The summer months are a fantastic time to enjoy Western Australia’s stunning coastlines, great weather and beautiful beaches.
From amazing nature experiences to Indigenous cultural tours and the best places to beat the heat in Perth, here’s the best places for summer fun in WA.
Opening image: Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Adventures in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area. Image: Tourism WA.
Get cultural in Perth
Escape the heat of a Perth summer day at some of the city’s most exciting art galleries and museums. Kick off with the Art Gallery of Western Australia, which houses an extensive collection of more than 18,000 works from the 1800s to today. Discover historic items reimagined or take a free guided tour to discover highlights of the First Nations artworks. This summer, make sure to see The Antipodean Manifesto, a selection of works from iconic modern Australian artists such as Charles Blackman and Arthur Boyd, or check out Balancing Act, a riveting, radical curation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
The impressive WA Museum Boola Bardip (meaning ‘many stories’ in the local Nyoongar language) is a celebration of the tales of WA: from its diverse wildlife to the Dreamtime stories of local Aboriginal peoples. With a $400 million upgrade in 2020, this is not to be missed.
For those who love their maritime history, the WA Maritime Museum is dedicated to the state’s unique ongoing relationship with the sea. Explore an amazing array of handcrafted sailing boats, huge vessels and even a retired submarine.
Push some boundaries at PICA – Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, an unmissable venue in which you’ll find innovative and experimental exhibitions and performances. Visit PICA Bar on ground level to rub shoulders with Perth’s artsy crowd while snacking on wicked burgers and more.
Run wild on Rottnest
The idyllic Rottnest Island – known as Wadjemup in Whadjuk Nyoongar language, or ‘Rotto’ to the locals – is just a short ferry ride from Fremantle, but you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world. This island wonderland has more than 60 white sand beaches to discover, many of which you might be sharing with only the adorable resident quokkas. It’s perfect for a day trip, or you can stay a few nights to explore every corner.
With over 22 kilometres of cycling paths and very few vehicles, the island is perfect to discover by bike. Bring your own wheels or hire a bicycle and spend the day bay-hopping from shore to sandy shore. There’s a trail for riders of every ability, including the 4-kilometre Rotto Mini Loop, which gives a nice snapshot of the island; the 10-kilometre Beaches, Lighthouses, and Lakes route, which leads you past some of the island’s stunning coastline and wetlands; or for experienced riders, tackle the 22-kilometre Island Ride, for more remote and rugged adventures.
There are plenty of beaches and bays to choose from, but snorkelling fans should make a beeline for Little Armstrong Bay, while sun-bathers and families will enjoy The Basin or the calm lagoon at Pinky Beach.
When your stomach starts rumbling, you can find family-friendly snacks at Dome, Geordie’s or Frankie’s on Rotto. For on-the-go fuel, discover spots such as Rottnest Bakery, the General Store, or vintage caravan Lexi’s on Rotto. For the fine diners, stop into Isola Rottnest or Lontara, where you can sup on the freshest local seafood and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.
Take the road less travelled
The Shark Bay World Heritage Area encompasses 2.2 million hectares, with a colourful and diverse landscape home to species found nowhere else on Earth. Here, red desert sands meet the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean.
The Nhanda and Malgana people have been looking after this important site for centuries, which continues today with amazing conservation work. Join a Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures tour with Darren ‘Capes’ Capewell, a descendent of the traditional custodians the Nhanda people, for the adventure of a lifetime.
Visit the Hamelin Pool stromatolites, take a kayaking and wildlife tour, go camping and off-roading in Francois Peron National Park, or listen to the resonant sounds of a didgeridoo on a night Dreaming tour. Each option offers breathtaking views of the coastline, stunning wildlife encounters with turtles, rays, sharks, dugongs and more, and is fully catered, providing delicious homemade food from the campfire. Many tours also finish with a relaxing dip in the natural artesian ‘hot tub’ at the historic Peron Homestead.
Wula Gura Nyinda means ‘you come this way’ – a traditional Aboriginal term for the sharing of stories between generations and across cultures, and Darren is passionate about sharing the stories of his ancestral Country. He says: “When you visit Gutharraguda and Monkey Mia it is easy to ‘see’ Country, but to truly take something away with you – you need to feel the spirit of Country. This is what I share with visitors. People walk away with a deeper appreciation of what Country means to my people.”
Wine, waves and wildlife in Margaret River
The Margaret River region is brimming with natural beauty, fine wines and unique experiences for summer fun in WA. It’s also WA’s first certified ECO destination, where sustainability is a top priority.
The region is synonymous with world-class wine, with two varieties in particular – Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay – putting Margaret River on the map. There are more than 90 wineries to visit, and it’s easy to meander between cellar doors while enjoying spectacular vistas of farmland, wine country and coastline. As the oldest winery of the region Vasse Felix deserves a visit, while Voyager Estate offers tastings straight from the barrel, and over the summer months Cape Mentelle hosts an outdoor cinema – so you can enjoy films under the stars with a glass of award-winning wine in hand.
Hamelin Bay is possibly one of the most picturesque beaches of the region, with fine white sand, natural dunes and glassy water. It is also the best place to spot wild stingrays, as they swim right up to shore. Of the types found at the bay the smooth or short-tail stingray is friendlier and more curious, while the eagle ray is often shy and cautious around people. Make sure to look but don’t touch, as both have barbs on their tail.
Margaret River is also famous for its limestone caves, and perhaps the most beautiful is Lake Cave. The entrance to this pristine underground chamber lies at the base of a spectacular sinkhole and sunken forest, which is regenerating after bushfires in 2021. Inside the cave, delicate crystal formations drip from the roof, while the unique ‘suspended table’ is reflected in the lake’s tranquil water below.
Travel to Western Australia
Rex flies to various destinations in WA, including Perth, Esperance, Albany, Carnarvon and Monkey Mia. Book your flights here.
If you enjoyed this article on summer fun in WA, check out the other amazing places in WA you can travel on the Rex network.
