Western Australia truly is the authentic Australian experience.
The capital of Perth is Australia's western gateway and a great place to start your holiday.
Perth City offers an easygoing lifestyle - the beautiful Swan River and inner-city parks like Kings Park add to the relaxed, natural feel. There is much to see and do in this part of the State, from swimming in crystal clear ocean waters to enjoying a sunny afternoon sipping a cold beer at an open-air pub.
From the city, head to the South West region for world class wineries, luxury accommodation and forests of tall trees. These taper off to a ribbon of coastal hinterlands of sheltered bays and rivers, often lined with massive granite boulders and stunning outlooks. Here, life is simple and genuine, offering a taste of rural Australian living along with relaxing country retreats and secluded chalets.
The Golden Outback's spectacular outback and goldfields are the place for historic townships, brilliant, starry night skies, and wide open spaces with spinifex and red earth as far as the eye can see. Here too, are the beaches of the Southern Ocean. These seas can be wild one day and brilliant blue calm the next - they're also home to humpback whales and their calves. Awesome marine life, endless white sand beaches and warm, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean characterise the State's far north. The sunshine, cooling sea breezes and the outdoor activities of the Coral Coast make it a relaxing and friendly destination.
If it's an Aussie frontier adventure you're after head further north to the North West region. Here you'll find rugged ancient landforms, remnant rainforest, deep red gorges, vast cattle stations and pioneering personalities, ancient Aboriginal culture and unique quality accommodation.
The sheer size of Western Australia beckons visitors back time and again to explore the huge number and range of holiday possibilities.
The state of Western Australia is BIG. Whilst WA covers one third of Australia's mainland, it only has a population of around 2 million people. You will find the Western Australian locals more than welcoming, they are renowned for their laid back and friendly attitude. WA is the destination for all seasons. Discover beaches with perfect white sand and turquoise water, surf the big waves, feed dolphins at the waters edge and swim amongst unspoilt coral reefs that are only a step from the beach. Take your camera as you view the amazing mass of wildflowers, wind your way through the tall timber forests or be amazed at the endless stretches of nothingness in the Nullarbor. Watch pearl farmers at work, take to the air to see amazing landforms, enjoy a glass of local wine or just simply relax. There's a bit of everything in WA.
Main Attractions and Annual Events
Watch the fishing boats come in at Fremantle Harbour
See the amazing acrobatics of the Red Bull Air Race
Catch a ferry to the zoo
Have a surf followed by a glass (or two) of wine at a winery in Margaret River
Walk amongst the tall timber trees in Pemberton
Visit the isolated and pristine beaches of Esperance's Cape Le Grande
Be in awe at the size of Kalgoorlie's super pit
Join in a wine tasting in the Swan Valley
Fly over the breathtaking Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) National Park
Swim with manta rays in Ningaloo Reef
Take a camel ride on Cable Beach, Broome
ACCREDITED VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES
Call in when you see this sign to discover how you can make the most of your stay. Accredited visitor information centres provide high quality information and professional standards.
CLIMATE
The large state of WA has a range of climatic zones. Tropical in the north and temperate in the south. The capital city Perth has more hours of sunshine than any other city in Australia. It has a Mediterranean climate. Summer, from December to February, is warm, sunny and dry, while winter, June to August, is wet and mild. The northern parts of the state have a dry season from April to September , with temperatures ranging from 24 - 34 degrees. The wet season (October to March) sees amazing tropical thunderstorms highlight the landscape. Temperatures are in the mid to high 30s with high humidity.
TIME
GMT +8 (GMT +9 from last Sunday in October to last Sunday in March).
COMMUNICATIONS
The area code for Western Australia is (0)8.
GETTING AROUND
Arriving by Air
Perth International Airport (PER) is located 12 kms from the city centre. Transfer between terminals: A bus service links the international and domestic terminals daily.
Transfer to the city: An Airport-City Shuttle runs from the domestic and international airports to city centre acccommodation. There are also regular shuttle services to Fremantle and Scarborough, plus public transport options to the city. Taxis are available outside both the Domestic and International terminals. Website:www.perthairport.net.au
Regional airports servicing small country towns are also dotted across the state.
Public Transport for Getting Around Perth and Regional Western Australia
Transperth operates Perth's buses, trains and ferries. A single ticket covers travel on all three services. Free CAT buses operate within the city area.
TransWA operates regional train and bus services throughout Western Australia.
Call in when you see this sign to discover how you can make the most of your stay. Accredited visitor information centres provide high quality information and professional standards.
