Tag: Western Australia

  • Australia Bucket List: 20 Incredible Things to Do in Australia

    Australia Bucket List: 20 Incredible Things to Do in Australia

    Australia is on many people’s travel bucket lists – but what about the bucket list for when you actually get here?

    Australia is huge, and planning a trip can quickly feel overwhelming. From tropical rainforests and world-famous beaches to incredible wildlife and unforgettable road trips, there is no shortage of experiences waiting for you.

    This list isn’t meant to be exhaustive (that would be impossible!), but it highlights some of the most unforgettable experiences to add to your Australia bucket list.

    From coastal walks and iconic landmarks to wildlife encounters and epic road trips, here are some of the best things to do in Australia.

    Iconic Australian Landmarks

    Sydney Harbour (Sydney, NSW)

    No trip to Australia feels complete without visiting Sydney Harbour.

    Here you’ll find two of the country’s most famous landmarks:

    • Sydney Opera House
    • Sydney Harbour Bridge

    You can walk across the bridge, take a harbour cruise, or simply enjoy the views from Circular Quay.

    💡 Bucket list experience: Do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb for incredible views across the harbour.

    Uluru (Northern Territory)

    Uluru is one of Australia’s most iconic natural landmarks and an incredibly important cultural site for the Anangu people.

    Watching the rock change colours at sunrise or sunset is a truly unforgettable experience.

    Twelve Apostles (Great Ocean Road, Victoria)

    The Twelve Apostles are one of Australia’s most famous natural landmarks.

    These dramatic limestone stacks rise out of the ocean along the Great Ocean Road, one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world.

    Visiting at sunrise or sunset is particularly spectacular, when the golden light reflects off the cliffs and ocean.

    Australia’s Best Beaches

    Bondi Beach (Sydney, NSW)

    Bondi Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world.

    It’s known for:

    • golden sand
    • great surf
    • beachside cafés
    • relaxed coastal lifestyle

    It’s also the starting point for one of Australia’s most famous walks.

    Many travellers combine a visit with the famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

    Whitehaven Beach (Whitsundays, Queensland)

    Whitehaven Beach is often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

    Located in the Whitsunday Islands, it is famous for its bright white silica sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. The beach stretches for over seven kilometres and is surrounded by the incredible scenery of the Great Barrier Reef.

    One of the highlights of visiting Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet, where swirling patterns of white sand and blue water create one of the most photographed views in Australia.

    Lucky Bay (Esperance, Western Australia)

    Lucky Bay is known for having some of the whitest sand in Australia.

    Located in Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, the beach is famous for its bright white sand, turquoise water and stunning coastal scenery.

    Lucky Bay is also well known for its kangaroos that often relax on the sand, creating one of the most uniquely Australian beach experiences.

    Check out our Road Trip guide to Lucky Bay!

    Incredible Nature Experiences

    Daintree Rainforest (Queensland)

    The Daintree is the oldest rainforest in the world and one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet.

    Expect to see:

    • ancient plants
    • cassowaries
    • crocodiles
    • incredible biodiversity

    Great Barrier Reef (Queensland)

    The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and one of Australia’s most famous natural wonders.

    Snorkelling or diving here is an unforgettable experience. Or, if you don’t fancy getting in the water, why not take a plane ride and get an aerial view?

    The Whitsundays (Queensland)

    The Whitsundays are a group of 74 tropical islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

    Whitehaven Beach, mentioned above, with its pure silica sand, is regularly ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

    Kangaroo Island (South Australia)

    Kangaroo Island is one of the best places in Australia to see wildlife in its natural habitat.

    Visitors can spot kangaroos, koalas, sea lions and echidnas, as well as explore dramatic coastal landscapes such as the famous Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

    Fraser Island / K’gari (Queensland)

    K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) is the largest sand island in the world.

    The island is famous for its wild landscapes, including:

    • freshwater lakes such as Lake McKenzie
    • the dramatic Maheno Shipwreck
    • long beach highways where 4WD vehicles drive along the sand

    It’s one of the most unique and adventurous destinations on Australia’s east coast.

    Blue Mountains (New South Wales)

    Just a short trip from Sydney, the Blue Mountains are known for their dramatic cliffs, eucalyptus forests and scenic hiking trails.

    One of the most famous viewpoints is the Three Sisters rock formation, which can be seen from Echo Point lookout.

    The region is perfect for day trips from Sydney and offers incredible walking trails, waterfalls and panoramic views.

    Beautiful Coastal Destinations

    Byron Bay (NSW)

    Byron Bay is known for its:

    • relaxed surf culture
    • beautiful beaches
    • incredible sunsets

    One of the must-do experiences is the Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk, which takes you to the easternmost point of mainland Australia.

    Noosa (Queensland)

    Noosa combines beautiful beaches with stunning national park walks.

    The Noosa National Park Coastal Walk is famous for:

    • ocean views
    • dolphin sightings
    • koalas in the trees

    For more Noosa inspo, check out some of our Noosa blog posts!

    Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

    This is one of the most beautiful coastal walks in Australia.

    Highlights include:

    • dramatic ocean views
    • cliffside paths
    • beautiful beaches along the way

    The full walk is around 6km and can take 2–3 hours depending on stops.

    Rottnest Island (Western Australia)

    Rottnest Island is a beautiful island located just off the coast of Perth and is famous for its adorable resident animals – quokkas.

    These small marsupials are known as the “happiest animals in the world” because of their smiling faces.

    Visitors explore the island by bike, discovering stunning beaches, hidden coves and crystal-clear water along the way.

    Check out our Rottnest Island guide here!

    Epic Australian Road Trips

    Australia is one of the best countries in the world for road trips. With vast landscapes and incredible coastal drives, a road trip is one of the best ways to explore the country.

    Here are some of the most famous routes:

    East Coast Road Trip (Sydney → Cairns)

    One of the most popular backpacker routes in Australia.

    Highlights include:

    • Byron Bay
    • Gold Coast
    • Fraser Island
    • Whitsundays
    • Great Barrier Reef

    Great Ocean Road (Victoria)

    One of the most scenic coastal drives in the world.

    Highlights include:

    • the Twelve Apostles
    • dramatic cliffs
    • stunning ocean views

    Perth to Esperance (Western Australia)

    This road trip takes you to some of the whitest beaches in Australia, including the famous Lucky Bay where kangaroos often relax on the sand.

    Perth to Exmouth (Western Australia)

    A spectacular road trip along Western Australia’s coastline.

    Highlights include:

    • Ningaloo Reef
    • whale sharks (in season)
    • incredible turquoise water

    Final Thoughts

    Australia is a country filled with incredible landscapes, wildlife and unforgettable travel experiences.

    Whether you’re exploring vibrant cities, relaxing on world-class beaches, or heading out on an epic road trip, there’s always something new to discover.

    If you’re planning a trip, hopefully this bucket list gives you a few ideas to start building your own Australian adventure.

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  • The Ultimate Perth to Esperance Road Trip (With Camping Stops)

    The Ultimate Perth to Esperance Road Trip (With Camping Stops)

    We spent 7 days driving from Perth to Esperance and back, and honestly? What a treat.

    Look, campervan holidays aren’t usually our thing. We like a hotel. We like a pool. We like plug sockets that definitely work.

    But if you want to see this part of Western Australia properly, a campervan is probably the best way to do it…and we ended up loving every second.

    Here’s exactly how we did our Perth to Esperance road trip, where we stayed, and what not to miss along the way.

    Our Campervan

    We booked through Peterpans and went with Apollo for the van.

    Pickup was straightforward in Perth, and once we were loaded up and slightly overwhelmed by how many buttons a campervan has…we hit the road.

    Perth to Esperance Road Trip Route Overview

    🗺 Perth to Esperance Road Trip Route (7 Days)

    • Perth → Margaret River (2 nights)
    • Margaret River → Albany (1 night, via Denmark)
    • Albany → Lucky Bay, Esperance (2–3 nights)
    • Esperance → Wave Rock (1 night)
    • Wave Rock → Perth

    💡 Tip: Stock up before Cape Le Grand National Park — Lucky Bay is off-grid with limited facilities.

    Stop 1: Margaret River (2 Nights)

    Drive time from Perth: ~3 hours

    Margaret River is Western Australia’s famous wine region, and it is stunning.

    Rolling vineyards, dramatic coastline, sleepy beach towns… it’s the perfect first stop to ease into road trip mode.

    We stayed at Hamelin Bay Holiday Park, which was lovely and in a great location. The campsite has:

    • Direct beach access
    • A beautiful coastal walk
    • Resident stingrays you can see from the shore (yes, really)

    Alongside visiting local wineries, make sure you stop at Margaret River Bakery. Elite carb stop. No further notes.

    Margaret River Bakery

    Stop 2: Albany (1 Night)

    Drive time from Margaret River: ~4 hours (via Denmark)

    We broke up the drive by stopping in Denmark, which is absolutely worth it for coffee and coastal views.

    In Albany, we stayed at the BIG4 Campground, which was right on the beach – a brilliant location.

    While in Albany:

    • Visit the Albany Whaling Station
    • Head to The Gap – dramatic cliffs and wild Southern Ocean views
    • Walk along the coastline (it feels properly rugged here)

    Albany feels wilder than Margaret River; less polished, more dramatic.

    Stop 3: Lucky Bay, Esperance (2–3 Nights)

    Drive time from Albany: ~5 hours

    This is where things get special.

    We stayed at Lucky Bay Campground in Cape Le Grand National Park, and it is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever stayed.

    But let’s be real about it.

    What to Know Before Staying at Lucky Bay Campground:

    • No powered sites
    • No water hook-ups
    • Very limited WiFi (only near the entrance, and even then… barely)
    • Showers are hit and miss temperature-wise
    • Nearest supermarket is back in Esperance town

    This is off-grid camping.

    Charge everything. Stock up properly. Be prepared.

    And then enjoy being completely disconnected.

    Because Lucky Bay Beach – regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world – is right there.

    White sand. Turquoise water. Kangaroos on the beach (well, if you’re lucky! If not, just Kangaroos on the campsite!)

    There’s also a beautiful coastal walk and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities.

    Bonus: Great Ocean Drive (Esperance)

    From Lucky Bay, take a drive along Great Ocean Drive (not to be confused with Victoria’s Great Ocean Road).

    Stop at:

    • Twilight Bay
    • Blue Haven Beach
    • Various breathtaking lookouts
    Twilight Bay
    Blue Haven Beach

    You can also explore more of Cape Le Grand National Park by car or on foot, straight from the campground.

    Esperance might just have some of the best beaches in Australia. Well actually, it does have some of the best beaches in Australia. And the world. As voted for!

    Stop 4: Wave Rock (1 Night)

    After our time in Esperance and heading back towards Perth, we drove inland to Wave Rock Short Stay.

    This was next-level remote.

    Wave Rock Short Stay Campground

    Okay, technically it’s fairly near a main road. But once you’re inside the campground? It feels like you’re miles from anywhere.

    We did, admittedly, drive up and down the same road several times trying to find it. But it was dark. We were tired. Let’s move on.

    The campsite itself is proper wilderness camping:

    • Two bathrooms
    • No showers
    • Epic night skies
    • Complete silence

    The stars here are unreal.

    And of course, Wave Rock itself is worth seeing before you set off back to Perth – a 15-metre-high rock formation shaped exactly like a breaking ocean wave.

    It’s surreal in real life.

    Wave Rock

    Final Thoughts on the Perth to Esperance Road Trip

    This part of Western Australia is wild, dramatic, and incredibly beautiful.

    Yes, campervan life isn’t glamorous.
    Yes, you’ll miss long hot showers.
    Yes, you’ll occasionally question your life choices while emptying grey water.

    But you’ll also:

    • Watch stingrays from the shore
    • See kangaroos on a beach
    • Camp under the clearest stars you’ve ever seen
    • Drive some of the most beautiful roads in Australia

    And that makes it completely worth it!

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  • Rottnest Island Day Trip Guide: Everything You Need to Know (and What We Got Wrong!)

    Rottnest Island Day Trip Guide: Everything You Need to Know (and What We Got Wrong!)

    Rottnest Island – The Things You Need to Know!

    We spent the day on Rottnest Island at the end of our 7-day campervan road trip from Perth to Esperance. Safe to say, we were tired after all that driving and campsite living, and we did not prepare for Rottnest Island… like, at all.

    So, here’s everything you need to know (and what to avoid!) so your trip goes a little more smoothly than ours did.

    Getting to Rottnest Island

    To get to Rottnest, you’ll need to book either the Rottnest Express or the SeaLink Ferry. Definitely pre-book these because they do sell out! If you’re just planning a day trip, a return ticket is the best value.

    We went with the SeaLink Ferry and it was great. Punctual, comfortable, and only took about 30 minutes. The captain even gave us “Wildlife Updates” over the speaker when migrating humpback whales were spotted!

    You can catch the ferry from either Fremantle (which we did) or Perth City. Since we still had our campervan, we parked at Wilson Parking nearby. It’s all outdoors so no height restrictions to worry about, and you can pay via the machine or app. It cost $12 for the whole day, which we thought was pretty reasonable and it’s only a couple of minutes walk away from the ferry.

    Getting Around Rottnest Island

    This is where we really messed up… but honestly, we’re kind of glad we did!

    Most people explore the island either by hop-on-hop-off bus or bicycle. There are e-bikes and regular bikes available, and fair warning, it’s hilly, so prepare for a workout!

    The bus and e-bikes sell out quickly, so book at least a day in advance if you can.

    We hadn’t booked anything – not the bus, not the e-bikes, nothing – so by the time we arrived, the only option left was to hire regular bikes on the spot.

    And you know what? We absolutely loved it. We had to queue for a while and sure, it was tough in parts, but it turned out to be one of our favourite days of the trip. We got a full workout, saw the whole island at our own pace, and finished the day with a well-deserved pizza at Hotel Rottnest overlooking the ocean.

    If you take the bus, note that stops are spread out around the island, so you can still walk between them if you want to see more. Buses run every 20 minutes, but they do get busy and sometimes fill up — so keep that in mind when planning your day.

    *Top tip – if you’re arriving after 1pm, you can book your bikes or e-bikes for a discounted rate!*

    Food and Drink on the Island

    This is another thing we completely underestimated.

    We assumed there’d be cafés and food spots dotted all around the island…there aren’t. Most of the food options are clustered around The Settlement, near where the ferry comes in. Once you head out exploring, things get pretty sparse.

    We didn’t pack any snacks or water, which was a big mistake after hours of cycling in the sun. By the time we reached the West End (the opposite side of the island from where we started), we were starving. We ended up sharing a Powerade and a Byron Bay cookie (which was well expensive btw) just to keep ourselves going until we made it back to civilisation!

    So yes – bring plenty of water with you and probably eat before you start your cycle, if that’s your chosen mode of transport!

    What We’d Do Differently Next Time

    Even though we had a brilliant day, there are definitely a few things we’d do differently (and recommend you do too!):

    Don’t worry if things don’t go to plan. Sometimes the best travel days are the unplanned ones. Our “mistake” ended up being the highlight of our trip.

    Book transport in advance. Whether you want the bus or e-bikes, it’s worth booking before you arrive – especially in peak season.

    Bring snacks and plenty of water. There aren’t many food stops once you’re out exploring, and those hills are thirsty work!

    Start early. The island is stunning, and there’s a lot to see — so the earlier you get there, the more relaxed your day will feel.

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