Perth — most isolated capital on earth. Closer to Jakarta than Sydney. Swan River, white-sand beaches, Mediterranean climate. Hinterland of Margaret River, Karri forests, and the surreal Coral Coast running north.
If you’ve driven across the Nullarbor: sit on a beach. Drink a riesling.
Don’t miss: bike around Rottnest + quokka selfie, sunset at Cottesloe, day in Fremantle, wines + Cape-to-Cape at Margaret River, swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo (Mar–Aug), beaches at Esperance / Lucky Bay.
In Perth
- Kings Park — bigger than Central Park, views over the river
- Cottesloe Beach — sunset ritual. Sculpture by the Sea every March
- Fremantle (“Freo”) — port city 20 min south. Best 19th-c. streetscape in Australia. Fremantle Markets, Little Creatures, Fremantle Prison (UNESCO)
- Swan Valley — oldest WA wine region, 25 min from CBD
- Northbridge — dining/nightlife
- Mt Lawley / Beaufort St — restaurants, cafes
Rottnest Island
Rottnest (“Rotto”) — ferry from Fremantle or Perth. Bike around (no cars), swim at every bay, selfie with a quokka. Day trip or stay a night.
Margaret River
Margaret River — ~3hr south. 3% of Australia’s wine, 20% of premium. Cabernet + Chardonnay.
- Wineries: Vasse Felix, Cullen, Moss Wood, Leeuwin Estate, Voyager, Cape Mentelle
- Cape to Cape Track — 135 km, walk any section
- Surfers Point — world-class surf
- Yallingup & Smiths Beach — pretty bays
- Beer: Eagle Bay Brewing, Cheeky Monkey
- Stay: Cape Lodge
Karri forests
South of Margaret River — some of the world’s tallest trees.
- Pemberton — the Gloucester Tree (climb a 53m karri via spike ladders, terrifying)
- Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk at Walpole — canopy walkway
South coast & Esperance
- Albany — historic whaling town. The Gap & Natural Bridge, National Anzac Centre (moving + excellent)
- Denmark — Greens Pool & Elephant Rocks (William Bay NP)
- Stirling Range — Bluff Knoll
- Esperance — arguable case for best beaches in Australia
- Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand NP — kangaroos on the sand
- Lake Hillier — the pink lake (helicopter only)
Going north — Coral Coast & Pilbara
If you’ve made it this far west, the drive up to the Kimberley is one of the great trips:
- Pinnacles Desert — 2hr N. Limestone spires at sunset
- Kalbarri NP — red gorges meeting Indian Ocean
- Shark Bay (UNESCO) — Monkey Mia dolphins, stromatolites (oldest living things on earth)
- Ningaloo Reef (UNESCO) — at Exmouth. Swim with whale sharks Mar–Aug; humpbacks Aug–Nov. Less crowded than GBR
- Karijini NP — deep red gorges with extraordinary swimming holes. Hot, remote
Perth → Exmouth is 1,250 km; still hours short of Broome.