If you only had 5-7 days to visit Western Australia where would you go?

Question

Western Australia is quite often thought of as being such a large place, perhaps too large to consider it for a short break!

However, there are so many perfect short break getaway locations. If you only have 5-7 days what do you think you would do and where would you go on a 5-7 day holiday to Western Australia?

Answer 1

It would be a toss-up depending on the season.

Warmer months I would go to the Margaret River Region. Tall trees, vinyards, festivals, caves, beaches, boutique accomodation, resorts - what more could you ask for?

Cooler months I would go either:

Up the coast and stop at Monkey Mia, Kalbarri and as far as Coral Bay. Coastal beauty, dolphins, whales, quad biking, lovely weather, pinnacles, window in the world. Brilliant.

Or Karrijini National Park. 5 days is a nice amount of time to take in the breathtaking natural beauty of the north-west. Inexplicable beauty, walks, swimming in natural pools, beautiful georges, amazing colours and scenery.

But you are right - there is too much to do! Perth is a great short break. Taking in the avon catchment would be a great 5 days, or the goldfields would be wonderful and very memorable too. Then you have broom :) or one of our true hidden treasures - Esperence...lucky bay is magnificent, the national park their is breathtaking, the town itself has much to offer...not sure we want to share the brilliance of that region with the world...

Many options - all stand alone as wonderful experiences - you don't need to see all WA has to offer to have a truely memorable holiday...but I bet you will be back for more after your first trip... ;)

Answer 2

As an Western Australian living in Ellenbrook I would have to say the Swan Valley should definately be on the agenda.

WA wines are some of the best in the world without a doubt and there is nearly always free wine tasting.

In the same vein if Wines are your thing then Margaret River is tremendous , along with wineries there are shops that offer organic foods, art ,local crafts and wood turning.

If you love the outdoors then go down south to Pemberton with its 300 foot high old growth trees that are so wide you could drive a truck through the trunk.

Take a walk through the canopies on the canopy walk or follow the walking trails of this ancient forest.

Pemberton has trout fishing so what better way to finish the day than freshly caught trout sauteed with a bit of butter and a crisp, cold WA white!

Western Australia has a myriad of attractions for all people.

If you are a four wheel drive enthusiast then head to Wave rock ( it is a solid Rock that looks like a breaking wave) and off up the Canning stock route , you will see the real outback Australia. ( Be careful to research the trip and carry plenty of Water.)

If you love fishing or reef life then you drop a line anywhere between Geraldton to Derby and catch the best fish ever across a vast array of species.

Then there is the dolphins orf Monkey Mia and the famous ningaloo reef.

WA has a wealth of Indiginous culture all around as well as modern museams including the Natural Museum in Perth .

To be honest 5-7 days is not enough to do justice to Western Australia

Answer 3

5-7 days?!?! when u get there you'll really wish you had more time, I promise you. It's impossible not to fall in love with the place. My mum moved out there from the UK in 2000 and i visit her every year for 4 weeks and still find different and amazing things to do and places to go. anyway, I'm rambling!!! Well, you'll never do them all but I'd reccomend the following.........

Kings Park in the city - through the day you could do the treetop walk. At night catch an open air movie.
Rockingham - swim with the dolphins in the Indian Ocean
Visit virtually any beach but Cottesloe is cool
AQWA - the aquarium is great.
Freemantle is a good day out
Subiaco is quaint
Perth Zoo is awesome and will take a whole day to see everything
Have breakfast at Fast Eddies in the city
Northbridge is a cool night out but definately "edgy" - have your wits about you!
Hilary's boat harbour is worth a look - as are some of the amazing homes on the drive in!
Burrswood Casino complex is an eye-opener and the restaurant is the best buffet i've ever had

There are just soooooo many things to do and see you will have the bestest time but will be truly gutted you don't have longer!!

PS Any Perth Aussies who want to hook up for a beer or two when I'm next over can get in touch with me at [e-mail] - I'd be glad to hear from you.

Mark St. George, 43, England

Answer 4

I have lived in WA all my life (35years) and have seen a huge lot of it, but still not scratched the surface. I have also been to all the other states, bar N.T., which is next on the list.

We have many, many unique things that I would highly recommend. But if it came down to one thing, I would say, hit the beaches. We sandgropers tend to take our beaches for granted over here. But when you compare them to other places in Australia and the world, you don't get much better.

The East might have The Great Barrier Reef, but do they have fish come up and nibble your toes in ankle-deep water like Coral Bay? No, you have to take a 2-hour boat trip.
Our sand is often so white it's blinding, so soft it squeaks underfoot, and stretches so far in some places that you don't see another person for days.
In Esperance, the water is so aqua blue that your friends will swear the postcards have been tinted, and that you actually holidayed in the Maldives.

Then besides beaches:
The NT has a big rock, but ours is bigger, older, has more rock art, and is less trodden on.
We have living rocks, the biggest trees, the hottest desserts, the thickest forests, canoeable underground streams, the best wine, the longest highways, huge gorges, heaps of caves, friendly dolphins, gold and diamonds under our feet, mighty rivers, a walk in the clouds above the trees, incredible history, gorgeous and unique wildlife, the cleanest water and the freshest air, and the friendliest locals...just to start with.

Sorry, 5-7 days is nowhere near enough !!!

ps. Am I bias...of coarse not, lol !

Answer 5

Depends what U R into. The thing is, Western Australia is not just Perth & Freemantle as most depict it. To explore the northern dessert comunities, beaches & towns is an adventure. The South west with it's premieum wines. Beutifull Busselton, laid back and relaxed. Magic Margret River, surf and vino. The Great Southern areas, Albany to Esperance. Kal/Boulder. Amazing country. The whole place during wild flower season is spectacular. What ever U R into can be found in WA and not at the absolute empty your pockets prices of the eastern states. The people are more tolerant, laid back, friendly and will accept U as U are. What do U want to do or see? How long have U got? It all can be arranged.

Answer 6

Depends on what you want to see. WA has so many beautiful places to see and such differing beauty. Go up to north to Monkey Mia and see some dolphins and ruggered and gorgeous scenery and down south to Margaret River and the many brilliant winerys, caves and Karri forests. The beaches in WA are just out of this world. But Mandurah about an hour south of Perth is really beautiful. We have so much truely beautiful wildlife and well the people are great too. Theres so much to see, a week is not long enough.

Answer 7

Hi...

I would definitely go to Mandurah.
It's a top place..lovely beaches and lots of water sport
possiblities.

And instead of staying at resorts, hotels or motels I would
get on the list of Mandurah Getaway and you'll get the best
discount for accommodation.

Now the accommodation is not top class but good value
for money and you'll be looked after. Can't beat $100/day.

4 weeks and over $350/wk.

Mandurah is a pretty place and can be your base - less than an hour to Perth the capital. You can easily go for trips
from there. Down south to wine country and north to
Fremantle and Perth.

Then pick a new base up north to see the rugged bits..
a place like Broome...but very hot in summer.

See the gorges..very beautiful.

Answer 8

Depends what U R into. The thing is, Western Australia is not just Perth & Freemantle as most depict it. To explore the northern dessert comunities, beaches & towns is an adventure. The South west with it's premieum wines. Beutifull Busselton, laid back and relaxed. Magic Margret River, surf and vino. The Great Southern areas, Albany to Esperance. Kal/Boulder. Amazing country. The whole place during wild flower season is spectacular. What ever U R into can be found in WA and not at the absolute empty your pockets prices of the eastern states. The people are more tolerant, laid back, friendly and will accept U as U are. What do U want to do or see? How long have U got? It all can be arranged.

Answer 9

I used to work at a road house between geraldton and carnarvon, and a lot of people would come thru on driving trips but i reckon the best way to go would be on a 4wd bus (oca) with the backpackers. They go all the way up to the kimberlys along the coast and they stop in at all the little tourist places along the way, even if just for a couple of hours. Day one- the pinnacles, dongara, gero, day two- northhampton, kalbarri, monkey mia, day three- carnarvon, exmouth, day four- roebourne, eighty mile beach, broome day five- up to wyndham spending some days camping in the kimberlys. I have done this trip before and i would do it again as it was great, plus having someone else to drive and the chance to see the sights with someone from another country really makes you appreciate it more.

Answer 10

Depends on the kind of holiday one wants. A naturalist may want to see the wonders of the Southwest taking in such sights as the Glouster tree, tallest tree in the local area of pemberton, also taking the atmosphere of the Kari Forrest. Yallingup is a nice place to visit. If one likes the water virtually all along the coast are places to stay. (i.e. Marget river, famous for surfing) The area in which i live is rich in historical settlement material. The locals have established museums containing artifacts relating to early life of the area. There are many retreats, of which i recommend the Marget river stone cottages. As a music fanatic a personal choice would be a visit to replay records where one can alway find something interesting. Enjoy Your stay, and thank you for flying internet airways.