Perth & Beyond: Explore The Best of the West

There is no getting away from the fact that Australia is located on the other side of the world – meaning long flights and a significant time difference. However, with flights into Western Australia’s (WA) capital, Perth, being around four hours shorter than those to the East Coast, and with a smaller time difference, it is a worthy destination to visit. From Perth, you can easily explore the stunningly remote WA or hop back on a plane to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

With an abundance of activities, scenic beaches, chic restaurants and bars, the urban oasis of Perth is a destination with plenty to keep you entertained. Just outside Perth, you can find idyllic local wineries and unique wildlife. Head to Rottnest Island, just 19km off the coast, boasting 63 spectacular beaches, diverse marine life and adorable quokkas! Take the train just 25 minutes out of town to Fremantle, best known for its creative, coastal vibe. Fremantle’s UNESCO-listed streets still have elements of convict history and boast funky street art, which you can admire from the many al fresco cafes.

Margaret River takes the phrase ‘world-class’ to a whole new level. Along its impressive coastline, you will find epic breaks calling surfers of all abilities to ride the waves. Head inland to its premium wine region, home to many award-winning wineries. Even beneath the surface, Margaret River is no less impressive; the new Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience offers a fully accessible aboveground walkway that takes visitors on a 600,000-year-old journey of these exquisite caves, with 60,000 years of custodianship by the Wadandi people. Another outstanding fully accessible experience, just three hours away, is the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk in Denmark. Here, the 500m ground-level Ancient Empire Walk has been upgraded for wheelchair accessibility, allowing everyone to enjoy the majesty of the 400-year-old red tingle trees.

Travel north and do not miss Exmouth, located midway up the coast. This small resort town boasts coral reefs at nearby Ningaloo Marine Park and kangaroos at Cape Range National Park. It stands out for its whale shark diving opportunities from April to September – an experience not to be missed! Head south of Perth and be sure to visit Albany. On the edge of the Southern Ocean, Albany offers staggering beauty, with its turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, forests full of wildflowers and vineyards offering fine wines.

Whether you are flying to the east coast or taking the scenic route by train, Perth is just the beginning of your journey. Flights to the east coast are roughly four hours (across two time zones), while scenic train journeys take about a week and become part of the holiday itself. With stop-offs enroute, including Adelaide, this is a chance to see even more of Australia before reaching your next destination.

Perth makes for a wonderful stopover destination before exploring other regions of Australia, or it can be a holiday destination in its own right. To find out more about Perth and Western Australia, get in contact with us today.