Top tips for first-time trips to Western Australia

Western Australia is a well-loved holiday destination among adventure-seekers across the globe. But what many people don’t know is that Western Australia’s capital, Perth, is actually one of the easiest destinations to get to across the entirety of Australasia. You’ll find non-stop flights from London, boasting a travel time of just 16 hours. Or, you can add an exciting stopover to somewhere like Dubai or Singapore – the choice is yours!

Once you arrive in Western Australia, getting around is also pretty simple. If you want to get behind the wheel, you’ve got plenty of road-trip routes that you can follow, from coastal drives to Outback adventures. But, if you’re wanting to cover lots of ground and get from A to B as quickly as possible, internal flights are going to be your best friend.

As it’s most likely the city you’ll be flying into, exploring Perth comes at the top of our list of things to do in Western Australia. While you certainly can go for a self-guided day out, booking yourself onto a walking tour is a great way to get a feel for the city. Discover the top sights and sought-after food spots before taking on the challenge of a zip-line over Matagarup Bridge.

Not too far from Perth, another destination we’d recommend paying a visit to is the famous Margaret River Region. While this area of Western Australia may be best known for its picturesque vineyards and ample number of wineries and breweries, it’s also a fantastic place for anyone wanting to dive into indigenous history and culture. From here, you can continue down the South Coast or backtrack to Perth and catch a flight to just about anywhere!

Undoubtedly, Western Australia’s winning card is its wildlife - and there’s no place more spectacular than Ningaloo Reef. Located in the state’s northern portion, it’s an easy plane journey away from Perth. Although, once you arrive, you’ll feel as though you’re on a completely different planet. After all, where else in the world can you snorkel alongside gentle whale sharks or see sea turtles, manta rays and humpback whales swimming freely in the pristine ocean?

Of course, it’s not just incredible marine life that you can see on a Western Australia holiday. If you find yourself journeying along the South Coast, you’ll want to pay a visit to the Best Beach in the World, Lucky Bay. Often marked with kangaroo footprints - many visitors catch a glance of this lovable marsupial when they spend a day or two here. And then – off the coast of Perth - there’s Rottnest Island, home to the happiest animal on earth, the quokka.

If you like to wine and dine on holiday, you’ve come to the right place. With no shortage of top-notch restaurants, serving everything from farm-to-table fair to international cuisine, this is one of Australia’s premier culinary destinations. A stay in Perth will leave you particularly spoilt for choice – experience the city’s café culture in the morning before heading to a seafood restaurant or fish and chip shop for your evening meal.

Fancy taking your foodie adventure to the next level? Why not spend some time in one of the fabulous wine regions? Western Australia’s oldest wine region – and the one closest to Perth – Swan Valley is deserving of a spot on any itinerary. Make your way around boutique wineries, stopping for a wine-paired meal and luxury picnic, looking out across the sprawling vineyards.

There’s plenty out there for anyone wanting to discover the wonders of Western Australia on a budget. Boasting an immense amount of natural scenery, some of the best things to do are pretty low-cost. You could take your pick of beaches and spend the day sunbathing and swimming to your heart’s content. Or, you could go hiking through one of the wildly expansive national parks, such as Karijini or Kalbarri.

If you’re staying in the city, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation options and food spots that cater to just about everyone. So, you can opt for a hotel or hostel that won’t break the bank and intermix dining out with romantic picnics and sunset barbeques. Alternatively, you could consider camping or hiring a campervan for part of your trip and truly embrace a life of simplicity on the road!

In terms of packing for your holiday, there’s no need to stress when it comes to Western Australia. After all, if you forget anything, there’s always the option of picking it up once you get there. But, for first-time travellers wanting a summary of the essentials, we’re here to break it down.

For clothing, you’ll want to include some swimwear for ocean dips and a pair of sturdy shoes for hikes and bushwalks. And, most importantly, it’s recommended you bring some factor-50 SPF, as Australia boasts some pretty high UV levels that can catch newcomers out.

Overall, we’d recommend doing a quick weather check before you go to help with packing and – if you have time before your holiday – getting a travel money card that’s preloaded with Australian Dollars will help cut bank fees once you’re there.

Here at Travelbag, we’re always sending our Travel Specialists on exciting trips away, giving them the chance to pick up all the insider information so that they can tailor-make your trip to perfection. We recently caught up with Travel Specialist Scarlett Herron-Ward about her travels around Western Australia, and she’s here to give you her top piece of advice:

“The day after you arrive, wake yourself up and go for a walk - you’ll thank yourself for it. The Hike Collective are a fantastic company that can create tailor-made tours to suit anybody, from 5km morning stretches to long, full-day adventures, and they can do this both in Kings Park or Rottnest Island. This not only helps with the jetlag, as you acclimatise to Australia’s sunnier climate and differing time zone, but is super interesting as a guide teaches you all about the plants used by the aboriginals (Nyoongar people) who have made this part of Australia their home for thousands of years.”