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The Australian Holidays Getaway Project :
A National Collaboration
A previous version of this
website encouraged people throughout Australia to contribute useful facts and
travel related information about their town and/or district. The initiative met
with mixed success and the following contributions for
Western Australia are published
as an extract from the original.
Albany
Albany was the first settlement in Western Australia, situated 450 kilometres
south of Perth and overlooking Princess Royal harbour. Albany is a town steeped
in history and natural beauty. The rugged coastline is spectacular and includes
The Natural Bridge among it's many wonders. River cruises and whale watching
cruises in King George Sound are available. Whale season is from June to October
each year with Southern Right whales and Humpbacks being the most prolific.
There are around 50 wineries
within a 100km radius of Albany. September and October are the best months for
wildflowers. Regional attractions and distances from Albany: Mt Barker (50km)
-wineries, wildflowers; Porongurup Ranges (40km) -bushwalks, BBQs; Stirling
Ranges (83km) -wildflowers, scenic panoramas; Walpole (121km) tree-top walk
through karri forest, crafts; Denmark (55km) -river, inlet, scenery, crafts,
William Bay. Bev Martin
Applecross
Ballingup
Belmont
Beverley
120km east of Perth, via York or Brookton, known for it's Art Deco Buildings and
unique association with aviation history.
Bindoon
Bindoon is 80 k north of Perth. Approx. 2,000 people live in a fifty mile
radius. It's very hilly, and quite scenic. Sheep farming and grape growing are
it's primary industries. Tourists should visit the local monestry and stay at
the monestry itself and enjoy it's wines. Citrus fruit growing area. Very hot in
summer. Mild winters. An area well worth spending some time.
Alan Burrett
Broome
Where the Indian Ocean laps an endless expanse of golden sands and where The
Great Sandy Desert beckons the adventurous traveller. The gateway to the rugged
Kimberley, one of Australia's last great wilderness areas, this region covers
over 400,000 square kilometres (3 times the size of England) and has fewer
people per kilometre than almost any other place on earth.
Broome itself lends a cosmopolitan feel with its mix of European, Malay,
Japanese, Aboriginal cultures brought about by it's early history in the
pearling industry. There is a range of accommodation from backpacking and
camping to 5 star hotels and a choice of activities to suite all tastes. Bush
walks, camel trecks and safaris beckon, or just simply relax and watch the sun
set over the magnificent Cable Beach. Travellers to Broome and the Kimberley
have the opportunity to discover a pristine environment and a truly spectacular
landscape of gorges, red rocks, white sands and rugged ranges. You will not be
disappointed. Adele Dixon
Bullcreek
Bruce Rock
Bruce Rock is on the alternative route from Perth to Kalgoorlie. This is the
town famous for giving away blocks of land (conditions apply) It is a very neat,
tidy town and has all the usual small town friendliness. The sporting complex is
magnificent, an excellent swimming pool near the modern caravan park which also
has small bungalows available. A truly delightful place to stop.
Tommy Griffiths.
Bunbury
The port city of Bunbury is located on Australia’s south west coast and is the
state's second largest city. 180km and a 2 hour drive via Mandurah, south of
Perth, Bunbury is nested between the Collie and Preston Rivers, Koombana Bay,
Leschenault Inlet and the Indian Ocean. The city remains an important port, with
exports of mineral sands and alumina being shipped from Bunbury.
Bunbury is an area once
inhabited by the Aboriginal Noongar people. Today many place names are derived
from the Noongar language and the Noongar people have an arts and craft store
located near Bunbury in the fruit growing town of Donnybrook. Bunbury is the
gateway to the more famous tourist and wine towns of Busselton, Margaret River,
Dunsborough, Augusta and Yallingup that occupy places around the Naturaliste and
Leeuwin Capes south of Bunbury.
The Margaret River region is famous not only for it’s great surf but also for
it’s world class wines. The area is widely known as one of the world’s premium,
boutique wine growing regions. Almost all vineyards and wineries in the area are
open to the public with sample tastings and cellar door purchasing available.
One of the bigger Margaret River wineries, Leeuwin Estate, hosts one of Western
Australia’s major cultural annual events, the Leeuwin Concert each year.
Keith Palmer
Peppermint Grove Beach is half way between Bunbury and Busselton overlooking
Geographe Bay and 2.25 hours by car south of Perth. Peppie Beach has great
swimming and fishing and is regularly visited by dolphins. It is a quiet, safe
holiday destination ideal for families with children yet is close enough to
Bunbury and Busselton for great wining, dining and nightlife. Local attractions
include two great wineries (Capel Vale and Killerby's), Capel Golf Course,
reputedly the best country course in Western Australia and many waterbirds on
the wetlands. High quality self catering and Bed & Breakfast accommodation is
available. Grant McPherson
Burswood
Busselton
Carnarvon
Cervantes
Cervantes is located 256kms north of Perth on the coast and is the Gateway to
the world famous "The Pinnacles". Cervantes is a small crayfishing town with
approximately 450 residents. The Pinnacles are situated 17kms from Cervantes in
the Nambung National Park. The best time to visit the Pinnacles is at sunset or
sunrise. Cervantes has lovely beaches and is a great place to visit year round.
Mary Adams
Claremont
Cloisters Square
Coolgardie
Gold was discovered here in 1892. The main streets are extremely wide, this was
so camel trains could turn in them. There are some wonderful old buildings to be
seen in this "almost" ghost town. Diane Gilmore
Crawley
Denmark
Derby
Esperance
The beaches here have to be seen to be believed. The sand is pure white and the
ocean crystal blue. A sight worth seeing is the Pink Lake - (a salt lake that
really is pink!) Diane Gilmore
Fremantle
Geraldton
Geraldtown
Jondalup
Gingin
The small village-like town of Gingin is one hour's drive north-east of Perth.
It combines the charm of old casuarina stone buildings with the natural appeal
of the Gingin Brook and Granville Park (good barbecue facilities). Attractions
include wildflowers in Spring, Cheriton Estate (top quality restaurant,
guesthouse and winery) Colamber Bird Park (exquisite parrots), the Australian
International Gravity Research Centre and on the coast at Guilderton, Moore
River Tours. Bret Treasure
Greenbushes
Kalamunda
Kalamunda is in the hills east of Perth close to Kalamunda and Gooseberry Hill
National Parks. Renowned for wildflowers in spring. Great for bushwalking with
stunning views across the coastal plain to Perth. There is a growing vineyard
area in the Bickley Valley area as old orchards are being replaced with vines. A
great place for a visit to restaurants and B&B style accommodation.
Leon English
Kalgoorlie
Paddy Hannan discovered gold in 1893 in the region, within two years the town of
Kalgoorlie was proclaimed. Well worth a visit is the Hannans Tourist Mine, where
you can experience underground mining. The Golden Mile Museum has some wonderful
exhibits, including a "treasure room". The "Super Pit" is being mined at present
- it is a huge open cut mine, and is definitely worth viewing.
Diane Gilmore
Karratha
Karratha is approximately 1600km north-west of Perth along the North West
Coastal Highway. It has a population of around 10,000. It is the gateway to the
Burrup Penisula, the stunning Dampier Archiepelago and the famous
Millstream-Chichester National Park. Scenic waterfalls, 52 tropical Islands,
spectacular marine life and breathtaking gorges are all within an hour of
Karratha. Karratha has a range of accommodation and restaurants. The best time
to visit is May - August for the cooler temperatures.
Colin Browning.
Kukerin
Kukerin is 309km south east from Perth. It is mainly a farming district,
specializing in cropping and sheep breeding. There is a beaut "country pub" for
meals and accommodation. You can go on a tour of an emu farm, or visit a yabbie
export business, where you can purchase bottled or fresh yabbies and have a tour
of their factory. Kukerin is also host to the annual "Kukerin Vintage Tracmach
Fair".
Approximately 3-4000 people
descend on Kukerin for the long weekend of September every year. You can see
vintage machinery from all over WA, and another huge attraction is the creek-bed
races. The Kukerin Truck Show is also growing in interest. All camping is free
on the grounds and hot food is supplied all weekend. There's also an antiques
display and lots of human interest stalls. Maureen
Adams. Mandurah
South of Perth, "The Aquatic Playground" for Metropolitan Perth.
Manjimup
Margaret River
Midland
Mundaring is situated 20 minutes east of Perth, in the beautiful Perth hills.
The surrounding landscape is natural bushland, with John Forrest National Park
in it's shire. Features of Mundaring are it's famous weir built by Charles
O'Conner and it's layed back lifestyle. Rally Australia passes thru the Forest
every year and the area is renowned for its famous artists and sports stars.
Thing to do are: Bushwalking, Nature Tours, Bike rides, swimming and fishing.
Best time of year to visit is Summer as the birds sing louder and the smell of
nature is in the air. Matthew J Coleman
Nannup
Narrogin
Narrogin, located just 192 km south-east of Perth, is the major service centre
for the Upper Great Southern and Wheatbelt South regions of Western Australia.
Renowned as the heart of Western Australia's richest farming and agricultural
area. Favourite spots include Lion's Lookout, Fox's Liar, Yilliminning Rock and
the Dryandra Woodlands National Park where you can see woylies, possums,
wallabies, numbats and bilbies.
Narrogin is also located 150km
from the famous Wave Rock. Popular annual events include the Narrogin Eistedford
in June, Narrogin Show and the Spring Festival October and "Rev Heads" Day in
November. Renowned for its gardens and magnificent roses the town was called the
Rose City of the West in 1936. Tony Brun
Nedlands
New Norcia
Norseman
Norseman is halfway between Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Esperance. It sits on the W.A.
end of the Eyre highway. This is the gold mining town where the horse found the
first gold. Yes, that was the horse's name. Where was the prospector? Probably
in the pub. Bill Walker
Northam
Northbridge
Perth
Perth is the capital of Western Australia and is the sunniest state capital in
Australia. The beautiful, unpolluted city is situated the majestic Swan River
that winds its way through the city of Perth and ends in historic Fremantle.
Perth is a modern, relatively small city of about 1.4 million people and has
some of the best beaches of any capital city. There is an excellent selection of
Perth accommodation
choices in all price ranges.
Short distances from the city centre and the fantastic beaches of Trigg,
Scarborough (Scabs to the locals), Hillarys and Cottesloe to name a few. The
hills are brilliant for wine tasting, but can get very hot in summer as well as
the rest of Perth. In summer expect the temperature to reach 40c occasionally,
however the average day time temp is about 35c.
Kings Park is a good place to get the breathtaking views of Perth city, hills
and surrounding suburbs. If you do not like the 40 degree heat Perth offers,
spring is the best time to visit as it comes alive with wild flowers. Perth is a
brilliant city that enjoys the endless outdoor lifestyle most of the year and
the aussie rules footy in the winter months. Dean
Mayvis
Pingelly
Pingelly is a quiet town between Brookton and Narrogin, 160km from Perth. It is
at the heart of wheat and sheep farming country, and has two pubs, a
motel/roadhouse, hospital/casualty, resident doctor, 2 supermarkets (one is open
seven days) and caravan park. Attractions include a swimming pool, Boyagin Rock,
Yornanning Dam, Dryandra Nature Reserve, and a small domestic observatory to see
the night sky minus the light pollution.
Rottnest Island
Sorrento
South Bentley
Subiaco
Swan Valley
Tom Price
Toodyay
Wangara
Williams - (town)
Located some 160 kms from the centre of Perth this picturesque town offers a
central location for visiting the local wineries of Wandering, the Boddington
Gold Mine (biggest in Australia) and a unique opportunity to sample the delights
of this diverse farming community. An eclectic range of accommodation is
available and more information can be gained by contacting the local shire
office. Williams is a valuable stop off point for travellers to our
beautiful Great Southern Region. Alistair Henderson
Wongan Hills
Wongan Hills is situated approx 175kms north-east from Perth, a pleasant 1 1/2 -
2 hrs drive.. It's primary industry is agriculture and farming. It is a small
town, whose attractions are: Dingo Rock, Christmas Rock Walk, Mt O'brien
lookout, Mallee Fowls and wildflowers. Faye Godfrey
York
York is on the Avon River in a lovely valley. It has architecture which dates
back to the earliest days of settlement in Western Australia. York is Western
Australia's oldest inland town, first settled in 1830. Worth a visit is the
Castle Hotel, which first opened for business in 1842. The Settlers House, which
was built in 1853, has been converted into a charming hotel. Faversham house,
built in 1849 is a wonderful example of a colonial mansion.
Diane Gilmore.
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