WA’s best holiday destinations for 2025-26: From Fremantle to Broome, Busselton, Esperance and Karijini
WA offers a wide range of holiday destinations, from iconic wine regions and historic port towns to remote outback gateways and pristine coastal towns.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly vacation destination, an adventure-filled road trip, or a luxurious foodie getaway, these are some of the best towns to vacation in across the state.
FREMANTLE
The vibrant port city is full of narrow streets, quirky breweries and historic charm.
Cappuccino strip: The South Terrace area is known for its Italian influence and outdoor dining, cafes, perfect for people-watching.
Breweries: Fremantle is considered the birthplace of WA’s craft beer scene. You can visit breweries like Little Creatures, Gage Roads, and Running with Thieves.
Fremantle Markets: Operating since 1897, the iconic markets are open from Friday to Sunday and are filled with fresh produce, international food stalls, fashion, local art and live buskers.
Fishing Boat Harbor: This active fishing harbor is the perfect spot to enjoy classic fish and chips or upscale seafood.
MANDURA
Less than an hour by car or train for waterways and dolphins, the city of Peel has an estuary and world-class aquatic life.
Mandurah Giants: Look for the world-famous wooden sculptures of Thomas Dambo hidden in the area.
Dolphin spotting: Join a cruise tour or rent a boat to see resident dolphins.
Water playground: Experience the expansive Peel-Harvey Estuary by kayak, paddleboard or self-drive BBQ boat.
Christmas lights: At this time of year the canal houses play host to some of Australia’s most spectacular festive light displays.
ESPERANCE
Lucky Bay is famous for its white sands, blue waters, and kangaroos roaming the beach at Cape Le Grand.
Lucky Bay (Cape Le Grand National Park): Often said to have the whitest sand in the country, this is a prime spot to spot friendly kangaroos lounging on the shore.
Great Ocean Ride: 40km circular loop featuring rugged surf beaches, secluded lagoons and the iconic Whale Tail statue.
Lake Hillier: A vibrant pink lake on Middle Island. To fully appreciate the dramatic color contrast, it is best experienced on a scenic flight.
French Summit: A challenging 3km round-trip hike up a sheer granite dome that rewards climbers with panoramic views of the surrounding islands.
Stonehenge: A full-size, complete replica of the original UK monument, built from locally sourced pink granite and aligned with the solstices.
Woody Island: An eco-tourism destination 15 km off the coast, offering guided jungle walks, snorkeling and the chance to stay in safari lodges.
EXMOUTH & SHARK MR
Gateway to Ningaloo Reef for incredible snorkeling, diving and dolphin encounters.
Monkey Mia Dolphin Experience: It is famous for its daily morning sessions where wild bottlenose dolphins come to shore to interact with humans.
Hamelin Pool stromatolites: Witness the world’s most abundant living fossils, ancient microbial reefs representing life 3.5 billion years ago.
Shell Beach: A stunning white beach composed entirely of billions of tiny mussel shells, stretching for more than 120 km and reaching depths of up to 10 metres.
François Perón National Park: It is known for its dramatic contrasts where red sand dunes meet turquoise waters. Visit Skipjack Point to see sharks, rays and turtles.
Swim with whale sharks: Mid-March through August is peak season for snorkeling with these gentle giants.
Turquoise Bay: Frequently voted one of Australia’s best beaches, this beach offers spectacular “drift snorkeling” just meters from shore.
BUSSELTON & MARGARET RIVER
From world-class wineries to gourmet dining, from caves to beautiful beaches and forests, this incredible region of the South West has it all.
Busselton Pier: Stretching 1.8 km over the ocean, this pier is the longest wooden piled pier in the southern hemisphere.
South West Jungle Adventures: A high ropes and zipline park located in the Rare Tuart forest, offering a variety of trails from beginner to “extreme” adrenaline.
Busselton coast: A multimillion-dollar district featuring world-class playgrounds, skate parks, seasonal carnivals and summer outdoor cinema events.
Premium wineries: Visit industry icons like Vasse Felix (the region’s founding estate), Leeuwin Estate for its “Art Series” wines, or Voyager Estate for its magnificent gardens.
Underground caves: Explore the “crystal chambers” of Lake Cave, the massive Mammoth Cave, or the deepest accessible cave in Jewel Cave.
Surfer’s Point (Prevelly): Watch professional surfers tackle huge waves or enjoy the sunset over the Indian Ocean with fish and chips.
Gourmet food way: Taste local treasures at the Margaret River Dairy Company, Margaret River Chocolate Company and lively Saturday Farmers’ Markets.
Cane Brake Pool: A tranquil freshwater swimming pool ideal for canoeing on the Margaret River and peaceful forest picnics.
BROOM
Often referred to as the Pearl of the North, this Kimberley town offers a unique blend of tropical relaxation and deep Aboriginal and pearling history.
Cable Beach: 22 km of pristine white sand. The iconic activity here is the sunset camel ride along the coastline.
Stairway to the Moon: A natural phenomenon (March to October) when the full moon rising over the mud flats of Roebuck Bay at low tide creates the optical illusion of steps reaching for the moon.
Gantheaume Point: Visit during low tide to see real dinosaur footprints (more than 130 million years old) preserved in red reef rock.
pearl heritage: Take a tour of the Willie Creek Pearl Farm or browse the luxury boutiques in Chinatown to learn how Broome became the pearl capital of the world.
Horizontal Falls: Take a spectacular flight from Broome to witness the “world’s only horizontal waterfalls” caused by major tidal shifts in the Buccaneer Archipelago.
ALBANY
National Anzac Centre: A world-renowned museum experience atop Clarence Mountain, telling the personal stories of ANZAC soldiers through interactive displays.
Gap and Natural Bridge: Located within Torndirrup National Park, these granite formations offer impressive views from a sturdy viewing platform 40 meters above the crashing ocean.
Historic whaling station: The only complete whaling station tourist attraction in the world, offering a fascinating, educational insight into the town’s past life.
Small Beach and Two People’s Bay: Often described as one of Australia’s most perfect beaches, Little Beach has sparkling white sands and calm, turquoise waters set between granite headlands.
Middleton Beach: Albany’s main iconic, family-friendly beach, with calm waters and a new boardwalk for leisurely strolls.
KALBARI
Famous for its impressive views where the Murchison River meets the Indian Ocean, the town is surrounded by the spectacular inland gorges and coastal cliffs of Kalbarri National Park.
Sky walk: Two cantilevered platforms projecting up to 25 meters beyond the gorge edge, offering spectacular views over the Murchison River.
Nature’s Window: An iconic, naturally formed rock arch that perfectly frames the river below. It’s a short walk from the car park.
Loop Path: It’s a challenging walk up to the gorge and the riverbank.
Z Bend Surveillance: It offers breathtaking views of the river. Adventure seekers can book guided tours to descend the 25-foot gorge walls.
Coastal cliff lookout points: Located in the south of the town, these places include the Natural Bridge, Island Rock and Red Rock, which are connected by the magnificent 8 km Bigurda Road.
Hutt Lagoon (Pink Lake): Located 30 minutes south of Port Gregory, this vibrant pink lake is a must-see for photographers.
Blue Holes: Protected fish habitat with shallow limestone pools perfect for beach snorkelling.
KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK
Located in the Pilbara, approximately 1400km north of Perth, it is a spectacular wilderness area known for its ancient, striking red gorges, crystal-clear swimming holes and cascading waterfalls.
Dales Pass: It’s a popular and relatively accessible area, featuring Fortescue Falls (one of the park’s few permanent waterfalls), the lush Fern Pool for swimming, and the natural amphitheater of the Circular Pool.
Hancock Strait: It’s known for its adventurous “spider walk,” in which visitors weave their way through narrow rock passages to reach the emerald-green Kermit Pool.
Weano Strait: It leads to the photogenic Handrail Pool, which requires disembarking using a handrail to reach the swimming spot.
Hamersley Gorge: Located slightly away from the main cluster of gorges, this gorge features beautiful, multi-layered rock formations and the popular Spa Pool, a small natural spa bath.
Mount Bruce (Punurrunha): Western Australia’s second highest peak, offering challenging walks and sweeping views of the vast Pilbara landscape.
