About Western Australia Western Australia is two and a half million square kilometres in area - (almost four times the size of Texas), one third of the whole Australian continent. It is a huge area of land with a diversity of climates, terrain, flora and fauna. Western Australia is rich with natural resources and mining is the biggest industry (ahead of tourism); diamonds, bauxite, iron ore, gold, gas and oil are excavated from the earth and ocean floor. Western Australia is also home to huge sheep and cattle stations (some the size of Ireland!), wheatlands, national parks and contoured by 12,500km of coastline. If you're planning a trip out of the metro area, you can view a map of WA or map with table of distances and driving times. Australia’s South West The south west corner of the continent is very popular with visitors to Australia as well as local holiday makers. A three hour drive south of Perth will bring you to the famous Margaret River region, known for its quality wines, gourmet delights and world-class surfing beaches. Limestone caves are found throughout the national park that runs along the coastal strip between Dunsborough at Cape Naturaliste and Augusta near Cape Leeuwin. Fantastic beaches and spectacular coastal scenery abound. Inland to the southern forests and the Blackwood River Valley, towns such as Pemberton and Nannup are home to significant old growth forests of tall, dignified karri trees, quality art and craft galleries and peaceful country getaways. The hub of the south coast is the historic town of Albany, a popular year-round holiday destination. From here you will be drawn to rugged coastal scenery, secluded beaches, pristine national parks and the unique wildflowers of the nearby Stirling and Porongurup Ranges. The surrounding towns hold many delights for visitors including the magnificent Tree Top Walk near Walpole and first-class wineries at Mt Barker. Australia’s Golden Outback The Heartlands becomes a moving gold carpet in the summer months as hectares of crops ripen and dry off for harvest. Heritage buildings and scenic valleys, captivating fauna and spectacular spring wildflowers combine with the opportunity to experience true country lifestyle. In extreme contrast to the farmlands of the region is the spectacular coastal area around Esperance and the Bay of Isles. The long drive from Perth is worthwhile to experience the truly magnificent beaches, islands and extraordinary national parks that are a feature of this isolated area. Large numbers of visitors are drawn each year to Hyden to see Wave Rock, the natural phenomena shaped into a wave by wind and water over millions of years.The true spirit of outback adventure lives on in the Goldfields. From the heady days of the 1890s goldrush, the lure of gold remains irresistible to many. Historic buildings, ghost towns, the richest square mile on earth and the prospect of striking it lucky draw visitors towns like Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie. Australia’s Coral Coast Follow the Indian Ocean Drive north from Perth to visit Western Australia’s premier wildflower region, taking in the spectacular Pinnacles at Nambung National Park and the Midwest’s major city of Geraldton. Opportunities for fishing, windsurfing and relaxing family holidays are plentiful along the coast with magnificent gorges and cliff formations to be explored at the popular holiday town of Kalbarri.The Shark Bay World Heritage area is one of only a handful of areas in the world that meet the criteria for listing. The crystal clear shallows of the marine park give visitors the opportunity to view coral reefs, dugongs, manta rays turtle and humpback whales in the vast seagrass meadows. Interact with the wild dolphins at Monkey Mia, swim with the the largest fish in the world, the whaleshark, and explore the coral gardens as close as 50 metres from the shoreline in Ningaloo Reef. Australia’s North West One of the oldest geological regions in the world, The Pilbara has an amazing colourful landscape of rugged gorges, spectacular, pristine, sandy beaches and some of the world’s largest-known deposits of iron ore and natural gas. Whilst much of the region is arid desert, the Pilbara is home to world-class national parks such as Karijini, with rock pools, waterfalls and lush vegetation. Ancient aboriginal artworks can be found at hundreds of sites and 4WD adventurers can enjoy outback driving and authentic bush-camping experiences. The Dampier Archipelago is comprised of more than forty islands. Dugongs, dolphins and turtles inhabit the warm, subtropical waters and coral reefs around the islands offer stunning dive sites.The Kimberley is ancient in age and vast in area. Millions of years of flood waters have carved spectacular gorges and features into the landscape, once an inland sea of coral, now one of the world’s last wilderness areas. Broome, 2,230 kms north of Perth, is the unique and exotic town that has become a gateway for tourists wanting to explore the region. The Fitzroy River swells in the wet season to become the largest river in Australia. Its rich wildlife includes freshwater crocodiles. Cruise down the Fitzroy to take in Geikie Gorge, an ancient coral reef carved by the flow of the river to expose marvelous rock patterns and colours. Lake Argyle is the 1,000 square kilometre inland sea created by damming the Ord River to the north of Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park Many areas in Western Australia are remote and isolated. Roads may not always be in good order and extreme weather conditions can create dangerous hazards for travellers. Find out as much information as possible about the areas you are planning to visit and carry adequate supplies of essentials such as water and fuel. Always tell someone where you are going and advise your estimated time of arrival, so authorities can be alerted if you do not arrive on time. © 2008 COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS Disclaimer: The information on this website, which is believed to be accurate and current at the time of publishing, has been prepared in good faith and is given as a guide only. The publisher accepts no responsibility for loss, injury, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of using this information. Customs, travel, safety and health issues should all be confirmed with the relevant authorities before you travel. |