Western Australia is incredibly beautiful and visiting this state of Australia is a must for everyone exploring the country. It has so many incredible spots and sights that will leave you breathless as you gaze at your surroundings in wonder.
While I love all kinds of photography, it is landscape photography that I love the most. Therefore Western Australia with its wide open and colorful landscapes is a dream for me and my fellow photographers. It is nearly impossible not to stop every few steps to capture the scenery and all the colors of this area. All the reds and different blue hues are a dream if you see them with your own eyes. At least that is how I felt when I first saw images of the area.
Therefore I sincerely hope that these Western Australia photos will make you feel the same way and that they will inspire you to explore the west coast yourself.
The Itinerary behind these Western Australia Photos
After four days in Broome, I spend a total of 3 weeks on the road to Perth with stops in several Australian national parks and areas like the beautiful Shark Bay and the North West Cape. During these three weeks, I mostly wild camped in some of the most amazing sceneries I have ever seen or on campgrounds. After the road trip from Broome to Perth, I spend several days in Perth itself. During this time I also spend a wonderful day with the quokkas on Rottnest Island.
The best way to explore the Western Australian scenery is by going on a road trip so that is what I did. So start planning your road trip now!
Broome
If you have ever googled Western Australia chances are that you have already seen photos of the famous Cable Beach and the camel rides at sunset. After all, it is the subject of some of the most popular Western Australia photos. But Broome offers you a lot more and three days there are ideal.
Even the flight there is incredible. You get a unique view as you descend over Rosebury Bay. I would say that this view from above tells you what you can expect in Western Australia: a great adventure.
Landing there is a fun adventure that might take you back to your childhood. At least, if you have ever seen ‘The Rescuers Down Under’. You get to see the side of Australia that you always see in movies. Vibrant reds and seemingly untouched nature. Arriving here felt like finally arriving in the country even though I had previously lived in Sydney and done a road trip down the Australian east coast.
I recommend looking up the tides in Broome when you start planning your stay here. After all, you can see dinosaur footprints and see the Flying Boat wrecks during low tide.
Eighty Mile Beach
Eighty Mile Beach is one of the greatest beaches I have seen to date. And as the name says it is a very long beach with crystal clear water. However, swimming there is not recommended as there are a lot of sharks in the area. If you want to cool down, you should just enter the water up to your knees and keep your eyes open.
You can camp at 80 Mile Beach no more than 50 meters away from the beach. There is also a free shower at the parking spot, so you can wash off the salt if you just plan a shortstop.
All in all 80 Mile Beach is a great place to relax while staring at the incoming waves. It is more than worth a stop and a great location for a beach picnic.
Karijini National Park
The Australian west coast as a whole is an adventure and Karijini is one of the best parts of this adventure. Explore red rock gorges and go for a swim in crystal clear natural pools. This national park is a real hidden gem and more than worth the inland drive.
It happens to be my favorite place in Australia, so I can only encourage you to visit it. It is a small piece of heaven full of stunning views and thrill.
This is only a small selection of photos of Karijini National Park but trust me when I say that you should remember to pack several SD cards for your camera.
Read More: 3 Days in Karijini National Park
Exmouth
Exmouth itself might not be the most stunning small town in Western Australia, but it is surrounded by great beaches and places like the Vlaming Head lighthouse that is located on a hill. Furthermore, it is one of the two gateways to the Ningaloo Reef. It is the perfect place to relax for a day or two before heading back into more remote areas and national parks.
Cape Range National Park
Cape Range National Park is a real hidden gem of Australia and one of the most underrated national parks of the state. With both a gorge part and a coastal area, it is a perfect combination. Explore Charles Knife Canyon Gorge in the morning before the temperatures rise, before diving into the ocean at beaches like Turquoise Bay.
With a great snorkeling spot including a drift area, Turquoise Bay and the nearby Oyster Stacks are some of the best places to explore the Ningaloo Reef without diving. The underwater world here is amazing and the beach itself is a dream as well.
Read More: Exploring Cape Range National Park
Quobba Blow Holes
The Quobba Blow Holes are a must-see for anyone exploring the area. Here, the sea pushes water into caves beneath the rock, and the pressure causes water fountains of up to 20 meters to shoot into the air. A truly impressive sight.
Ningaloo Reef
If you want to snorkel or dive the Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth and Coral Bay are the best exit points.
I ended up diving the Outer Reefs from Exmouth and the amount of marine life was incredible. Given the choice between the Ningaloo Reef and the Great Barrier Reef, I would dive here. The marine life here is flourishing and has luckily been less affected by warmer water temperatures.
All photos of the Ningaloo Reef were taken at a greater depth where pink and red hues are no longer visible. If you dive or snorkel the inner reefs that are more shallow you will get to see colorful corals in those hues.
Read More: Diving the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia
Photos of Western Australia’s Shark Bay
Australia’s Shark Bay is a World Heritage Site full of natural wonders and well worth a visit. It is an area full of natural wonders like the Hamelin Pool Stromatolites, the unique wild dolphins of Monkey Mia, and amazing national parks and reserves.
Read More about it: Magical Shark Bay – the best things to see and do
Hamelin Pool Stromatolites
The Hamelin Pool Stromatolites are the oldest living fossils on earth. Dating back 3.5 billion years, a walk along the jetty is a trip back in time. Be sure to check them out while exploring the Shark Bay area.
Monkey Mia
If you love dolphins, Monkey Mia is the place to go. Here the wild dolphins use a special hunting technique and come really close to the shore. And while some of the dolphins – currently 2 – are feed, it is done in a way that does not impact the animal’s natural behavior. Therefore it is one of the few places in the world where you might get the chance to feed a dolphin in an ethical way.
Read More about it: Ethical Dolphin Encounter in Monkey Mia
Shell Beach
Have you ever wanted to visit a beach where small shells have replaced the sand? If your answer is yes, you should definitely visit Shell Beach. With a length of 60 km, this beach is incredible and there are few things as picturesque as the contrast between the white shells and the turquoise water.
Believe it or not, but the shell layer of the beach is actually 7 to 10 meters high!
Kalbarri National Park
Kalbarri National Park can be described as the best of both worlds. After all, it has both an inland part with red rock gorges and a coastal part with oceanic cliffs. Therefore, Kalbarri National Park combines Australia’s great differences in a way that few places do.
Hike in the gorges one day after taking some photos at Nature’s Window and spot whales or other marine animals as you walk the Birguda Trail along the cliffs the next day.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to Kalbarri National Park
Do you want to plan a road trip there? Read this Perth to Kalbarri Itinerary.
Hutt Lagoon
If you have ever seen photos of a pink lake, there is a great chance that you researched where they are. And while Hutt Lagoon is not Australia’s only pink lake, it is one of the most stable ones.
Unlike some of the other pink lakes around the world and in Australia, Hutt Lagoon does not have a strong scent and due to the relatively stable amount of salt, it rarely loses its wonderful pink hue.
Tip: Visit it during the mid-day sun to see the lake at its best! If there is no direct sunlight or the sun is not high enough, the lake might look more purple than pink.
Ellendale Pool
Ellendale Pool is one of the most beautiful campsites in Western Australia. Located 45 km southeast of Geraldton, this natural swimming hole with its red rock backdrop is a fantastic place to spend a day and night. It is a place of great importance to the Aboriginal people and part of the Yamaji Drive Trail.
Nambung National Park: the Pinnacles
Nambung National Park, also known as the Pinnacles Desert, is a great stop full of thousands of limestone pillars. It is possible to explore this area by foot or to drive along a predetermined loop around the area.
Be sure to also stop at the nearby Hangover Bay, even if your trip to the Pinnacles Desert is only a day trip from Perth.
Nilgen Nature Reserve: Sunset at a Lookout
While the location of the photo is not a must-see along the Australian west coast, it is representative of all the small hidden spots and lockouts. After all, they are seemingly everywhere and so many of them are worth a stop. If a sign in Australia promises a great view and talks of a lookout, you can be sure that you will be rewarded with a fantastic view.
And the view at Nilgen Reserve close to Lancelin was only enhanced by the colorful Australian sunsets. If you are in the area and have some time, I can only recommend stopping here. It is a small area full of native flowers and trees and it is the perfect place to relax after a long drive or as I did to watch the sunset.
Perth
Western Australia might be all about nature and stunning sceneries, but Perth is a great city. After all, Perth has a lot to offer with its unique buildings like the Bell Tower and the Kings Park and Botanic Garden full of native Australian flowers. And of course, there is also Heirisson Island which is the home of several kangaroos that live in a fenced-off area at the western side of the island. There are amazing Airbnbs in Perth, so treat yourself while you are in the city!
Read More: Things to do in Perth
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is a little island paradise just 18 km off the coast of Perth. Therefore it is the perfect place for weekend or day trips from Perth. With 63 beaches and 20 bays, the island offers a lot to everyone that loves the ocean. Be it snorkeling close to wrecks, surfing, or activities like stand-up paddle-boarding. In the sun, the water around the island is a perfect mix of turquoise and light blue and it just makes you want to dive in before relaxing at the beach.
And in addition to that this island that is best explored on a bicycle is home to the happiest animal in the world. The quokka might just be the cutest marsupial out there and a #quokkaselfie is a must for everyone exploring the island.
Read More: One Day on Rottnest Island
Remote Camping Spots
Western Australia offers a large number of incredible free camping spots. Some of them are literally just of the road and in the middle of nowhere. Others have certain facilities and are on cattle stations.
If the photos of Western Australia inspired you to explore it yourself, I can only recommend camping in remote locations for at least a part of your trip. The scenery of some camping spots alone should convince you to explore Western Australia.
I recommend using the WikiCamps Australia app or CamperMate to find a suitable camping spot. I personally prefer WikiCamps even if it costs a small amount of money. As of now some of the most stunning spots are only listed in this app. Furthermore, the GPS data of some remote spots is more accurate.
Wide Open Roads of Western Australia
If there is one thing that units a Western Australia road trip, it is the wide-open road of the state that takes you through diverse and stunning landscapes. Therefore no collection of Western Australia photos would be complete without a shot of the empty roads surrounded by red dirt. It is a stunning sight that makes you look forward to venturing down new paths and roads.
The picture was taken at the ‘Tropic of Capricorn’ on Highway 1.
Did these Western Australia photos inspire you to explore the state?
Western Australia is amazing and it is hard not to fall in love with the state. After all, it is the ultimate adventure that combines both the red Outback and the stunning coastal areas that Australia is known for. A journey through the western state of the country Downunder is a trip that shows you everything and will leave you wanting more. And I sincerely hope that these Western Australia photos inspired you to explore the area.
If you feel inspired to explore Western Australia now, I can only recommend a road trip. Hereby I recommend at least two weeks if you want a small glimpse at what this remote area has to offer. My guide on how to plan a road trip will help you plan your ideal trip.
More about WA
If you are making plans for your Western Australia adventure, these travel guides might be useful to you:
Lancelin Sand Dunes
Australia Facts
The Best National Parks in Australia
Which of these locations in Western Australia is your favorite one?
Let me know in the comments down below!
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