Western Australia is by far and away the largest state in the country, comprising almost a third of its landmass.
It also features incredibly diverse landscapes, including over 10,100 km of spectacular coastline, world-class surf, stunning UNESCO World Heritage rock reefs and rock formations, ancient Aboriginal sites, and gorgeous vineyards that produce sensational wines. All of this makes it a fantastic place to discover on a family road trip.
While you might be well aware of and even have visited its major highlights, such as Perth, Ningaloo Reef, Broome, and Esperance, there are plenty of lesser-known spots in Western Australia that we’d hate you to miss out on.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of six hidden gems that might not have been on your radar. If you can, we highly recommend adding a visit to these places to your schedule.
Driving Tips for WA
Western Australia can be a challenging place to drive, especially for those doing it for the first time. For this reason, it’s worth reviewing some handy tips to make driving in the state much easier.
As a rule of thumb, it is worth changing drivers every couple of hours to keep yourself mentally fresh. You should also stop regularly for fresh air and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
If you have an older teenager travelling with you who is learning to drive, you should familiarise yourself with the Learner and P plate restrictions in WA before letting them take the wheel.
It is also worth downloading the fuel or EV charger app onto your smartphone to determine the best place to fill up. Congruently, you might find the National Toilet Map app helpful too.
Hidden Gems
Western Australia has plenty of major highlights for the tourists. But here are some places you should visit that are not as well known.
- Hamelin Bay
Nestled between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste on the southwest coast of Western Australia, Hamelin Bay is an area many travellers miss. It lies just to the south of Cape Freycinet and is known for being an area where you can snorkel with stingrays.
More seasoned snorkelers can also explore several shipwrecks and caves, and those into beach fishing can cast a line for crayfish, abalone, whiting and herring.
Nearby in Augusta, the stately Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is an Insta-worthy photo waiting to be snapped.
- Elephant Rocks
There are no prizes for guessing what this place is about!
Located on the southern part of the state’s coastline, Elephant Rocks is an incredible rock formation that resembles elephants standing in the cerulean waters.
To see them, you’ll have to make your way to the Greens Pool Car Park at William Bay National Park, from which it is just a 10-minute stroll to the formation.
The Elephant Cove beach, where they reside, is a safe place to swim because it is protected by rocks. However, you should always exercise caution when you go in the water.
- Kalbarri National Park
Western Australia is home to 112 national parks, and without a doubt, Kalbarri National Park is one of the most spectacular.
Sprawling over 186,000 hectares, it contains a jaw-dropping mix of rivers, gorges, bluffs, cliffs, lookouts and native flora.
You’ll have to drive six hours north of Perth to get to the park near the lower end of the Murchison River. But unlike other national parks in Western Australia, this is one you can read via a 2WD.
- Nuytsland Nature Reserve
If you enjoy 4WDing, wild camping, and virtually complete isolation, you’ll want to visit Nuytsland Nature Reserve.
Here, you’ll be able to witness the wonderful Baxter Cliffs, which, at 190 km in length and 80 metres high, is the world’s longest stretch of unbroken cliffs.
A truly incredible sight, you’ll have to go off-grid to see this natural rugged landscape, which also features superb beaches that run into the distance as far as the eye can see, sand plains and sand dunes.
If you hike inland, you’ll find eye-catching bluebush plains and eucalypt woodland that are not too dissimilar to the Nullarbor.
- Shell Beach
As its name implies, Shell Beach is a beach comprising billions of shells!
Indeed, this unique coastal area, about 45 km from the town of Denham in Shark Bay, has no sand at all.
On still days, the colours here are amazing, comprising various shades of greens and blues. The water is quite salty, so it’s also a nice spot to swim.
- Point Peron National Park
If you love the colours of nature, then Point Peron National Park will mesmerise you.
The park is home to an intoxicating mix of sapphire waters, burnt orange sand, lush green foliage and red cliffs that will take your breath away.
Best explored via 4WD, the park boasts a breathtaking landscape where the desert meets the ocean. You will need to spend a few days there to really appreciate its beauty.
Thankfully, there are several campsites in the area where you can base yourself to do so.
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