Whatever time of year you visit Western Australia you'll find sun, adventure, an awesome natural environment and very friendly people. Nowhere else in the world can you experience and interact with such unique natural attractions. Dive with the world's largest fish - the whale shark, swim with wild dolphins, snorkel with manta rays, walk amongst the tops of ancient trees, sleep under a canopy of stars in the desert, or explore the beehive-like formations of the Bungle Bungles with the help of an Aboriginal guide.
Western-Australia truly is the authentic Australian experience.
The big variety of landscapes and climates in Western-Australia means there is always plenty of sunshine, making it a perfect year-round destination. It is a land blessed with spectacular diversity where the deep reds of ancient interior rock formations contrast with the sparkling blue of the Indian and Southern Oceans and the lush greenery of the stunning southern regions.
Western Australia is famous for its long days of sunshine, spotless blue skies and brilliant beaches.
Perth, Western Australia's capital city is nestled in a picturesque natural amphitheater, bordered by Kings Park botanical gardens and the beautiful Swan river. The City of Perth is focused on the central business district and surrounding inner city residential areas.
Visitors find the city to be clean, well laid out and easy to get around. Perth is a must see destination for all visitors. It is Western Australia's center for the arts, for business, government and entertainment. The Perth Cultural Centre, including the State Library, Museum and Art Gallery is one of the most popular attractions for visitors from near and far.
Shopping enthusiasts will be easily satisfied by Western-Australia's largest range of shops and boutiques, while sports fans will be delighted in cricket and football fixtures at the WACA ground and Gloucester Park harness racing.
Public transport within central Perth is free.
The very popular Transperth CAT bus service travels on fixed east-west and north-south routes, guaranteeing the traveler's return to their point of boarding. Two major bus terminals and the central train station make public transport access to other suburbs in Perth an inexpensive and easy travel option.
There is good shopping available, plenty of riverside and beachside restaurants and cafes to dine at, world-class golf courses, over 80 kilometers (50 miles) of white sandy beaches to sunbathe on and a multitude of outdoor activities and experiences to enjoy. Locals here enjoy a relaxed outdoors lifestyle, as do neighbors in the port city of Fremantle, at the mouth of the Swan.
Here you'll find all the essential ingredients for a great holiday - some of the country's best beaches, plenty of nightlife, bustling markets, inner city parks, outdoor dining and amazing marine adventures.
Enjoy sitting on the grass at the back of Cottesloe Beach watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean, putting down a rug and viewing open-air cinema in Kings Park, taking a bike ride along the Swan River foreshore, sipping coffee on Fremantle's Cappuccino Strip and watching the dolphins play in Mandurah Ocean Marina.
The South West pocket of Western Australia offers some of the most varied holiday experiences in the state.
From towering forest explorations to whale watching to fine food and wine to world-class surfing, the South West of Western Australia has something for everyone. From a dramatic coastline through rolling hills and into ancient forests, this area offers award winning wine estates as well as the freshest produce, made famous in its outstanding cuisine.
Margaret River and its surrounds are a popular destination for world-class wineries, top surfing and fun family holidays. Covering vast areas of Western Australia, the Golden Outback offers a diverse range of outstanding holiday experiences. The natural landscape is an artistic display of outback plains, lakes, woodlands and rocky outcrops. Late winter and early spring brings dazzling displays of wildflowers, transforming the countryside into a picture postcard of color and texture.
The Gold Rush country of the 1800s has a deep sense of history and legend woven into its towns and its trails.
Visitors can appreciate the evolution of mining that is so vital to the state. The Coral Coast region is a treasure trove of beaches, exotic marine life, national reserves and the bluest ocean you'll see anywhere in the world.
Here you can swim with the world's largest fish - the whale shark, snorkel from the beach to the stunning Ningaloo Reef, meet the dolphins of Monkey Mia and take in the unique rock formations of the Pinnacles. Western-Australia's first World Heritage site, Shark Bay, is most famous for its smiling dolphins that come right into shore at Monkey Mia.
The more secluded parts of this stunning peninsula are home to other incredible wildlife like manta rays, turtles and dugong. The North West region is one of the world's last true wilderness areas and the place to go for an authentic Aussie outback adventure. Venture into red-earth country on a four-wheel drive tour, take a scenic flight over extraordinary rock formations and magnificent waterfalls or cruise through the inland waterways that permeate the region.
Near Broome, on the west Kimberley coast, dinosaur footprints preserved in rock take you back to the dawn of time.
Or simply relax on the timeless stretch of glimmering white sand of Cable Beach. Pearling heritage runs through Broome's veins. Be thrilled by stories of the first deep sea pearl divers, explore pearl farms showcasing the modern industry or indulge in the opportunity to buy locally made pearl jewelery.
The diversity of cafes, restaurants, wineries and fresh produce, combined with an eclectic mix of indigenous and multicultural influences, has seen the creation of a culinary style that is very Western Australian. Here it's all about fresh food, outdoor eating on warm evenings, premium wines and friendly, spirited people. Be sure to sample scrumptious fish and chips. Some of the state's most popular seafood restaurants and cafes are found around Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle - the perfect place for a taste of the sea.
Check out the wineries of the Swan Valley, Margaret River and the deeper south-west, where gourmet dining is complemented by premium wines.
When it comes to shopping, visitors to Western Australia will have plenty of opportunity to fill their suitcases and overload their credit cards! There's a range of bustling shopping centers, major retail chains, brand direct outlets, eclectic and colorful markets and funky designer boutiques, as well as exquisite arts and craft stores and duty free shopping outlets.
Most city center outlets are found in and between the Hay Street and Murray Street malls, Forrest Chase and Raine Square. Attractive arcades that link the malls were originally created to help pedestrians move easily between the wide city blocks. Leederville, Subiaco, Claremont and Cottesloe - all within minutes of the city - offer a complete shopping and lifestyle experience. From late March to June each year, the Ningaloo Marine Park plays home to the world's biggest species of fish,the whale sharks.
Take the unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel with these gentle giants of the deep, which grow up to 18 meters long. Experience the Wilderness of the Bungle Bungle Range, sample the Gourmet Delights of the Margaret River Wine Region, explore the Karijini National Park, watch the Sunset at Cape Leveque, visit Rottnest Island... so many wonderful things to do and see.
Like all of Oz, Western Australia is a big place, beautiful, stark and dangerous if you're not sensible, but full of delights which you'll never see anywhere else in the world, and just waiting for you to visit. Go there soon, meet the people, they're very friendly, eat the food, it's delicious, sample the wine and most of all, enjoy.