Holiday Ideas From Perth

Christmas is the perfect time to get away from daily life and see what else Western Australia has to offer. There are plenty of ideal destinations to discover, and within comfortable reach from Perth. So let yourself be captivated by the beautiful wineries of Margaret River or the beaches of Broome, and sink into summer Down Under.

Margaret River

Margaret River is no stranger to Perth locals who regularly go out of the city to have a holiday. The quaint town, a 2.5-hour drive from Perth, is a tourist paradise. Enjoy the best Western Australian nature with a trip to the mesmerising Mammoth Cave at the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, blooming wildflowers around the region, or a trek along a limestone ridge between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin – dubbed as the Cape to Cape Walk Track. Of course, a trip to Margaret River would be incomplete without visiting the great wineries. Join a wine tour to spoil your eyes with beautiful sceneries and taste a variety of first class wines from the region. Wide options of accommodations are available in Margaret River and it’s up to you to choose which one suits your needs and preferences; from luxurious hotels and resorts to budget backpacker hostels.

Busselton

Much like its close neighbour Margaret River, Busselton is also a popular tourist destination for those who wish to escape from their busy life in Perth. The city is renowned for being a surfer’s paradise and being home to breathtaking forests, and there are a great number of attractions. One of the most famous is the Busselton Jetty, the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere which stretches nearly 2 km out to the sea. At the end of the jetty is an underwater observatory with 11 viewing windows through which you can enjoy the sight of fish and coral. If you want some adrenaline pumping through your veins, sign up for a tandem skydiving experience in the city and prepare to fall 10,000ft and land on the coastline. Busselton is about 2.5-hour’s drive from Perth, and there you can choose where to stay from various accommodations of different types.

Lancelin

Widely known as a fishing town, Lancelin is a common destination for those seeking a short coastal trip and is at its busiest on weekends and holidays. It is popular especially for its short distance from Perth, only 1.5-hour’s drive from the city centre. Lancelin is home to one of Western Australia’s most unique tourist attractions, the Pinnacles Desert. Only four kilometres from the coast, the Pinnacles Desert presents astonishing stone monuments, standing tall from the sand like remains of an archaic civilisation. Another interesting attraction is the Sand Dunes, a wide two-kilometre long area with only pure white sand and nothing else where visitors spend most of their time sandboarding (sandboards are available for hire at $10 per hour). There are various caravan parks located around Lancelin where you can spend your night camping, and there are also other accommodations such as hostels, cottages, and apartments for rent.

Broome

The town of Broome in the Kimberley region is often referred to as where the sky meets the land. Broome spoils its visitors with gorgeous Indian Ocean sunsets that can be seen from the beaches and its exotic, rich pearling history. A favourite activity in the town is camel rides. Sign up for a guided Camel Tour, and embark on an unforgettable journey along the magnificent Cable Beach. To get a taste of Broome’s pearling history, go for a Pearling Lugger Experience where you will be welcomed on board a 111-year-old wooden lugger yacht, ready to take you sailing around Broome’s stunning waters. For your convenience, Integrity Coach Lines provides a hop-on, hop-off coach service from Perth to Broome with affordable prices and comfortable coaches that will take you to prime tourist destinations between the two.

By Mentari Sandiastri