Swim With Whale Sharks And Enjoy A Themed Wine Trail: New Experiences You’ll Want On Your Travel Bucket List

From Perth to Margaret River and the Coral Coast, Western Australia’s top regions offer fresh experiences for every type of adventure seeker

Singaporeans have been flocking to Western Australia for years to do anything from café hopping in Perth to eating their way through Margaret River’s wineries to taking photos with quokkas on Rottnest Island. It’s easy to bring the kids along because this beautiful state is only 4.5 hours away and shares the same time zone as Singapore.

But even if you’ve been to the Wildflower State many times before, you’ll find new things to marvel at each time. Perth, Esperance, Margaret River, The Kimberley, Ningaloo Reef, and The Coral Coast are just some of the places we comb for new, strange, and downright surprising experiences to share with adventurers of all stripes.

For nature and animal lovers

Western Australia’s vast outdoors might be made for thrill-seekers, but there are still plenty of laid-back family-friendly options.

Over 1,200 tiny penguins call the appropriately called Penguin Island in Perth, Western Australia, home. The island is only 45 minutes away by car and a five-minute ferry ride. While the daily penguin feedings receive the most attention, the boat tour to see wild dolphins playing in the beautiful waters and endangered Australian sea lions lounging on the beach is also a big draw.

The natural pink lakes of Australia are a sight to behold, and they can be found in every state. Lake Hillier, located in Western Australia and 124 kilometers from Esperance, is renowned for its year-round popularity due to its eye-catching pink tints. Lake Hillier lies on Middle Island, so visitors will need to take a boat to get there, but locals say the best way to appreciate the lake is from the air.

In addition to being one of only 34 biodiversity hotspots worldwide, and Australia’s only one, the Margaret River region is a hidden gem. The World Wildlife Fund has designated it a priority area for conservation. Eighty percent of the plant species in the area are endemic, meaning they only exist in this one place. Wildflower tours are highly recommended because of the region’s rich diversity of flora (approximately 2,500 types of wildflowers bloom in the area between August and November).

For aquatic enthusiasts

Western Australia is a water lover’s paradise, with countless options for enjoying the water.

In Perth, the seaside city of Rockingham is only 45 minutes away by car, and it features 37 kilometers of gorgeous beaches, calm waters, and plenty of possibilities to see marine animals, including pods of wild dolphins. It’s also a great place to go surfing, sailing, snorkeling, or fishing.

IN EXPECTATION: A visit to Lucky Bay, one of Australia’s most famous beaches, will allow you to get up up and personal with the wild kangaroos that freely walk the beautiful 5-kilometer stretch of white sand beach. Come to see the kangaroos, but stick around to enjoy the bay’s other attractions, such as snorkeling, surfing, and fishing.

Drift snorkeling in Turquoise Bay at Ningalo Reef is an absolute must for any strong swimmer. Let the currents carry you on an exciting journey across the beautiful coral reef gardens of Ningaloo Reef, a site recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It’s part of Cape Range National Park and a 47-minute drive from downtown Exmouth; the water is teeming with colorful fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals. Ningaloo is home to the “Big 3” of marine life: manta rays, whale sharks, and the majestic humpback whales. All year long, you can go on a cruise to swim with manta rays, but you’ll have to wait until either March or July, when whale sharks or humpback whales are in the area, or July or October when they’re on their way back to the Arctic.

KIMBERLEY: Kununurra, the gateway town to the mountainous wildness of the Kimberley area, has streams that make for a unique aquatic playground. The Aboriginal name for the area, “Kununurra,” translates to “meeting of vast waters,” which is a good description of the area’s many beautiful lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Explore the many islands, bays, and beaches by booking a local boat tour or cruise.

For culture vultures and history buffs

While Western Australia is most renowned for its natural wonders, the province also offers enough for city dwellers hoping to experience the area’s rich cultural heritage.

Elizabeth Quay, a bustling waterfront zone on the banks of the Swan River, is where the locals and tourists alike go to eat, shop, and be seen in Perth. Take a river ride or go on an Aboriginal walking tour, then rest your feet at the famous The Island, a place where you can dine, drink, and socialize. It’s well worth your time to check out the WA Museum Boola Bardip, a historic structure in the middle of Perth’s Cultural Centre that features interactive exhibits on the magnificent Aboriginal people of Western Australia and the state’s rich ethnic history. Explore the displays in the 6,000 square meter gallery space, then on your way out, make a photo op with the 24 meter blue whale skeleton.

Wine lovers who go to Western Australia must stop by Margaret River, the country’s largest wine area. The nicest parts of a place are most easily seen on a guided tour. You can choose a trail based on its topic, with some tours including a visit to the famous Busselton Jetty and others including a chocolate, beer, or cheese tasting. Do you need a break from all the feasting? Take a trip to Ngilgi Cave, Western Australia’s first tourist destination, and marvel at the cave’s colorful stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and shawls. Entertaining performances on the didgeridoo, an ancient wind instrument, and hunting for natural bush edibles are staples of the guided excursions offered at this cave.

Visit the Imintji Aboriginal community, widely recognized as the region’s original inhabitants, at their campground off the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley. The local arts center provides insights into the legacy of the Aboriginal land, while the newly renovated campground provides modern amenities and is a fantastic base from which to explore neighboring outdoor sites.