Travel Tips       
 

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   Margaret River       
 

This region is a superb blend of good living and stunning nature just three and a half hours' drive south of Perth.

Visitors to the area, one of Western Australia's most popular destinations, should be prepared to indulge in the delights of world class wineries and gourmet vineyard restaurants.

Responsible for producing less than one percent of Australia's wine but over 15 percent of Australia's premium wine, the 60 or so wineries in the region open for cellar door sales and tastings offer the visitor an impressive selection. Boutique beer breweries, exquisite cheese product, jam and condiment producers, a marron (freshwater crayfish) farm, olive groves and even chocolate and fudge factories enhance the gourmet experiences. Couple this with an immense array of art and craft galleries, and the area offers visitors a fabulous opportunity to experience the work of local producers and artists.

Wine and food aside, the area is blessed with an abundance of natural attractions including a myriad of underground caves (abseiling heaven,  open for public tours), pristine white beaches, pockets of beautiful forest and a multitude of bush and coastal walk trails. The rugged coastline is an example of nature at its finest and ocean views can be enjoyed from many lookout points. Other activities include canoeing along the Margaret River, adventure activities such as abseiling and rock climbing, whale watching off Augusta and great fishing in the ocean and river.

Massive surf has long been a major draw for the area and watching the local surfers take on the ocean is a spectacular sight. Every year the world-class surfing competition, the Salomon Masters Margaret River Classic, gets the town buzzing with excitement and visitors.

Luxury guest houses, bed and breakfasts, beachside apartments, self-contained chalets, hotels, motels, resorts, farm stays, caravan parks, back packer hostels and camping grounds cater for everyone's accommodation needs.

I'd recommend going down to main beach (prevelly point) and watch the surfing action. On any given day you will be able to see some great waves and surfing action.

At the mouth of the Margaret River you can go on the bush tucker tour. This tour is a must do.

Go to Hamelin Bay and if you're lucky you can interact with the local stingray population. They are friendly and will be able to get so close that you can touch them.

   Albany       
 

The City of Albany is located 409 kilometres south from Perth, on the southern coast of Western Australia. A regional centre, Albany is a thriving multicultural city with many attractions.

Albany has a dramatic granite coastline and is surrounded by magnificent scenery and pristine white beaches. With some of the most spectacular coastline and sheltered waterways in the world, the area is ideal for a coastal holiday.

It is easy to see why Albany is one of Western Australia's top tourist destinations (Winner of the WA Top Tourism Town award in 2000), with such an extensive range of natural beauty, historical charm, unique arts and crafts and a wealth of activities.

Albany is known for its natural attractions including those that are situated along the rugged coastline of the Torndirrup National Park. The two major highlights are the Gap with a 24-metre drop to the water and the Natural Bridge, a granite formation in the shape of a bridge. When the swell is big and coming from the south, you can really experience the power that the ocean does possess.

During the months of July through to October Southern Right and Humpback Whales arrive in King George Sound to frolic and play. Whale watching has become a major pastime in Albany since the whaling industry ceased in 1978. Whales can be viewed from the shore or visitors can get closer by taking one of the whale watching cruises available daily during the season.  I believe it is the best place in Australia to experience the whales.

Albany is now a thriving multicultural city boasting a population of approximately 30,000 people. Its major industries are tourism and agriculture (wool, beef, grain), wood chips, port and shipping, aquaculture and fishing.

With a wide range of accommodation to satisfy all tastes, from budget to five star, the area caters for many different holiday adventures which include fishing, canoeing, boat cruises, whale watching, wildflower viewing, coach and off-road tours, scuba diving, sailing and hiking. A 'Dining Out' guide is available at the Albany Visitor Centre.

Albany boasts approximately fifty buildings of historical charm, most being used as museums, art and craft galleries or restaurants. Albany is important in West Australian history, as it was the first European settlement in the State.
The area was discovered by Captain Vancouver in 1791 and later settled by Europeans in 1826. It was the first colony settled in Western Australia and has many historical buildings.

There is so much to see and do here that planning your trip is a good idea. To help you with this, the Albany Visitor Centre has a wealth of detailed information on this special part of Australia.

When visiting Albany you will discover blue skies, white sand, green hills and sea-green waters that will delight any traveller.

Albany is a stunning city of the southwest. Its natural beauty has to be seen to be believed. It retains a lot of the character and quirkiness that can only be found in the South West. The wild and stunning coastlines will amaze you, and it is here that you can experience the power of the oceans and winds. There are lots of places to see and things to do, so take your time and experience everything Albany has to offer.

   Kalbarri       
 

Nestled where the Murchison River flows into the Indian Ocean, two hours' drive north from Geraldton is the ideally situated town of Kalbarri. This is one of Western Australia's most popular holiday resorts and is the premium place in the mid west for a total holiday experience.

Nature provides visitors to Kalbarri with once in a lifetime experiences. The climate is warm and sunny for most of the year. Marvel at the 186,000 acres of some of the State's richest wildflower bushland. With Kalbarri National Park boasting 800 species of wildflowers it is no wonder that on any day of the year you will find a bloom of some description. From July to October, the flowers' riotous colours fight for your attention, with new species of blooms appearing each week.

Take advantage of the calm waters of the estuary for swimming and water skiing. Stand awestruck at the edge of a towering cliff; take a deep breath and abseil down. Catch a fish from the beach, go surfing or hiking, play tennis, golf, or experience the unique wonders of nature as you canoe round a river-bend or charter a boat for a fishing trip.

Spot dolphins or whales so close up that your friends back home won't believe you. Ride a pushbike along miles of spectacular coastal scenery, stopping at secluded bays for a swim. For the true nature lover, a visit to the parrot-breeding centre is a must. Here you can view an active breeding program for endangered species of parrots. Also not to be missed is the daily feeding of the pelicans on the foreshore.

The town has good shopping, efficient touring services and sophisticated accommodation of all kinds. There are many touring services available both offshore and on. Canoe treks, whale watching, fishing charters, boat cruises and sightseeing flights over the National Park, coastline and offshore Abrolhos Islands offer fun for the whole family.

Coach tours of the river gorges, coastal gorges and wildflowers, stargazing, Harley motorcycle tours, abseiling, horse riding and camel treks are just a few things to keep you busy on land.

Accommodation in Kalbarri is plentiful and includes resort style hotel accommodation, motel style, serviced apartments, farm stay, self-contained holiday homes, backpackers and caravan and camping facilities

I'd recommend having a meal at Finlays fish shack for a great meal of fresh seafood at an amazing venue. If you have a talent, you may even get your meal for free if you entertain.

You must go and explore the gorges of the Murchison River. Check out Natures window and the z bend for great views and amazing walks.

   Broome       
 

Simply oozes with colour. It's Western Australia's getaway, a great place to relax - right on the Indian Ocean's doorstep and the gateway to Australia's last frontier of pristine wilderness - the Kimberley. From its rough and tumble, romantic pearling history to the cosmopolitan character of Chinatown, to the turquoise waters, red sandstone cliffs and the endless expanse of white sand at Cable Beach.... the colours and moods of Broome will capture your soul.

Broome owes its existence to the 'Pinctada Maxima' - the world's largest pearl oyster shell - discovered in Roebuck Bay in 1861. The giant pinctada shells caused a sensation overseas and soon a melting pot of nationalities flocked to the shores of Broome in the hope of making their fortune.

Today, remnants of Broome's exotic past are everywhere. The town's multicultural society ensures a wonderful array of gourmet tastes, colourful characters and cultural influences. Pearling still remains a thriving industry and the world famous South Sea pearls feature in Chinatown's string of pearl galleries. Broome's climate is also something to boast about with warm sunny days, balmy nights and the most spectacular storms and cloud formations during the tropical summer season. Not to mention the unforgettable spectacle of sunset on Cable Beach!

Some of the things I'd recommend while in Broome. Relax on Cable beach, its one of those beaches where you don't want to leave. China town for shopping, the worlds oldest outdoors picture theatre (must go to the movies there) and the crocodile farm located near Cable Beach. Feeding time is the best time to visit.

   Exmouth and Coral Bay       
 

Coral Bay is a small town on the coast near one of Western Australia's most treasured assets, The Ningaloo Reef. It is located two hours' drive north of Carnarvon.

Welcome to another world.

Ningaloo Reef is not only Western Australia's largest fringing coral reef, but also one of the largest reefs worldwide that can be reached just by stepping off the beach. Here the mighty whale shark, the world's largest fish, can be found from March through to June, feeding on coral spawn. Whale sharks are known to appear regularly close to the shore. I would definitely recommend swimming with the whale sharks. The memory will live with you forever.  Other magnificent marine animals that visitors can swim or dive with are dugongs, manta rays, potato cod, sharks, dolphins, humpback whales and turtles. Ningaloo also offers safe swimming on the long sandy beaches.

Ningaloo Marine Park stretches from Bundegi Reef in the Exmouth Gulf, around the North West Cape to Amherst Point 260 kilometres to the south. The park extends 10 nautical miles seaward and encompasses over 5,000 square kilometres of ocean. Zoning for fishing, diving and sanctuary areas fall within the marine park's boundary, ensuring preservation of the environment.

Food supplies, restaurants and cafes can be found in Exmouth and Coral Bay.

Cape Range National Park, which borders the marine park, offers wilderness tenting and camping. Exmouth and Coral Bay offer hotels, motels, chalets, resorts, caravan and camping facilities and backpacker hostels.

I recommend spending a couple of days in Coral bay. It's a great place to relax and chill out on the beach, snorkel, and fish. Be aware that sanctuary zones exist to protect the reef, so please follow the guidelines and help preserve this amazing place.

I suggest that you spend time in Exmouth and really explore the Cape Range National Park. Excellent for diving, snorkelling, fishing, bush walking, wildlife or just chilling out on the beaches. Turquoise Bay is an absolute must see beach.

   Monkey Mia       
 

Monkey Mia is located on a unique section of World Heritage coastline only 30 minutes' drive northeast from the town of Denham. It has a relaxed atmosphere and those who love nature will delight at the huge variety of animal and bird life found nearby.

Wonderful things started happening in the early 1960s, when a pod of bottlenose dolphins began what has become a ritual. Every day a number of dolphins swim into the clear shallows of the bay to interact with humans, delighting visitors with their intelligence and grace. As the dolphins are wild, numbers and the exact time of their visit varies, however the usually visit the shore several times a day and more frequently in the mornings.

The dolphin information centre interprets dolphin biology and behaviour patterns and provides other information on the area. It is open daily from 7am to 4pm. A visitor fee is charged for entry to Monkey Mia Reserve.

Monkey Mia offers a wide variety of accommodation, facilities and activities to satisfy the needs of all travellers.

Monkey Mia is a magical Place. The weather is great; the nights are cool and balmy. At night, when the moon is out it will light up the whole bay and if your lucky you can see the dolphins swimming in the moonlight, or if there is no moon, just relax on the beach, lay back and watch the stars. A great time to check out the Milky Way and watch for shooting stars.

Nearby Denham has a reputation for excellent fishing and warm sunshine throughout the winter months. The calm blue waters of the bay provide ideal conditions for swimming, boating, water-skiing and beach combing.

Monkey Mia is located in the shark bay region. It is the only place in Western Australia that has World Heritage Listing. I recommend exploring the whole region. Take your time. Go fishing, go 4-wheel driving, just explore.

   Karijini       
 

Karijini is one of Australia's largest national parks, and arguably one of the most spectacular. Formerly the Hamersley Ranges, Karijini National Park is located a five to six hours' drive south of Roebourne or about three days north of Perth.

Karijini National Park is the second largest National Park in Western Australia. It boasts an abundance of diverse flora and fauna, dramatic gorges, spectacular waterfalls, magnificent mountains, watercourses and plateaus. Explore beautiful Karijini and its sights like Circular Pool, Fern Pool and Fortescue Falls, the Park's only permanent waterfall.

The Karijini Visitor Centre, located in the park, is managed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management and run by members of the local Aboriginal community. The Centre offers information on walking, sightseeing, photography, camping, swimming and nature observation.

The park has very good camping facilities at the Fortescue campsite. Toilets, bench seating and gas barbecues are available and a camping fee applies.

Haunting in its rugged, red beauty and unbeatable for adventure, the park is famous for its sheer gorges, waterfalls and cool swimming holes.

I believe it is one of the hidden treasures of Australian tourism. If you like adventure walks and climbing this is the place for you.

Joining a tour best accesses Karijini National Park. There are a number of tour operators taking visitors from Perth to Karijini and the surrounding region.

I would recommend Planet Perth tours. Not only will you see Karijini but everything in between as well.

 

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