Western Australia is Australia's largest state, covering more than one-third of the continent and offering an extraordinary range of landscapes from pristine coral reefs and red outback deserts to verdant wine regions and cosmopolitan coastal cities. Home to Perth, one of the world's most isolated yet vibrant capital cities, Western Australia rewards adventurous travellers with World Heritage sites, unique wildlife, and some of the planet's most spectacular natural wonders.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Western Australia.
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1
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
One of the world's largest inner-city parks covering 400 hectares on the edge of Perth CBD. Features 3,000 species of WA native plants, sweeping views of the Swan River, the Perth city skyline, and the Dandjoo Walk through ancient bushland. The State War Memorial and ANZAC memorial are also located here. Spectacular wildflower displays occur September to October.
Tip: Park your car near Forrest Drive lookout for the best views. The Aspects of Kings Park café is excellent for breakfast.
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2
Rottnest Island
A car-free island 19km off the coast of Fremantle, famous for its friendly quokkas (small marsupials), crystal-clear turquoise bays, and relaxed holiday atmosphere. Visitors arrive by ferry and explore by bicycle, renting bikes at the ferry terminal. The island has 63 beaches and bays, excellent snorkelling at The Basin, and fascinating WWII military history.
Tip: Book ferry tickets in advance especially in summer. Bring your own snorkelling gear or hire on the island.
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3
The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park)
One of Australia's most eerie and photogenic landscapes — thousands of ancient limestone pillars rising from golden desert sand, some reaching up to 3.5 metres tall. Located 245km north of Perth near Cervantes, the Pinnacles formed over thousands of years from shells and fossils. Best visited at sunrise or sunset when the low light creates dramatic shadows.
Tip: Combine with a visit to Cervantes lobster shack for fresh crayfish. The visitor centre has excellent displays on pillar formation.
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4
Wave Rock
An extraordinary natural granite formation near Hyden, 340km east of Perth, that resembles a giant ocean wave frozen in stone. The rock face is 14 metres high and 110 metres long, stained in vivid bands of red, brown, and grey from water seeping over the granite for millennia. Estimated to be 2.7 billion years old, it is one of the oldest exposed rock formations on Earth.
Tip: Stay overnight in Hyden to catch golden hour on the wave. The walk along the top of the wave gives great perspective.
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5
Ningaloo Reef
One of the world's largest and most pristine fringing coral reefs, stretching 260km along WA's northwest coast. Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, Ningaloo is accessible directly from shore. It is the world's best place to swim with whale sharks (March-August), as well as offering snorkelling with manta rays, humpback whales, and sea turtles. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011.
Tip: Book whale shark tours 3-6 months in advance. Turquoise Bay has a natural drift snorkel that is free and spectacular.
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6
Monkey Mia
A world-famous dolphin feeding experience in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, where wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins have been voluntarily coming to the beach to interact with humans since the 1960s. Rangers supervise daily feeding sessions at 7:45am, 9am, and 11am. The wider Shark Bay area features unique stromatolites — living fossils dating back 3.5 billion years.
Tip: Arrive early for the 7:45am session when most dolphins typically appear. Wear shoes in the water to protect against stingrays.
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7
Cable Beach
A legendary 22-kilometre stretch of blazing white sand and deep red pindan cliffs meeting the turquoise Indian Ocean, located on the edge of Broome. Famous for its breathtaking sunsets watched from camelback, Cable Beach is voted one of Australia's finest beaches. The name derives from the 1889 telegraph cable laid to Java from this spot. Staircase to the Moon (a monthly optical illusion) occurs nearby at Broome's Town Beach.
Tip: Camel tours must be booked in advance — Sundowner Camel Tours and Red Sun Camels are the main operators. Check local tide charts for Staircase to the Moon dates.
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8
Karijini National Park
A remote and spectacular national park in the Pilbara region, featuring the ancient Hamersley Range with sheer red gorges, crystal-clear waterholes, and dramatic waterfalls carved into Precambrian rock up to 2.5 billion years old. The park's gorges — Dales, Hancock, Weano, Red, Joffre, and Knox — offer graded walks from easy lookout trails to challenging gorge swims. One of WA's most awe-inspiring landscapes.
Tip: Some gorge swims require swimming through cold water — bring a wetsuit in winter. The Karijini Eco Retreat is the only accommodation inside the park.
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9
Fremantle Prison
A UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict-era prison that operated from 1855 to 1991, making it Australia's largest intact convict establishment. Today it is one of WA's most visited heritage attractions, offering a range of fascinating tours including the eerie candlelit Torchlight Tour, a terrifying Tunnels Tour through flooded limestone caverns, and the standard history tour through cell blocks where real prisoners were housed.
Tip: The Torchlight Tour on Friday and Saturday evenings is the most atmospheric experience. Book online at fremantleprison.com.au.
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10
Western Australian Museum — Boola Bardip
WA's state museum, dramatically redeveloped and reopened in 2020 at the Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge. The name 'Boola Bardip' means 'many stories' in Noongar language. The museum houses extraordinary collections covering WA's natural history, Aboriginal culture, marine life, and the Ngarn-ga Boodja Wer Nidja Moorditj Bidi (Ancient Lands, Ancient Tracks) gallery. Entry is free.
Tip: The museum's old building and new pavilion are connected — allow time to explore both. The Matagarup Bridge nearby is a great photography spot.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.