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Western Australia is a state of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is located in western Australia and covers one-third of Australia's total area. It is the largest state in Australia and has very rich landscape changes from south to north.
Even within Australia, Western Australia is considered a relatively niche destination. Chinese tourists' impressions of Australia are often limited to popular destinations like Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, and the Great Ocean Road, with little knowledge of Western Australia. However, even compared to other popular destinations in Australia, Western Australia's tourism resources are not inferior. As the region with the best natural environment in the country, Western Australia offers many unique experiences unmatched elsewhere.
Taking a flight to Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is almost a must for traveling to Western Australia. Currently, there are only direct flights from Guangzhou to Perth from mainland China, and there are flights every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The outbound flight is CZ319, departing from Perth between 2:20 PM and 10:25 PM. Return flights, CZ320, depart from Perth to Guangzhou in the early morning hours of every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, departing from Perth between 12:25 AM and 8:25 AM. Aside from Guangzhou, flights from other domestic destinations will require connecting flights (via Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, etc.).
Aside from the city of Perth, public transportation between other cities and towns is very limited. Driving or chartering a car is recommended for traveling in Western Australia. If you're driving, you can rent a car in Australia with your Chinese driver's license and an English translation. However, the regulations and procedures for notarizing driver's licenses are vague. In theory, a Chinese driver's license must be translated by a NAATI-accredited person for use in Australia, but many people have successfully rented cars using their own translations. However, such a translation won't pass muster with a police inspection, so it's better to spend a little more money.
Australia drives on the right and drives on the left, the opposite of China. Furthermore, due to Australia's favorable ecological environment, much of Western Australia is far from urban areas, so wild animals (kangaroos, emus, hares, hedgehogs, etc.) often cross the road. Driving at night can be particularly prone to accidents, so be sure to purchase comprehensive insurance when renting a car. If you're not an experienced driver, it's best not to rent a car in Western Australia.
Regarding WIFI, most restaurants and hotels in Western Australia do not provide free WIFI. If you stay in a B&B, some better B&Bs will have free WIFI, but some budget ones will not. Therefore, when you go to Western Australia, you must buy a phone card that can access the Internet. You don’t need to buy it locally. There are many choices on Taobao in China.
Mobile communications in Western Australia aren't as developed as in Eastern Australia, and you'll often experience a lack of signal in the depths of national parks or in wilderness areas far from towns. Therefore, choosing the right phone card is crucial when traveling in Western Australia. Australia has three major telecommunications companies. Telstra is the largest, with extensive network coverage and excellent signal quality. While slightly more expensive, it's highly recommended for use in Western Australia, offering significantly stronger signal quality than other SIM cards in remote areas. Optus is the second-largest operator in Australia, offering excellent value for money. Signal quality is good in cities and towns, but weaker in remote areas. The third option is Vodafone. Please note that if you're traveling to Western Australia, especially if you plan to travel further north from Geraldton, avoid Vodafone, as this could leave you feeling isolated for extended periods.
The Australian dollar is used throughout Australia, and the current exchange rate for the Australian dollar to the Chinese yuan is approximately 4.9:1. Major domestic banks offer RMB to Australian dollar exchanges, but most require advance reservations. There are also numerous currency exchange shops located at major airports, train stations, business districts, and tourist attractions in Australia. However, their exchange rates are often less than ideal, and it's often better to withdraw cash directly from an ATM. Outside of the capital, Perth, few ATMs in Western Australia accept UnionPay, so it's recommended to bring a VISA or MASTER credit card. Credit cards are also accepted in most locations throughout Western Australia, so carrying excessive cash is not necessary.
Australia's power voltage is 240V. Three-pin plugs (likely a plug from China) can be used in Australia, but two-pin plugs (likely a plug with a 2-pin plug) cannot be used in Australia because the two pins of a two-pin plug in Australia are not parallel like in China. Therefore, when traveling to Australia, you only need to bring a three-pin power strip (likely a plug from China) to solve your power supply problem, or you can bring a universal adapter plug.
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so its seasons are completely opposite to those in China. Summer runs from December to February, autumn runs from March to May, winter runs from June to August, and spring runs from September to November. Western Australia's summers can be quite hot, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in the north, while the south is cooler. Sun protection is recommended for summer travel, and the recommended travel period is from September to May, avoiding winter.
Tips:
About some special travel seasons:
Pink Lake: Avoid the rainy season from June to August in winter. The rest of the year is fine. It is recommended to take a plane to visit the Pink Lake during the dry season from January to February.
Wildflower season: late August to early October, mainly in September
Jacaranda: early November to mid-to-late November
Sea fishing: all year round
Crab season: mid-to-late December to February or March of the following year
Perth is the capital of Western Australia and the country's fourth-largest city, making it a must-stop for anyone traveling to the state. Due to its remote location from other major Australian cities, Perth is often called the "loneliest city in the world." However, due to its exceptional natural environment and climate, Perth is also considered one of the most livable cities in the world.
Kings Park is a favorite recreational spot for Perth residents. Located west of the city center, adjacent to the University of Western Australia, it is the largest urban park in the Southern Hemisphere. Due to its elevated location, Kings Park offers the best vantage point for viewing the city. From the observation deck, guests can enjoy panoramic views of Perth and the Swan River. Witnessing Western Australia's stunning sunsets and the vibrant nightlife after dusk is one of Perth's most captivating experiences.
Kings Park is filled with picnic areas and small playground equipment. Behind the highest observation deck is a vast lawn. Every sunny day, this area is packed with Perth residents and tourists. Spreading out a tablecloth and enjoying a leisurely afternoon of picnics and sunbathing is a unique experience. Wildflowers are Western Australia's calling card, and Kings Park is Perth's most popular destination during wildflower season. Perth's wildflower season begins in late August and ends in early October, reaching its peak in September. During the Perth Wildflower Festival, the Kings Park Botanic Garden transforms into a vibrant sea of blooms.
The Hutt Pink Salt Lake is Western Australia's biggest drawcard and calling card. Located about an hour's drive north of Geraldton, Western Australia's second-largest city, the lake's waters are pink year-round due to the lake's high salinity. The algae, Dunaliella salina, thrive in the waters under high salinity and sunlight, producing abundant beta-carotene. Near the lake's edge lies a saltworks, with numerous rectangular salt pans, whose color is even darker than the rest of the lake. Aerial drone photography of the salt pans is stunning.
(Photo from foreign photographer: Scott McCook)
The beauty of the Pink Salt Lake is closely tied to the weather. On sunny days, the pink color is strikingly bright. On cloudy days, while the pink is still visible, the overall color appears gray, significantly diminishing the visual impact. Therefore, it's best to avoid visiting during Western Australia's rainy season, from June to August. The Hutt Salt Lake's dry season, from January to February, remains pink, but the volume is significantly reduced, leaving a blanket of white salt along the shore.
In addition to land tours, you can also take a small plane tour of the Pink Lake from Geraldton. This is also a wonderful experience in good weather, allowing you to admire the magnificent blue coastline of Western Australia and the Pink Lake from a high altitude. However, in bad weather, not only will the beauty of the Pink Lake be greatly reduced, but if there are strong winds and rain, the turbulence during the flight will make the flight very uncomfortable.
Rottnest Island is an outlying island near Perth and is also the favorite short-distance holiday destination for Perth locals. Locals have a special feeling for Rottnest Island. In the summer, many local families will take advantage of the weekend to go to Rottnest Island for a short vacation of one or two days.
Most people arrive by boat from Perth's Northport or B-shed Wharf. Once on the island, you can choose to hop on and off the island bus, or rent a mountain bike for an off-road tour. Cycling the entire island can take four to five hours and requires considerable stamina, so many people choose to cycle to their destinations rather than actually circumnavigate the island.
Beach vacations and coastal snorkeling are the eternal themes of Rottnest Island. Rottnest Island has 63 beaches, which are ideal places for various water sports. The Basin Beach in the northeast corner of Rottnest Island is the most popular beach on the island. It is very close to the pier and can be reached by bike in just ten minutes. The water here is very clear, which is especially suitable for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and other water activities. In addition, this is the only beach on the entire island of Rottnest Island with shower facilities and public pavilions on the shore. This also allows travelers to rinse off the seawater on their bodies in time after swimming and getting ashore to prevent their bodies from being covered with sea salt after drying. The public pavilion also provides an excellent resting place for many guests who do not bring their own umbrellas.
Another star player on Rottnest Island is the local quokka. Due to its cute appearance and excellent camera sense, the quokka has long become an Instagram celebrity, and many people come to Rottnest Island just to see it and take a photo with it.
Although there are many photos of them circulating on major social media sites, taking a photo with them is not an easy task. In order not to startle them, you have to get down on the ground and approach them quietly from behind. Although they look smiling, it is just because they are eating with their mouths open, which makes them look like they are smiling from the overhead angle. The place with the most quokkas on Rottnest Island is the small town near the pier. There are some restaurants in the town, which is also the quokkas' favorite place to hang out. However, please note that tourists are not allowed to feed the quokkas.
The Lanslin Sand Dunes are located approximately two hours north of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Driving along this stretch of road, you'll encounter white sand dunes of varying sizes. The Lanslin Sand Dunes are among the largest and most accessible to the public. The Lanslin Sand Dunes offer a variety of desert-themed activities. After climbing to the top of the dunes, which slope nearly 60 degrees, you'll discover that the area is actually located on the coast, half sea and half desert. Sliding down the dunes on a sandboard is a thrilling and exciting activity, reminiscent of snowboarding in the tropics. To experience sandboarding, rent a sandboard and wax stick from a shop in the town of Lanslin, just before entering the dunes. Applying wax to the bottom of the board before sandboarding reduces friction and makes for a smoother slide.
The Pinnacles, located in Nambung National Park north of Perth, are named for the numerous limestone pillars that stand tall in the flat desert. The Pinnacles area was once a primeval forest before sinking into the sea, where it was buried by sand and gravel, and over time, fossilized. After a long period of geological change, the area resurfaced as land. The effects of sunlight, rain, and wind gradually weathered and eroded the sand and gravel, creating the present geological wonder of countless stone pillars standing tall in the desert.
During the day, when the sun is directly overhead, the Pinnacles don't look particularly impressive. Furthermore, the heat and harsh sunlight can easily tire you out and make you feel like there's nothing worth seeing. However, in the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun creates a magical effect, with countless stone pillars casting long shadows in the slanting sun, painting the entire area an orange-yellow color.
If you visit during the first or last lunar month, don't rush to leave the Pinnacles after enjoying the sunset; the starry sky here will open your eyes. The Pinnacles has always been a favorite of Western Australian star photography enthusiasts. Not only does it have a wide view, but the countless bizarre giant rocks also provide excellent prospects for star photography.
(Photo from foreign photographer: Michael Goh)
Cervantes is a small town near the Pinnacles, famous for its lobster factory. Located on the coast, the lobster factory is home to numerous lobster boats. Because the lobster factory has a restaurant specializing in lobster meals, it's a popular lunchtime stop for tourists.
Western Australian lobsters have some unique characteristics: they lack giant claws and are incredibly tender, never becoming overcooked, no matter how large. The lobster factory's lobster preparation methods are relatively simple, with set meals primarily featuring grilled lobsters. A basic set meal is half a grilled lobster with salad and French fries. In recent years, with the increase in Chinese tourists and group tours, a set meal featuring half a grilled lobster with fried rice has been introduced to cater to guests unaccustomed to Western cuisine. Other options include lobster burgers, lobster sandwiches, and other seafood. Overall, the selection isn't extensive, but the lobster is still worth a try, and the prices are relatively cheaper than in seafood markets in cities, especially in major cities.
In addition to eating lobsters, the lobster factory also offers paid tours of the interior of the lobster factory. Although this tour is a paid item, it is obvious that the staff here do not care about it. After entering the factory, you first go to a small dark room to watch a 5-minute video about the history of lobster fishing in Western Australia. Then each person is given a multilingual interpreter, walk to the designated location, operate according to the diagrams, and then listen to the explanation of the interpreter.
However, the entire tour was conducted on a plank road in mid-air inside the lobster factory. There was no staff to accompany us, so we had no way to get a close look at the lobster production line, catch a lobster with our own hands, or take a photo with the lobster. It was a rather useless project.
Yanchep National Park is about an hour's drive north of Perth. While Western Australia's landscape becomes increasingly wilderness-like as you head north, Yanchep National Park still offers lush forests. Yanchep National Park is also a popular spot for kangaroos, who roam the park every morning and evening.
This is also the only place in Western Australia where you can see koalas. Originally, there were no koalas in Western Australia, as Western Australia lacks the eucalyptus trees they rely on for survival. The koalas in Yanchep National Park are actually semi-wild, transported from eastern Australia, and the koala park has planted eucalyptus trees, which are their favorite food. As extremely lazy people, koalas spend their days sleeping and eating, sleeping 18-20 hours a day, so most of the time we get to enjoy the koalas' different sleeping positions.
The dense jungle and large wetlands of Yanchep National Park are an animal paradise. In addition to kangaroos and koalas, there are also many birds, such as daigoku, cormorants and large groups of black parrots, which are permanent residents here.
Shark Bay is located in the northern region of Western Australia, taking five to six hours to reach from Geraldton. Due to its remote location, it sees few tourists on weekdays, but it remains a beloved holiday destination for Australians. The entire Shark Bay area is a World Heritage Site, boasting stunning natural scenery and a vibrant wilderness experience. Monkey Mia is Shark Bay's most popular destination, primarily due to the dolphins that visit the beach at the Monkey Mia Resort every morning. The resort offers morning dolphin conservation presentations and selects guests to participate in the dolphin feeding experience, often with families, especially those with children. During the feeding, guests listen to explanations from the shore and can step into the shallows, knee-deep in the water, to interact with the dolphins.
Shell Beach is also a worthwhile spot to visit in Shark Bay. The long beach is made entirely of various shells. The water here is very clear and shallow, allowing you to walk quite far into the sea. The earlier you go, the better. The original Shell Beach was full of intact shells, which might be a bit irritating if you walked barefoot. As the number of tourists increased, the shells on the Shell Beach began to be crushed.
Western Australia, a tiny country often called Australia's loneliest state, boasts a vibrant landscape yet remains largely unappreciated. However, with the rise of domestic tourism, Western Australia is poised to become the next internet-famous check-in destination. Before the tourist hordes arrive, why not experience the pristine and romantic charm of Western Australia?
