68 Best Sights in Western Australia, Australia

This is the beach for loads of family fun in the sun. The calm, translucent, and turquoise waters of Geographe Bay are perfect for swimming, stand-up paddling, kayaking, fishing, and relaxing. From mid-December until the end of January, an inflatable water park (aquatastic.net) is set up and available to the public for an hourly or daily fee. The City of Busselton has invested millions of development dollars into foreshore infrastructure that includes an amazing kids' adventure park, skate park, amphitheater, plenty of bench seating, and free-to-use barbecues—a favorite Aussie dinner is fish-and-chips on the beach at sunset. Amenities: food and drink; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

Calling all cheese lovers and connoisseurs to this family-operated sheep and dairy farm located on the outskirts of Nannup. Stop in to the farmhouse and sample the award-winning sheep cheese (in season) and flavor-punching dairy cheeses that are skillfully handmade on-site by the clever Wilde family.

Bring a picnic blanket and a bottle of wine to enjoy with a cheese near the grazing sheep.

The view from the top of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia and only a 10-minute drive south of Augusta, allows you to witness the meeting of the Southern and the Indian oceans. In some places this alliance results in giant swells that crash against the rocks; in others, you'll spot whales surfacing (May through September). The lighthouse precinct is open daily and offers guided tours, which includes climbing 176 stairs to the top and a trek around the outside balcony. Bring your camera, and wear a windproof jacket—gusts of 156 kmph (97 mph) have been recorded at ground level here.

Order lunch from the café and watch the rock parrots graze on the grass.

Perth's poster beach is as beguiling as it is relaxing, what with its soft cream sand, transparent blue waters, and strip of beachy pubs and restaurants. Naturally, it's very popular, particularly on Sunday, when people of all ages picnic on the grass beneath the row of Norfolk pines that also hosts masses of squawking birds. The water is fairly calm, though punchy waves can roll through, crashing mainly in shallow depths. "Sunday sessions"—afternoon beer drinking in two local pubs at the Ocean Beach Hotel and the swanky Cottesloe Beach Hotel, both of which have good, ocean-facing accommodations—are also held here. South of the Cottesloe groyne is a reasonable reef surf break, but it's often crowded. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; surfing; snorkeling; sunset; walking.

As Bunbury's favorite attraction, this not-for-profit conservation-first organization welcomes 80,000 visitors each year. Get up close to wild dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery Centre. Upward of 200 dolphins have been identified in Koombana Bay—swim with them, book an eco-cruise, or stay on the beach and wade into the interaction zone. Enjoy a unique, immersive experience at the discovery center, which enjoyed a A$2 million refurbishment in 2018, with its digital 360-degree dolphinarium, interpretive panels, theater, aquariums, dolphin displays, on-site café, gift shop, and a rooftop bar perfect for cocktails at sunset.

Call first to book the weather-dependent swim and eco-cruises. Dolphin encounters are not guaranteed, but the chances are higher in the warmer months.

On the south side of Perth's Central Business District lies the ever-expanding Elizabeth Quay, a public area brimful with restaurants, cafés, playgrounds, ice-cream parlors, boat excursions, larger-than-life artworks, and the swanky Ritz-Carlton hotel. Although construction is ongoing, EQ is a bustling hub and a great meeting spot. Transperth also has a bus depot, train station, and ferry crossing here making access without a car easy. 

Tip: Feel like a kid again and take a spin on the classic carousel.

The eclectic, artsy, and always bustling Fremantle Markets have been housed in this huge Victorian building since 1897 and sell everything from WA landscape photographs to incense, freshly roasted coffee, toys, clothing, and fruit and vegetables. You can also get a delicious array of street food, such as Turkish gözleme, German sausages, doughnuts, chocolate cake, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Around 150 stalls attract a colorful mix of locals and tourists. 

One of the most popular tourist attractions in the state, prison day tours illustrate convict life—including (successful) escapes and the art cell, where a superb collection of drawings by prisoner James Walsh decorates his former quarters. The jail was built by convicts in the 1850s and is an important part of the region's history. Choose from a variety of tours, including a goosebump-inducing one by flashlight or a thrilling underground tour for which visitors are provided with hard hats, boots, and headlamps before descending 65 feet into the labyrinthine tunnels. Climbing (and a sense of adventure) is a must!

Running parallel to Murray Street and linked by numerous arcades, the Hay Street Mall is an extensive, mainstream shopping area teeming with intriguing places. The mall is also a brilliant place to people-watch and support local buskers. Make sure you wander through the arcades and malls that connect Hay and Murray Streets, such as the Carillion City and Piccadilly Arcade, which have many more shops. Also, look for the monument dedicated to Percy Button, Perth's original street performer.

The opulent His Majesty's Theatre, which opened on Christmas Eve 1904, is admired for its Federation Free Classical style on the outside and by those who step inside (think red velour). His Maj, as it's locally known, is home to the West Australian Opera company and the West Australian Ballet, and hosts most theatrical productions in Perth; there's also a comedy lounge downstairs called The Maj. 

Tardiness is frowned upon—you will not be permitted inside until a break in the performance.

Locals boast that this is one of the few inner-city parks to dwarf New York City's Central Park; it covers 1,000 acres and grants eye-popping views of downtown Perth and its riverfront at sunrise, sunset, and all times in between. Once a gathering place for Aboriginal people, and established as a public space in 1890, it's favored for picnics, parties, and weddings, as well as regular musical and theater presentations, plus the excellent summer Moonlight Cinema (in Synergy Parkland, on the western side). Each September, when spring arrives, the park holds a wildflower festival and the gardens blaze with orchids, kangaroo paw, banksias, and other native wildflowers, making it ideal for a walk in the curated bushland. The steel-and-glass Lotterywest Federation Walkway takes you into the treetops and the 17-acre botanic garden of Australian flora. The Lotterywest Family Area has a shaded playground for youngsters ages one to five, and a café for parents. The Rio Tinto Naturescape is fun for bigger kids who enjoy climbing and exploring in nature. Free 90-minute walking tours depart from Aspects Gift Shop on Fraser Avenue daily. 

This winery's Art Series wines—especially the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon—have a deserved reputation as some of the best in the country, and feature on Australia's "most collected" list. Complimentary tastings (Art Series wine imposes a fee) are conducted on the property daily, introducing you to the extensive art gallery in the cellar. Setting aside the entire afternoon is the way to go at Leeuwin's fine-dining restaurant, open daily for lunch.

In summer the estate holds its iconic Leeuwin Concert Series; many international superstars—including Tom Jones, Diana Ross, Sting, and the late Ray Charles—have performed here against a backdrop of tall, floodlit karri trees.

Little Creatures has got a lot going for it—including its harborside location and fun-loving, artsy vibe. Regarded as the founders of craft beer in WA, a tour of this iconic brewery is a must. The tour includes a beer-making 101 session, a jaunt around the brewery, and a sample of the current brews and ciders on tap with one of their informative Hop Heads. If you like what you see and taste, stay on in the Brewhouse, where you'll find contemporary pub grub on the menu or book a table in the lively Great Hall for dinner overlooking the harbor. 

Make sure you pack your snorkeling gear for this one—due to Rottnest's warmer waters, created by the passing Leeuwin Current, there's a fascinating mix of tropical and temperate fish species in the clear waters. Aim to go at low tide and look out for bream, red-lipped morwong, zebrafish, and king wrasse, plus plenty of little colored fish. There are underwater plaques that guide you along a great snorkel trail and the waters are calm so you can enjoy flipping about. Coral reefs are about 330 feet out but worth checking out if you're a confident swimmer. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

If it's overcrowded, head to the next, bigger beach, Salmon Bay.

Sheltered from wind, this soft-sand haven makes for a gorgeous coastal escape. Its aquamarine blue waters attract many a visitor. Bring food with you because there are barbecue facilities and picnic tables. Amenities: showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Imagine an eerie moonscape where pale yellow limestone formations loom as high as 15 feet. Now see the image in your head displayed before you at Nambung National Park, set on the Swan coastal plain 200 km (125 miles) north of Perth, along the scenic Indian Ocean Drive. At the park you can walk among those otherworldly formations in the Pinnacles Desert, home to one of the world's most spectacular karst landscapes. Geologists believe the pinnacles were created by the dissolving action of water on exposed limestone beds that formed under wind-blown sand dunes. Only a tiny proportion of them have been uncovered. The 1.2-km (0.7-mile) return walk starts at the parking area. There's also a 4-km (2½-mile) one-way Pinnacles Desert Loop scenic drive (not suitable for large RVs or buses). Stop in to the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre to see interpretative displays focused on the region's unique geology, flora, and fauna. August through October the heath blazes with wildflowers. Note the rules: no pinnacle climbing, no dogs, no littering (no receptacles are provided, so take your trash with you), and no camping. There is no drinking water available throughout the park, although water is available to purchase at the interpretative center and gift shop.

Indian Ocean Drive is a frequent crash zone; please take care and avoid driving at dawn, dusk, and dark.

Near Yallingup, this is a main site for adventure caving. In between crawling through tight spots, sliding down smooth rock surfaces and gazing at stalactites, you'll learn about the fascinating history of this special cave, explored by candlelight in the 1900s. Semi-guided cave tours take about one hour, cost A$22.50 and run every half hour from 9:30 to 4. Highly recommended adventure caving tours operate at either 9:30 am or 1:30 pm on various weekdays. Prebooking at least 48 hours in advance is advised. Adventure tours cost from A$60 to A$158, and vary from 45 minutes to four hours in length, depending on the tour.

In a state of extraordinary beaches, this one rates high on the list. Bookended by rounded granite boulders, the caramel-hued sand sinks beneath your feet and the gentle, rolling waves beckon, daring you to cool off in the clean ocean. Edged by native bush, it's secluded and quiet but has plenty of accommodation options nearby, all hidden behind sand dunes. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

On the harbor side of Esplanade Park sits the gigantic Tourist Wheel, a 24-enclosed-car Ferris wheel offering spectacular views of the port city, Indian Ocean, and Rottnest Island on a clear day. Each gondola holds six people and spins for about 10 minutes per ticket. Be sure to have your camera ready when you stop at the top, 40 meters above the grounds. 

Resembling an upside-down boat, the Western Australian Maritime Museum sits at the edge of Fremantle Harbour. It houses Australia II, winner of the 1983 America's Cup, and has hands-on, rotating exhibits that are great fun for children. You can also take guided tours of the Ovens, a former Royal Australian Navy World War II submarine. Another attraction is the Welcome Walls, a record of all those who immigrated to WA via ship during the major postwar migration. A five-minute walk away on Cliff Street in a separate, heritage building, is the Shipwreck Galleries, home to more fascinating maritime history.

You'll find some unique blends of red wine and humorous gift items at this small country road winery. Steer down the long driveway, through the vineyard to arrive at this rustic, but welcoming cellar door and gift shop. It's hard to pass up a T-shirt with glittery wine glasses with sentiments such as “wines constantly” or “group therapy.” You'll also find funny cocktail napkins, artisan pottery, local artworks, and, of course, lots of wonderful wine. 

What's not to love about this 1.3-km (1-mile) beach at the hillside town of Yallingup? Picture-perfect views; transparent water; clean, sun-baked sand; and a gentle pool of ocean at the southern end that protects you from the waves beyond. On any given day you'll see a tribe of surfers riding the waves, while wannabes and newbies take lessons (yallingupsurfschool.com) in the lagoon. There are limited food and drink options nearby, so come prepared. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; sunset; swimming; walking.

High waves and rips increase north of the parking lot.

Huge, colorful aquariums filled with some 400 different species of local sea creatures—including sharks that are 13 feet long—from along the 12,000 km (7,456 miles) of Western Australia's variable coastline are the fascinating draws of this boutique aquarium in northern Perth. Sharp-toothed sharks, stingrays, turtles, and schools of fish swim overhead as you take the moving walkway beneath a transparent acrylic tunnel. You can even do a guided snorkel or scuba dive with the sharks; bookings are essential. Perhaps most interesting is the change in habitats and species as you move from colder, southern waters to the tropics of Western Australia's north. AQWA boasts one of the largest living coral reef displays in the world—check it out from above and then below in the underwater gallery. Other highlights include the rare sea dragons and DANGERzone, featuring a deadly lineup of sea creatures.

Age minimums apply for some activities.

Founded in 1895, the Art Gallery of Western Australia is home to more than 17,500 treasures and numerous free exhibitions of Indigenous and modern art, which makes it worth an afternoon's devotion. The collection of Indigenous art is impressive, while other works include Australian and international paintings, sculptures, prints, crafts, and decorative arts. In 2021, major renovations were undertaken to improve the rooftop galleries and bar and create a new foyer. See the website for special exhibitions and be prepared to pay a fee to gain entry. 

A drive along this part of the coast, which starts at Green Head, 285 km (178 miles) north of Perth, and runs up to Kalbarri, takes you past white sands and emerald seas, and some lovely small towns. Among them are the fig-shaded, seaside village of Dongara and the more northerly Central Greenough Historical Settlement, whose restored colonial buildings—including a jail with original leg irons—date from 1858. A few miles north is Geraldton, whose skyline is dominated by the beautiful Byzantine St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. Its main foreshore is great for families, beach lovers, and coffee drinkers (Kai Lani Cafe makes a good brew and serves burgers, wraps, and ice cream too). Also worth a visit is the haunting HMAS Sydney II Memorial, which is the only recognized national war memorial outside of Canberra and has expansive ocean views. The beautiful Batavia Coast Marina has a pedestrian plaza, shopping arcades, and the fascinating Western Australian Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts from the Batavia, a Dutch vessel shipwrecked in 1629.

Sometimes, good things come in small packages. This flat, soft-sand beach sits hidden between the Fishing Boat Harbour and the Roundhouse and is an ideal spot to picnic with takeout fish-and-chips, or to enjoy a sunset cocktail from Bathers Beachhouse, the only restaurant licensed to serve drinks on the beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

See where corporate suits de-stress after a long day at the office. Once the clock hits 5 pm, like bees swarming a hive, punters flood Perth's CBD's main thoroughfare, St. Georges Terrace, and its strip of hip venues. Swanky Print Hall serves some of the city's best Modern Australian fare, while Bob's Bar is a happening rooftop bar focusing on simple, tasty, Mexican-inspired eats. There's also the Heritage Wine Bar for contemporary eats and fine wine. Reservations are recommended. 

Bunbury's art scene starts here at the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, affectionately known as BRAG to the locals. This former convent is easy to find, just look for the pretty pink Gothic-style building. Inside, you'll find six gallery spaces filled with traveling exhibitions, local artworks, and the original 20 paintings donated by Claude Hotchin in 1949. Be sure to visit the third floor and check out the stained-glass windows and stunning floor tiles, remnants of its nunnery past. Entry to the gallery is free of charge and open daily 10--4. Check the website for current exhibitions and events.