Western Australia
Taking up almost a third of the continent, Western Australia is all about epic, ancient landscapes and spectacular coastlines. Mother Nature went into overdrive here, bestowing the state with turquoise waters, blood-red deserts and mesmerising, sky-high forests.
Much of the state’s population is concentrated in its booming capital Perth, widely envied for its gorgeous beaches, Mediterranean climate and easy, carefree living.
To the south lie the towering karris and celebrated wineries of the Margaret River region, while to the north await the peckish dolphins of Monkey Mia, the legendary sunsets and melting-pot history of Broome, and the inimitable landscapes and ancient spirituality of Purnululu National Park.
Air: Perth Airport is Western Australia’s main gateway, with regular international and domestic connections. Interstate flights also reach Broome and Port Hedland in the state’s far north. Other useful regional airports include Shark Bay (Monkey Mia) and East Kimberley Regional (Kununurra).
Bus: Greyhound Australia coaches run between Broome and Darwin. Intrastate bus routes run frequently between popular spots, including between Perth and Margaret River. See Transwa.wa.gov.au for routes and timetables. Intergrity connects Perth to northern destinations in the state, including Broome.
Train: The Indian Pacific connects Perth to Sydney via Adelaide.
Car: From Perth, the Great Eastern Hwy (National Highway 94) leads to the Eyre Highway (National Highway 1), which continues east towards Adelaide and the eastern states. The Great Northern Highway (National Route 1) connects Western Australia to the Northern Territory, including Broome to Darwin.
Given Western Australia’s enormous span, consider saving time by flying from Perth to other destinations within the state and hiring a car locally to explore. 4WDs are generally required on unsealed roads and tracks in the state’s remote north.