Western Australia
Long coastal drives, red gorges and the remote Kimberley, with distances that set the pace of any trip.
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Western Australia covers the western part of the Australian mainland, and Perth on the Indian Ocean is its capital. The state takes up about a third of the country. Its main places sit far apart: Perth in the southwest, the Coral Coast and Ningaloo Reef farther north, the Karijini gorges inland in the Pilbara, and Broome on the Kimberley coast.
Most visitors come for the coast and the open road. Ningaloo Reef lies close to shore, and whale sharks gather there from about March to July. Broome is known for its pearling history and Cable Beach, and Karijini for its red gorges and swimming pools. Allow at least a week for one region, or two to three weeks for a loop that covers the coast and the north. The dry season, roughly April to October, suits the north best, and spring is a comfortable time in the southwest.
Western Australia in five
- Choose Exmouth or Broome as the end pointTourism Western Australia describes a Perth to Exmouth return on the Coral Coast Highway as 3,277 km over 8 to 11 days, and the West Coast Explorer to Broome as a 17-day trip of almost 4,000 km.Coral Coast Highway
- Fly one leg to save two daysExmouth is just under a 13-hour drive north of Perth, or about two hours by air. Fly north and drive back, or the reverse, if you cannot spare a full week.Ningaloo Reef
- Plan whale sharks for March to AugustTourism WA says the reef hosts whale sharks from March to August, with humpback whales migrating from August to October. Join a tour from Coral Bay or Exmouth to swim with them.
- Go in spring for wildflowersTourism WA gives July to October for wildflowers along the Coral Coast Highway, with Kalbarri National Park's gorges and spring blooms among the draws.
- Use Perth as the start of the roadPerth has the flights, the hire cars and the supplies, so plan one night there before the long drive north.Perth travel guide
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Western Australia, the full guide
Perth
- Price band: $$
Broome
- Price band: $$
Karijini National Park
Gorges, waterfalls and swimming holes in the Hamersley Ranges of the Pilbara, best visited May to September.
Things to do in Western Australia
See all attractions in Western Australia
Need to know
- Airport
- Perth (PER) to start; about 2 hours by air to Exmouth
- Getting there
- Fly to Perth, then drive north or fly one leg
- Getting around
- Hire car; distances between towns are long
- Best base
- Perth to start; Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Coral Bay and Exmouth on the way
- Time needed
- 8 to 11 days Perth to Exmouth and back
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryHot, cyclone risk
- FebruaryHot, cyclone risk
- MarchHot, cyclone risk
- AprilHot, easing
- MayWhale sharks
- JuneWhale sharks
- JulySharks, wildflowers
- AugustSharks, humpbacks
- SeptemberFlowers, humpbacks
- OctoberHumpbacks, warm
- NovemberHot, cyclone season
- DecemberHot, cyclone risk
Right now in Western Australia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 26%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Western Australia
06:00 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today35°19°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 35°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed34°21°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 34°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu38°23°25%Thursday: Cloudy. High 38°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri37°24°48%Friday: Drizzle. High 37°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Sat39°21°8%Saturday: Clear. High 39°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun39°20°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Mon37°21°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 37°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 05:49 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.423 AUD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- The Pinnacles and Cervantesthe first stop north of PerthLimestone spires at the start of the Coral Coast.
- Kalbarri and Monkey Miathe middle of the tripMurchison River gorges and wild dolphins at Shark Bay.
- Coral Bay and Exmouththe far endNingaloo Reef, whale shark season and humpbacks in spring.
Before you go to Western Australia
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Rules for Western Australia, checked
- Many nationalities need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or an eVisitor before arriving in Australia. Check entry rules on the Home Affairs site before you book.Source
- Declare food, plant and animal items on your incoming passenger card. Biosecurity officers check bags and can fine you if you do not declare.Source
- Driving in from South Australia or the Northern Territory, dispose of fruit and vegetables in the quarantine bins at the WA border checkpoints.
- Dial 000 for police, fire or an ambulance. Calls to 112 also reach emergency services from a mobile phone.
- Drive on the left. On rural roads, including those near Karijini, watch for kangaroos and cattle, especially at dusk and dawn.
Plan around Western Australia
Start here: Kings Park, Fremantle and Rottnest
Read the guideBroomeCable Beach and the gateway to the Kimberley
Read the guideKarijini National ParkPilbara gorges, fees and flash-flood rules
Read the guideAll of AustraliaETA, regions, flights and money basics
Read the guideFlights and car hireLong distances and one-way rentals
Read the guideeSIM and data optionsPlan data before you land
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for cancellations and remote travel
Read the guideWestern Australia FAQ
How long does it take to drive from Perth to Exmouth?
Tourism Western Australia says Exmouth is just under a 13-hour drive north of Perth. Few people do it in one go: plan stops at Cervantes, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia and Coral Bay.
How many days do you need for the Coral Coast?
Tourism WA gives 8 to 11 days for the 3,277 km Perth to Exmouth return. Fewer than eight days means flying one leg or skipping Shark Bay.
When can you swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo?
Tourism Western Australia lists whale sharks from March to August. Humpback whales migrate from August to October. Tours depart from Coral Bay and Exmouth, so book before you drive.
When are the wildflowers on the Coral Coast?
From July to October, according to Tourism Western Australia. That window overlaps whale sharks in July and humpbacks from August, so September is a good all-round month.
Can you drive from Perth to Broome?
Yes. The West Coast Explorer itinerary is almost 4,000 km over 17 days, going via Exmouth and the Pilbara. Most visitors fly part of it or end at Exmouth.