Things to Do

ACTIVITIES

ARTS

Western Australia's museums and galleries are as varied as its heritage, colorful as its culture and numerous as its pool of local talent.

Indigenous Culture

Start at the beginning and discover Australian Aboriginal culture. The Kodja Place, in the south west town of Kojonup, showcases indigenous life 'in the bush', while Aboriginal art galleries - representing both traditional Dreaming stories and interpretations of contemporary issues - are spread throughout the State.

The Kimberley region of Western Australia is one of the world’s last true wilderness areas and a place of dramatic and rugged beauty.

It is also where you will find Australia's oldest Aboriginal rock art. Known as Gyorn Gyorn, or the Bradshaw Paintings, they’re believed to be up to 50,000 years old – which is at least five times older than the Egyptian pyramids.

According to Indigenous legend, the paintings – revealed to the rest of the world by explorer Joseph Bradshaw in 1891 - were created by birds using their tail feathers. The paintings show extraordinary sophistication and are widely considered to rank in significance with Nefertari's tomb in Egypt.

Close to the town of Derby, the new Mowanjum Art Centre - Spirit of the Wandjina - has been designed to create a genuine meeting point between local people and visitors to the area, and is remarkable both inside and out.

Housing stunning works from the local area, the building is particularly impressive when viewed from the air - in the shape of a striking face, with head-dress and enormous eyes set against the rich red earth and green scrub.

Appreciate Art and History Close to the City

The Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge is the place for art lovers to spend glorious hours of browsing.

The Art Gallery of Western Australia has more than a thousand pieces, both Australian and international. It is well known for its superb collection of Indigenous artwork. The Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts has space for contemporary collections and performing arts whilst the Photography Gallery of Western Australia exhibits a wide range of photography. All buildings are conveniently located together.

In the same precinct, the Western Australian Museum takes you back three and a half billion years to the origin of their ancient land. Explore Australian Aboriginal culture, the effects of European settlement and a diversity of wildlife.

An integral thread woven throughout Western Australia's heritage is its relationship with the ocean. You can hear, see and 'breathe' maritime adventure at the Western Australian Maritime Museum and Shipwreck Galleries in Fremantle.

For an intriguing heritage tour, visit Fremantle Prison, where guides tell of impossible escapes and evening tours revisit ghosts of the past.

For an interesting look into Western Australia's aviation history, pay a visit to the Royal Australian Air Force Association Aviation Heritage Museum of Western Australia. The museum is considered the best of its kind in Australia, if not the world.

Museums and Galleries Further Afield

Pioneer history will lead you up into the hills and beyond. The No 1 Pump Station at Mundaring celebrates an amazing engineering achievement, when water was first piped nearly 600 kilometers from Perth to the parched goldfields.

Try your hand at panning for gold and explore an old mine shaft at the award-winning Australian Prospectors Mining Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie, the heart of gold country.

York, Western Australia's first inland European settlement, has retained its historic feel with heritage buildings and art and craft galleries. Jah Roc Mill Gallery, for example, is famous for furniture handcrafted from salvaged wood and surrounded by studios and craft workshops. Visit York's treasure-house of history, The Residency Museum and glimpse into the lives of the people who created York.

The Swan Valley and South West are also home to a vast number of galleries and studios. There are many local artists and craftspeople in the Margaret River area, which is also where you'll find the iconic Busselton Jetty Interpretive Centre, another must-see for maritime discovery and a glimpse of the jetty's long heritage. In Albany you can take a journey through the site of Australia's last operating whaling station at Whale World.

In the coastal town of Broome discover some of Western Australia’s most well-known Indigenous artists such as Denise Walker - a local artist and educator whose artwork magically captures the light, color and space of Broome and the Kimberley region.

Further east in the outback town of Kununurra you'll find several Indigenous art galleries including Red Rock Art, home to contemporary Aboriginal art of the East Kimberley. A range of paintings, metal sculptures and basketwork are showcased in this stylish gallery.

Its artists-in-residence program means visitors can watch Indigenous works in progress, including those by leading artist Nancy Noonju. A unique aspect of the gallery is that the ochres used are collected and ground by hand, with methods and sources handed down through the generations.

BEACHES

Beautiful beaches abound in Western Australia. The Indian Ocean gleams like a sparkling sapphire under a warm southern sun.

Hailed as one of most beautiful stretches of coastline on earth, Cable Beach is blessed with azure waters fringed by 22 kilometers of pristine white sands.

The spectacular fiery Broome sunsets will take your breath away.

At Monkey Mia in Denham, squeaky-clean beach sand surrounds still, aquamarine waters, where wild bottlenose dolphins regularly come ashore to say g'day and snare a feed of fish.

Ningaloo Reef is a 260 kilometer spectacle of color and diversity.

It's home to emerald lagoons teeming with brilliant coral and vibrant tropical fish, and is one of the few places on earth you can swim alongside whale sharks.

South of the State, at Middleton Beach in Albany, rugged rocky outcrops shelter a calm, vibrant-blue bay.

At Surfer's Point in Margaret River, the surf is consistently spectacular.

Home to the Margaret River Pro and a firm favorite with the world's elite pro-surfers, it's teeming with powerful ground swells and first-class waves.

The turquoise waters of Lucky Bay in Esperance are famous for its sunbathing kangaroos, which often lounge on the snow-white shores.

Perth Beaches

Closer to Perth, The Basin at Rottnest Island is a sheltered lagoon flush with colorful schools of fish.

It's an ideal spot for a snorkel and swim.

At Cottesloe Beach, towering Norfolk pines line a boulevard buzzing with cafes and pubs.

Cottesloe has a clean, clear coastline and smooth terraced lawns are filled with Perth's most buff bods.

Just 1.25 hours north of Perth is Windsurfer's Beach in Lancelin.

This scenic shoreline is ideal for windsurfing, offering huge jumps and easy riding.

CULTURE

EVENTS

Australian events are exciting and diverse and in Western Australia, there are plenty of unique, nature-based, sporting and cultural events to be experienced.

Many regional centers have their own distinct character and local traditions - sparking a number of unique country style festivities.

A Taste of Diverse Culture

The annual Perth International Arts Festival brings together a month-long calendar of local and international acts, showcasing almost every discipline of theatre and performance during the summer months.

Regional centers have long-established traditions with events such as the York Jazz Festival, Bridgetown Blues Festival and the annual Leeuwin Concert. These unique events attract entertainers from Australia and across the globe.

Summer's reliable weather also inspires some unusual outdoor Western Australian events such as Opera in the Park and the popular 'sunset cinema' in Kings Park. Bring a deck chair, rug and picnic and relax in front of an outdoor cinema screen to watch new-release or classic movies.

Concerts are also popular during summer with many outdoor venues promoting musical styles such as 'jazz among the vines' at wineries throughout the State.

Nature's Calendar of Events

Western Australia's natural environment puts on some dramatic annual events of its own.

Staircase to the Moon, Broome
The 'Staircase to the Moon' in Broome is a natural phenomenon which occurs for three nights each month between March and October.

The full moon rising over exposed mudflats at low tides creates a beautiful optical illusion of a staircase reaching to the moon.

The colorful coral spawn on Ningaloo Reef each March, the annual arrival of the whale sharks near the reef and the turtle nesting season in Exmouth rank as some of the State's more spectacular natural events.

Get Active

The annual Cottesloe to Rottnest Island swim sees teams of swimmers take to the open ocean to battle tides and currents for an endurance swim of approximately 19 kilometers.

Then there's the Blackwood Marathon Relay in the South West region, which is made up of running, canoeing, swimming, equestrian and cycling legs. The relay involves both team and individual participants.

Something Different

There are many uniquely Western Australian events happening throughout the State.

Some, like the Kulin Bush Races with its horse, camel, sheep and dog racing, epitomize the spirit and hospitality of rural Western Australia.

Broome's Shinju Matsuri or Festival of the Pearl was established to commemorate Japanese pearl divers. Dragon boat racing, a float parade through China Town and family mardi gras make for an exciting week.

FOOD

Whether you're exploring the rugged outback or enjoying the ambience of a South West winery, you're bound to encounter the exotic flavors of Western Australia.

Their regions are as distinctive in their produce as they are in landscape, satisfying all palates.

Something for the Sweet Tooth and Savoury Lover

Take a trip to Experience Perth's Swan Valley and Margaret River in the South West region for delicious Western Australian-made chocolate, cheese and ice-cream - impossible to resist.

Visitors are given the chance to sample their heavenly treats, so delve in and enjoy.

And if crusty bread and flavorsome olive oil appeal, visit Margaret River or the monastic town of New Norcia - or just head for the nearest continental deli, which is sure to stock these popular locally made products.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Adventurous diners will be thrilled to discover that crocodile, kangaroo and emu are found on many Western Australian restaurant menus.

Or join a bush tucker tour for a taste of true Australiana, where you can sample some of the naturally occurring foods that Aboriginal people have gathered and survived on for thousands of years.

An Endless Seafood Feast

There's a never-ending supply of succulent seafood in Western Australian waters. From the North West region to Esperance on the south eastern shores, find everything from rock lobsters, prawns and sardines to marron, trout and barramundi.

Tantalize your taste buds at any of the State's fantastic seafood restaurants or buy fresh from the fish markets in Perth or Fremantle, and "toss another shrimp on the barbie" at a park or picnic spot.

Juicy fruits and Seafood Garden-Fresh Vegetables

Tempting treats of the fruit and vegetable variety abound right across the state - so indulge to your heart's content and feel good about it.

Tropical fruits prevail in the warmer climates of the Coral Coast and North West regions, where sweet papaya, mangoes and bananas thrive.

"Mango madness" hits Broome and Kununurra each November, so join the locals in soaking up the syrupy juices.

You'll find seasonal berries, peaches and other stone fruits in the cooler southern regions of Western Australia, where you can also enjoy fruit preserves, jams and wines.

Every kind of produce from asparagus to zucchini is grown in the extremely fertile area near the Ord River dam in the North West region and along the Gascoyne River at Carnarvon in the Coral Coast region.

NATIONAL PARKS

Western Australian national parks can be found beyond the city skyline- where lays an untamed wilderness rich in red earth, roaring waterfalls and natural bushland.

An hour from Perth, Serpentine National Park is a picturesque park in a scenic cleft of the ancient Darling Scarp.

The rock-rimmed pool and cascading waterfall are popular with picnickers.

Nambung National Park is home of the mystical Pinnacles Desert, where thousands of limestone pillars rise up to three and a half meters tall from the shifting yellow sands.

At the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, you can often spot migrating humpback and southern whales from the craggy sea cliffs and windswept granite headlands.

There's a towering karri forest and two self-guided caves to explore as well.

Further south at Porongurup National Park, spectacular granite domes, over 1,100 million years old, spread 12 kilometers long and up to 670 meters high.

Meanwhile, at Walpole-Nornalup National Park, marvel over magnificent buttressed Red Tingle trees in the Valley of the Giants.

You can delve into the canopy of these majestic jewels along a walkway that rises 38 meters above the forest.

Yanchep National Park is amongst the oldest of the marvelous Western Australian national parks. It's nestled in tuart and banksia woodlands and is rich in Aboriginal history and limestone caves. A big koala colony also lives there.

If adventure holidays are more your style, head for the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungle range.

The beehive-shaped domes reach hundreds of meters into the air. You can four wheel drive to them and spend the day hiking, or take to the sky for an aerial view.

At Geikie Gorge National Park, a tempestuous river is framed by untamed forest, rich with native figs, wild passion fruit, freshwater mangroves and river gums.

Look out for freshwater crocodiles basking on the river banks.

At Karijini National Park, you'll find soaring red gorges and colossal waterfalls.

This spectacular ancient landscape is home to bats, rock wallabies, red kangaroos, echidnas, dragons and huge termite moulds.

Wolfe Creek Crater National Park is a sight to behold.

It has the second largest meteorite crater (880 meters) in the world. The meteorite is believed to have crashed to Earth around 300,000 years ago weighing more than 50,000 tons.

Whatever experience you are seeking, there is sure to be an interesting Western Australian national park for you to explore!

PLACES

Perth and Surrounds

Cruise the Swan River past parks and skyscrapers to 40 vineyards in the Swan Valley or the Perth Zoo. Visit Rottnest Island, where you can explore history, bike ride to secret beaches and kayak to secluded bays. Feast on seafood and soak up the carnival atmosphere in historic Fremantle. Discover the lookouts, landscaped gardens and Aboriginal heritage of huge Kings Park. Swim, surf, fish, windsurf and sail on clean and un-crowded beaches such as Cottlesloe or Scarborough. Then skip between the sunny boardwalks, beaches and marinas of the Sunset Coast.

Coral Coast

This coastal paradise stretches from Cervantes and the moonscape Pinnacles Desert in the south to Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef in the north. Bushwalk past gorges, cliffs, winding river and white beaches in Kalbarri National Park. Four wheel drives in Cape Range National Park, where spectacular gorges, carved by ancient rivers, meet Ningaloo’s coral reefs, clear blue seas and sandy beaches. Swim with the docile whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, at Ningaloo Reef between April and June. In the Shark Bay World Heritage Area you can feed wild bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia and get up close to sea lions, manta rays, dugongs and humpback whales.

Golden Outback

Tackle adventure on the rich red earth of the Gascoyne Murchison outback. Discover the national parks and snow-white beaches of Esperance and the South Coast. See the rugged outback come alive with the color of wildflowers in winter and early spring. Learn about the Aboriginal history of Mount Augustus and the Kennedy Range. Escape to the Wheatbelt’s small, friendly towns and geological wonders such as Wave Rock. Head to Kalgoorlie and the goldfields for gold rush history and unique flora and fauna. From the sparkling Southern Ocean to Western Australia’s red outback heart, you won’t forget these diverse and theatrical landscapes.

North West

Ride a camel on Broome’s breathtaking Cable Beach and see dinosaur footprints preserved in rock. Four wheel drive the red-dirt road from Broome along the Dampier Peninsula, where you can stay in an Aboriginal wilderness camp and see the church with a mother-of-pearl altar. Further north in Derby, watch the sun set over the King Sound and fly over the Horizontal Waterfalls on the islands of Buccaneer Archipelago. From Kununurra, you can explore the beehive-shaped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range and boat down the Ord River and vast Lake Argyle. Get up close to a huge treasure trove of ancient Aboriginal rock on the Burrup Peninsula, near Dampier. Further south, don’t miss the spectacular red gorges, waterfalls and emerald swimming holes of Karijini National Park.

South West

Dive the Southern Hemisphere’s largest accessible dive wreck – the HMAS Swan – from Dunsborough. Visit world-class wineries, swim in the crystal-clear waters of Bunker and ride the waves of Surfers Point in the lush Margaret River region. Here you can canoe through sun-speckled woodlands and relax on 75 spellbinding beaches. See fossils in Mammoth Caves, mirrored underwater lakes in Lake Cave and straw stalactites in Jewel Cave. Follow a fairytale drive through towering karri forests to Hamelin Bay, where you can snorkel with stingrays and walk the idyllic sands of Boranup Beach. Visit romantic Augusta, where lighthouse-tipped Cape Leeuwin parts the Indian and Southern Oceans. Swim with dolphins in Mandurah and Bunbury and spot whales from the towns of Augusta, Albany and Dunsborough from June to October.

RESTAURANTS

Perth restaurants offer locals and visitors alike an abundance of dining experiences. From the posh nosh on the Perth waterfront, to cheap and cheerful Perth cafes. As the locals will proudly attest, there's nothing quite like dining in Perth, eating gourmet fare under a balmy summer night sky.

Dining out in Perth, Western Australia means fresher-than-fresh food and premium wines.

In Western Australia's typical friendly fashion, many Perth restaurants even allow you to bring your own wine or beer.

For a full gamut of flavors try the Perth restaurant pulse points of Northbridge, Fremantle, Mount Lawley and Subiaco.

Perth restaurants include dining on a variety of cuisines including Italian, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Nepalese, Japanese, Turkish, Korean, Greek and Ethiopian.

If it's Perth restaurants with sweeping views you're after, step right this way.

Halo Café is surrounded by the calm blue river at Barrack Square, while the Crystal Swan takes you down the river itself, with a range of afternoon and dinner cruises. Bluewater Grill in Applecross also boasts million-dollar views of the Swan River and Perth city skyline.

At C Restaurant in Perth, revolving windows deliver a breathtaking bird's eye view of the city and beyond.

Enjoy unbeatable views of the Perth city and Swan River over delectable restaurant fare at Fraser's Restaurant, The Old Swan Brewery or Matilda Bay.

You'll find the crème de la crème of fine dining at Star Anise in Shenton Park, Jacksons in Highgate or Da Bruno's in Inglewood.

In Fremantle, a strong Italian influence equals an abundance of pizza, pasta and seafood restaurants.

There, the restaurants and cafes buzz with food and coffee lovers seven days a week.

You can't go past the local fish and chips. Head to Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour for some of the best.

On lazy Sunday afternoons, do like the locals and head to a Sunday session at the pub - there's usually live music and delicious pub grub.

SHOPPING

Seasoned shoppers seeking a dose of retail therapy will love Western Australia's quality shopping centers and cutting-edge boutiques.

Fashion lovers should head to the King Street precinct in Perth's historic West end.

The area is peppered with chic, leading fashion houses including Gucci and Louis Vuitton - with Tiffany & Co, Chanel and Prada also tipped to be arriving soon.

For beautiful eveningwear, local designer Celestial Tenielle has some amazing gowns on offer.

For the best in funky home wares and gifts - as well as funky fashions from the likes of Wheels and Dollbaby, and Sass and Bide, Luxxe is the store to check out.

Also located in the city is Harbour Town. This is where you’ll find designer labels at brand direct and factory prices. There are fantastic discounts of up to 60% of the recommended retail price on clothing, footwear, jewelry, home wares and much more.

For designer labels galore, head to the swish Colonnade in Subiaco.

Treat your wardrobe to something special from Lisa Ho, Wayne Cooper or Morrissey. Or find some unique pieces from Perth’s up-and-coming designers in the trendy ‘Merge’ store.

Along Rokeby Road and Hay Street you’ll also find some wonderful boutiques such as Venus clothing which stocks dresses from prominent local designer Ruth Tarvydas. Hay Street Subiaco is also where the Linneys Pearl showroom is located.

Beaufort Street in Mount Lawley, just 10 minutes drive from the city, has an eclectic array of boutiques.

Discover vintage trainers at HAL, designer duds at Billie and Rose, biker boots at Elroy Clothing and a fix of Chanel at Saints Clothing.

Further north, you'll find gems from bygone eras at vintage clothing shops in Inglewood.

For weather-proof shopping, visit one of Perth's bumper suburban shopping complexes.

Karrinyup Shopping Centre has over 170 retail stores under one roof, including David Jones, Myer, Kookai and Country Road.

Garden City Shopping Centre in Booragoon boasts Oroton, Lush and Veronika Maine stores.

The multi-story Centro Galleria in Morley is packed with 220 specialty retail stores, including Target, K-mart and Myer.

The center even has a cinema complex on site so you can catch a flick after your shopping spree.

You could spend all day at Westfield Carousel or Whitfords City - refuel at the food court before hitting more shops in the afternoon.

If you prefer browsing through the weird, wacky and wonderful, don't miss the Fremantle Markets.

Devour hot crepes and roasted chestnuts, get your tarot cards read and pick up a painting or antique.

SPORTS

A love of Australian sport lies at the heart of every Western Australia, whether it's watching from the sidelines or taking to the field.

With more sunny days than any other state in Australia, Western Australia is the perfect place to get active in the great outdoors.

Join Australian Rules football fanatics as they cheer on local teams West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers at Subiaco Oval.

The stadium erupts in a patriotic roar when their boys kick a goal, lay a hearty tackle or take a screaming mark.

See why Aussie Rules is regarded as one of the toughest games in the world. You can catch a round between late March and early September.

For an authentic Australian sport experience, in summer head to the WACA (Western Australian Cricket Association) to watch an explosive game of cricket.

This world-class venue has played host to International tests and the Ashes series, and is home to the State team, the Western Warriors.

Perth Oval is home to Western Australia's champion soccer team, Perth Glory.

Warm up your vocal chords and cheer on the boys between September and January.

Western Australia is also the base for Australia's Super 14 rugby team. Known as the Western Force, this passionate squad plays before packed houses of excited fans from February to May.

When it comes to strapping on the sports gear, locals play everything from netball and golf to basketball and water sports.

Quality outdoor netball and basketball courts are peppered around the State and all you need to bring is the ball.

Western Australia has the perfect climate to enjoy a round of golf.

It is plentiful in award-winning courses, including Port Kennedy, Fremantle, Point Walter, Maylands and The Vines is home of the Johnnie Walker Classic.

And with over 12,000 kilometers of pristine coastline to play in, Western Australian water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and surfing are firm favorites.