Down South

Western Australia’s southern regions are so plum with beautiful places to visit, it can be difficult to know where to go.

Australia’s South West Spokeswoman Annabel Owen said Pemberton was a popular option, as it enabled tourists to settle under beautiful karri trees and enjoy sightseeing on the mountain bike and four-wheel drive trails peppering the area.

A collection of fire lookout trees around the area allow tourists to climb up above the canopy of its towering forests, while those seeking a professional touch to adventuring will find tour companies in the area run excursions throughout the Warren and D’Entrecasteaux national parks, as well as the Yeagarup Dunes.

In winter, nearby Manjimup hosts a hunt for Perigord truffles, while those seeking a quiet place to relax have plenty of choice when it comes to well-equipped caravan and camping sites.

Further south near Walpole is Peaceful Bay, a small pocket with a fish and chip shop serving daily catches of local fish like nannygai and King George whiting. The bay doubles as a good base for visiting attractions like the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk and the wider Great Southern region.

Two hours further east is Cheynes Beach, a hidden strip of coast near Albany with plentiful accommodation nearby.

Up North

Australia’s Coral Coast Marketing Executive Toni O’Donnell pointed to Exmouth, Shark Bay, Kalbarri and the Mid West region’s famous world-heritage spots as main attractions for caravanners and campers.

To see the best of Exmouth, visitors can stay at Bullara Station and take a peek at Cape Range National Park or one of the area’s beautiful beaches, including Osprey and Turquoise bays.

Exmouth is also known for linking the adventurous with the ocean’s gentle giants, including manta rays, whale sharks and humpback whales.

Further south, Shark Bay boasts the magnificent Francois Peron National Park, Peron Homestead Precinct, Shell Beach and the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites.

Visitors can stay at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort and experience all the area has to offer right on their doorstep.

North of Geraldton, Kalbarri is a stunning seaside town known for its Pink Lake, Kalbarri National Park and a plethora of scenic flight tours.

To The (North) West

Home to thriving ecosystems and rich history, Dirk Hartog Island is a narrow strip along the Gascoyne Coast, just off Australia’s western-most point.

For those looking for an offshore adventure, Casey Hill from tourism organisation Dirk Hartog Island recommended Turtle Bay, Whithnell Point and Homestead Bay Camping Grounds as ideal destinations for visitors.

For those with a love for all things adorable, Turtle Bay is best known for the breeding and hatching of loggerhead turtles. The bay was voted Australia’s best regional beach just two years ago and is usually teeming with birds, dolphins, sharks, manta rays and, when in season, migrating humpback whales.

While there are no facilities available in this wildlife haven, Whitnell Point includes a toilet block and cubicle for a BYO shower. The stretch features boat entry and is great for beach fishing.

For those who like to camp with a good selection of amenities at hand, Dirk Hartog’s Homestead Bay Camping Grounds include a suite of camping extras.

Enjoy shared camp kitchen facilities, drinking water, hot showers, flushing toilets and the free use of kayaks and paddleboards.

To The East

For adventurers travelling inland, Beverley Shire Tourism Project Officer Jacinta Murray said the towns of Beverley, Goomalling, Northam, Toodyay and York had a lot to offer.

Home to the Dead Finish Museum, the rural town of Beverley boasts murals, art galleries and wildflowers in the springtime.

Straight up Great Eastern Highway from Perth, Northam is popular for its morning balloon flights over the Avon Valley. For amateur historians, the Northam Heritage Centre is brimming with local memorabilia, and Australia’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge – over a river teeming with white swans – is ready and waiting for pictures. Tourists might also like to experience some
local Aboriginal culture at the Bilya Koort Boodja Centre for Nyoongar Culture and Environmental Knowledge.

Half an hour from Northam is Toodyay, a springtime wildflower haven with two museums, a quirky boutique, farm animals and miniature trains, while to the south is York, WA’s oldest inland town. The Town Hall’s floor space is the largest of its kind in WA and the giant wheat sculptures along the town’s art trail create a unique experience for visitors.

Further north is Goomalling, which features Walyormouring Lake, an art trail developed by local artists and rare orchids that bloom in August and September.