Tours Touring Travel and Sightseeing

Western Australia

Shortcuts to sections of this page	Entering WA From the South	Entering WA From the North
	Across The Desert From Alice Springs	Across The Desert From SA
	National Parks on This Page	Perth

Western Australia is a vaste area that offers a unique experience only to be found in this part of the world. It is a paradise for tours, touring travel and sightseeing.

Entering Western Australia by road by conventional vehicle is either in the north via The Northern Territory and entering in the Wyndham Kununurra area, known as the last frontier, or from the south after crossing the Nullabour Plains from South Australia.

If you are travelling to Western Australia by four wheel drive there are two more, well known, routes you can take. Both are for serious 4wd drivers and only with adequate planning and preparation.

The first is across the Tanami Desert into nothern Western Australia from Alice Springs to Halls Creek, on the Great Northern Highway from Broome to Kununurra.

Much of this trip is on fairly reasonable secondary roads but as you get closer to Western Australia the road becomes worse and 4wd. The total distance is around 1000 km.

The trip is detailed more in the "Great Australian 4x4 Trips" page on this site Click here to view the page

The second is across the Great Victorian Desert into the south of Western Australia from Coober Pedy to Laverton.

This trip is harsh and needs plenty of planning. There are long stretches without fuel stops, the longest is about 770 km, with the total trip length being about 1300 km.

The journey is also detailed in the "Great Australian 4x4 Trips" page on this site Click here to view the page

The capital city of Western Australia is Perth, situated on the magnificent Swan River. A very modern, picturesque city with the Darling Ranges as its backdrop.

Perth is cosmopolitan with an easy going, relaxed atmosphere.

Entering From the south Click here to go to "ENTERING FROM THE NORTH"

When entering Western Australia from the south you will be aiming for Norseman.
However one of your first stops could be the Eyre Bird Observatory at the town of Cocklebiddy.

Cocklebiddy is about 270 km west of the South and Western Australian border.

Futher east of Cocklebiddy you will arrive at Norseman, here you have two choices of which way you plan your route.

If you are feeling adventurous about 160 km east of Cockleiddy you can turn left and about 70 km down towards the coast you will find the Sheer Cliffs. You are entering vehicle track only country so 4x4's only.

Equally adventurous could see you visiting the Nuytsland Nature Reserve. Continue along the coastline from the Sheer Cliffs via Point Dover.

From Nuytsland Nature Reserve you will head inland again towards Bulladonia and the Eyre Highway towards Norseman. Back to sealed roads.

You are now at Norseman, the end of the Nullabour Plain and basically you can turn left or right.

If you plan to head straight for Perth then head right at Norseman towards the historic mining town of Kalgoorlie.

At Kalgoorlie you can visit The Golden Spit Lookout and view Australia's largest open cut gold mine.

Distance from Kalgoorlie to Perth is about 500 km.

Heading left, however, takes you to a tourists wonderland. Head for Esperance.

About 50 km west of Esperance is the magnificent Cape Le Grande National Park. There are many beautiful and bays and beaches to see with stunning views accross the bay and of the national park from Frenchmans Peak.

Breathtaking beaches in Cape Le Grande National Park are to be found at Lucky Bay, Hellfire Bay and Thistle Cove.

About another 30 km west and you will find the Cape Arid National Park, situated at the end of the Great Australian Bight. Views from Israelite Bay are eastwards, over the Great Australian Bight and its magnificent cliffs and rock formations.

If you came in from South Australia you could head straight to Cape Arid National Park by turning left just past the Bulladonia Roadhouse. See the details above. This route is via a vehicle track.

Before leaving Esperance be sure to visit the popular tourist destiantion of Pine Lake.

From Esperance head south west for Albany.

About 80 km west of Albany is the Stokes National Park.

The park surrounds the Stokes Inlet where you can be with nature on its long beaches and rocky headlands.

About 200 km wets of Esperance is the Fitzgerald River National Park with kilometers and kilometers of spectacular coastline.

This area is famous for its natural flowers (seasonal) and whale forwatching (also seasonal).

Then on to Albany. If you are into fishing this place is a fishing haven.

Whilst in Albany there is lots to do and see. Close to, and south of, the town are the blow holes via Little Grove.

Inland is the 'must see' Stirling Range National Park, which was named after the first Govenor of Western Australi, Captain James Stirling. The park covers about 115,000 hectares.

There are walking tracks galore in the Stirling Range National Park as well as several picnic and barbeque areas. Camping is allowed but only in designated areas.

There are several peaks at over 1000 metres high and light snow coverage in the winter months is not uncommon on the peaks.

Leaving Albany you will head for Margaret River,

Make a point of visiting Bluff Knoll Lookout to view the magnificent Stirling Ranges.

Between Denmark and Walpole are several beautiful beaches to stop and admire nature at its best.

At Walpole there is the Walpole-Nornalup National Park and further on the D'Entrecasteaux National Park.

You will head north west and inland a little before reaching Margaret River. There some "short cuts" and other places along this route that are only accessable by four wheel drive.

The journey will take you through the beautiful, pristine coastal areas mixed with rugged old growth forests and mountainous areas.

Finally Margaret River, known the world over for its famous wineries and a prominent Australian wine producing area, its beautiful scenery and surfing.

If you are a surfer then get your boards waxed for some excellent surf.

When in Margaret River be sure to visit the awe inspiring Margaret River Caves and the Leewin-Naturaliste National Park.

About 45 km south of Margaret River is the Cape Leewin National Park at Augusta. This is the junction of the Indian and Southern oceans.

Margaret River to Perth takes you through the lovely town of Busselton, situated on the Geographe Bay. Busselton is a very popular holiday destination with its clean beaches, the famous pier and regular displays by dolphins.

Busselton to Perth will take you through, amongst other places, Dwellingup which is situated deep in the jarrah forests.

Jarrah is a unique reddish brown timber found only in this part of the world and has been used in many industries, and many parts of the world, over the years, including the making of footpaths in London many years ago.

Jarrah is known to grow to over 300 feet high and, because of its scarcity, logging is strictly controlled these days.

Heading into Perth be sure to call into Fremantle, the charming and cosmopolitan town at the mouth of the Magnificent Swan River.

Fremantle is known for its beaches, restaurants and cafes and of course it

was home to the America's Cup for a year.

There are many historical attractions in Fremantle as it was the point in 1829 when Captain Charles Fremantle stepped ashore and took possession of this part of Australia.

About 20 km further and you are in Perth.

Perth

Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, the largest state in Australia.

The population of Perth is about 1.25 million out of a total Western Australian population of about 1.75 million.

There is lots to do and see in Perth from visiting The Pinnacles in the Cervantes National Park to the north to relaxing at the pristine beaches at Fremantle.

Whilst Perth enjoys a climate similar to the Mediterranean. For the most part the climate is very acceptable with lots of sunshine. The summers can have temperatures ranging up into the forties though.

In addition to its glorious beaches there are wineries, national parks, Rottnest Island, the forna and flora of Kings Park, the Old Conservatory, and of course river cruises on the beautiful Swan River both upstram and down from the city itself.

There are also many cultural attractions as well as Underwater World to see.

ENTERING FROM THE NORTH Click here to go to "ENTERING FROM THE SOUTH"
Click here to go to the top of the page

The entry point in the north is into the town of Kununurra and you will have travelled from Katherine in the Northern Territory.

In fact you will be entering the region know as "The Last Frontier", the Wyndham / Kununurra area. Wyndham is about 60 kilometers north of Kununurra and is as as far as you can go north in Western Australia on a sealed road.

You are now in The Kimberley and there is enough to do between here and Broome to keep you busy for quite a while if you have the time.

You should plan your visit to this region to be in the dry season, around April to October.

The northern regions of Western Australia are in the tropics, hence the period between October and April are very wet and many areas become impassable to vehicles of any kind.

I mentioned above that you are in "The Last Frontier" in fact

this area has vaste areas of unexplored coastline, plentiful river gorges and masses of enormous, erroded rock formations.

There is, off course, magnificent scenery to be seen throughout the region and very large cattle stations, many of which you can visit and camp at if you wish.

Whilst many of the rivers are infested with freshwater crocodiles there are still many pristine and secluded swimming holes and places to relax and unwind.

Other wildlife includes walleroos and the rare black footed wallaby. There are many species of bird life as well as the odd snake or two.

Well worthwhile is a cruise along the Ord River to the Argyle Lake. Here you will see the Ord River irrigation scheme that has transformed this region into a modern and prosperous farming area.

During the cruise you will travel through the spectacular Carlton Gorge. Along the way you could see crocodiles, flying foxes and various bird life.

About 50 km north of Kununurra is Wyndham situated on the Durack River. There is a four wheel drive track from Kununurra to about half way between Kununurra and Wyndham that passes through the Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve.

Scenic flights operate from Kununurra that take in Lake Argyle and the Bungle Bungles. If you can this is an opportunity not to miss as you will experience the vastness of the region and its stunning landscapes.

The next major stop south of Kununurra is Broome and there are two ways of getting there. Via the Great Northern Highway that goes via Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing and Derby.

The other route takes you along the Gibb River Road. If you want spectacular sightseeing this is the way to go. Take your time and enjoy it. It is like nowhere else in the world.

Don't be decieved by distances shown on the map. Kununurra to Derby via the Great Northern Highway is about 900 km, via Gibb River Road is 712 km but it will take a lot longer to get there. In parts a four wheel drive is most certainly desirable, if not a must.

Via The Great Northern Highway also has some tremendous sights to see. Your first town along the way is Halls Creek. Along this stretch are the upper reaches of the Argyle Lake, the Argyle Diamond Mines near Turkey Creek Roadhose and the Purnululu National Park.

Halls Creek itself is a small cattle centre. The Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater lies just to the south.

Just south of Halls Creek is the start of the famous Canning River Stock Route, which is a notorious four wheel drive trip accross the Little Sandy Desert.

Next stop - Fitroy Crossing. There is plenty to see here, nereby is Geikie Gorge. with its plentiful wildlife, on the Fitzroy River in the Geikie Gorge National Park.

Further out from Fitzroy Crossing is the Tunnel Creek National Park which is situated in the Napier Ranges and further out again, close to the Gibb River Road, is the Windjana Gorge National Park.

The Windjana Gorge itself is a little under 100 metres high and is located on the Lennard River.

Next stop - Derby, and where the Gibb River Road joins the Great Northern Highway on the way to Broome.

The trip from Kununurra to Derby is via largely unsealed road and is more rugged than the Great Northern Highway route. The trip passes through Gibb River with many exits off into four wheel drive country.

The Geikie Gorge, Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge are all accessable from the Gibb River Road, but from the opposite side.

Next stop Broome and the southern exit to The Kimberley.

Situated on the coast Broome abounds in natural beauty.

Watch the naturally stunning, orange sunsets from Cable Beach or whilst relaxing with your favourite beverage at one of the many bars and cafes.

or ride a camel on Cable Beach by day or simply enjoy the pristine sands. Cable Beach is one of Australia's most famous and is regarded as one of the world's best.

Broome is historicaly famous as a pearling port. In the late 1800's people from many countries and cultures flocked here to seek their fortune.

Today Broome boasts a multicultural society living a very cosmopolitan life.

Whilst in Broome you must visit Chinatown, the historic open air Sun Pictures Cinema built in the early 1900's, Broome Crocodile Park, Willie Creek Pearl Farm where you will find out all about growing cultured pearls, the dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point, the Bird Observatory and, off course, the already mentioned Cable Beach, the Japanese cemetary and lastly the Historic Society Museum.

Temperatures can rise to well into the 40's during summer and, being the wet season, very humid.

There is a wide range of caravan and camping facilities.

Onwards from Broome on the Journey down to Perth you will be heading for Port Hedland, a distance of about 570 km.

Apart from the odd excusion to the beach there is not much along the way except the ocean to the right and the Great Sandy Desert to the left.

From Port Headland to Perth you can travel via the Great Northern Highway or North West Coastal Highway.

From a scenic point of view and places of interest to vist the coastal road is the better choice.

The journey will take you via Karratha, Carnarvon, Denham and Monkey Mia, Geraldton and then Perth.

Carnarvon is a main centre and is situated on the coast on the Gascoyne River. Modern irrigation methods have turned this area into a thriving farming region. The only Banana grown in Western Australia are grown in Carnarvon.

The irrigated areas stretch from the Simpson Desert to the Indian Ocean. Other industries in the region include the salt works at Lake McLeod and prawn and scallop processing.

A detour off to Exmouth, about 220 km each way, will take you up to Exmouth. although parts of this area have restricted access as there is a naval communications base there, the area is a good place to unwind and take a break.

Although it is another detour of about 130 km, a visit to Monkey Mia near Denham and the Francois Peron National Park is an absolute must.

Here you will swim and play with the dolphins. Mokey Mia is situated at Shark Bay and is not only famous for its colony of monkeys, hence the name, but the bottle nosed dolphins that swim with the visitors in the shallow waters, mainly in the winter months (April to October).

Monkey Mia is situated in the Gascoyne Region which is a World Heritage Listed area. Unique wildlife abounds in the area with its bays and inlets.

Back to the Highway and off to Geraldton.

Geralton is about 420 km north of Perth. Its main source of income is from the supply of rock lobsters and iron ore from the Weld Range. It is also a large and important minining and farming area for the Mid West of the state.

From Geraldton the next main stop is Perth.

National Parks Mentioned On This Page
Cape Arid National Park    Cape Le Grande National Park   Cape Leewin National Park   Cervantes National Park   D'Entrecasteaux National Park     Fitzgerald River National Park    Francois Peron National Park
Geikie Gorge National Park    Leewin-Naturaliste National Park      Stirling Range National Park
Tunnel Creek National Park    Walpole-Nornalup National Park      Windjana Gorge National Park

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