Five Must-Sees of Western Australia

Australia is huge, and can seem an overwhelming feat to tackle, travel-wise. It can be helpful to be with someone who knows where they are going, especially in the West, where there is a LOT of outback to drive through! And there are some hidden gems that only locals know.

I was fortunate enough to have the chance to spend the majority of six months in WA last year, and was guided through many incredible adventures. Sure, the East Coast has Sydney and Brisbane, but WA has a lot to offer!

1.Perth

While the majority of places on this list are for the outdoors enthusiasts, Perth is the urban gem of Western Australia and is absolutely beautiful! Right up on the coast, there are beautiful beaches for walking, sunbathing, and surfing. This location provides the city with clean air and relatively moderate temperatures all year. Downtown is a hub of art, diversity, and awesome shopping, and transportation is easy and affordable with the subway system.

One of my favorite places to walk is down by Elizabeth Quay, located in the central business district on the North Shore of Perth Waters. With large sculptures/installation pieces, a bridge with a beautiful view of the city, awesome playgrounds for kids, and various attractions on the wharf, it is the perfect pace to spend an afternoon, alone or with friends. The Bell Tower is one of the main attractions in Perth. Located in Barrack Square, it is one of the largest musical instruments in the world, and is rich with history. There are guided tours and self guided tours available, and from the tower is a stunning Perth view. On the wharf are various ferry tours, a carousal, museums, restaurants, and coffee, as well as various gift shops.

Another popular tourist spot is the London Court; an adorable shopping strip downtown with the aesthetic of an old London street. It is totally adorable and a fun place to shop or eat.

King's Park is a beautiful place to hang out, and the best place to go for a view of the skyline. You can spend an hour there or the majority of a day, depending on what you want to do.

There are a ton of food options in Perth, for just about any preferences that a person may have (Lots of vegetarian/vegan options.) There is a variety of ethnic foods and prices. A favorite hidden gem of mine is the Mary's Street Bakery. There are actually two of these, on different sides of town, and they serve many things, from salad to amazing bread, but the donuts are the main attraction for many. I swear, the rosewater and pistachio doughnut was one of the best desserts I have ever had in my life. I know it sounds weird, and I was skeptical, but it is amazing!

Another great thing about Perth is that about half an hour away, taking the subway, is Fremantle!

2. Fremantle

Fremantle is an adorable historic town, outside of Perth. It has the best markets around, with organic produce, art, gifts, and vendors with merchandise from as far as Europe and Asia.

The streets of Fremantle are always teaming with the sound of musicians and entertainers, and there are many museums and monuments to see.

3. Coral Bay

This was the best snorkeling location that I had the pleasure of visiting! It really doesn't get better than this, on a sunny day, with crystal clear waters and tons of colorful sea life. It feels like swimming through a scene in Finding Nemo. I would highly recommend this location for

anyone who enjoys underwater adventures.

There are plenty of places to stay, ranging in price and quality, and several rental shops for swimming/snorkeling gear.

4. Shark Bay

A great camping spot, this is where the Australian Outback meets the gorgeous beaches of this country. Contrast is the main source of beauty here; between the outback and the sea, between the stark red cliffs and the white sands below. The sun rises over the dessert,

bringing out the many hidden colors that lay there, and it sets over the ocean, which is an equally beautiful sight. After dark, the night sky glistens with the clear, sparkling constellations of the Southern Hemisphere. There are trails that are pretty fun to drive with a 4WD vehicle, if you like sand and bumps!

Watching a kangaroo hop along the waves is something to behold, as are the many reptiles that reside here. Be warned, however, that there is no shortage of red back spiders, which are quite poisonous. Always check your sleeping area before going to bed!

There are extremely limited facilities, and the nearest town is about an hour away, so come prepared to embrace the bush life! I spent three weeks here with a group, and we were quite a sight (and smell) to behold by the end of it.

5. Karinjini National Park

Another great camping spot, the beautiful canyons and gorges here make for great walks, swimming, and cliff jumping! Dale's Gorge is a great family place and a spot for some awesome pictures, with a lovely waterfall cascading down colorful rocks--easy to climb.Not for the

faint of heart, the Circular Pool has some deep water, which is perfect for the high dive that looms over it.

#travel #australia #outdoors