Western Australia Travel Itinerary

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Perth / Cervantes / Coral Coast

Perth

Perth is one of the world's most isolated cities. It is the capital city of Western Australia a state the size of Western Europe with 80% of the states population living in Perth. The city is known as laid-back with a reputation as peaceful and safe. It is arguably the finest city in the country according to many travellers. Attractions in Perth include: Kings Park - a park that overlooks the city centre and showcases local flora and gardens, Fremantle - a quaint historic coastal town that has been inundated by the suburban sprawl of Perth making it more like a suburb today, and Rottnest Island - a small island that is populated by small marsupials called Quokkas which not only hop around like kangaroos but are tiny in comparison. Perth lies on the coast of the Indian Ocean and has many stunning wite sand beaches.

Nambung National Park

The town of Cervantes, the gateway to Nambung National Park is within stiking distance of Perth, (one day drive). Highlights of this park include magnificent beaches, coastal dune systems, and a land that has one of the greatest seasonal displays of wild flowers on Earth, (between August to October). The biggest attraction are the thousands of natural limestone pinnacless that rise up to three metres. These unusual formations appear other-worldly and radiate amazing colours during the rising and setting of sun.

Coral Coast

If time and budget permit, and you consider yourself a bit of an adventurer or explorer, then you could include the isolated Coral Coast. The name might seem synonymous with the Great Barrier Reef, but that reef is on the east coast of Australia while the Coral Coast is on the west. This coastline region starts at Cervantes (near the Pinnacles) in the south and stretches as far north as Exmouth, home of the spectacular Ningaloo Reef. This reef offers incredible diving and fishing all year round with a variety of amazing marine life, white sand beaches, and turquoise water. The coast between Cervantes and Ningaloo is one of the few areas in the world where you can swim with whale sharks which are the world's largest fish. There is also the opportunity to meet wild dolphins up close at Monkey Mia, as well as view sea lions, dugongs, manta rays, and humpback whales. This is quite a big area and you would need a minimum a few days to a week or more to see it.
   

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Kununurra / Lake Argyle / Purnululu National Park

Kununurra

Kununurra is a town located on the eastern side of the scenic Kimberley Region. It is the largest town in North Western Australia approximately 37 kilometres (23 mi) from the Northern Territory border and is 3,040 kilometres (1,889 mi) from Perth by road. The towns inhabitants include sizeable populations of Indigenous Australians and Jackaroos (ranchers). The town almost has a wild-west feel to it which is not surprising considering it is located in the rugged Australian outback. Surrounded by rugged mountains and hills, typical of the Kimberley region, it is one of the world's last great wilderness areas, and covers an area large enough to fit the U.K. twice, though the total population is slightly higher than 40,000.

Lake Argyle

Around 72 km from Kununurra is Lake Argyle, Australia's largest artificial lake which is over 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi) in size. It is part of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme that provides water to some 150 square kilometres of farmland in the East Kimberly region. The lake is scenic and home to 26 species of native fish and a population of freshwater crocodiles. Swimming, hiking. and fishing around the myriad of islands, bays, and beaches of the lake is popular. Activities on offer include cruises, fishing charters, and a number of treks.

Purnululu National Park

Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungles) located close to Kununurra in the Kimberley region is a must see place . Testimony to the size of Western Australia, the area was discovered in 1983 by a film crew and Purnululu National Park was established a few years later. It has since gained a United Nations World Heritage listing and its existence is more known each year as travellers spread the word about this amazing place. A major component of this park is the Bungle Bungle Range, which consists of distinctive beehive-shaped stone domes. These domes are unusual and visually striking with their striping in alternating orange and grey bands which are caused by differences in clay content and porosity of the sandstone layers. The orange bands that stand out consist of oxidised iron compounds. The area is truly other-worldly and vast. To appreciate the size of this park you need to take to the air, and there are a number of tours that will fly you over this vast park. However, you should also see it up close to appreciate just how special and unigue this place is. Flights and four-wheel drive tours are available from Kununurra.

 

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