Before every single trip, I love to put to-go pins on my Google Maps. Not sure if it's my personality, but I always know where am I heading to and not get lost. And this is especially important as we are bringing a screaming toddler along. Trust me, you don't want to be stuck with one inside the car for long.
I mean, if you're looking at this post means you should be heading to Australia in the near future. Look forward to it as there are so many fun things to do in Western Australia alone. This simple guide is for those who are travelling in and, mostly out of Perth. Make the most out of your trip, rent a car to explore what Western Australia got to offer!
Here are the top and best attractions of what Western Australia has to offer. For easy viewing, we have sort this list into: South of-, North of- and Central Perth.
South of Perth
1. Stay at a farm (Margaret River)
Recommended duration: 2-3 nights stay
Rating: ★★★★★
This made it as one of our favourite to-dos in the region of Margaret River. There are a couple of options for a farmstay, their animals differs, and some of them provide animal feedings. Your child will be so hyped just feeding the farm animals. Just a tip: Book early! These places are always fully packed.
2. Bunbury Farmer's Market (Bunbury)
Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
If you're cooking your food (which I did), this place is an ABSOLUTE HAVEN. The amount of fresh produce, vegetables, fruits, all sorts of meat is crazy. And the best thing? It's not pricey at all. Just for reference, this whole bunch of carrots (approximately 10) only costs AUD$2.50! It's so fresh you can even take a bite like this!
3. Walk the Busselton Jetty (Busselton)
Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Hiking? How 'bout conquering the longest second boardwalk in the world? Coming in at 1.8km, it takes about 25 minutes to walk this - one way! If you're bringing kids or feeling extra touristy, there's the jetty ride operating every day. Just check the timing beforehand.
Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
This place serves the best lavender desserts, so if you're a lavender fan, do not miss out this place. Try their Lavender Ice Cream (AUD$7) which is so richly infused with these beautiful purple flowers. Their teas and mousse cake (AUD$12) are fantastic as well.
5. Kevill Road Waterfall (Margaret River)
Recommended duration: 30 minutes
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Unlike most waterfalls where you have to hike for hours, this is literally just beside the road, so you can just park beside this waterfall. Perfect if you have children or hate walking.
6. View the most amazing sunset at Sugarloaf Rock (Naturaliste)
Recommended duration: 1 hour
Rating: ★★★★★
This place is spectacular and features a panaromic seaview of the Indian Ocean. The sun was hiding behind the clouds when we visited, but even so, this sight of waves crashing on the granite rocks made the trip worth while. The drive here is quite dangerous and slippery, especially on a rainy day. There are no road lights, so it's recommended to leave before it gets all dark.
7. Visit Dolphin Quay (Mandurah)
Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★☆
Just an hour's drive from Perth lies Mandurah. There are lots of eateries here so do drop by here for a lunch break if you're travelling either to or from Perth. It's similar to Singapore's Quayside Isle in Sentosa with yachts all around. Is this rich man's land or what?
North of Perth
Unlike the greener South, the North features drylands and the vast deserts - definitely a change in scenery.
7. Sandboarding at the Sand Dunes (Lancelin)
Recommended duration: 2-3 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
One of the first stops from Perth is Lancelin. Now, Lancelin itself is a small town, to be honest, not much to do, but you should definitely try out their sandboarding or ATV experience at their famous dessert. The sand is so white and soft, which makes sliding down so easily (but also climbing up the slopes so hard). Just get your shades and sunscreen ready!
8. Catch the Milk Way at the Pinnacles (Nambung)*
Recommended duration: 2-3 hours
Rating: NA
Featuring a heck lot of limestone formations, the Pinnacles looks like another planet in day, and even more so at night. The lack of light pollution makes it one of the best places to view the stars and Milky Way. If you have young children, visiting this at night might be a challenge. Otherwise, go for this lifetime experience.
9. Munch at Lobster Shack (Cervantes)
Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
Probably the most famous restaurant in Western Australia, visitors come all the way here just to try out their famous lobster dishes. It's located just beside the sea as well, so you get a fantastic view while you dig into those delicious lobster meat. They hold tours into their lobster factory too, just gotta check the timings!
10. HMAS Sydney II Memorial (Geraldton)
Recommended duration: 1 hour
Rating: ★★★★☆
Located at Mount Scott, this exquisite icon commemorates the loss of a ship and its 645 men during a battle with a German ship. Take a moment and read about its history. Don't miss out a photo at the Dome of Souls, which features the symbol of souls, as depicted by seagulls, transcending into the heavens.
11. Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon)
Recommended duration: 1-2 hoursRating: ★★★★☆
Pink fanatics look here! Fun fact 1: Jay Chou made a song about this lake. Fun Fact 2: The natural pink color is caused by an algae, which is also used as a coloring agent for cosmetic and food. We recommend you to set up a picnic here while admiring the lake.
12. Nature's Window (Kalbarri National Park)*
Recommended duration: 1-2 hours
Rating: NA
The perfect frame of nature - and for your photo. The famous Nature's Window is a must-visit when you're up here at the Kalbarri region. It's an easy 1-km (return) hike, so it's suitable even for beginners. And obviously, remember to take the money shot!
Recommended duration: 10 minutes
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Perth
The capital city of Western Australia holds some of the most beautiful beaches and scenic parks.
14. Quokka selfie! (Rottnest Island)
Recommended duration: 4 hours - 1 night stay
Rating: ★★★★☆
Rottnest Island can be reached by a 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle (about AUD$50 for return tickets). There isn't much things to do if you're not renting their bicycles (AUD$70) or taking their bus tours (AUD$100). If you're here for the quokkas, which I'm sure 99.9% of people travelling here are, remember to take a selfie with these little cute creatures!
15. King's Park (Perth)
Recommended duration: 3 hours
Rating: ★★★★★
The botanic gardens of Perth is one of the world's largest city park (over 4.06 km²!) and boasts over 3000 species of flora. There are lots to explore and space for the young ones to run around. It's the perfect spot to have a picnic, so grab your mat and some bites when you're dropping by!
Honourable mention: KMART
Recommended duration: 1 whole freaking day
Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Oh my goodness, this place is a haven if you're looking for good buys or souvenirs to bring home. They have a huge variety, ranging from clothes, toys, electronics, homeware, beauty, sweets, and all at really low prices. Their slogan? Low prices for life. Throughout our trip, I think we have visited KMART at least 4-5 times. We could have migrate to Australia just for this store. Absolute the best, hands-down.
*Because of time or travel constraints, we did not managed to visit those places marked with an asterisk. Yet due to many good recommendations, we have decided to add them in (and we would love to travel there in the future!)
And there you go, our top and best 15 attractions of Western Australia.
This place has still got a lot of things to offer, but in one trip, I think that we have enough covered. Share with us your thoughts!
Oh right, one last thing, have fun on your upcoming trip! Relax, you got it!