Make it an unforgettable Western Australia adventure. There are countless reasons to add Western Australia to your bucket list. World-class surf on the whitest beaches, laid-back moments in the vast Outback, reef and rock formations that draw archaeologists, some of the oldest known living cultures on earth, finest wineries, and the happiest creature on the planet ready to cheer you up.
If you want to escape stressful city life, this remote region is a place to soothe your mind, body and soul. The unique gems of Western Australia will have you planning the trip before you have finished reading, and probably a second one too, because once is never enough.
Your accommodation is just as important as the places you want to visit. It pays to base yourself somewhere central to your route, and for anyone heading through the south west that often means a night in Kojonup, three hours south of Perth on the Albany Highway.
What is unique to Western Australia?
As a seasoned traveller, you will notice that Western Australia has attractions you cannot find anywhere else. Where else can you stand beside the world's largest rock formation and the planet's largest fringing coral reef? Or look out over a pink lake from a boat or a helicopter? This region is also home to wildlife found nowhere else on earth.
The second-largest state in the world, with a total land area of 2.5 million square kilometres that occupies a third of Australia, gives you reasons to visit again and again. Here is our list of the top-rated attractions and places to visit in Western Australia.
12 top-rated attractions and places to visit in Western Australia
Consider these when you are planning a trip to WA.
1. Get up close with the quokkas
If it is true that happiness is highly infectious, then getting up close with the quokkas is not a bad idea. These furry little marsupials, found only in Western Australia, are known as the happiest creatures on earth. They are so adorable that even predators seem reluctant to touch a single fur.
2. Ride purebred camels along Cable Beach
Western Australia has one of the largest populations of purebred camels in the world. These tame animals, introduced by settlers from the Canary Islands, made their way to WA in 1841, and with no natural predators their numbers have grown ever since. Mount up and take in the magnificent sunset from the vantage point of a camel's back along Cable Beach in Broome.
3. Busselton Jetty
If you love a leisurely walk, Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, is the place for you. Spanning over 1,800 metres, you can walk almost two kilometres out into the waters of Geographe Bay. There is more to it than walking, too: descend 8 metres below sea level and watch the marine life drift past in the Underwater Observatory.
4. The world's largest rock formation
Western Australia is home to the world's largest rock formation. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Augustus is a sight to behold, eight kilometres long and three kilometres wide. It is a monocline, named for its step-like folds.
5. Western Australia has a pink lake
Where else can you see a pink lake but in Western Australia? This beautiful pink lake, named Lake Hillier, sits on Middle Island off the coast of Esperance. One word of caution: a licensed operator must accompany you when you visit the lake by boat or helicopter.
6. The Sunshine City and the City of Lights
For your daily dose of Vitamin D, visit the capital of Western Australia. It is always a good time to visit Perth, with its eight hours of sunshine, and the city is closer to Indonesia and Singapore than it is to Sydney. It is known as the City of Lights, the brightest spot when seen from outer space.
There is more to Perth than the sunshine. Kings Park, the largest inner-city park, is bigger than Central Park in New York and sits at the heart of Perth. You can survey the green space, set aside for public use back in 1872, from the top of the DNA Tower, so named because it resembles a DNA molecule. The vantage point takes in the Swan River and the city skyline, well worth the 101 steps to the top.
7. A hidden gem
Did you know Western Australia is rich in natural mineral wealth? The town of Kalgoorlie is the largest producer of gold, while the Argyle mine was the largest producer of pink diamonds prior to its closure in 2020. The mineral industry is a real boost to the region's economy. There are sea treasures too: tropical Broome, on the beautiful north coast, is the pearl capital of the world. Our self-drive from Perth to Kalgoorlie guide covers the goldfields run in full.
8. Home to the largest fringing coral reef
The pristine Ningaloo Reef, a World Heritage listed site, is the largest fringing reef in the world. It provides habitat for more than 500 species of fish and 300 varieties of coral, and it is easily accessible straight from the shore. To swim alongside the world's largest fish, visit between late March and mid-July, when the whale sharks, which can grow up to 15 metres, arrive. Bayview Coral Bay makes a great base for the southern end of the reef, and Sal Salis in Cape Range National Park offers wild bush luxury just metres from the water.
9. Home to Aboriginal art
Much of Australian Aboriginal art, some of it said to date back to the ice age, can be found on the Burrup Peninsula, between Exmouth and Broome on Western Australia's north coast. The Aboriginal petroglyphs, or ancient rock engravings, are estimated to be some 10,000 years old and offer a fascinating insight into the rich history and culture of the area. Explore from the nearby town of Karratha and take in the pristine white beaches of the Burrup Peninsula while you are there.
10. The staircase to the moon
If you are in Broome, witness the Staircase to the Moon. Head to Town Beach and watch the moon rise over the mud flats. At low tide the moonlight falls across the flats and makes them look like a staircase leading up to the moon.
11. The earth's oldest living thing
Shark Bay, some 800 kilometres north of Perth, has the most abundant living marine stromatolites in the world. These living fossils trace their history back some 3.5 billion years. Declared a World Heritage Area, the shallow waters of the Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve are home to the dome-shaped structures, and a timber boardwalk brings you close to them.
12. A surfer's delight
The east coast gets its share of the limelight, but for surfing the west coast is far more fascinating. What draws surfers from all over the world are the big waves along the coastline of Margaret River. Relax and take a sip from one of the outstanding local wineries once you are out of the water.
Base yourself in Kojonup for the south west
You cannot see all of Western Australia in one trip, but you can cover a good stretch of the south and the Great Southern from a single base. Kojonup sits on the Albany Highway about three hours south of Perth, a natural halfway point for anyone touring wine country, the coast and the national parks. Our Perth to Albany drive guide maps the trip leg by leg, and the attractions page covers what there is to see once you have stopped.
Cornwall House Accommodation is in the heart of town, with rooms for families, groups and solo travellers, each with an ensuite, free WiFi, tea and coffee, a microwave and a fridge, plus free onsite parking and a shared camp kitchen for guests. Check-in is contactless from 2pm, which suits a long driving day.
Book your stay at Cornwall House
If you have decided to pack your bags for Western Australia, let us make sure you have a comfortable place to stay. Cornwall House Accommodation offers a selection of rooms for families, groups and solo travellers, so you can enjoy your time with the people you came with.
Book your room today by calling us on (08) 9831 0214 or filling out our online enquiry form. Our friendly team will be in touch as soon as we can.
Check availability and book Call us (08) 9831 0214
Frequently asked questions
What is unique to Western Australia?
WA has attractions you will not find elsewhere: the quokkas of the south west, the pink water of Lake Hillier, the fringing coral of Ningaloo Reef, the ancient stromatolites of Shark Bay and the world's largest rock formation at Mount Augustus.
When is the best time to see whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef?
Between late March and mid-July, when the whale sharks, the world's largest fish, visit the reef. They can grow up to 15 metres and Ningaloo is easily reached from the shore.
Where is the pink lake in Western Australia?
Lake Hillier, on Middle Island off the coast of Esperance. A licensed operator must accompany you when you visit by boat or helicopter.
Can I base a Western Australia trip in Kojonup?
Kojonup sits on the Albany Highway about three hours south of Perth, a natural overnight stop for anyone touring the south west and the Great Southern. Cornwall House Accommodation is in the heart of town with contactless check-in from 2pm.
