Western Australia is a vast frontier state covering one-third of Australia, offering incredible diversity from Perth's urban sophistication to the ancient gorges of the Kimberley, the pristine Ningaloo Reef, famous Margaret River wines, and the adorable quokkas of Rottnest Island. This is Australia at its most wild and remote - red earth outback, turquoise waters, and endless horizons.
Quick Facts
Recommended Stay14 days
Budget$100/day
Mid-range$200/day
Luxury$500/day
Known For
western_australiaperthkimberleybroomeningaloomargaret_riverrottnest_islandpinnacleskarijinioutbackcoral_coastwhale_sharksquokkascable_beachwine_regionroad_tripbeachesdivingsnorkelingwildflowersaboriginal_cultureremoteadventurecampinggorgesred_earthpristine
🇦🇺 Country Information: Australia
CapitalCanberra
CurrencyAustralian dollar ($)
Language English , Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek
Phone Code+61
Electricity230V (Type I)
Tap WaterSafe to drink
Tipping
- Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated for excellent service (\~10% in restaurants, rounding up for taxis, a few dollars for hotel staff)
- Tipping is not customary in cafes or pubs
Money & Payments
- ATMs are widely available, especially in urban areas
- Credit cards are widely accepted
- It is good to have some cash for smaller purchases and markets
- There is no black market for cash
Cultural Norms
- Casual dress is common
- Punctuality is appreciated but a bit flexible
- "No worries" is a common phrase meaning "no problem"
- Australians are generally direct and friendly, but overly effusive greetings might be unexpected
LGBTQ+ Information
Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Australia has robust LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination laws and same-sex marriage is legal nationwide.
Alcohol & Drug Laws
- Legal drinking age is 18 nationwide
- Drug laws are strict, with varying penalties for possession, use, and supply
- Cannabis laws vary by state/territory
Special Laws
- Sun protection is legally required for outdoor workers
- It is illegal to feed wild animals
- Jaywalking is illegal in many areas
- Strict quarantine laws apply to bringing food and biological items into the country
Common Phrases
HelloG'day (guh-day)
CheersCheers (cheerz)
Thank youTa (tah)
Climate
Varies dramatically by region. Perth has Mediterranean climate (hot dry summers, mild wet winters). North (Kimberley, Broome) is tropical with wet/dry seasons. Inland is desert with extreme heat. Ningaloo has year-round warmth. Be prepared for temperature extremes.
Best Time to Visit
- Dry Season (Kimberley): May
- October (best for north)
- Whale Shark Season (Ningaloo): March
- July
- Wildflower Season: August
- November (stunning blooms)
- Summer (South): December
- February (beaches, hot)
- Best Overall: April
- October
Getting There
- Perth Airport (PER) is the main international gateway with flights from Asia, Middle East, and other Australian cities
- Broome (BME) has connections from Perth and some Asian cities
- The state is ENORMOUS
- internal flights essential for distant regions like the Kimberley
Getting Around
- Rental car essential for most exploration
- this is Australia's road trip capital
- 4WD required for Kimberley and outback tracks
- Long distances between towns
- plan fuel stops
- Domestic flights connect major centers
- Tours available for remote areas
- Campervan travel very popular
Health & Vaccinations
- No vaccinations required
- Sun protection essential (high UV)
- Stay hydrated in heat
- Excellent medical facilities
- Watch for wildlife on roads
- Marine stingers (jellyfish) in north during wet season
Staying Connected
- Excellent 4G/5G coverage in Perth and towns
- Limited coverage in remote areas
- Telstra best for outback coverage
- eSIM works well (Airalo, Holafly)
- Satellite communicator for outback
Local Cuisine
Fresh Seafood
must_try
Western Australia produces incredible seafood - rock lobster (crayfish), Exmouth prawns, Fremantle sardines, and pristine oysters. Fresh from the Indi
Margaret River Wine
must_try
World-class Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from one of Australia's premier wine regions. Over 150 wineries with cellar doors.
Truffle Dishes
local_favorite
Manjimup in the southwest produces Australia's finest black truffles. June-August truffle season brings special menus throughout the region.
Oysters
must_try
Albany and the south coast produce exceptional Pacific oysters. Eaten fresh from the source at oyster farms.
Modern Australian
local_favorite
Perth has emerged as a serious food city with innovative restaurants combining native ingredients and Asian influences.
Book in Advance
Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:
🔴 Must Book in Advance
Book 1-3 months in advance
Limited operators and high demand during March-July season.
Book 2-6 months in advance
Limited capacity on adventure tours. Dry season (May-Oct) only.
🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead
Book 1-3 months in advance
Limited accommodation on island fills quickly especially in summer.
Fun Facts
- 1. Western Australia is the largest subnational entity in the world, covering 2.5 million square kilometers.
- 2. The Bungle Bungle Range's striped beehive-shaped domes weren't known to outsiders until a 1983 TV documentary.
- 3. Stromatolites at Shark Bay are living fossils - the same organisms that created Earth's oxygen 3.5 billion years ago.
- 4. WA has voted to secede from Australia twice, but neither referendum was recognized.
