Updated: July 14, 2022. Originally posted on August 19, 2019. Before we begin, I want to inform you that this post in its previous publication is available on foodandtravelguides.com where I went under the Author name of A piece of my pie. I have changed my domain name to Nat gone global and resigned as an author of said page.

I, like most of the travelers who make their way to the country down under, known as Australia, quickly learn that this large country has a lot to offer. We quickly scramble together a bucket-list, in a desperate attempt of seeing it all – which of course, is impossible. There is no secret that the eastern side draws the largest crowds, but you might be surprised by the popularity of some western locations.

After starting my adventure in Australia by working for 6 months in Tasmania, I headed straight to the east to start my backpacking journey along the coast. Still, after a while, my love for the wilderness and the off-beaten path lead me to a job on an Island outside of Perth, in Western Australia. There I got to know the friendly locals who opened my eyes to this beautiful part of Australia.

Deserted beaches that will make your jaw drop, fewer tourists, Snorkel friendly crystal clear turquoise water, red dirt that get in everywhere and so much more! It’s hard to not fall in love and I’m here today to tell you about the experiences you can’t miss in the Western (best) part of Australia.

#1 Karijini National Park

It’s no secret that I love the wild, rough and raw adventures you can take part of deep in mother nature’s astonishing creation. But to this date, Karijini is one of the most beautiful National Parks I have set foot in.

A downside some may say is that you will have to unplug from your phone. Instead, you get to spend some quality time with Mother Nature herself without distractions, and come on, is that really a downside?

Without being under a trance by technology, you can spoil yourself by glamping at the Aboriginal-owned Eco-retreat and taking day trips in the mighty gorges. In the gorges, you will be able to swim in multiple freshwater pools, challenge your endurance, and put your balance to the test while you wade through waist-deep water as you explore the depth of this National Park.

If you want to take the adventure one step further, hire experienced guides to take you into the class 6 area. An area you can only access with the help of these guides. Thanks to West Oz Active Adventures I spent almost 10 hours in breathtaking gorges beyond the area.

Update: West Oz active adventures is permanently closed as of 31st of January 2021, unfortunately!

Climbing up a 12-meter wall, abseiling down another, bobbing around on a gorge lake in a tube as if you’re on a lazy river, and sliding down a waterfall is only a few of the amazing experiences I was fortunate enough to take part in during the day – all this while being fully equipped with climbing gear, safety line, and a helmet of course.

#2 Rottnest IslaND

Jump on the ferry and roughly 1 hour west of Perth in the middle of the ocean you will find Rottnest Island! Quite a small Island where the only reliable transport is by bike or your legs. If you’re unable to ride a bike, there is also the occasional bus that goes around the island which you can use to get around. Where the ferry arrives and departs from is a small settlement with all the necessities you need, you’ll find cute cafes, restaurants, and a general store. The main settlement is also where you can take the bus from. There are beaches in the main settlement but I would advise you to get out of town and visit the beaches in other parts of the Island! Little Parakeet Bay, little salmon Bay & Geordie bay are a few good ones on the island!

As soon as you put some distance between the settlement and your bike you will find yourself in a very calm environment full of quokkas, the island locals. The Quokka is a nocturnal animal that inhabits the Island and it looks like a cross between a miniature kangaroo and a guinea pig! They love to snooze underneath bushes and trees, hiding in the shade which protects them from the sun. You can’t find this animal in any other place in the world! It is said that small, scattered populations of quokkas still exist on the west coast mainland of Australia, but if you want to see one your best bet is to take the boat out to Rottnest Island.

It is very popular to get a selfie with a quokka as they often appear smiling and happy! They are super cute and very friendly but please keep in mind that it is illegal to in any way interact with a Quokka. That includes both feeding it and petting it, let’s keep them wild and respect their privacy. After all, we are tourists in their home. With that being said, they are still wild animals and I’ve seen them bite people, so be careful.

Besides the friendly locals, Rottnest Island is a paradise for surfers and other water activities such as snorkeling and diving. Also, whale watching if you arrive at the right time! The best time to see the humpback whale migration is from August to the end of November.

You can go and explore Rottnest Island for a day, or wave the last ferry goodbye and stay the night. It’s completely different at night, most of the tourists have gone for the day and the quokkas are now roaming everywhere. You have to be very careful not to hit them if you’re riding your bike at night!

Think about millions and upon millions of shells - that's Shell Beach!

#3 Shell Beach

Up north, you will find quite a spectacular beach! From a distance, it looks just like any other sugar-white beach in Australia, but what’s unusual with this beach is there is NO SAND. The shells that have formed this beach cover a stretch of 60km and vary in depth with a maximum depth of 10m.

It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sunset or simply cool off during a hot day! When you walk along the shore you can hear the tiny shells break beneath your feet and if you have sensitive feet I would recommend wearing something to protect them.

The shells covering the shore are mostly from the cockle species Fragum Erugatum that lives in the area. The high salinity level has made it hard for predators to adapt, making it easier for the cockle species to flourish and for this beach to exist.

#4 Pink Lake

Home to more than one of the famous Pink Lakes, Western Australia does not disappoint! The most famous Pink Lake is Esperance, close to the town with the same name.

Thanks to the internet today the town itself has become famous for the pink lake but recently rumors have been spreading that the pink color is currently fading away, leaving the town with an Identity crisis! The pink lake I visited is called Hutt lagoon and is located north of Perth, close to Kalbarri in Western Australia. And yes, it truly is pink!

#5 Monkey Mia

In Shark Bay, there is a Resort called Monkey Mia and although the name can be misleading the resort is not famous because of monkeys. Instead, they are world known and famous for their dolphin program! Every day of the year they invite locals and tourists to come and experience these wild dolphins up close. ​Yup, you heard that right. They have a dolphin program containing wild dolphins, how cool is that?

The Resort offers not only knowledge about the dolphins that reside in the bay, but you are also able to stand on the shore with your toes touching the ocean only a few meters away from these magnificent creatures. A few very lucky individuals are then chosen to step into the water and stand only centimeters away from a dolphin as they feed it a fish. Unfortunately, I was not one of the chosen few when I visited.

The feedings can occur up to 4 times a day, depending on the dolphins. Everything is on their terms, they are very smart individuals and choose whether or not they want to show up. They have a record over the dolphins and are only allowed to feed a selected few, each of them has a bucket with their name on it so that they don’t overfeed them. The fish fed to the dolphins are more like a snack for them instead of an entire meal. They are very clear to inform you that this in no way disturbs their natural hunting habits and they calculate on how much they can give said dolphin without risking disrupting its natural instincts. The dolphins choose to show up for the same reason we do. They are equally as interested in us as we are in them. Animals belong in the wild and I love that Monkey Mia has found a way to work together with dolphins that are wild.

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