Wandering out west

DESTINATIONS / Australia
9 March 2020

Go west. Whether you’re golfing, glamping by the sea, diving with whale sharks or discovering the ancient ways of Aboriginal culture, there’s something special about Australia’s west.

Written by Tourism Australia

IT COULD TAKE A HAPPY LIFETIME to explore the wonders of Western Australia.

This vast state stretches from the remote Kimberley and Ningaloo Reef in the north to the world-class wineries, superb surf beaches, and bubble-gum pink lakes of the south.

Whichever way you turn, there is something to surprise and delight in Western Australia.

To help your guests and crew truly appreciate this great state, following are some of Western Australia’s signature experiences.

Parker Point, Rottnest Island, Western Australia.

Experience an ancient culture

Aboriginal culture predates European settlement by more than 50,000 years and is recognised by anthropologists as one of the world’s longest continuous cultures. These unique stories, traditions and languages change from region to region: in Western Australia’s south-west, operators such as Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours (Perth), Koomal Dreaming (Margaret River) and Poornarti Aboriginal Tours (Great South West) run intimate tours that show guests the ancient heart of the nation.

gocultural.com.au
koomaldreaming.com.au
poornarti.com.au

A truly Australian course

There are golf courses in Australia, and then there are Australian golf courses. Located just a 10-minute-drive from the Mandurah Marina, Meadow Springs Golf Course stretches across open bushland to create one of the world’s most memorable golfing experiences. Native fauna and flora can be spotted throughout the course, and viewing the sunset over 200-year-old Eucalyptus tuart trees make for an unforgettable 19th hole.

msgcc.com.au

Margaret River’s artisan side

Generally regarded as Margaret River’s grandest lodgings, the lakeside property of Cape Lodge is set on a working winery and hosts a Best of Margaret River tour to showcase the region’s superb small-batch producers. Meet boutique winemakers, cheese-makers and artisan chocolatiers, explore hidden beaches and walk part of the spectacular Cape to Cape track. Guests staying the night receive preferential bookings for the lodge’s elegant in-house French restaurant as well as a lavish breakfast spread the following morning.

capelodge.com.au

Explore Margaret River like a winemaker

Take a day trip to Margaret River via private plane on the Margaret River Ultimate Day Experience, which begins over scones and tea at the world-renowned Leeuwin Estate winery. After a behind-the-scenes tour of the winemaking process, guests visit the winery’s art gallery and enjoy a tutored wine tasting before being transferred to the private dining room at Voyager Estate. Here, the onsite sommelier will conduct a guided tasting of the region’s signature varieties: chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. A four-course lunch featuring regional ingredients matched with museum wines concludes the day.

leeuwinestate.com.au
voyagerestate.com.au

Whale Shark Swim, Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia.

King George River Falls, The Kimberleys, Western Australia.

From surf to vine

Margaret River is home to some spectacular scenery and the region’s Cape to Vine day trip offers a wonderful summation of its sights. Work up an appetite with a guided walk along the Cape to Cape track before heading to the region’s founding wine estate, Vasse Felix. Meet a winemaker for a private tour and enjoy a tasting of the Vasse Felix Collection, then sit down for lunch at one of Australia’s most awarded restaurants. A set menu paired with matching wines concludes with a tour through the vines.

vassefelix.com.au

Swim with the biggest fish in the ocean

Exmouth Diving Centre runs tours that allow guests to swim alongside the ocean’s largest fish, the gentle whale shark, as well as other creatures such as dugongs and manta rays. Humpback whale dives are also available, as are PADI-accredited scuba diving courses. During whale shark season between March and July, nature-lovers flock to Exmouth to swim with these ocean giants.

exmouthdiving.com.au

Fishing in pristine waters

Exmouth sits alongside Ningaloo Reef, a World Heritage-listed underwater paradise offering plenty of excellent fishing. From fly fishing and sports fishing around the untouched Mackerel Islands to exploring the nearby Montebello Islands, local operators are well informed of the region’s best spots and offer private, tailored experiences to suit.

flyfishingfrontiers.com
mackerelislands.com.au
montebello.com.au

Experience the Coral Coast the natural way

Hiding in plain sight among the dunes on Cape Range National Park, Sal Salis is a luxury eco-safari camp in lockstep with the pristine Coral Coast environment. Everything is designed to help guests reconnect to nature and one another: accommodation is in luxury wilderness tents with ensuite bathrooms, while phone reception is non-existent. The lodge offers a variety of excellent day activities, from hikes around nearby Mandu Mandu Gorge to kayaking and snorkelling. Amazingly, Ningaloo Reef is accessible directly from the beach here: simply wade in.

salsalis.com.au