Travelling the West Coast of Australia: the Best Places to Visit

With its dramatic landscapes, incredible wildlife and rich Aboriginal culture, Australia’s west coast offers a unique travel experience. From its fiery red outback to its sugar white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs, it’s a dream for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Activities here are endless – you can swim with whale sharks, take selfies with quokkas, road trip through the desert and ride camels along the coast – and that’s just the start.

Whether you’re planning a full west coast Australia road trip or just fancy exploring the highlights, here’s our guide to the best places to visit on the west coast of Australia.

The best time to visit the west coast of Australia

Although you can visit the west coast of Australia all year round, the timing of your trip can make a big difference to your experience. With such a diverse landscape, each season offers something different in terms of climate and activities. The best time to visit the west coast of Australia all comes down to what you want from your trip - whether that's sun-soaked beach days or exploring the rugged outback.

Summer in Australia runs from December to February. During this period, it can get very hot in western Australia. It’s a great time to visit if you’re seeking sunshine, particularly in the south. In the north, showers are also common in summer. In contrast, winter on Australia’s west coast runs from June to August. The north during this time is warm, dry and sunny, whilst the south can be a lot cooler with more rain.

Spring and autumn offer the best of both. Spring, between September and November, is warm and sunny with fewer crowds than summer. It’s also when the wildflowers bloom, turning the landscape all sorts of vibrant colours. Autumn (March to May) also offers warm, sunny and dry weather. Without the summer crowds and the scorching heat, it’s a great time for exploring.

Australia's natural events can also impact when you choose to visit the west coast. If you're wanting to swim with whale sharks, then you're best visiting between March to July, or if you're wanting to spot humpback whales, then we'd recommend visiting between June and November. Wildflower season takes place between June and November too.

• Australian winter: June to August
• Australian summer: December to February
• Whale sharks: March to July
• Humpback whales: June to November
• Wildflower season: June to November

What is the best way to travel the west coast of Australia?

When it comes to travelling the west coast of Australia, there are a number of options you can choose from.

Travelling the west coast of Australia by campervan

The most popular way to travel Australia’s west coast is by campervan. This gives you the freedom to explore the coast at your own pace, soak up glorious views on your way and saves you the stress of finding accommodation. Bear in mind that the west coast of Australia is huge so you’ll need to plan your route in advance.

Pros:

• The freedom to explore at your own pace
• Great for exploring remote areas
• Doubles up as accommodation so can save you money and the stress of finding somewhere to stay

Cons:

• Drives can be long so you’ll need to make sure you’re comfortable driving a campervan
• Fuel can be expensive
• Not as sociable

Travelling the west coast of Australia on a guided tour

If you don’t fancy driving or you’re a solo traveller, guided tours are a great idea. Although they lack the freedom of travelling by campervan, they can save you a lot of stress – everything is sorted for you so you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride! As you’ll be travelling with others, a guided tour is also a great way to meet people.

Pros:

• A very sociable way to travel
• Local insights and knowledge
• less stressful as everything is done for you
• you don’t need to drive or pay for fuel

Cons:

• Less freedom or flexibility
• May not be able to access remote spots

Travelling the west coast of Australia by plane

If you’re short on time or only plan on visiting a few destinations on Australia’s west coast, flying is a great option. You can get flights between popular destinations such as Perth and Broome.

Pros:

• Convenient if you’re limited on time
• Fastest way to travel

Cons:

• Limited on where you can visit and can’t access remote or off-the-beaten track spots
• Miss out on the scenery of road travel
• Flights can be expensive

The best places to visit on Australia’s west coast

With so much to see and do, planning a trip to the west coast of Australia can be daunting. To help you out, we’ve put together the best places to visit on the Australia's west coast:

The Kimberley and Broome

Broome acts as the gateway to the Kimberley, one of the most remote and least populated places on earth. Before you head off into the wilderness though, it’s worth spending a day or two exploring this laid-back coastal town with its cool multicultural vibe, rich pearling history and natural beauty. 

With white sands and turquoise waters, Cable Beach tends to steal the show but there’s plenty more you can do in Broome too, from witnessing dinosaur footprints to whale-watching tours and experiencing natural phenomenon such as the Staircase to the Moon.

The Kimberley should be on every adventure-seekers bucket list. Its remote landscape makes it perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten path adventure. Highlights include swimming in rock pools, flying over sandstone domes, sailing through waterfalls and discovering ancient rock art. Due to the roads here, a 4x4 is necessary. You can either rent one yourself or join a guided tour. Either way, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure!

Top things to do in the Kimberley and Broome:

• Take a boat ride through the Horizontal Falls
• Fly above the Bungle Bungle Range
• Witness ancient rock art at Doubtful Bay and Mitchell Falls
• Embark on a 4x4 adventure on the Gibb River Road
• Ride a camel along Cable Beach
• See the optical illusion ‘Staircase to the Moon’
• Discover dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point

Karijini National Park

The Karijini National Park is also a must-visit for adventurer seekers on Australia’s west coast. Located in the Pilbara region, Karijini boasts an incredible natural landscape comprising of dramatic gorges, ancient rock formations, towering cliffs and clear rock pools. With its rich aboriginal heritage, it’s bursting with culture too.

There's plenty of opportunities for adventure in Karijini National Park - spend your days hiking through gorges, taking a refreshing dip in the natural pools, embarking on a 4x4 adventure or stargazing under the dark night skies.

Top things to do in Karijini National Park:

• Swim in the natural rock pools
• Take a scenic hike through the breathtaking landscapes
• Go on a 4x4 adventure
• Watch the sunset over the gorges
• Camp under the starry skies

The Coral Coast: Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef

Exmouth, located on western Australia’s Coral Coast, is the starting point for many exciting adventures. The incredible Ningaloo Reef sits right on its doorstep, home to colourful coral, manta rays, turtles and whales - one of the reef's main attractions! From March to August, you can swim with whale sharks, and from June to November, you can spot humpback whales off the coast. 

Along with its incredible marine life, Ningaloo Reef is popular due to its accessibility - you can access the reef directly from the beach! If you’ve got time though, we’d definitely recommend a boat trip too.

If you’re more about over water than under water adventures, Exmouth is also a great base for exploring Cape Range National Park with its amazing wildlife, glorious views and great hiking trails.

Top things to do on the Coral Coast:

• Snorkel in Ningaloo Reef
• Swim with whale sharks between March and August
• Spot humpback whales between June and November
• Explore the incredible scenery of Cape Range National Park

Perth

No west coast of Australia itinerary is complete without visiting Perth. The capital of western Australia combines the vibrant buzz of a city with breathtaking natural beauty. Unlike your average city though, Perth has a relaxed laid-back vibe, much quieter than the larger east coast Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

With a wide range of attractions, Perth offers a welcome change from the region's remote destinations. The city is home to museums, galleries, shops and markets, along with an amazing culinary scene centred around fresh local produce and diverse flavours. From trendy cafes and casual eateries to cool bars and waterfront restaurants, there’s something to suit every taste. 

In Perth, you'll also find paradise beaches with crystal-clear waters and blinding white sands, along with glorious green spaces with sweeping skyline views. The city is also an ideal base for day trips - explore the historic port city of Fremantle, visit nearby wine regions such as Swan Valley or hop on a ferry to Rottnest Island.

Top things to do in Perth

• Enjoy a picnic in King’s Park and Botanic Garden
• Beach hop along Perth’s picturesque coastline
• Experience Perth’s vibrant culinary scene
• Take a day trip to Fremantle
• Soak up the skyline on a Swan River cruise
• Visit Swan Valley wineries
• Take a day trip to Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island

Fancy an island escape? Then you can't miss a trip to Rottnest Island. You can get a ferry to Rottnest Island from Perth or Fremantle. The island is famous for its natural beauty, rich history and amazing wildlife – this is the place to be to see quokkas!

It’s a dream destination for beach lovers, with 63 beaches dotted along its coastline. Days in Rottnest Island consist of snorkelling amongst colourful coral reef, taking a scenic stroll along the coastline, spotting humpback whales in the sea and taking selfies with quokkas.

But there’s also a whole lot of history here too. You can learn all about its Aboriginal history at Wadjemup Museum or learn about its wartime history by visiting landmarks such as Oliver Hill Battery, a coastal defence site used during WWII.

Top things to do on Rottnest Island

• Cycle around the island, soaking up beautiful views as you go
• Explore the island's 63 beaches
• Take a photo with a friendly quokka
• Visit historical sites such as Oliver Hill Guns
• Hike the Wadjemup Bidi
• Discover 40,000-year-old artefacts at Wadjemup Museum

So, there you have it - the best places to visit on the west coast of Australia. Whether you fancy exploring remote rugged landscapes or soaking up the culture of western Australia’s vibrant capital, there’s something for everyone here. And once you’ve explored the west coast, why not see what the east coast of Australia has to offer too?