Welcome to Western Australia
Western Australia covers one-third of the Australian continent — an area larger than Western Europe — offering vast landscapes of extraordinary diversity. From Perth's pristine beaches and the South West's towering karri forests to the turquoise waters of Ningaloo Reef, the ancient gorges of the Kimberley and the red deserts of the Outback, WA delivers some of Australia's most spectacular and remote wilderness experiences.
This hub connects you to curated tours across Western Australia's diverse regions, practical travel advice for this massive state and direct booking options with Cooee Tours. Whether you're planning a Perth city break, coastal road trip, reef adventure or remote Outback expedition, Western Australia rewards those who venture beyond the east coast.
With 12,500 kilometres of coastline, over 100 national parks and reserves, and some of the world's oldest geological formations, WA is a destination that demands time and respect. Let our local experts help you navigate its vast distances and discover its extraordinary highlights.
✨Why Visit Western Australia?
Untouched wilderness: Vast landscapes with far fewer tourists than the east coast · Marine wonders: Ningaloo Reef, whale sharks, dolphins, pristine coastline · Ancient landscapes: Kimberley gorges, Pilbara rock formations, billion-year-old geology · Wine & food: Margaret River region, fresh seafood, farm-to-table dining · Wildflowers: Over 12,000 species — the world's largest collection of wildflowers, blooming spectacularly in spring
Perth & South West
Perth is Australia's sunniest capital city, blessed with beautiful beaches, the Swan River and nearby island paradises. The South West region features world-class wine country in Margaret River, towering karri forests, dramatic coastal cliffs and charming country towns. Together they offer an accessible, diverse introduction to WA's charms.
Perth City
Kings Park and Botanic Garden offers panoramic city views. Explore Cottesloe Beach, Swan Valley wineries, Fremantle Markets and Perth Cultural Centre. Mediterranean climate with more sunshine than any Australian capital. Sample tour: Perth Highlights Tour.
Rottnest Island
Ferry from Perth or Fremantle to this car-free paradise 19km offshore. Meet the famous quokkas (the world's happiest animal), snorkel 63 pristine beaches, cycle the island and explore WWII tunnels. A WA essential. Book: Rottnest Island Tour.
Margaret River
World-renowned wine region with 200+ wineries specialising in Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Combine cellar doors with world-class surf breaks, limestone caves, craft breweries and farm-to-table restaurants. Book: Margaret River Wine Tour.
Pinnacles Desert
Thousands of ancient limestone pillars rising from golden sand in Nambung National Park. Best photographed at sunrise or sunset. Easy 2–3 hour drive north of Perth through coastal scenery. Otherworldly landscapes unlike anywhere else in Australia.
South West Forests
Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk through 400-year-old tingle trees, towering karri forests, Gloucester Tree climb (61m), and charming towns of Denmark, Pemberton and Walpole. Ancient forest experiences that feel primeval.
Coral Coast & Ningaloo Reef
The Coral Coast stretches 1,100km from Cervantes to Exmouth, encompassing the World Heritage–listed Ningaloo Reef — one of the few places on Earth where you can swim with whale sharks. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo is accessible directly from the beach, offering intimate marine encounters in pristine, uncrowded waters.
Ningaloo Reef
Swim with whale sharks (Mar–Jul), manta rays (year-round), sea turtles and humpback whales (Aug–Oct). Snorkel pristine coral straight from the beach — no boat required. 300km of fringing reef with 500+ fish species and 200+ coral species. Book: Ningaloo Marine Tour.
Exmouth & Cape Range
Gateway to Ningaloo and Cape Range National Park. Explore dramatic limestone gorges, coastal walking trails, secluded beaches and camping spots. Base for all reef adventures and wildlife encounters. Turquoise Bay consistently ranked among Australia's best beaches.
Kalbarri
National park featuring deep red gorges, the spectacular Skywalk lookout over Murchison River, coastal sea cliffs, river paddling and abseiling. Wildflower hotspot in spring (Aug–Oct). A versatile adventure hub halfway up the coast.
Monkey Mia & Shark Bay
Wild bottlenose dolphins visit the shore daily for feeding under ranger supervision — one of the world's most reliable wild dolphin encounters. Shark Bay World Heritage area is also home to dugongs, sea turtles and ancient stromatolites (living fossils, 3.5 billion years old).
Coral Bay
Tiny coastal village at the southern end of Ningaloo Reef. Perfect for families with calm, shallow reef snorkeling steps from shore. Manta ray tours, glass-bottom boats and sunset kayaking. A quieter, more relaxed alternative to Exmouth.
The Kimberley
The Kimberley is one of the world's last true wilderness frontiers — a vast, remote region of ancient gorges, cascading waterfalls, Aboriginal rock art and dramatic tidal ranges. Covering an area three times the size of England with fewer than 40,000 people, this is adventure tourism at its finest, requiring time, planning and respect for extreme conditions.
Purnululu (Bungle Bungles)
World Heritage beehive domes striped in orange and grey, Cathedral Gorge's natural amphitheatre, and Echidna Chasm's narrow slot canyon. Access by 4WD or scenic flight from Kununurra. Best April–September. Book: Bungle Bungles Tour.
Gibb River Road
660km unsealed 4WD track connecting Broome to Kununurra through the heart of the Kimberley. Gorge swimming holes, waterfalls, station stays and Aboriginal communities. Dry season only (May–Oct). The ultimate Australian road trip.
Broome
Pearl farming history, Cable Beach's 22km of white sand, dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point, camel rides at sunset and the Staircase to the Moon phenomenon. Gateway town for western Kimberley exploration and scenic flights.
El Questro & Chamberlain Gorge
Million-acre wilderness park with gorge cruises, Zebedee thermal springs, Emma Gorge waterfall walks and luxury tented cabins. Working cattle station turned premium eco-tourism destination. Truly remote luxury.
Horizontal Falls & Buccaneer Archipelago
David Attenborough called the Horizontal Falls "one of the greatest wonders of the natural world." Massive tidal flows create horizontal waterfalls through narrow coastal gorges. Best experienced by seaplane or fast boat from Broome or Derby.
Goldfields & Outback
Inland Western Australia reveals mining heritage, vast desert landscapes, salt lakes and outback frontier towns. This is remote Australia at its rawest — extreme heat, huge distances and unique cultural experiences. The Pilbara's Karijini National Park is a particular highlight, with spectacular gorges rivalling anything in the Kimberley.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder
Historic gold rush city founded in 1893. Visit the Super Pit lookout (3.5km long, 570m deep), mining heritage museums, ghost towns like Coolgardie, and the ornate Victorian streetscapes. Still one of Australia's richest gold fields, producing 800,000 ounces annually.
Wave Rock
Famous 2.7-billion-year-old granite wave formation near Hyden, 15 metres high and 110 metres long. Nearby Aboriginal rock art at Mulka's Cave, salt lakes, and spectacular wildflower displays in spring. Popular day or overnight trip from Perth (4.5 hours).
Karijini National Park
Spectacular billion-year-old gorges, waterfalls and emerald rock pools in the Pilbara. Challenging hikes into slot canyons including Hancock Gorge, Knox Gorge and Weano Gorge. Remote but profoundly rewarding. Best April–October. One of WA's must-see highlights.
Outback Tracks
Canning Stock Route (1,850km), Gunbarrel Highway and Holland Track — for experienced, fully self-sufficient 4WD adventurers only. Extreme remoteness with no services, fuel, water or mobile coverage for hundreds of kilometres. Satellite communication essential.
Things to Do in Western Australia
WA's massive scale means diverse experiences — from world-class diving and wine tasting to remote 4WD expeditions and ancient wilderness walks. Here are the signature activities that make Western Australia unforgettable.
🤿 Marine & Diving
Swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo, snorkel fringing reef from the beach, dive HMAS Swan shipwreck, encounter dolphins at Monkey Mia, join manta ray night tours, watch turtle nesting (Nov–Mar). WA's marine life rivals anywhere on Earth.
🍷 Wine & Food
Margaret River cellar doors (200+ wineries), Swan Valley tasting trails, farm gates and truffle hunting (winter), Fremantle seafood, craft breweries, Broome pearl meat, bush tucker experiences and regional farmers' markets.
🚘 4WD Adventures
Gibb River Road (660km), Canning Stock Route (1,850km), Cape Range coastal tracks, Francois Peron Peninsula beach driving, Outback touring. High clearance 4WD essential for many routes. Guided options available for all experience levels.
🥾 Hiking & Gorges
Karijini gorge descents, Bibbulmun Track (1,000km end-to-end), Cape to Cape Track (Margaret River), Valley of the Giants, Kalbarri Skywalk, Bungle Bungle walks, Stirling Ranges and coastal cliff trails.
🦘 Wildlife
Quokkas on Rottnest Island, dolphins at Monkey Mia, whale sharks at Ningaloo, humpback whale migration (May–Nov), sea lion colonies, bilby encounters, kangaroos at Cape Le Grand, and world-class bird watching in Kimberley wetlands.
🏛️ History & Culture
Aboriginal rock art (Burrup Peninsula has 1 million+ petroglyphs), gold rush heritage in Kalgoorlie, Fremantle Prison (UNESCO), Broome pearl diving history, maritime museums, pastoral station stays and indigenous cultural tours.
🌼 Wildflowers
WA hosts over 12,000 wildflower species — more than any other region on Earth. The annual bloom (Jul–Nov) transforms landscapes from the Coral Coast to the South West. Dedicated wildflower touring routes and festivals celebrate the spectacle.
🌃 Scenic Flights
Helicopter over the Bungle Bungles, seaplane to Horizontal Falls, scenic flights over Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay, and light aircraft over the Kimberley coast. Aerial perspectives reveal the true scale of WA's wilderness.
When to Visit: Seasonal Guide
Western Australia has enormous climatic variation. The south has a Mediterranean climate with winter rain, while the north is tropical with distinct wet (Nov–Apr) and dry (May–Oct) seasons. Always check seasonal conditions — many remote roads close during wet season, and summer temperatures inland can be dangerous. The Bureau of Meteorology provides detailed regional forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from travellers planning their Western Australian adventure.
📅 When is the best time to visit Western Australia?
It depends entirely on which region you're visiting. Perth and the South West enjoy a Mediterranean climate and are best from September to May. The Coral Coast and Ningaloo Reef are ideal from April to October when whale sharks are present and temperatures are comfortable. The Kimberley is only accessible during the dry season (May–October). Spring (September–November) brings WA's spectacular wildflower displays.
For the best all-round experience combining multiple regions, aim for April–May or September–October.
⏰ How long do I need to explore Western Australia?
Perth and surrounds (including Rottnest Island) can be covered well in 3–5 days. Adding Margaret River wine country requires 2–3 extra days. A Coral Coast road trip from Perth to Ningaloo needs 7–10 days. A proper Kimberley expedition requires 10–14 days minimum.
For a comprehensive WA experience covering multiple regions, allow 3–4 weeks. The distances are vast — don't try to rush.
🚗 Do I need a 4WD in Western Australia?
For Perth, Margaret River, the sealed Coral Coast highway and most South West attractions, a standard 2WD vehicle is perfectly fine. However, accessing the Kimberley's Gibb River Road, Purnululu (Bungle Bungles), remote Outback tracks and many unsealed national park roads requires a high-clearance 4WD with off-road tyres.
Guided tours are an excellent alternative — our operators provide appropriate vehicles, handle permits, and bring essential safety equipment and local knowledge.
🦙 Can I swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef?
Yes! Ningaloo Reef is one of the few places in the world where you can reliably swim with whale sharks. The season runs from March to July, with licensed tour operators providing guided snorkeling encounters. No diving certification is required — you snorkel on the surface alongside these gentle giants (up to 12 metres long).
Spotter planes locate the whale sharks, and small groups enter the water for brief, respectful encounters. It's a genuinely life-changing experience. Book well ahead during peak season (April–May).
💰 How expensive is travelling in WA?
Perth and the South West are comparable to other Australian capital regions. Budget travellers can manage on $100–150/day with hostels, self-catering and free attractions. Mid-range visitors should budget $200–350/day for hotels, dining and activities.
Remote areas (Kimberley, Outback, Ningaloo) are significantly more expensive due to logistics — accommodation, fuel and tours carry a premium. Guided multi-day tours often represent better value than self-drive when you factor in vehicle hire, fuel, permits and food in remote areas.
🚲 Is it safe to drive long distances in WA?
WA's sealed highways are well-maintained but distances between services can be very long (200–400km between fuel stops in remote areas). Essential precautions include carrying extra water (20+ litres per person), checking fuel availability in advance, advising someone of your route and expected arrival times, and carrying a satellite phone or personal locator beacon for remote areas.
Driver fatigue is the biggest risk on long outback drives. Plan maximum 4-hour driving stints and never drive at dawn/dusk when kangaroos are most active on roads.
Planning Resources & Downloads
Essential guides for navigating Australia's largest state. Download these for safe, informed travel planning across WA's diverse regions.
Perth to Broome via the Coral Coast. Includes drive times, fuel stops, accommodation suggestions, seasonal considerations and must-see highlights along the way.
Marine life calendar, best snorkel sites, whale shark tour operators, reef-safe practices, what to pack and underwater photography tips.
Vehicle requirements, essential gear checklist, water and fuel calculations, emergency procedures, satellite communication options and remote area safety protocols.
Premium wineries, breweries, farm gates, restaurants and local producers with tasting notes, touring routes and seasonal highlights.
Quick Book with Cooee Tours
Ready to explore Western Australia? Share your adventure goals and we'll create an itinerary suited to WA's unique scale and conditions. Our local experts have been guiding travellers through WA since 1990.