Everyone who has visited Western Australia comes away with the same feeling: it's the most beautiful state in the whole country. While there are some amazing inland destinations, the coastline is really where it's at - and considering there's nearly 13,000km of it, it's not surprising! Read on to see some absolute must-visit spots up and down the WA coast. FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE : Stay across all the latest travel news and deals via our WhatsApp channel.
No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details. Of course, we should start with Perth. The city was recently named the number one must-visit destination by global travellers in a Flight Centre survey.
Perth has a satisfaction rating of 96 per cent, thanks to it s stunning natural beauty, vibrant nightlife, golden beaches and friendly locals. Be sure to catch a sunset at Cottesloe Beach while you're there. Part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Monkey Mia is famous for its huge bottlenose dolphin population.
The marine creatures swim right up to the shore, playing around you as you snorkel. Pack up the car for a night or two of camping at Lucky Bay, just outside of Esperance. You can't get more Aussie than this: here you'll see families of kangaroos hop up and down the beach while dolphins play in the waves.
Don't let the name put you off! On WA's Coral Coast, Shark Bay is perfect for wildlife lovers - it's home to dugongs, dolphins, whales, and the largest known area of seagrass worldwide. It's worth spending a weekend here to soak up the sun and swim to your heart's content. Western Australia is home to a few pink lakes, but Hutt Lagoon is the easiest to visit and get up close to.
It's even more spectacular from the air, where you can see the colour contrast with the bright blue ocean. At Jurien Bay, you can hop in the water and play with the friendly sea lion population who call this beautiful spot home. The Marine Park also has vibrant coral reefs and abundant sea life that you can get up close to while snorkelling.
If you head north from Broome, you'll find long stretches of deserted beaches, where red rocks meet the sand. The landscape is dramatic, and there are a few coastal campsites you can stay at to really make the most of your trip. Esperance, on the south's state coast, is now easier to visit than ever before.
Western Australia's electric vehicle highway will stretch from Esperance all the way up to Kununurra in the north, and is so impressive it was named in TIME's 100 Greatest Places for 2024 . It's not a trip to Perth if you don't make it to Rottnest Island. Just a short ferry ride from the mainland, the small island is famous for its friendly quokka population.
Rent a bike so you can make your way to one of the island's many secluded white-sand beaches for a swim. You haven't properly experienced WA's coastline until you've swum at Ningaloo Reef. Though it's easy to access the reef by just swimming from the beaches, if you're a keen adventurer, you can really get amongst it.
Take a four-day adventure through Ningaloo Marine Park, with two days of guided trekking in Cape Range National Park, followed by two days of guided sea kayaking over Ningaloo Reef. Camp under the stars, see tons of wildlife, and make everlasting memories as you go. Broome is often a jumping-off point for people exploring the Kimberley, but it's worth spending a few days kicking back in this beach town.
Don't miss the sunset at Cable Beach, and a beer at the Mangrove Hotel. Now that Jetstar offers direct flights from the east coast to Busselton, visiting this southern city is a breeze. It has a famous 2km-long jetty stretching out into the ocean, from which you can spot humpback whales at the right time of year.
The new Hilton Garden Inn Busselton is in the perfect spot to experience the beach, jetty, and town. Up on the northern coastline of WA is Horizontal Falls, a unique natural phenomenon caused by tidal flows between rocks. You can view them from ground level or get up on a scenic flight to see them from above.
Found on the south coast of WA, Denmark is an idyllic beach town with a laid-back rural vibe. Of course, the beaches are amazing, with warm, calm water perfect for swimming and kayaking. On the Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome, the Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, where you can learn all about pearl farming on one of the state's most beautiful beaches.
There's also luxe accomodation options onsite if you can't tear yourself away..
