5 incredible places to holiday in Western Australia

Extraordinary Western Australian destinations to inspire families to holiday here this year.

1. Go on a quest for quokka’s on Rottnest Island

Just half an hour by ferry from Fremantle or Perth, an island paradise awaits. Rottnest Island, or Rotto as it is known to the locals, boasts a staggering 63 secluded white sand beaches along with 20 bays, their turquoise-hued waters encircled by protected coral reefs that are ideal for snorkelling. You may even spot dolphins, turtles and the puppies of the sea – New Zealand fur seals.

Rottnest means “rat’s nest”, a name it earned in 1696 when Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh mistook the island’s marsupials as rats. Now, the quest for a selfie with one of its adorable quokkas is the main attraction – there are even free guided walks into the natural quokka habitat. Perfectly set up for bike riding and scootering, the island boasts plenty of accommodation from camping to luxury apartments perfect for families.

Segway tours are a great way for kids aged 12 and above to explore some of Rottnest’s hidden treasures in a fun and eco-friendly way.

Read: Quokkas, aquariums, markets and family fun

2. The Margaret River’s wineries, waves and whales

Nestled among the bush along the WA coast, just three hours south of Perth, the Margaret River region packs a hefty holiday punch. The laid-back and lovely region incorporates Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta and is renowned for producing some of Australia’s best wine. For wine tasting without any whining, many of the vineyards are set up with child-friendly entertainment and, beyond its grapes, the region boasts a treasure trove of remarkable natural attractions. Amid the brightest jewels in Margaret River’s tourism crown are breathtaking national parks for hiking and exploring, a labyrinthian limestone crystal cave network under the surface of Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, some of the country’s best seasonal whale watching, beaches with dazzling blue water and some of the best big-wave surfing locations in the world.

Read: The ultimate Margaret River Region road trip guide

Don’t miss the famous Busselton Jetty stretches almost two kilometres into Geographe Bay. Families can take a train along its length where an Underwater Observatory awaits.

3. Go wild on the Coral Coast

From the Shark Bay World Heritage Area and Ningaloo Reef – the largest fringing reef in the world – to the ethereal landscape of the Pinnacles Desert, the epic dunes of Lancelin, the vivid pink of Hutt Lagoon and the ancient river gorges of Kalbarri National Park, Australia’s Coral Coast is a 1,100-kilometre cornucopia of wild wonders. Visit the dolphins of Monkey Mia, swim with whale sharks, snorkel across pristine reefs teeming with marine life and spot sea turtle hatchlings during nesting season. While older kids can dive in deep, little ones can explore the wonders of the reef by Sub Sea Explorer, a semi-submersible glass bottom boat.

Read: Coral Coast family-friendly travel guide

4. The Kimberley

A colossal and complex landscape encompassing surreal landforms, rugged gorges and sparkling waterfalls peeking out from patches of lush rainforest, the Kimberley is one of the world’s great wilderness areas. Whether your kids are off in space or down to earth, they’ll find something to spark joy here. Explore one of the world’s largest meteorite craters at Wolfe Creek or hike over the surreal landscape of the beehive-shaped Bungle Bungles. Explore ancient cave systems and rich Indigenous culture. Cruise the vast inland sea of Lake Argyle or speed through Horizontal Falls in a high-powered jet boat. And then put your feet up by the fire at your cattle station campsite for a well-earned break.

5. Follow in the 130 million-year-old footsteps of dinosaurs on the Broome coastline

Imagining the prehistoric battles of the sauropod and a T.Rex-like predator is easy on a tour with local Yawuru guide, Bart Pigram, who’ll show you the perfectly preserved dinosaur tracks at low tide while sharing the Dreaming stories of the Djugun-Yawuru people of Broome. Or perhaps you’d rather explore the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay by hovercraft.

Read: 16 family-friendly things to do in Broome

This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.

Main image: Conto Spring Beach, Margaret River © Tourism Western Australia

Keep reading:

• WA South West road trip itinerary
• The best holiday parks in WA
• Highlights of Perth and the Coral Coast

WA family accommodation