10 Reasons to Visit Western Australia

Since we moved to Perth I’ve learned how much more there is to see in Australia. Beyond the thriving metropolitan areas and cool bars of the cities and even beyond the perfect beaches and dramatic outback there is a whole other world that awaits. WA has shown me just how much more history and nature this country has to explore. And I’ve not even been to the middle (yet)!

Perth and WA have a lot to offer, so let’s see the reasons you should visit Western Australia!

Reasons why you should visit Perth and WA on your Australian trip

1. Perth is a seriously underrated city

I hear you.

“Is it really worth visiting Perth? It’s so far…” 

It’s 4,000km from the East Coast. I get it! But I can promise you, Perth has sooo much going on that you won’t be disappointed.

Where do I even begin… I love Perth! From right in the city centre you can go from exploring all the cool bars and restaurants around Northbridge to staring up at the skyscrapers in the CBD with just a short walk. There are countless incredible eateries serving all kinds of cuisine. The Asian food scene in Perth is especially excellent!

Perth is simply oozing character. Take yourself on a walking tour to find laneways with cute cafes and street art to finding the statues and sculptures dotted through the city. Pop over to the Cultural Centre to really get amongst the local artwork too.

For outdoorsy types you don’t have to go far. Kings Park, the South Foreshore, and Heirisson Island are all within a short drive or walk away!

Add to all this the awesome beaches that are right on Perth’s doorstep, and you really won’t want to leave. I could go on but I honestly think this post would turn into a Perth appreciation blog instead…

If that’s not a good enough reason to visit Perth, I don’t know what is!

2. More space, fewer people

Perth is smaller than Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The sparse population of WA means you’ll have plenty of space to breathe and discover new adventures. All without being stuck in traffic and squished like sardines.

It’s the perfect place to escape the crowds. But, if you like the hustle and bustle of a city then Perth is right there to satisfy your city cravings.

3. It covers 1/3 of the country

Western Australia is massive. You could keep exploring all this state has to offer and never get bored. With so much of the country belonging to WA, doesn’t it make sense to at least see what’s going on over here?

Put simply, there is just SO much to see in Western Australia!

They’ve got beaches, they’ve got deserts, they’ve got forests, they’ve got cities, they’ve got islands… Shall I go on?

4. There’s something for everyone

Western Australia is a hugely diverse place. Even if you ONLY visited WA on your Australian trip, you’d practically see the mix of climate and terrain that makes up the rest of the country.

If changing landscapes are your thing, you’re in luck. WA has it all from arid desert to sub-tropical heat to cooler Mediterranean plains. You can enjoy a quintessentially Aussie break in the sunshine safe in the knowledge you’ll be warm and dry.

Not only is there an abundance of nature to explore, there’s indigenous history, colonial heritage, wildlife experiences, adrenadline activities, and more.

No matter your interests, there’s a reason for everyone to visit Western Australia. You certainly won’t be bored!

5. Fewer backpackers

The backpacker scene is smaller in WA compared to the hotspots in Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales. This might seem daunting for some, but for many this is a great opportunity to discover real stories, meet the locals, and escape the backpacker bubble.

While you don’t have to go completely off the grid, WA appeals to the travellers seeking something a little bit different.

There are so many ways to get involved with the area around you and give back to the communities you’re visiting. Whether that’s chatting to the locals down the pub or making a purchase from a small business owner. You can get out of your comfort zone and embrace the wonders of WA safe in the knowledge you’re supporting someone who needs it!

6. Experiences you can’t get anywhere else

If Western Australia’s diversity isn’t enough of a reason to visit, then maybe the weird and wonderful experiences will be.

There are some experiences you can only enjoy in Western Australia, and you’ll definitely want to!

If you want to see the world’s happiest animal, the quokka, you can only do that on Rottnest Island in WA. And if you want to see Australia’s whitest beach WHERE KANGAROOS HANG OUT then head over to Lucky Bay near Esperance to walk along the crunchy quartz that sparkles beneath your feet. Does it get any more Australian?

If you ask me, perfect beaches and adorable animals is what Australia is all about. These activities have got to be some of the best reasons to visit Western Australia!

Of course that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll have to visit Western Australia to see for yourself what else we’ve got in store.

7. Nature and wildlife

I can’t talk about how great Western Australia is without mentioning the diverse natural wonders right on your doorstep. There are national parks galore with unique features such as the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park, and plenty of space to explore the outback landscapes.

You’ll also find Western Australia home to some iconic Australian wildlife. Besides the parakeets, galahs, and cockatoos that are the Aussie equivalent of a pigeon – there are many amazing species of native wildlife to enjoy in WA. As mentioned, Rottnest Island is home to the quokka! These smiley marsupials are quite the attraction, and the cutest critters I’ve ever seen.

For a typically Aussie experience there are also places to find wild kangaroos not far from Perth. A visit to Heirisson Island for city views alongside hopping kangaroos is a truly wonderful experience. Or, you can head over the Yanchep National Park to see the local ‘roos as well as a koala sanctuary. You can even see the majestic emus enjoying their daily stroll around the outback north of Perth. We spotted 10 during out visit to the Pinnacles!

WA Fact: koalas are not native to WA so seeing them at the sanctuary is a great way to see them without visiting a zoo or wildlife park. 

At this point I haven’t even mentioned the unrivalled beauty of WA’s coastline and beaches! For those seeking paradise blue shallows and soft white sands – Perth is the place for you. Cottesloe is the city’s most popular beach, and rightly so. It’s perfect for water sports, sunbathing, swimming, the annual Sculptures by the Sea art exhibition, and so much more. All with the famous Indiana Tearooms as a unique backdrop too!

I’ve written before about the merits of the best beaches around Esperance, and those are just a handful in one corner of WA! There’s enough space for everyone along the 12,000km of WA coastline – from the South West and Margaret River all the way up the coastline as far as Broome and the gorgeous Cable Beach where the glassy waters linger on the sands. Now that’s a good reason to visit Western Australia right?

8. History and heritage

WA’s history is more varied than you’d think. You can visit the colonial towns around the Swan Valley and take the heritage walks around Guildford for an understanding of WA’s more recent history of the European colonial settlers. You can also visit the Perth Mint to learn about the goldrush that took the state by storm and is a huge factor in WA’s mining industry.

It’s also especially important when visiting Australia to take the time to learn about the state’s indigenous history. The Noongar people are the predominant aboriginal Australian people around the south west corner of WA. In total there are 5 main aboriginal groups across the state. Each of these groups has various sub groups, languages, cultures, and histories. It’s a truly fascinating world to explore, and equally devastating to see the impact of colonial settlers. I absolutely implore you to learn and acknowledge this part of Australian history while visiting WA.

It’s worth visiting places in Perth such as the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Western Australian Museum, and explore the heritage sites and walking tours available to understand more about Perth’s indigenous culture. I also loved finding the works of public art to educate myself and find the meaning through a visual medium.

9. Perfect for water babies

Forget Surfer’s Paradise, THIS is heaven for surfers! WA’s windy shores make for every kite surfers, wind surfers, normal surfers, SUPs, and swimmers DREAM. The love of the outdoors is one of my favourite reasons to visit Western Australia. There’s such a zest for life and living to enjoy and embrace nature. It’s why I think Perth is such a great city to move to!

The water sports lifestyle can be intimidating at first. But Perthite’s are a friendly bunch and even if you’re a newbie you’ll be made to feel more than welcome. You can even take some surfing lessons at Scarborough, Cottesloe, and Leighton Beaches.

10. It’s picturesque beyond belief

I will never stop banging on about the natural beauty of Western Australia. I fell in love every time we went to the coast. Every visit to a new park or outdoor space. Ugh just wow. I’ve already mentioned the beaches, but just for good measure I’ll say it again:

LOOK HOW GORGEOUS!

Ok, you can probably tell I’m a big beach baby… But I also love the forests, the luscious greenery, the outback… Western Australia is its own mini Australia with a taste of everything. There is a serenity in the open spaces that is indescribable. A feeling that you are both totally alone and completely connected to the world. It’s magical.

Not only is WA’s natural beauty a reason to visit, I also think Perth is a beautiful city! My favourite spots were the short walks that have some incredible city views over Perth. From Kings Park overlooking the modern and stylish Elizabeth Quay to the steep climb up Ellis Brook Valley Reserve – each perspective is entirely unique.

I found that all the areas of Western Australia that we visited during our time living in Perth showed us something new. We were charmed by the small towns, amazed by the landscapes, mesmerised by the diversity. Sure, no place is perfectly aesthetic all the time, but I can guarantee that Western Australia has more than its fair share of beauty to offer.

I really believe Western Australia doesn’t get enough love, so if you’re looking to plan a trip to Australia please don’t forget to consider adding the best state. If these reasons to visit Western Australia aren’t convincing enough, just remember that the flight from London to Perth is shorter than to Sydney and who doesn’t want to get off a plane quicker?!

Got enough reasons to visit Western Australia yet? Perth, the South West, the Golden Outback, and the Coral Coast are all just a smidge of the many many places to see in WA. Head on down and see for yourself!

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