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Travel & Touring| WA Things To Do
By: Tatum Stafford
Western Australia’s contrasting colours, dramatic landscapes and intriguing natural attractions are an Instagrammer’s dream.
Stretching from the far North West to the sprawling Golden Outback, there are countless picture-perfect spots across the State to explore. Here are 13 of our favourites to get you started.
1. Zebedee Springs, El Questro Wilderness Park
Filled with ancient landscapes and plenty of waterfalls, hiking trails and ancient gorges to explore, the El Questro Wilderness Park is a must-visit for adventurous WA travellers. The Zebedee Springs are one of the park’s most tranquil and picturesque locations, showcasing a prehistoric forest of palm trees and a series of spectacular waterfalls and thermal pools.
How to get there: To reach the springs and El Questro, take the Gibb River Road (four-wheel drive only) from Kununurra, or join a guided tour. You can access the park during dry season, from May to September.
2. Gantheaume Point, Broome
Located just a five-minute drive from Broome, the picturesque Gantheaume Point is perhaps best known for its intriguing dinosaur tracks that have been preserved in reef rock for more than 125 million years. The point has its fair share of picture-perfect spots, including the tidal rock pools at its northern side. It’s best to take a dip after high tide when the pools have been topped up with fresh sea water.
How to get there: Use the ramp opposite the Broome Turf Club carpark. Four-wheel drive vehicles are permitted in a designated area on the beach. Alternatively, the Broome Explorer Bus runs a Gantheaume Point service during ‘high season’ from May to October.
3. Honeymoon Pool, Collie
This tranquil pool sits at the lower part of the Collie River and is popular with camping, swimming, bushwalking and kayaking enthusiasts. Its shady banks are the perfect spot for a picnic – and depending on the time of day you visit, you may be treated to rays of sunlight peeking through the surrounding jarrah trees. To make a night of it, book a site in the small poolside campground.
How to get there: The pool is two-wheel drive accessible. Reach it by taking Wellington Dam Road off the Coalfields Highway in Collie, keeping an eye out for the Honeymoon Pool turnoff.
RELATED:10 campsites by the water within two hours of Perth »
4. Carnarvon Cactus Garden
This intriguing garden located within Carnarvon’s horticultural district features more than 30 plants of all shapes and sizes. Local grower Robert Ellis Westcott has maintained the garden for the past 14 years, and welcomes hundreds of visitors each week.
How to get there: The garden is located on South River Road, but as there’s no carpark, you’ll need to find your own safe spot to park alongside the garden. Entry is free.
5. Bell Gorge, along the Gibb River Road in the West Kimberley
Located within the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park in the West Kimberley, Bell Gorge is one of the region’s most beautiful gorges. To reach it, you’ll need to take a short walk along the scenic Bell Creek, taking extra caution on slippery rocks. The top of the gorge is a fantastic spot for photos – and once you’re ready to cool off, a short, steep walk trail will lead you to the falls’ deep pool which is perfect for swimming.
How to get there: You’ll need a four-wheel drive to access the gorge via the Bell Gorge carpark along the corrugated Silent Grove Road. An entry fee of $13 per vehicle applies for the entire conservation park. The gorge is inaccessible during wet season, so time your visit between May and October.
6. Stockyard Gully Caves, Leeman
The Stockyard Gully National Park is home to a series of limestone caves that lead to an underwater river system. The Stockyard Gully Cave is the largest, featuring a long sandy walkway and plenty of impressive views of lush vegetation within the park. The caves are dark in spots, so bring a torch with you.
How to get there: The caves are a short drive from Coorow, and are best accessed from the southern end of the park via Cockleshell Gully Road. You’ll need a four-wheel drive to reach them, due to soft sand and sections of coarse limestone road. Take caution after heavy rain as the tracks are prone to flooding.
7. Yeagarup Dunes, near Pemberton
Forming one of the world’s largest dune systems, the massive Yeagarup Dunes are 10 kilometres long and provide a brilliant contrast of pure white sands against Pemberton’s lush green forest. Drone photography is a popular pastime here and is a fantastic way to capture these contrasting colours. Alternatively, there are a few walkable sections of the dunes that provide similarly impressive photo opportunities.
How to get there: Four-wheel drive access only. The dunes are quite difficult to traverse, so prior four-wheel drive experience is advised or take one of the popular dune tours. The track to the dunes begins at the Leaning Marri campsite near Yeagarup Lake in the D’Entrecasteaux National Park, close to a 30-minute drive from the Pemberton township. Download the Yeagarup Dunes track map before setting off.
RELATED:5 epic WA road trips you can only take in a four-wheel drive »
8. Old Barrington Quarry in Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, Martin
Located on the Sixty Foot Falls walking trail, this spectacular quarry is known for its rugged red rocks and green-hued waters (but swimming isn’t advised here as the water is filled with microbes). There are a handful of lookout points to choose from; all of which offer uninterrupted views of the vast quarry.
How to get there: The park is two-wheel drive accessible, and there are parking bays at the Honeyeater Hollow Picnic Area. It’s a 2.1-kilometre walk from the carpark to the quarry.
9. Twilight Bay, Esperance
Esperance is home to some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, bays and islands, and the tranquil Twilight Bay is no exception. Renowned for its squeaky white sand and clear turquoise water, the boardwalk that leads down to the beach is a fantastic spot to snap a photo before a swim.
How to get there: The bay is a 10-minute drive from the Esperance town centre via Twilight Beach Road, and is accessible by all vehicles.
10. Antony Gormley sculptures at Lake Ballard, near Menzies
Set on the vast Lake Ballard, the 51 black steel sculptures created by British artist Antony Gormley are a fascinating sight in the middle of WA’s outback. The sculptures appear to shimmer in direct sunlight, so no matter which angle you approach them from, you’re bound to end up with a striking photo.
How to get there: Visitors most commonly approach Lake Ballard from the south. The lake is a 90-minute drive from Kalgoorlie, or a one-hour drive from the outback town of Menzies. The journey is suitable for all vehicle types, but after heavy rain the road can be shut for several days.
11. Joffre Gorge and Falls, Karijini National Park
The rugged Karijini is an Instagram lover’s dream, with countless gorges, waterfalls, springs and lookouts to uncover. If you’re a first-time visitor, Joffre Gorge is one of the park’s most popular spots to experience gorge swimming and hiking.
Within the gorge is a picturesque plunge pool which is fed by water coming downstream from the falls. To reach the pool, take the trail which descends from the carpark and then scramble over rocks into the gorge itself. Be extra careful here, as the gorge walls and rocks are very slippery.
How to get there: The gorge is a 1hr 20min drive from the Karijini Visitor Centre, and there are plenty of parking spaces at the lookout atop of Joffre Falls. Key roads within the park are sealed, but using a four-wheel drive is highly recommended.
12. Elephant Rocks, Denmark
Named thanks to its elephant-shaped boulders, Denmark’s striking Elephant Rocks provide one of the most iconic photo opportunities in the South West. When the currents aren’t too strong it’s a great swimming spot but otherwise, perch on the Greens Pool lookout for the best vantage point of these intriguing formations.
How to get there: Park at the Greens Pool carpark; a 15-minute drive from the Denmark town centre. From here, it’s a 10-minute walk around the rocky headland until you reach the signposted Elephant Rocks pathway.
13. Nature's Window, Kalbarri
Located within the rugged Kalbarri National Park, this stunning natural rock arch provides beautiful views over the Murchison River. Known as Nature’s Window, the arch was formed by winds which eroded a section of the layered sandstone. If you’re planning to sit in the archway for a photo, make sure you've got your bearings, and take extra care in wet weather.
How to get there: The park is two-wheel drive accessible. From ‘The Loop’ carpark, it’s an easy one-kilometre walk (return) to Nature’s Window. To access the rock arch, follow the stairs and walk down a well-marked trail.
Inspired to visit some of these picturesque spots?
Many are in national parks, so make sure you’re prepared – RAC members save 50% on digital national park passes.
Last updated: January 2021
