Snorkelling, Ningaloo Coast, Western Australia
Aquatic and Coastal Experiences Western Australia
Stretching over a third of Australia and bordered by two oceans, Western Australia is home to more pristine, white sandy beaches than any other State, and boundless aquatic and coastal experiences.
Perth is home to the iconic Cottesloe Beach, and its own island getaway, Rottnest Island. Beyond Perth to the north is the Coral Coast region, including World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, teeming with turtles, manta rays and the majestic whale shark. A short drive south of Perth are world-famous surf beaches and the bays of the South West.
In the north of the state, take a 2.5 hour flight from Perth and see camels tread the sand at Broome’s Cable Beach and find the billion year old Kimberley region, with its red rock formations, waterfalls, gorges and extraordinary glamping experiences.
Coral Coast
The coastal town of Exmouth is the gateway to Ningaloo Reef, and can be reached in under 2 hours from Perth by air or a 14 hour drive. Easily accessible from shore, there is no need to travel by boat to snorkel the World Heritage-listed underwater wonderland. One of the world’s largest fringing reefs, see coloured coral and tropical fish, sea turtles and manta rays. From mid-March to July each year, swim with the world’s biggest fish – the gentle whale shark.
Highlights:
- Swim with or watch the giant manta rays and whale sharks with Ningaloo Reef Dive
- Join a whale watching tour with Ocean Eco Adventures
- Learn about sea turtles at Jurabi Turtle Centre
- Go glamping and view the sunset from Sal Salis
- Join a catch and release fishing charter with On Strike or Blue Horizon Charters
- Spot rare black footed wallabies with Yardie Creek Boat Tours
Margaret River
Margaret River Gourmet Escape, Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River and its premium wine region is the place for indulging many passions, and is located a 3 hour drive south of Perth. It's the only wine region in Australia where you can hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves. The region is home to more than 220 wine producers, 100 cellar doors and produces over 25 per cent of Australia’s premium wine, with local favourites including, Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager Estate.
Margaret River also plays host to the annual Margaret River Gourmet Escape, which features an unparalleled line-up of international and local food and wine celebrities, iconic and breathtaking host locations, money can't buy culinary experiences and a premium focus on 'the world's best'. For nature-based activities, look out for migrating whales at Geographe Bay or hike the Cape to Cape Track.
Highlights:
- Explore the Cape to Cape Track with Explorer Tours
- Stay at Injidup Spa Retreat, Cape Lodge or Smiths Beach Resort
- View the sunset from Surfers Point
- Take a picnic of local produce to the soft sand and calm waters of Meelup Beach
- Join a whale watching tour at Geographe Bay with Naturaliste Charters
North West
Emma Gorge, Kimberley, Western Australia
Steeped in multi-culturalism, the exotic pearling town of Broome in the extraordinary Kimberley region, can be reached in a 2.5 hour flight from Perth. Every day, camel trains trace the shoreline at the town’s iconic Cable Beach, and frequent tours run out of Broome and into the world-class Kimberley wilderness. The epic landscapes of the billion-year-old Kimberley region are home to deep red gorges, meandering rivers, scattered archipelagos, footprint-free beaches and waterfalls that plummet over high cliffs. Throughout the region, find ancient Aboriginal rock art dating back tens of thousands of years.
Highlights:
- Take a Kimberly Cruise along the coast between Broome & Wyndham, with True North Luxury Adventure Cruises, The Great Escape Charter Companyand Kimberley Quest
- Travel through or fly over the world’s only lateral waterfalls at Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay, and the Buccaneer Archipelago with Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures or Kimberley Aviation.
- Explore Dampier Peninsula, visit Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, take an Indigenous guided tour and stay at Kooljaman Cape Leveque
- Escape to a luxury wilderness oasis at the El Questro Homestead, or Berkley River Lodge
Other Experiences
Kooljaman, Cape Leveque, Western Australia
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island lies just 18 kilometres (11 miles) offshore from Perth, and is where locals go for an island getaway to swim, surf, snorkel, fish and relax. Rottnest is surrounded by 63 beaches and 20 beautiful bays – and home to the friendly Quokka, the resident island marsupial. Catch a ferry over with Rottnest Express and once there, hire a bike and cycle the car-free island paradise.
Close encounters with wild Dolphins
Meet wild dolphins who come to visit the shore every day at Monkey Mia on the Coral Coast, or swim with dolphins at Rockingham or Bunbury in the South West. Western Australia is amongst the best places in the world for magical close encounters.
Lucky Bay
Watch kangaroos sun bake on the whitest sand in Australia at Lucky Bay in Esperance, located on the south coast in Cape Le Grand National Park. Lucky Bay is ideal for enjoying water-based activities including diving, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and snorkelling.
Glamping by the Sea
Western Australia offers several ‘glamping’ experiences and a chance to sleep under the stars in a semi-permanent tent with modern essentials like hot showers, timber floors and plush beds:
Useful Links
Coral Coast: Ningaloo Reef
South West: Margaret River Region
- Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager Estate
- Margaret River Gourmet Escape
- Cape to Cape Track
- Explorer Tours
- Injidup Spa Retreat, Cape Lodge, Smiths Beach Resort
- Naturaliste Charters
North West: Broome and The Kimberley
- True North Luxury Adventure Cruises, The Great Escape Charter Company and Kimberley Quest
- Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventure or Kimberley Aviation
- Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, Indigenous Guided Tour, Kooljaman Cape Leveque, Dampier Peninsula
- El Questro Homestead and Berkley River Lodge
Other Experiences
- Rottnest Express, Rottnest Island
- Monkey Mia, Coral Coast
- Wula Guda Nyinda Eco Adventures, Shark Bay World Heritage Area
- Swim with dolphins at Rockingham or Bunbury
- Cape Le Grand National Park
- Ramada Eco Beach Resort
- Kooljaman at Cape Leveque
- The Billi
- Sal Salis