawing the ground. Over five million ounces of gold have been taken out of Norseman, making it the second richest goldfield in WA. Norseman is also one end of the Granite and Woodlands Discovery Trail, a 300-kilometre unsealed road from Norseman to Hyden with excellent interpretive signage and some of Australia’s most pristine woodlands. Norseman offers a range of services and facilities for travellers.

Beacon Hill Lookout and Walk Trail. A 360º panorama of town and surrounding bushlands
Tin Camels and the statue of Norseman
Dundas Coach Road Heritage Trail
Get your Nullarbor crossing certificate from the Tourist Centre
Gemstone fossicking, ancient Dundas Rocks and Bromus Dam picnic area
Traversing through the Great Western Woodlands – the largest unfragmented temperate woodlands left in the world. Twice the size of Tasmania, it holds a staggering 20 per cent of our country’s plant species.

78 Prinsep Street

Information, accommodation and maps

Phone: (08) 9039 0040

Email: tourism@dundas.wa.gov.au

Kalgoorlie / Karlkurla-Boulder and the Goldfields offer a real Australian Outback adventure and a fascinating insight into the region’s colourful gold rush history.

The towns and small communities of the Goldfields were built on the hopes and dreams of fortune-seekers who flocked to Western Australia following the discovery of gold in the 1890s. Life was tough for these early gold diggers, who bravely faced the challenges of the living in the Outback. But while multi-million dollar mining corporations have replaced the smaller gold prospecting operators, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder has been transformed into a modern cosmopolitan town, reminders of the ‘wild days’ are everywhere you look.

Soak up the rich gold rush history with a road trip along the captivating Golden Quest Discovery Trail. Journey through rich red landscapes, Outback pubs, historic hotels, active gold mines and some of the region’s most alluring ghost towns. The Golden Quest Discovery Trail is an iconic road trip itinerary you don’t want to miss.

316 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie

Phone: (08) 9021 1966

Email: visitors@kalgoorlietourism.com

kalgoorlietourism.com

Loosely translated, ‘Balladonia’ comes from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘big red rock’. Balladonia made world headlines in 1979 when space debris from Skylab landed 40 kilometres east on Woorlba Sheep Station. • Cultural Heritage Museum, featuring computer-controlled interactive technology to recreate the area’s history (Balladonia Hotel complex) • Arid Desert Woodland (counted among the world’s oldest and most dense landscapes) • Newman Rocks is a popular spot for a break from the long black strip (one kilometre off road).

The stunning Baxter Cliffs are named after Edward John Eyre’s overseer, John Baxter, who lost his life on 29 April 1841. The ‘90 Mile Straight’ from Caiguna to Balladonia is the longest straight stretch of highway in Australia (146.6 kilometres). • Caiguna Blowhole half a kilometre west of Caiguna (follow the signs) • ‘Australia’s longest straight road’ sign (photo opportunity).

Originally established as an Aboriginal mission in early pioneer times, it is a nature lover’s paradise. • Chapel Rock formation and picnic area, located four kilometres east of Cocklebiddy. Look for a track on the side of the road • Twilight Cove is a popular fishing and whale watching spot, 32 kilometres south of Cocklebiddy (4WD track) • Eyre Bird Observatory (approx. 50 kilometres south of Cocklebiddy) Phone (08) 9039 3450 • Spectacular Baxter Cliffs and Nuytsland Nature Reserve are located south-west of Cocklebiddy by way of a rough 4WD track. Check road conditions locally.

Midway between Adelaide and Perth, Madura Station was settled in 1876 and bred horses for the British Army (India). • Madura Pass has spectacular views of the Roe Plains and views towards the Southern Ocean from the lookout at the top of the pass.

Descending from the Nullarbor Plain, via scenic Eucla Pass, Mundrabilla has regular services for the traveller. • Australia’s biggest meteorite was discovered nearby, weighing over 10 tonnes.

In the early 1900s, Eucla had a population of over 100 and was the busiest telegraph station in Australia beyond the capital cities. The Eucla Telegraph Station opened in 1877 and helped link WA with the rest of Australia and the world, sending 11,000 messages annually (just 33 years after Samuel Morse invented the telegraph). The first message sent to Perth on 8 December 1877 stated ‘Eucla line opened. Hurrah’. • Old Telegraph Station ruins four kilometres south of highway • Museum and Bureau of Meteorology • Golf course • Eucla National Park and Delisser Sandhills (4WD recommended).

Pronounced ‘For-rest’, this old railway siding and settlement is 121 kilometres north west of Eucla. It was established in 1916 during construction of the TransAustralian Railway. A true taste of remote living, Forrest is arrived at after four hours driving on an unsealed road. • Rock-hop in 4WD • Fuel, accommodation and camping. Refer to forrestairport.com.au

Important information:

There is a quarantine checkpoint at WA/SA Border Village for traffic entering Western Australia and at Ceduna for traffic entering South Australia. Fruit, vegetables and certain plant material will be confiscated. Travellers should be well prepared with food, water, fuel and communications to travel in remote areas. Always drive to road/track conditions and let people know your travel plans.