We’ve got it pretty good here in Perth. We’re a stone’s throw from some of Australia’s best beaches, as well as a drive away from unique national parks and the renowned Margaret River wine region. And within awesome destinations like this, there are some truly epic places that we wouldn’t believe are right at our fingertips: until now. Here are 8 extraordinary places that make us feel lucky to live here in Western Australia.
1. The blue lakes out at Collie
One thing the Collie area is known for is its crystal-clear blue lakes that you can swim in. After a two-hour drive from Perth, start your day off at Black Diamond Lake or Stockton Lake (or both). Both lakes are abandoned mine sites that get their brilliant blue hue from past mining activity. Before they were transformed into an artificial lake, that is. Swimming is popular at both of these spots. However, it’s recommended that you swim at your own risk due to the mild acidity in the water. Feel free to bring your floaties, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards and float the day away.
Check out our full feature on Collie here.
2. Kwillena Gabi Pool, Mandura
Kwillena Gabi is Mandurah’s newest attraction. Having opened at the end of 2021, this circular estuary pool is perfect for a swim in a unique spot. You can find it on Mandurah’s Eastern Foreshore South Precinct, around a 20-minute drive south of Perth. Enjoy both a splash in the water and perhaps a picnic. You might even spot some of the local wildlife. Kwillena Gabi doesn’t translate to “Dolphin Waters” for no reason.
3. Mile End Glamping, Margaret River
Glamping has been on the rise in the luxury travel world for a while now. And what better place to experience a stay in one of these homes away from home than in Margaret River? Mile End Glamping offers you a chance to sleep under the stars in a glamorous bubble tent. Set on a lush 144-acre estate, these bubble tents feature all the luxuries (if not more) of a hotel room, including a king bed, kitchen, outdoor bath, BBQ, hot tub, and more. You can book a stay here.
4. The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park
The contrast of our landscapes here in WA is unlike no other. Where the desert meets the sea, we have The Pinnacles. Located around two hours north of Perth, these natural limestone structures dramatically rise from the ground and you can walk through clusters of them. Not only is it a choice photography spot at sunrise, during the day, sunset, even at night, but it’s also a spot that’s brimming with a unique formation history that dates back 20,000 – 30,000 years.
5. Lancelin Sand Dunes
Around two hours north of Perth, we also have some massive sand dunes which are widely popular with adventure-seekers and photographers. Lancelin Sand Dunes are perfect for a spot of sandboarding, where you can ride down the dunes, sometimes on a sheer 45-degree angle. At sunrise and sunset, the dunes put on a show with their glow, so don’t forget your camera to take some snaps. It’s definitely one of the best photography spots in WA.
6. Wave Rock
Wave Rock is a true WA icon. And even though it’s a bit of a trek to get there (especially if you live in Perth), it’s totally worth it. At a towering 15-metres high, this wave-shaped granite formation is believed to be more than 2,700 million years old. Wave Rock can be found around 4 hours east of Perth. The area is also home to this stunning turquoise pool.
7. Jurien Bay seal colony
Sea lions are the literal pups of the ocean and undeniably one of the cutest creatures on Earth. Here in Perth, we’re just two hours away from a huge sea lion colony and best of all, we go swimming with them. Swimming with the sea lions is considered a WA bucket list item, and you can finally tick it off here.
8. The Stromatolites
Western Australia is home to the oldest and largest living fossils in the world. The Hamelin Pool stromatolites are located in the Coral Coast, around 8 hours north of Perth. They’re a perfect stop-off on any road trip to Ningaloo Reef and really go to show how diverse the landscape is in WA.